People: Expanding law firm adds European flair with two hires; mfg adds to agricultural team; and more

Birmingham law firm Emms Gilmore Liberson (EGL) has added a European flavour to its expanding team after welcoming two new recruits.

Fabienne McAllister, who is bilingual and holds a French law degree, as well as being an English qualified solicitor, has re-joined the firm as an associate director, bringing 16 years of experience in commercial litigation and employment law.

EGL has also announced the appointment of French speaker Tona Zefi as an associate solicitor, assisting the firm’s commercial and property litigation teams.

The new hires bring EGL’s team to 36 and follow a period of recruitment that has seen the firm establish new specialist teams in construction services and franchising in the first quarter of the year.

McAllister has acted on many high-value, cross-jurisdictional claims for international clients, as well as for English companies with operations in French-speaking countries and French companies with subsidiaries in the UK. She has also spent some time practising in Paris.

She has re-joined the employment team at EGL to work alongside Elaine Howard and Peter Adkins, and head of commercial litigation, Richard Cooper. She will advise employers of all sizes on employment tribunal claims, effecting dismissals and the negotiated departures of employees under settlement agreements, as well as supporting her corporate colleagues by advising the firm’s clients on the employment aspects of mergers, acquisitions and disposals of businesses.

Originally from Albania, fellow French-speaker Tona Zefi qualified as a solicitor in 2017, having trained at local practice Shakespeare Martineau and a leading Legal 500 litigation and property firm in the North West.

Greg Emms, partner at EGL, said: “We are delighted to welcome Fabienne and Tona to the firm, they are hugely talented people joining us at very different stages of their respective careers.

“It is an exciting time for EGL. Not only are we delighted to be expanding, we’re also refurbishing our offices and are looking forward to the new layout and facilities which will promote flexibility and enhance our working practices.”

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A Midlands legal firm has bolstered its agricultural department with the addition of a new member of the team.

mfg Solicitors, which has offices across Worcestershire and Shropshire, has appointed Sophie Dwerryhouse into its team – with her moving across from the firm’s commercial property division after five years.

Dwerryhouse will work with partner Susan Morrissy, supporting and advising the firm’s rural clients which include farmers, landowners food and drink producers.

Iain Morrison, partner and head of mfg’s agricultural and rural affairs team said: “Sophie is highly across the rural business community and her appointment adds another dimension to a hugely specialist team.

“Sophie’s experience over the past five years within our commercial property team has helped her development greatly and she is already proving to be a brilliant addition.

“Working alongside Susan, Sophie will play a key role in helping to grow and develop our offering to farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the region.”

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Law firm Shoosmiths has made a series of promotions.

In Birmingham, Anna Cartledge (real estate – planning) and Simon McArdle (commercial) have been made up to partner and Antonia Blackwell and Nichola Jenkins (both commercial) have been made up to legal directors.

The new senior associates in Birmingham are:
Lucy Taylor, Andrew Sinclair (both private client), Nick Vernon, Priti Bansel-Branch (commercial) and Ellie Sandbach (real estate).

Shoosmiths’ chief executive, Claire Rowe, said: ”We always look forward to this time of year, where we can reward our lawyers for the contributions they make.
“Promotions serve as an ideal opportunity to recognise the expertise and commitment our people bring to the firm.

“Senior-level promotions are earned by building strong relationships with our clients and by taking on additional responsibilities. Both are integral to Shoosmiths’ success.

“This latest round of promotions demonstrates the strength and depth of the people at Shoosmiths and our ongoing commitment to ensuring we have the best people to deliver the client results.”