Pictured above: Jane Plant

The social housing team at national law firm Weightmans LLP has this week welcomed associate Jane Plant, who joins from rival firm Anthony Collins.

Jane, who will be based in the firm's Birmingham office, qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Formerly a client relationship manager for a number of housing associations at Anthony Collins, Jane is well known within the housing community. She has specialist knowledge of housing management issues such as possession cases, breach of tenancy terms and anti-social behaviour as well as disability discrimination and equality issues, most notably acting in the Court of Appeal case of Knowsley Housing Trust v McMullen (2006).

Sian Evans, head of the Social Housing team at Weightmans LLP, said:

"The social housing team at Weightmans has had a strong year to date with a number of tender wins secured on the back of our growing housing and housing finance services portfolio. Jane's appointment is a reflection of the strides the team has made in the social housing arena."

Jane says that the move to Weightmans will enable her to expand her knowledge base and work on a greater variety of cases:

"Weightmans has a solid reputation in the housing market so I am thrilled to be joining the firm.

"My role will be to provide strategic advice on housing management and litigation issues to the firm's growing social housing client base, which I am really looking forward to."

Jane's arrival is a further boost to the firm's social housing team following its merger with Mace & Jones.

"Joining forces with a very experienced social housing team from Mace & Jones can only be a good thing for us and our clients," Sian explained. "Their wealth of expertise complements our existing offering particularly well and will further strengthen our place in the market."

Jane Plant is a member of the Law Society Housing Committee, a group of specialist housing solicitors that lobby the Government and prepare responses to Government consultations on relevant housing issues.