Pictured above: Tom Devey with MFG Solicitors partner Sarah Baugh

A leading Shropshire agricultural lawyer has been promoted to associate at regional law firm MFG Solicitors.

Tom Devey joined Shropshire firm Gwynnes in 2002 as a trainee solicitor, before the firm merged with the Worcestershire and West Midlands based firm Morton Fisher to become MFG Solicitors in 2005.

Mr Devey qualified as a solicitor in 2004, and now works closely in the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Division with partners Sarah Baugh and Celia Tildesley at the firm's Telford office.

Sarah Baugh said: "Tom is a highly regarded lawyer in Shropshire and in the specialist area of agricultural law. This upward move in our substantial Agricultural and Rural Affairs Division is thoroughly deserved."

Tom Devey said: "This is a further stepping stone in my career at MFG Solicitors and I am excited by the range of new challenges presenting themselves at the moment."

Thirty-one-year-old Mr Devey graduated with a BA (Hons) in English from the University of West England, Bristol before going on to study at the College of Law in Chester. He now predominantly undertakes farm and landed estate work and specialises in land sales and acquisitions, farming tenancies, applications to the Agricultural Land Tribunal and advice relating to Single Farm Payment Entitlements and Agri-Environmental Schemes.

Mr Devey is a familiar figure at events throughout the year involving the county's agricultural community and is currently the treasurer of the Shropshire branch of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. He is also the legal advisor to the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, a member of the Agricultural Law Association and the Shropshire Law Society. 

A keen rugby player with Telford Hornets before his playing career was brought to a premature end by a knee injury Tom remains an enthusiastic spectator whenever he can escape from his young family.