Legal Appointments: Bevan Brittan; Harrison Clark Rickerbys; Pinsent Masons

Bevan Brittan beefs up employment team

BEVAN Brittan has recruited Ashley Norman as a partner to head up the employment team in its Birmingham office.  

The recruitment of Norman, who joins from DWF, takes Bevan Brittan’s employment team to four partners, part of a 10-partner Litigation, Advisory and Regulatory practice.

Norman has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious employment advice across the public, private and third sectors, and has acted in a number of large discrimination and equality cases.  Prior to DWF, he was a partner at Cobbetts and was also at Pinsent Masons as partner for nine years.

Duncan Weir, managing partner of Bevan Brittan said: “Bevan Brittan has a growing portfolio of employment law clients, from central and local government departments, to local authorities, NHS Trusts and the private sector.  Bringing Ashley on board is a signal of our ambition for further growth.”

HCR raises the barr on Birmingham office

From left: Kevin Harris-James, Anna Taylor, Lucy Barr and Tabatha QuinneyIN a major appointment, Lucy Barr, who works within Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ family team, has been promoted from Senior Associate to Partner with the additional responsibility of heading up its Birmingham office.

Ms Barr, who qualified as a solicitor in 2005, moved to HCR in 2009 having previously worked for a small niche practice in Solihull specialising in high value ancillary relief. She also specialises in divorce, in particular, financial provision and issues surrounding children.

Alongside the promotions, the law firm has established a new four-strong family law team at the Birmingham office. It comprises two partners – Ms Barr and Kevin Harris-James, with Associate Solicitor, Anna Taylor and paralegal, Tabatha Quinney.

Harris-James has a wealth of experience and expertise in all aspects and all levels of family law matters. He specialises in complex financial disputes, including those involving complex business and trust structures and those with an international dimension

Ms Taylor qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and joined the Birmingham office of HCR in January, having previously worked for high profile firms in the Birmingham city centre. She specialises in divorce and relationship breakdown, in particular, matters involving money and property, disputes concerning children (including cases with an international element), civil partnership disputes, domestic violence, pre- and post-marital agreements and deals with cases of high net worth.

Harris-James said: “We are pleased to recognise the exceptional work of Lucy and to provide her with the opportunity to climb the career ladder within a progressive law firm. The promotion not only highlights the legal expertise of our firm but also strengthened the position of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ family law team in the Birmingham office.”

Pictured from left are: Kevin Harris-James, Anna Taylor, Lucy Barr and Tabatha Quinney.

New sheriff in town for Pinsent Masons

Greg Lowson (right) with JP David Bradnock (left) and new High Sheriff, Jonnie Turpie (rear)GREG Lowson, head of Pinsent Masons’ Birmingham office, has been re-appointed as the Under Sheriff of the West Midlands.
 
Lowson was appointed to the office during an official ceremony at the Crown Court in Birmingham. He was joined by the new High Sheriff of the county, Jonnie Turpie, of Maverick TV, who has taken over the role from Pertemps boss Tim Watts.

The role of High Sheriff and Under Sheriff are largely ceremonial, and although it was only created in 1974 in the West Midlands, it is the oldest secular office in the UK, dating from Saxon times. Modern-day High Sheriffs and Under Sheriffs carry out duties such as supporting the Lord Lieutenant on royal visits, and promoting the voluntary sector.

Lowson, who is also the current president of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am honoured to be re-appointed Under Sheriff for the West Midlands. I look forward to continuing in the role and being able to support local businesses and the community.”

Lowson (right) is pictured with JP David Bradnock (left) and new High Sheriff, Jonnie Turpie (rear).

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