Legal news: Hugh Jones’ growth spurt; Kuits all smiles & more
COURT of Protection specialist Hugh Jones Solicitors has hired three staff and promoted two senior associates to director as it enjoys a growth spurt.
The newcomers include solicitors Fiona Ludkin and Tom Young. Ludkin has relocated to Manchester from Premier Solicitors in Bedford while Young was previously a solicitor at Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council where he worked in the social care team.
The third new recruit is litigation executive Sam Firth, who joins from Fentons Solicitors, part of Slater & Gordon, and has more than 20 years’ experience of county court and High Court personal injury litigation.
The firm, based at Salford’s Deva Centre, close to Manchester city centre, has also promoted senior associates Elizabeth Hughes and Carol McBride to director. They are the first new director appointments at Hugh Jones Solicitors, which this month is celebrates its second anniversary.
The latest moves come as the firm plans to double its existing office space in a move to accommodate is rapidly growing 30-strong team.
Managing director Hugh Jones said: “We are delighted to promote Carol and Elizabeth to director. They both joined me from Pannone and have played a pivotal role in helping grow and develop the firm. The promotions reflect their hard work and commitment.
“We are also pleased to welcome Fiona, Tom and Sam to our team. Fiona and Tom add further strength to our busy court of protection and private client teams which continue to receive many new instructions, while Sam’s expertise will be a welcome addition to our litigation support practice.
“Their appointments come at a time of rapid expansion for the firm which is reflected by our hunt for larger premises.”
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KUITS Solicitors has advised Manford’s Comedy Clubs, an entertainment venture backed by Salford-born comedian Jason Manford, in relation to an agreement with the club and bar chain Tiger Tiger.
James Wall and Jacob O’Brien of Kuits’ commercial and intellectual property team provided commercial and legal advice on deal which will seeManford’s live comedy shows appearing at various Tiger Tiger venues around the country, including Manchester, with Jason choosing a variety of comedians to perform on a weekly basis.
James Wall said: The arrangement between Manford’s and Tiger Tiger is a great commercial opportunity for both companies and we were happy to be able to advise Manford’s on the relationship. We act for some of the most well-known leisure and entertainment brands in the North West and are pleased to count Manford’s amongst them.”
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HALE firm, Blackstone Solicitors has qualified for membership of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme CQS, which is accepted as a standard for residential conveyancing practices.
Meanwhile the 12-strong firm has promoted Sarah Townsend to associate in its new commercial and property litigation team.
Managing director, Emma Nawaz said: “We are particularly pleased with the first quarter of 2015, the clients that we have attracted such as The Fragrance Shop, the cases that we have won, this latest CQS recognition and ‘Our team.’ We all work incredibly hard to not only deliver but to surpass our clients’ expectations.”
