Turner Parkinson toasts Sheridan coup

DEALMAKER James Sheridan has left leading regional law firm DWF to join Manchester practice Turner Parkinson.

Mr Sheridan, who has been with DWF for a little over a year, is a former partner in failed law firm Halliwells. He quit in September 2009 six months before the firm went into administration.

He said his move to the much smaller Turner Parkinson is about him being able to become more involved with the development and direction of the business.

He also knows TP’s senior partner Nick Davenport well too, having trained under him at Stoke firm Knights and then moved to Manchester in 1997 when Mr Davenport launched Knights’ Manchester office.

Mr Sheridan, who is described as a ‘corporate big-hitter’ by Legal 500, said: “Turner Parkinson is a firm I have known for some time, both from working on deals with them and through my historic connections with the senior partner, Nick Davenport. It has some great people and I am looking forward to joining the team.

“I have contributed to the businesses I have been involved with in the past, but now is the time for me to go beyond that, to work with like-minded people and really influence the way a business performs and develops. I look forward to helping them take things to the next level.”

Head of corporate at Turner Parkinson Andy Booth added: “James’ arrival confirms our commitment to strengthening our corporate department and our continued confidence in the North West deals market.  His appointment brings additional specialist experience and skills to the team.”

Mr Sheridan’s deal portfolio includes: the £1.46bn buyout of 20:20 Mobile by Doughty Hanson; advising JD Sports Fashion in its acquisitions of retail chains Scotts and Bank and rugby brand, Canterbury of New Zealand. 

He also acted on the £92m takeover of Tepnel Life Sciences by Gen-Probe Incorporated.