Legal News: DLA Piper takes on 89% of trainees; McHale; Eversheds & more
THE Manchester and Liverpool offices of DLA Piper have announced that 16 out of 18 trainees (89%) in newly-qualified (NQ) positions across the North West have been retained.
Of the 18 final-seat trainees, 16 have accepted NQ positions. Seven have taken positions in the firm’s Manchester office, five have jobs in the Liverpool office and four have secured opportunities in the wider firm, including London, Leeds and Dubai.
The Manchester NQ’s include: Andrew Batty, Paul Scott and Lauren Fisher (Projects), Alex Yeramian (Finance), Gemma Hewett (Corporate), Ben Fellows (Litigation) and Zoe Lomax (Employment).
The Liverpool NQ’s include: Ben Fraser and Andrew Gray (Real Estate), Jonathan Caldwell and John Pauley (Commercial) and Emma Charnock (Litigation & Regulatory).
NQs with positions in the wider firm include: Stedman Harmon (Pensions – London), Tim Finaly (Finance – London), Sean Cope (Real Estate – Dubai) and Elizabeth Warwick (Commercial – Leeds).
Liam Cowell, Manchester office managing partner said: “I am delighted that we were able to create roles for the majority of our trainees this year. The firm has an impressive track record for attracting outstanding people and those qualifying this year are no exception.”
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A LANCASHIRE solicitor has won a national award in recognition of excellence in family law.
Rachel Horman a director and head of family law at Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors, which has offices in Blackburn and Darwen, won partner of the Year Award at the National Family Law Awards ceremony held in London on October 8.
She said: “We have an extremely talented and highly qualified team of family lawyers dealing with all areas of family law, from divorce cases and finances, to the most complex work involving children and my own specialist areas of domestic abuse, stalking and forced marriage which includes dealing with very dangerous offenders and high risk cases including attempted murder, rape and GBH.
“The work we do genuinely changes people’s lives and this award demonstrates that we are moving closer to our stated ambition of being the family law team of choice for people in East Lancashire and beyond.”
Miss Horman sits on two All Party Parliamentary Groups on domestic violence, stalking and harrassment, and is at the forefront of campaigning to criminalise emotional abuse and coercive control.
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ALTRINCHAM law firm McHale and Co, which has a growing Russian and Polish business client base, has opened offices in Berkeley Square, London.
McHale partner Maria Udalova-Surkova, a Muscovite who has worked in the UK legal sector for 15 years, eight years as a practicing solicitor, will be responsible for the office which is in an area popular with Russian entrepreneurs based in London.
Her fellow partner, Marta Grzelak, is also moving part of her client portfolio work to the new office.
Maria Udalova-Surkova explained: “As well as providing all the traditional professional support services for high-worth UK-residents working in, living in, or moving in or out of London, we also have established teams working with both Russian and Polish individuals and businesses.
“While the spotlight may be on the political disagreements with Russia, there are many Russian people and businesses who are not affected by the issues making the headlines. While it’s true they are creating wealth for themselves, of whatever scale, it is also true they are creating jobs and wealth for British workers too – and they are buying property both for business and residential purposes.”
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TOM Bridgford a commercial partner at the Manchester office of Eversheds has advised Nationwide Platforms, the market leader in access platform hire, equipment sales and training, on a new partnership with leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider Wincanton.
The Eversheds team was led by partner Tom Bridgford, assisted by commercial associates Jordan Cliffe and Richard Hill and partner Mike Burns on employment aspects.
Mr Bridgford said: “This is a mutually beneficial partnership agreement, which will allow Nationwide to enhance its existing offering and we wish it every success.”
Jeremy Fish, managing director of Nationwide Platforms, added: “As our legal advisers, Eversheds were intrinsic in making sure the partnership progressed efficiently and swiftly overcoming any issues.”
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THE Manchester office of national law firm Mills & Reeve has advised property property company GB Building Solutions and London-based investor Marick Capital on a £24m hotel development in London’s Royal Docks.
The Mills & Reeve team, led by real estate partner Caroline Hanratty and corporate partner Chris Ross, advised the joint venture vehicle on all aspects of the deal including site acquisition, funding and the hotel franchise agreement.
The Hampton by Hilton Hotel will be developed at the Royal Docks near the ExCel Exhibition Centre. The development is a joint venture between GB and Marick Capital and will be operated under the Hilton brand.
Caroline Hanratty said: “We are once again delighted to advise GB Group on an exciting new hotel development.
“The Royal Docks are currently undergoing huge regeneration. The ExCel Exhibition Centre is now a leading international conference venue and the new Hampton by Hilton Hotel, with its excellent transport links, will be ideally located to capitalise on the redevelopment of the docks.”
