The newly-promoted partners are: Joanna Brown, commercial real estate; Matthew Evans, planning; Guy Mawson, family; Maryam Oghanna, trust and estate disputes; and Thérèse Marie (TM) Rodgers, construction disputes.

Brown joined Forsters’ Retail and Leisure team in 2020 with her team from Orrick. She advises large institutional landlords on commercial property matters including asset management, redevelopment and refinancing of shopping centres, retail parks and industrial estates. She has in-depth experience, notably having worked on the top 20 shopping centres in the UK.

Evans joined Forsters in 2015 from the London Borough of Hackney. A Legal 500 “Leading Associate” (2025), he is recognised for his “market-leading expertise” in planning law. His practice covers all aspects of planning, with a particular focus on large-scale residential-led developments. He also advises on infrastructure agreements, the Community Infrastructure Levy, and has a practice advising on biodiversity net gain. Beyond his practice, Evans plays a key role in Forsters’ Graduate Recruitment Programme and mentoring scheme and sits as a board member of Baker Street Quarter.

Mawson joined Forsters in 2021, after working in family law teams at prominent media-based firms. Recognised as a “Rising Star” in Spear’s 500, he advises on all aspects of private family law with expertise in high net worth divorce cases. His work often involves assets and trust structures and multi-jurisdictional elements.

Oghanna joined Forsters’ Trust and Estates Disputes team in 2021 from Herbert Smith Freehills where she was a commercial litigator. Recognised in the Chambers HNW Guide, and as a “Rising Star” in the Legal 500, she advises on the full spectrum of private wealth disputes. Oghanna represents high net worth individuals, trustees and professionals, executors, protectors, family offices and beneficiaries in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes, with a particular focus on clients in the Middle East.

Rodgers joined Forsters in 2023 from White & Case, bringing experience in construction disputes. Rodgers advises developers, building owners, main contractors, subcontractors and consultants on all forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, adjudication, expert determination, litigation and arbitration. While she specialises in commercial real estate, she also has significant sector experience in oil and gas, hydropower, renewable energy and infrastructure.

“The fact that we are able to promote five talented lawyers in separate practice areas demonstrates that we are performing strongly across the firm. With the arrival of immigration partner Tracy Evlogidis in November 2024 and five newly-promoted partners, we enter the new financial year in a robust position and in an optimistic frame of mind,” Emily Exton, managing partner at Forsters, said.