Movers & Shakers: North West
2023
April
Irwin Mitchell has announced the promotion of nine colleagues to partner, with effect from 1 May 2022. Richard Biggs (complex PI) has been promoted in Manchester.
Hill Dickinson has announced the lateral hire of commercial dispute resolution partner Duncan Hope.
DWF has announced changes to its internal structure. From 1 May 2023, DWF will operate through the following global structure: Commercial Services – combining its commercial legal advisory teams with business services including global entity management, forensic accountants, ESG consulting and regulatory consulting; Insurance Services - bringing together more than 1,600 specialists and combining its insurance-focused legal and business services expertise under a single leadership team; Legal Operations – the firm’s alternative legal services provider, delivering services including eDiscovery, contract management, compliance, legal technology, consulting and operations, and knowledge management. Matthew Doughty has been appointed CEO of insurance services and will continue in his role as chief growth and strategy officer. Commercial services will be led by the group’s existing legal advisory CEO, Paul Rimmer. Legal operations will be led by existing Mindcrest CEO, Rob Marks.
South-West firm, Foot Anstey LLP, has expanded its reach with the acquisition of part of Clarke Willmott’s intellectual property team. Joining the firm are partner Roy Crozier and four members of his team, who remain Manchester-based, operating from the Tootal buildings.
March
Mark Davies, partner and head of restructuring and insolvency at Aaron & Partners, has been appointed as vice-chair of the North West branch of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body.
Rob Biddlecombe has joined Brabners’ real estate group as a partner.
Brabners has appointed Cara Nuttall as a partner in the family team based in the Manchester office.
Stephensons has promoted Emma Roberts to head of divorce and finances. The firm has also appointed experienced solicitor, Stephen Jones into its expanding family law team.
Mark Bergin has joined Aaron & Partners in the newly created role of chief operating office.
Katy Rider, a senior associate in the dispute resolution team at Marsden Rawsthorn, has become an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists.
Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand has appointed Laura Barnfield as an associate in the commercial property team.
At the end of 2022, Hugh Jones Solicitors announced two promotions at its Manchester-based office. Court of Protection specialist, David Jones, was promoted from senior associate solicitor to director. Elsewhere in the team, director Chris Gallagher was promoted to head of Court of Protection. Meanwhile, Emma Hanvere has joined the firm as a private client solicitor.
February
Sally Hancock has joined Kennedys’ regulatory team as a partner, based in the Manchester office.
Simpson Millar has promoted Anthony Waddington to partner in the Manchester office.
Glaisyers ETL has appointed Steve Kuncewicz as partner in its recently established entertainment, media and sport practice.
Backhouse Jones has welcomed Richard Stevinson as a member of its defendant insurance litigation team.
Farleys Solicitors has made five partner promotions - Richard Bell, Jane Chadwick, Kelly Darlington, Mark Hague and Victoria Mitchell.
Rekha Sharma has joined Kennedys’ national regulatory team as a senior associate.
Hill Dickinson has announced the appointment of Tas Quayum as chief operating officer.
Harrison Drury has announced the return of associate solicitor Rhian Sale who has re-joined the commercial property team.
Stephensons has announced the appointment of four newly qualified solicitors following the successful completion of their training. Cameron Stubbs qualifies as a solicitor in the regulatory department. Ella Chorlton now qualifies as a solicitor in the firm’s crime department. Sophie Holmes and Megan Taylor have become solicitors in the firms’ Court of Protection department.
Butcher & Barlow has made a number of new appointments: Zoe Olander (associate, residential property); Tom Newman (associate, corporate department); Helen Chadderton (solicitor, wills, trusts and probate department); Maariyah Jamil (solicitor, family department); Diane Penlington (licenced conveyancer); and Trish Lyon (conveyancing assistant, residential property).
Farleys Solicitors has welcomed a new addition to their criminal law department - Hollie Randles, Victoria Boswell, Bob Worsley and Katie Sharples.
Jackson Lees has appointed Joanne McNally as head of Court of Protection. McNally will be joined by Danielle Carter as deputy head of department.
Clarke Willmott LLP has expanded its corporate and commercial team in the North West with the appointment of a new partner. Stephen Jarman joins the firm’s Manchester office.
Price Slater Gawne has appointed Chester based Gareth Williams as a new partner.
TLT has announced that it will be taking space in Eden, Salford – a new sustainable office building currently in development – for its new Manchester home.
Harrison Drury has appointed a new finance director, Alexander Mansfield.
Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall (WHN Solicitors) has appointed a new residential conveyancing solicitor, Lisha Broderick.
Amy Whiteside, a junior team member at Vincents Solicitors, has qualified as a level 4 probate practitioner.
Fletchers Group has appointed Zoe Holland as chief commercial officer.
January
Bromleys has continued its expansion with the arrival of Michelle Wood as a solicitor in its wills, probate and planning for the future team. Michelle is the latest addition to the team, which is headed by senior associate Francesca Rigby. Last year its ranks were bolstered by the arrival of senior solicitor Joanne Jones and solicitor Jade Wright.
DWF has announced a number of senior promotions. Promoted to partner are Simon Belfield (corporate defence, Manchester); David Woolley (personal injury, Manchester); and William Munday (private equity, Liverpool).
Harrison Drury has opened a new office in Lytham. The firm has hired David Jefferies as a partner to support the launch of the office which has opened within premises at Dicconson Terrace.
Harrison Drury has appointed two residential property solicitors. Rebecca Hardee joins the firm as an associate solicitor, while solicitor Hazel Jones joins the firm’s Kendal office.
Glaisyers ETL has welcomed two new solicitors to its employment and commercial litigation teams.
Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors (WHN Solicitors) has announced two senior promotions - Jennifer Prysiaznyj to associate director, while Katie Lofthouse has taken on the role of associate solicitor.
