Knaresborough law firm Greenwoods Solicitors is to move to the former HSBC bank building on the high street, its owner has said.
Camilla Greenwood made the announcement yesterday, on the second anniversary of the death of her mother, the firm’s founder, Lynda Greenwood.
Lynda tragically died in a house fire in 2022, and Camilla has made it her mission to honour her mother’s legacy by making sure the family firm carries on and thrives.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“After my mum died, we wanted the high street to know we weren’t going anywhere – the lights were on and we were still at home – but I think the time is right now to move to a bigger space.
“After 33 years of helping people buy their dream home we are delighted to have done just that ourselves.
“Even though it’s only a few yards up the road, it feels as if we’ll be far more in the centre of Knaresborough. We’re a community law firm, so it’s right that we should be at the heart of the community.”
The new premises, at 56 High Street, will have two meeting rooms, separate workspaces for fee-earners and support staff, and a large reception area. It is also all on one level.
Camilla said:
“One of our areas of specialism is elderly and vulnerable clients, so it’s important that our premises are accessible to them.”
Camilla Greenwood with the Triumph Over Adversity award she was presented with at the Women in Business Awards 2024.
The move, which will follow a programme of refurbishment and is expected to be completed before July, is the latest in a series of developments for the firm under Camilla’s leadership. Last year, it overhauled its old offices and took on an extra member of staff, growing the headcount to seven.
In September, Greenwoods was named Family-Run Business of the Year at the Knaresborough Business Awards; in February, Camilla picked up the Triumph Over Adversity award at the Women in Business Awards; and last month the firm won a Special Recognition award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards.
Camilla added:
“It feels like a really positive step to actually own our own premises. We’re the keepers of our own destiny now, and that’s a special thing for the business.”
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Solicitor Lynda Greenwood died of smoke inhalation, inquest hears
An inquest into the death of prominent local solicitor Lynda Greenwood heard today that she died of smoke inhalation when her house caught fire.
Ms Greenwood, who founded Greenwoods Solicitors in Knaresborough in 1991, died on April 2 at her home in Brearton. She was 67.
Her home was severely damaged in the blaze, which occurred at about 10pm on a Saturday night.
Assistant coroner Jonathan Leach gave the cause of death at today’s brief opening inquest in Northallerton. He said she was divorced her maiden name was Nattress.
Me Leach added:
“She was at home on April 2 when a fire broke out, as a result of which she died at the scene.”
The inquest was adjourned until a later date.
Ms Greenwood was born in South Shields but grew up in Knaresborough where she attended King James’s School before completing a law degree at Kingston University and becoming a partner in a Surrey law firm.
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After having her daughter, she set up Greenwoods Solicitors in her home town.
A statement on the company’s website says:
“On Saturday 2 April 2022 our colleague, our friend, our Lynda, was taken from us in the most tragic of circumstances.
“Lynda touched the hearts of everyone who met her and we have been overwhelmed by the number of kind messages we have received.”
Local solicitor identified as victim of fatal Brearton house fire
The woman who lost her life in a house fire in Brearton at the weekend was a prominent local solicitor.
Lynda Greenwood, 67, has been identified locally as the victim of the fire, which gutted the village home late on Saturday evening.
She founded Greenwoods Solicitors in Knaresborough in 1991.
The company has confirmed on its website that it will continue to provide legal advice and support to clients, but asked people to bear with the staff during a “very difficult time”.
After posting the news of Ms Greenwood’s death on its Facebook page, the firm received dozens of tributes from friends and clients.
One said:
“Shocking devastating news. A strong intelligent lady with a huge heart, tremendous sense of humour and thirst for life. Gone far too soon. She will be missed immensely.”
Another added:
“We only heard tonight and cannot express how sad we are to hear the tragic news. Lynda was a fab solicitor and a lovely lady – she will be sadly missed by us all. Our sincere condolences to those closest to her.”
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Ms Greenwood grew up in Knaresborough, attending King James’s School while it was still a grammar school in the 1960s. She went on to complete a law degree at Kingston University and practised in Surrey, where she became partner in a law firm.
After having her daughter, she set up Greenwoods Solicitors in her home town. She specialised in commercial property, lasting powers of attorney, wills and probate.
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have launched a joint investigation into the fire which claimed Ms Greenwood’s life. Neighbours in the village called firefighters around 10pm on Saturday but, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and speak to the force control room, quoting reference 12220056029.