Hammonds loses partner to rival

MANCHESTER law firm Hammonds is losing a senior corporate partner to its rival Pinsent Masons.

Gregg Davison, who was voted North West Corporate Lawyer of the Year, is understood to have handed in his notice earlier this week on one of only two days a year when equity partners can resign.

According to reports Mr Davison, who specialises in private equity transactions, is set to join Pinsent Masons but his departure terms are still being negotiated.

Hammonds is also losing two other senior partners from the firm’s partnership – Birmingham-based disputes partner Ann Benzimra and Leeds-based pensions partner Terry Saeedi.

Ms Saeedi’s plans are not known, but Ms Benzimra is expected to stay on until next year.

Hammonds overhauled its partnership agreement in 2006 permitting only two resignation dates, September 30 and March 31.

The firm posted a drop in profits per equity partner (PEP) of more than 9% to £367,000 for 2007-08. Turnover increased by 3.4% to £132m.