Local government specialist Estelle Culligan is to be a partner in Wilkin Chapman’s regulatory and public sector department, which is led by partner Jonathan Goolden.
She will be involved in local, regional, and national work for the department, but also building a presence for the firm in the south east, where she is based.
With more than 18 years’ experience working in-house for local authorities, guiding councils on various legislative and governance issues, Estelle brings a wealth of valuable in-depth knowledge and a great understanding of the concerns and challenges faced by councils.
“I’m looking forward to working with the department which already offers a fantastic array of services in the local government sector. My many years’ experience as a monitoring officer and head of legal, means that I understand and have first-hand experience of the unique challenges faced by councillors and officers. This will allow me to advise on the full range of local government issues, including constitutional and governance matters, code of conduct investigations, employment, planning and housing”, Estelle commented.
She added: “I have been aware of Jonathan and Wilkin Chapman’s reputation in the sector for several years and am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be joining such a great team”.
Jonathan Goolden said: “Estelle is going to be a great asset to our department, not only increasing the skill of the team, but the capacity and reach of what we already do. Local government is an intensely regulated sector where imaginative and politically aware solutions which have regard to the public interest are often required. Estelle is able to think flexibly and propose pragmatic outcomes to her clients.”
