Legal News: Prestigious honour for McHale partner; Kuits & more
A NORTH West solicitor has been crowned the UK’s Polish Business Woman of the Year.
Marta Grzelak, a partner with Altrincham law firm McHale and Co, was named amongst three finalists for the awards announcement ceremony at the Polish Embassy in London on Saturday.
Miss Grzelak, 33, an economics graduate, was selected as the winner because of her contribution to and support of the Polish community in the UK, particularly her founding and running the first Polish networking group outside London – the Polish Networking Club.
She said: “You never think you’re going to win these things, but you always want to of course. It was a real ‘what, me?’ moment when my name was announced as the winner.”
She was presented with her award by the Polish Ambassador, Witold Sobków,
Andrew McHale, founder and managing partner of the firm said: “Marta joined us in 2006 in a marketing role, working specifically on developing our associations with the Polish community.
“However, it very quickly became apparent that her talent and capabilities lay far beyond her job description. By 2011 Marta was a qualified solicitor, and by 2013 had become a partner in the firm.
“What lies behind the title and status is a work ethic and commitment to her clients in the Polish business and residential communities which extends into a role of problem solving and opportunity realisation for those clients.”
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MANCHESTER law firm Kuits has announced eight major promotions, adding five more partners and three associate solicitors to its team.
The new partners are: Adam Hymes and Christopher Hardy (commercial proerty); David Marlor (banking & real estate finance); Daniel Fitzgerald (litigation) and Duncan McGregor (residential property).
The three new associates are David Jones and Daniel Stern of the litigation team and Ray Smith from commercial property.
The promotions bring the firm’s total number of partners to 23 and associates to 15.
Steve Eccleston, managing partner said: “We are delighted to be able to promote people who have made a significant contribution to the growth of the firm, and who we are confident will help take the firm forward in the next stage of its development.”
“Our reputation is built on the expertise, commerciality and personality of our people, and these promotions reflect our continued commitment to supporting our clients in their need for high-level advice from people that both know and understand their business.”
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ZARA Banday, formerly head of the residential property at the Manchester office of Mills & Reeve, has joined Darbys as a partner and head of residential property at its office in Hale, south Manchester.
In her new role she will work with Judith Chesters and Lauren Basger to increase the number of estate agents and buyers and sellers of properties that Darbys supports with its high quality conveyancing service.
Simon McCrum, managing partner at Darbys said: “Zara is a class act and we are delighted she has joined us. Already, we can see what she can deliver.”
