Charles Russell partner takes property clients to Bates Wells

The arrival of Juliusz Wodzianski is part of Bates Wells' stategy of growing its commercial capability across all sectors, as well as retaining its market lead for charities work.
Wodzianski specialises in office, retail, warehousing and leisure development, development funding, investment and commercial property transactions. His clients include Thistle Land, the most recent company to join the Palmer Capital Partners (PCP) stable, and HBG Properties. Thistle Land was launched in October 2000 by the former managing director of HBG Properties. PCP has allocated a £20m financing package to Thistle Land which is being geared to support a £50m development programme by the end of this year. PCP managing director and legal director Christopher Digby-Bell said that the company currently has a number of deals in the pipeline.
"Juliusz is one of the more recent additions to the PCP pool of lawyers," said Digby-Bell. "I believe in instructing lawyers rather than law firms, so PCP and its in-house company Thistle Land will be happy to continue instructing him.
"I've nothing for or against Charles Russell, but I've never thought in terms of using law firms."
HBG Properties is also understood to be maintaining its relationship with Wodzianski at Bates Wells.
Wodzianski said: "I have enormous respect for the work carried out by Bates Wells, and the manner in which it is carried out. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the growing property team at the firm."
In the past five years, the department has grown from one partner and an assistant to three partners and five assistants.