Private client team appoints new partner

WARWICKSHIRE law firm Needham and James has appointed wills and probate specialist Catriona Attride to its team. She is a new partner in the private client team at the firm’s base in Stratford-upon-Avon. Ms Attride is the latest in a series of senior hires for the firm’s private client team which includes Sarah Walker who joined as a partner in March. She was formerly partner and head of the private client team at Williamson and Soden, in Shirley, where she grew the team to seven fee earners during her five years with the firm. Prior to this, Ms Attride worked for Wragge & Co in Birmingham but moved with the team when it transferred to Mills and Reeve in 2005. She has experience in tax planning, particularly for high net worth clients, estate planning, as well as contentious probate and wills cases. Needham & James merged with Midlands law firm Shakespeare Putsman last year and now employs around 440 people across five offices.

DBS signs up to hospice fundraiser

BIRMINGHAM-based DBS Law is taking part in a 15-week fund raising challenge organised by the Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. The challenge pits local businesses against each other in a race to raise the most money for the hospice that serves the needs of seriously ill people and their families across the West Midlands. St Mary’s Hospice needs £63m a year to run and the help of the business community is vital. Staff will be organising a range of fundraising activities and all new clients will be asked to sanction donation by the firm on their behalf.

FBC extends sponsorship deal

WEST Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler is to sponsor the Shropshire Cricket League for a fourth consecutive year. The practice, which three offices in the county along with bases in Wolverhampton, will continue to support the seven senior divisions and four junior divisions in the league. “I am delighted that we are will continue with our sponsorship of an important part of the county’s sporting and social life,” said senior partner Niall Blackie.