International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has announced the appointment of Julia Thomson as a Partner to enhance its delivery of high quality social housing and housebuilding support. With a distinguished 25-year career advising across the living sector, Julia brings a wealth of expertise to the firm, particularly in complex residential projects, acquisitions for development and management of all other aspects of the development process.

Julia joins WBD’s Newcastle office, departing from her role as head of the social housing sector at Ward Hadaway where she led large scale securitisations for affordable housing providers, the acquisition of major development sites, and national land assembly projects. Her significant contributions to regeneration schemes across the North East have marked her as a leading voice in the industry.

“I am thrilled to be joining WBD and a team which is not only committed to excellence but also shares the ambition to continue growing and enhancing the quality of service provided to clients in the social housing and housebuilding areas not just across the North East but across the wider country,” said Julia Thomson.

Nigel Emmerson, head of WBD’s Newcastle office and lead Partner of the firm’s living sector expressed his enthusiasm about Julia’s arrival: 

“It is incredibly exciting to be able to welcome Julia to WBD. She is a well-known and recognised voice of expertise in the social housing and housebuilding sector in the North of England. Julia is a friendly face to many in the office who have worked with her in the past back when the firm was Dickinson Dees and I look forward to working with her as she plays a vital role in the further expansion and bolstering of our team’s strong knowledge and service quality in these areas.”

Julia’s appointment is a testament to WBD’s commitment to fostering growth and delivering exceptional service in the social housing and housebuilding sectors. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of the living sector are poised to contribute significantly to the firm’s strategic goals.

Nigel Emmerson and Julia Thomson

Womble Bond Dickinson's Nigel Emmerson and Julia Thomson