Hat-trick of appointments for Cobbetts

LAW firm Cobbetts has expanded its banking litigation, commercial litigation and real estate teams in Birmingham with a hat-trick of new appointments.

Charlotte Healey, Catherine Gallagher and Greg Clark have all joined the firm as solicitors.

Ms Healey joins the banking litigation team from Blakemores Solicitors and will specialise in asset finance, consumer credit advice and dispute work.
 
Ms Gallagher is a newly qualified solicitor and joins from rival firm Shakespeares. She will provide dispute resolution advice within the commercial litigation team.
 
Mr Clark joins the real estate team from Shoosmiths and has had significant previous experience in portfolio and estate management.

Graham Muth, head of Cobbetts’ Birmingham office, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Charlotte, Catherine and Greg to Cobbetts. Their appointments further strengthen our position as a leading law firm and come during a period of increased growth for the firm.”

Old face boosts housing litigation team at Anthony Collins

ANTHONY Collins Solicitors has boosted its housing litigation team with the appointment of a new senior associate, Jenny Francis.
 
Ms Francis rejoins the team from Shakespeares and previously Gorrara Hadens solicitors since leaving Anthony Collins Solicitors in 2004. She has 15 years’ experience covering the whole spectrum of housing management and litigation issues.
 
Helen Tucker, partner and head of the housing litigation team at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “Jenny is a really strong addition to our team. She is already well known in the sector and respected by our existing clients, and will provide additional senior resource to our clients as part of our growing and busy team. We’re very pleased to welcome her back.”
 

FBC Manby Bowdler strengthens corporate team with new appointments

FBC Manby Bowdler has strengthened its Corporate Department with two new appointments.

Walsall-born James McFarlane, a solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience of company and corporate work, has been recruited from a large commercial law firm in Birmingham.

Mr McFarlane deals with a wide range of different aspects of company and corporate work including advising upon restructures, reorganisations, joint ventures, investments as well as company and asset sales and purchases.  He has previously worked as a legal counsel in the in-house team at a division of a major international bank.

He works mainly for owner managed businesses, but has also been instructed by banks, investors and AIM listed companies at different times.

Joining as a paralegal, in advance of a training contract with FBC Manby Bowdler, is Shrewsbury-born Andrew Ward.  Mr Ward obtained a Law Degree from the University of Leicester in 2007 and then completed his Legal Practice Course at Birmingham College of Law in 2009.  He then spent some time at a large insurance broker.  

James Sage, Partner and Head of the Corporate Department said: “With our workload still high across all corporate matters, I am particularly pleased to have attracted two such talented individuals as James and Andrew on the strength of our reputation and the challenging work we undertake.”

Pictured: James McFarlane, left, and Andrew Ward, right, with FBC Manby Bowdler partner and head of corporate, James Sage.