Legal News: Siblings launch firm & more
A LANCASHIRE brother and sister have set up their own niche commercial law firm advising on property and commercial litigation.
Called KK Thompson the firm, based in Appley Bridge near Wigan, has been launched by Kate and Karl Thompson.
Both have big firm experience, Miss Thompson with national firm Eversheds and her brother with regional practice Brabners. Before setting up the new venture the pair worked together at Wigan firm Alker and Ball, which gave them the drive to go it alone.
The firm aims to offer exceptional service with a high level of personal contact. In terms of pricing, it is charging fixed fees for many matters rather than an hourly rate.
Kate Thompson said: “The legal sector is experiencing huge changes. We have adapted to those changes and are confident our offering of exceptional specialist advice at a sensible cost is what clients want and need. “
Karl Thompson added: “North West business is certainly moving in the right direction. These are exciting times for KK Thompson and we look forward to supporting businesses in the North West as they continue to grow.”
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GORVINS Solicitors has acted for Bridgebank Capital on a £10.8m bridging loan secured on a central London property.
The team included Martin Hoare, partner and joint head of commercial property; corporate and commercial partner Andrew Curwen; and associate solicitors Samantha Marcus, Daniel Woodcock and Victoria Atkinson.
They dealt with all legal and corporate due diligence on the property and prepared the security documentation required to enable drawdown within a six-day timescale.
Mr Hoare said: “It is both exciting and a privilege to be involved with clients undertaking such interesting work as the economy comes round. We are delighted to be able to play our part in enabling transactions such as these to take place.”
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MANCHSTER firm gunnercooke has advised Staffordshire-based client Busy Bees Nurseries on its acquisition of Kinder Nurseries.
A team led by corporate partner Nick Ducker structured and completed the deal, which is the first to complete following Busy Bees’ sale to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund in October 2012.
Kinder Nurseries has been a trusted nursery-care provider across Kent for over 20 years and the deal allows the Busy Bees Group to significantly increase its presence in the South East.
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MANCHESTER firm Kuits advised Gelmane Investments on the lease of a double fronted retail unit in Rochester, Kent, to Medway Council which is going to convert it into a community hub.
Ray Smith, commercial property solicitor advised London-based Gelmane Investments on the 25-year lease.
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PINSENT Masons has launched a new programme aimed at achieving an improved senior balance in its senior management team and partnership.
Called Project Sky, the initiative has the ultimate goal of ensuring that women will comprise 30% of the firm’s partnership, with a first milestone of reaching 25% by May 1 2018.
Linda Jones, a partner in the employment practice and project leader said: “Currently more than 20% of the Pinsent Masons partnership is female while two out of nine people on our board are women, benchmarking well against comparable firms in the professional services sector.
“However, around 70% of the lawyers coming into the business are female while the proportion of women in partnership is fairly static. If we are to properly utilise that talent changes are required. The steps we are taking are aimed at improving our gender balance at senior levels but will ultimately mean better working practices for all our staff.”
