Law firm adds second office as it makes key hire

A Leicester law firm has bought a new office space and made a prominent senior associate.

The news coincides with an overall staffing boost of over 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BHW, located on Leicester’s Grove Park, has appointed senior associate James Dent, following spells as partner at Chattertons Solicitors in Lincolnshire and associate at Northamptonshire’s Wilson Browne.

The appointment coincides with several senior promotions at the business, including Kate Burlinson and Lucy Ward, both of whom have been promoted to partner status in the commercial property and BHW development departments respectively.

With over 20 new recruits added to the Leicestershire firm over the course of the pandemic, the expansion has fuelled the need for a second base at Grove Park for its residential teams, covering over 8,000 sq ft.

“We’re delighted to have both expanded our team and brought on board someone of James’ stature,” said BHW managing partner, Nick Bridle.

“This is a highly exciting time to be joining the business, acquiring new office space that will help solidify our position as one the East Midland’s leading legal services providers.

“These acquisitions and promotions also reinforce our commitment to local investment and talent, with our Leicestershire location strategically placed to help deliver legal expertise at a national scale.”

As part of its raft of promotions, there also moves for Aimée Johns to associate in BHW’s employment & HR department, with four trainee solicitors taken on in permanent roles.

“Throughout the pandemic, people have had to navigate their career pathway based on company value and trust, with business networking out of the window,” said Dent.

“In these areas, I found BHW to excel, so I’m looking forward to helping uphold the standards that have come before me and help deliver continued legal excellence in the field.”

Bridle added: “Having boosted our talent base in the pandemic, we now switch attention to delivering a strong set of commercial objectives in the next five years, which will see us expand our client and employee base even further.”