Our 2025 Year in Review: A Year of Growth, Recognition and Achievement
As 2025 draws to a close, we’ve taken some time to sit back and reflect on our sixth year in business, something that we haven’t had the luxury of doing as the year has been our busiest yet!
It’s been a remarkable year for Mason Thomas Law. We’ve welcomed two talented new team members, been involved in some significant property transactions, grown our residential conveyancing business by 60%, and overseen more than £6.7 million of secured funding. Along the way, we’ve been honoured to have been shortlisted for, and won, a number of industry awards.
Starting Strong: Recognition from Our Peers
The year got off to a great start when we were shortlisted in four categories at the Sheffield and District Law Society Legal Awards. Cathy was shortlisted for Partner of the Year, while the firm also received nominations in the Niche Law Firm of the Year, Commercial Property Law Firm of the Year, and Residential Property Law Firm of the Year categories.
In March, we were delighted to learn we had been named the Society’s Commercial Property Team of the Year for the second consecutive year (we also clinched the prestigious title in 2024). Can we make it a hat trick in 2026?
Growing Our Team
Growth across the board saw us welcome two new team members; Lebby Mahmood and Mollie Lancaster.
It was the first permanent role in law for newly qualified solicitor Lebby, who has impressed us and clients alike since joining. Lebby played a key role in the high-profile Skeldale House deal, leading client Greg Parkin to comment: “Lebby was absolutely brilliant, very knowledgeable and very quick to get things done.”
Similarly, conveyancer Mollie has been making waves in our residential team, ensuring our high standards of service continue as this area of the business grows rapidly. What can we say… people really value our responsiveness. It really does make the difference in a stressful situation.
With Mollie joining our conveyancing team, working alongside Sarah and director Jo, we have seen this side of the business grow substantially by 60% since 2024. We’ve also been appointed to the Lloyds Panel and are working with some wonderful and like-minded estate agents across Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
The April SDLT Deadline Rush
The April SDLT deadline saw us complete 10 times the number of transactions we normally complete in April. It was an intense period that tested our team’s capabilities, but we rose to the challenge and ensured every client made their deadline.
Going the Extra Mile(s)
April must have been the month for exhaustion, but that didn’t stop Cathy from taking on and conquering the 20-mile Edale Skyline Challenge in 7 hours 45 minutes for our charity partner Support Dogs. It’s this kind of commitment – to our clients, our community, and the causes we care about – that defines who we are as a firm.
Summer Success: More Awards and Memorable Deals
Summer saw us nominated for three further awards in the Yorkshire Legal Awards. Cathy was again nominated for Managing Partner of the Year, while the firm was also shortlisted in the Commercial Property and Small Law Firm of the Year categories.
The same month, we completed on Skeldale House, a property that was immortalised as the exterior of the Darrowby veterinary surgery in the beloved BBC series All Creatures Great and Small. We worked with our friends at Dawson Radford Solicitors to help Greg secure both the hospitality business and property, a deal that attracted significant attention and one we were proud to be part of.
Sprinting to the Finish Line
The final part of the year saw a sprint to the finish line for some significant deals, notably the merger of Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers with SMH Group. Once again, we worked alongside our friends at CMP Legal to get this deal over the line, handling the property legal work side of the transaction.
As longstanding client Jonathan Dickens, SMH Group chief executive, said: “When it comes to acquiring businesses, I expect the partners we work with to get things done at the same speed we do. Mason Thomas Law has always got us over the line.”
This was swiftly followed by success for long-time client Glass Onion when Cathy completed on a new lease for Glass Onion in Nottingham in less than two weeks from agreeing heads of terms.
We saw no slow down with residential transactions either, with home buyers keen to be in their new homes for Christmas.
Looking Ahead to 2026
2026 won’t be any quieter. Glass Onion’s John Hickling tells us they have plans for more high street units next year. We’re excited to continue supporting our clients’ growth and ambitions.
As we look back on 2025, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. Thank you to our brilliant team, our loyal clients, and our professional partners who have made this year possible.
Here’s to an even more successful 2026!
The team at Mason Thomas Law
Cathy, Jo, Lauren, Candice, Sarah, Lebby and Mollie