Legal Appointments: mfg Solicitors; Harrison Clark Rickerbys; Emms Gilmore Liberson

WORCESTER law firm mfg Solicitors has bolstered its employment and HR services division with two new appointments.

Employment specialist Darryll Thomas has joined as an associate after seven years with The Wilkes Partnership, while Amy McGowan-Docherty joins as a paralegal.

Reporting to partner and head of division, Sally Morris, Mr Thomas will work across the firm’s eight offices advising businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law including TUPE transfers, performance, absence management and employment tribunal claims.

Miss McGowan-Docherty meanwhile takes up her first legal role and will closely support the team with their caseloads.  

Ms Morris said: “Darryll has an impressive and proven track record in all areas of employment law here in the West Midlands so I am delighted to welcome him to the team as we grow further across the region.

“He is already proving to be an excellent addition to the firm, supporting our clients on many current issues, as they look for professional and concise advice.

“Amy meanwhile has a bright future in the industry and is a huge talent who never stops wanting to learn and develop. She is one to watch so I am delighted to have her on the team.”

The additions are the latest in a series of employment and HR appointments at the Worcestershire and Shropshire-based firm.

Last year partner Chris Piggott and HR services manager Samantha Haller-Evans both joined the team. The eight-strong division headed by Ms Morris now includes two partners and two associates.

mfg Solicitors has 35 partners and employs more than 160 people across eight offices in Worcestershire and Shropshire.

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FELLOW Worcester firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys has strengthened its insolvency offer with a new appointment.

The firm has recruited Sam Payne (left) to head up its insolvency team. In his new role he will advise insolvency practitioners, corporates, lenders and other key stakeholders on the whole gamut of insolvency work and business turnarounds.

Jon Whitbread (right), partner and overall head of the firm’s finance group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sam to our team – his experience will be invaluable and I look forward to working with him to offer excellent business support to firms locally, regionally and nationally.”

The firm employs 400 staff and partners, with offices in Cheltenham, the Wye Valley, Hereford, Worcester, Birmingham and the Thames Valley.

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EMMS Gilmore Liberson has announced two high level appointments as it continues to build its presence in the Birmingham market.

The appointments see the arrival of commercial litigation and licensing specialist Peter Adkins and fellow commercial litigator Richard Cooper.

Mr Adkins has been appointed director of regulatory services. Alongside his expertise in dispute resolution, he has a Legal 500 recognised specialism in licensing and gambling law. He acts for the owners of licensed premises including pubs, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, casinos and other gambling establishments.

He also provides training on licensing law to local authorities and other bodies. He also runs a successful networking event – known as Cherrypick – in Birmingham and London, which targets the supply chain to the leisure and retail sectors.

His experience includes being a partner at law firms Sydney Mitchell and Shakespeare Putsman.

Mr Cooper has been appointed director of commercial litigation services. He is a highly experienced litigator in a range of commercial disputes including shareholder, professional negligence, partnership disputes, property disputes and breach of contract claims.
 
His career as a solicitor began at Bell Lax before moving on to HBJ Gateley Wareing. He returned to Bell Lax as a partner in dispute resolution before joining Sydney Mitchell.

Stephen Gilmore, director of Emms Gilmore Liberson ,said: “We have built a first class team of lawyers spanning a wide range of work types in the five years since the company was established, and the addition of Peter and Richard strengthens us further.

“They are two talented and experienced lawyers who will add enormous value to the range of services we offer our clients. I am looking forward to working with them as we continue to grow the business with further high quality appointments.  The practice is attracting work at a level where we easily compete with the national and regional firms.”

The firm, based at Lancaster House, Newhall Street, was established in 2011 by founder directors Greg Emms, Stephen Gilmore and Martyn Liberson, who all worked together at Lee Crowder and Cobbetts.

Richard Cooper and Peter Adkins are pictured being welcomed to the firm by directors Stephen Gilmore and Greg Emms.