Appointments: Napthens; Heatons & more

JAMES Allison, a corporate partner at Lancashire law firm Napthens, has been named head of the firm’s East Lancashire office in Blackburn.

As head of the Blackburn office, he lead the firm’s strategy and business development activity in the area.

He said: “East Lancashire is a key area for Napthens and is home to a thriving business community. We are building a dedicated team of very talented lawyers in this part of the county with a growing team of staff in the East Lancashire office.

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CORPORATE and commercial law firm Heatons has appointed Kevin Carpenter as a solicitor.

Newly-qualified Mr Carpenter trained at SJ Berwin and will work in the firm’s intellectual property and dispute resolution teams.

Managing partner Matt Fleetwood, said: ““Kevin is a very talented solicitor who has trained with one of Europe’s leading firms.  He brings first rate credentials to the role and is a welcome addition to the firm as we continue to develop our boutique corporate and commercial offering.”

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SOUTH Manchester PR agency, Smith & Smith has made two new appointments to its team.

Former journalist, Hannah Sherlock, and Masters graduate, Benjamin Pfeffer, join the Hale-based agency account executives after the firm added 12 new accounts this year.

Managing director Nathan Smith is confident of further growth in 2013 and said: “The coming year is set to be a very exciting one for Smith & Smith and we are thrilled that Hannah and Benjamin have joined the team. The agency has gone from strength to strength and we have some ambitious plans for 2013 – including an additional new appointment in January.”