Garland steps up to partnership at Wilkes

The Wilkes Partnership has announced the promotion of Andrew Garland to partner. Mr Garland, a business recovery specialist, spent the last four years at Birmingham-based Wilkes as associate solicitor and previously worked at Brindley Twist Tafft & James in Birmingham and Coventry. Nigel Wood, senior partner at Wilkes Partnership, said: “Andrew’s niche expertise in pursuing directors of insolvent companies and recovering funds for creditors compliments our existing expertise within our business recovery team.” Mr Garland said: “I’m looking forward to contributing further to the success of the business recovery team and continuing to find the right solutions for businesses in financial difficulty.” Originally from Cornwall, Andrew now lives in Solihull. He is an active member of both the City of Birmingham and Knowle and Dorridge Roundtable clubs.

Barnes latest senior real estate hire at Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham has appointed Alex Barnes as property tax advisory partner. He  moves from Eversheds where he was head of tax in the real estate department across the firm’s offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Manchester. Mr Barnes said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be joining a highly ambitious and innovative firm. Irwin Mitchell has and continues to invest heavily in developing its real estate team and it is of course very exciting to be a part of this as the firm moves forward and expands.” The move is the latest of a number of senior real estate hires by Irwin Mitchell. Last year, Jon Vivian moved to Irwin Mitchell’s London office with a 20-strong team from city firm, SJ Berwin. Other appointments include property law strategist, Geoffrey Lander, and property litigation consultant Sue Wilson.  Niall Baker, chief executive of business legal services at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Alex is another significant addition to our business team and his appointment is a good example of our determination to continue building one of the UK’s leading real estate teams.” In April, the firm announced its intention to take advantage of the provisions of the Legal Services Act and restructure the partnership as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS).

Latest award for Wragge & Co

Wragge & Co’s healthcare team has been crowned ‘Legal Adviser of the Year’ at the Health Investor Awards 2011. The award recognises the team’s commercially-focused advice and unique sector experience, working with the public and private sector in the UK and internationally. The judges selected the firm as the winner from a shortlist comprising Beachcroft, Capsticks, Eversheds, Hempsons, Hill Dickinson, Nabarro, Shoosmiths, Speechly Bircham and Squire Sanders Hammonds.The team also won  ‘Deal of the Year’ for its involvement a project by NHS East of England Strategic Health Authority to procure a private partner to take over the operation of Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust.