Irwin Mitchell strengthens medical team

IRWIN Mitchell has strengthened its Birmingham medical law and patient’s rights team with the qualification of three new trainees.

Rebecca Risby, Charlotte Cook and Eleanor Parkin all trained at the firm and their appointments take the specialised team to 24 lawyers, supported by four paralegals, five trainees and eight litigation assistants.

The department handles up to 1,000 medical negligence cases at any one time and remains the only first tier firm in the West Midlands for clinical negligence Claimant work in the Legal 500 directory. The team is also ranked No 1 in the West Midlands in Chambers and Partners.
 
Lisa Jordan, National head of Medical Law and Patient’s Rights at Irwin Mitchell said: “We are very pleased to welcome Rebecca, Charlotte and Eleanor to the highly successful Birmingham team. They are joining a group of committed and talent lawyers and will certainly fit in extremely well.

“We are always keen to support emerging legal talent, particularly when it is home-grown both Charlotte and Rebecca studied at The University of Birmingham with Eleanor joining us from slightly further away in Australia

“We are very proud of our talented team of lawyers and looking forward to further planned growth.”

Associate promotion at Hawkins Hatton

HAWKINS Hatton has promoted Ruth Murday to associate solicitor. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing a team within the firm’s growing corporate department in Dudley.

Ms Murday, left, joined Hawkins Hatton on a training contract and two years later went on to qualify as a solicitor. During her time with the firm she has gained extensive experience working in the corporate department.  

Colin Rodrigues, corporate partner at Hawkins Hatton, said:  “We were delighted to welcome Ruth back recently after a period of maternity leave and this promotion reflects the outstanding contribution she has made to our firm in recent years, particularly the transactional work around management buy outs, business sales, mergers and acquisitions.

“As an associate, there will be new challenges as well as responsibilities which I am sure Ruth will embrace using the skills she has developed during her time at Hawkins Hatton.  We wish her well in the new role.”

Hat-trick of appoints at Harrison Clark Rickerbys

HARRISON Clark Rickerbys has announced a hat-trick of new appointments.

Chris Cook, who joined in 2011, is promoted from Solicitor to Associate – Corporate, increasing his role within the expanding business services department. His experience encompasses mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements and restructuring.

Solicitor and accountancy graduate John Lawley, who joined the firm from a national firm last year, is promoted to Associate – Family.  A member of Resolution – the national organisation of family lawyers advising on non-confrontational divorce, separation and family problems – he helps private clients with sensitive issues such as separation, divorce and civil partnerships, as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements including financial provision for children.
 
Chris Morgan has been promoted to Associate – Commercial.  Morgan qualified as a solicitor following a career in the technology and media industries.  Since joining the firm in 2010, he has specialised in intellectual property, IT, e-commerce and information law – including data protection and freedom of information.  

Derek Jones, Partner and Head of the firm’s Cheltenham office said: “Chris, John and Chris have rightly won promotion thanks to their excellent legal knowledge and tailored approach to the needs of their clients.  Their in-depth knowledge also helps to ensure clients always have the most up to date and relevant advice at their fingertips.”

The combined firm has 350 staff at offices in Cheltenham, Worcester, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and the Thames Valley, in addition to serviced offices in Birmingham and London.

Pictured from left: Chris Cook, Jon Whitbread, Matt Johnston and Chris Morgan.