With the south Wales commercial property market still riding high, a leading regional law firm has boosted client services with the expansion of its commercial property team.

Leo Abse & Cohen has recruited commercial property solicitor Leanne Allen to join its already well-established department to accommodate an increasing client workload as the region's cities continue to undergo major periods of regeneration.

Leanne, 27 from Cardiff, joins Leo Abse & Cohen following a six year stint working in commercial property departments at several Liverpool-based regional and national law firms. With experience of working for a number of property development clients, she specialises in property finance and corporate support and handling commercial land acquisitions.

Based in the firm's Cardiff office, Leanne will work on several high profile property clients dealing with the lease, sale and purchase of commercial premises. Her recruitment follows the recent appointment of Samantha Brown as the department's newest trainee solicitor who will qualify later this year. Leanne's arrival will bolster Leo Abse & Cohen's commercial property department led by experienced specialist Paul Bromhead, further enhancing the company's capacity to serve property clients of all sizes.

Ian Hopkins, managing partner, said: "Leanne's appointment and the growth of our commercial property department reflects how south Wales's property market continues to remain resilient, despite interest rate rises in recent months.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of a solicitor with the calibre and expertise in the commercial property field as Leanne and she will undoubtedly boost our offering to our clients across south Wales."

Leo Abse & Cohen employs 150 members of staff, including 13 partners, at its offices in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea and offers legal advice to a broad range of private clients, companies and institutions.