A YORK legal firm has strengthened its private law division with the appointment of two experienced professionals.

Andrew Gowar joins Langleys Solicitors as partner while Judy Lankester comes on board as an associate solicitor.

Mr Gowar has worked for law firms in Leeds and York, most recently as head of private client at Harrowells. He graduated from Durham University and the University of Law, where he is now a visiting lecturer.

Ms Lankester specialises in agricultural law, dealing with farms and high value residential work for landed estates. In Yorkshire, she has worked for Walker Morris and Wilkin Chapman in Beverley.

Mark Day, head of the private law division at Langleys, said: “Andrew and Judy are significant hires for Langleys and will enhance our reputation for agricultural work and advising individuals on their personal and financial affairs, especially those from an agricultural background.”

LUPTON Fawcett, the York-based commercial law firm, has announced the arrival of Arif Khalfe as a director based within the dispute management department.

Mr Khalfe has experience in a range of litigated areas, including professional negligence, contentious trusts and probate as well as consumer litigation. He has a keen interest in all aspects of alternative dispute resolution and is a qualified mediator.

He also has specialist expertise within immigration. He advises and assists in all aspects of business and sports immigration, which includes advising on sponsorships and visas under the points-based systems.

Mr Khalfe said: “I am delighted to be joining Lupton Fawcett to establish a leading immigration offering that is commercially beneficial to clients and their workforces. I look forward to reinforcing the reputation the firm already has in the Yorkshire market.”