In brief: Higgs and Sons, Alsters Kelley, Blythe Liggins appointments

Kelly joins Higgs employment team

HIGGS & SONS has strengthened its employment team with the appointment of a new partner. Damian Kelly, left, joins the Black Country legal firm from Eversheds where he trained in 1994 and was most recently a partner in the employment team. Tim Jones, head of Higgs’ employment team said an increasing workload meant another  experienced partner was needed to meet demand. “Damian’s appointment means our employment department is now seven lawyers strong – by far the largest team in the Black Country,” he said. “One of our key strengths is our ability to take a case from the very start to the end thanks to our experienced advocacy team” Mr Kelly said: “I am delighted to join Higgs & Sons at such a progressive time in its development. The firm has an excellent reputation in the employment field and I am looking forward to helping the team achieve its ambitious growth plans.

New head of department appointed at Coventry and Warwickshire law firm

ALSTERS KELLEY has appointed Colin Frowd, left, as head of department for company and commercial law. Mr Frowd, who is based at Alisters Kelley’s Leamington Spa office, qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and joined Alsters Kelley in January 2006. He was previously a partner and head of property at Cartwright & Lewis in Birmingham. Mr Frowd said: “I am greatly looking forward to the challenge of continuing to develop the department. Alsters Kelley’s commercial team already has an excellent reputation in the corporate, commercial property and employment sectors, with highly skilled and experienced practitioners and my ambition is for this to grow even further throughout the region.”

Commercial lawyer joins Leamington firm

COMMERCIAL lawyer Nick Watts has joined Leamington firm Blythe Liggins. Mr Watts, 37, recently advised the Amateur Swimming Association/British Swimming on its move to a multi-million pound headquarters in Loughborough. He has joined the firm’s new property department, formed from both the commercial and residential property teams. Mr Watts was previously an equity partner with a Nuneaton-based firm and has advised the ASA on property matters for more than 10 years.

David Lester, joint senior partner and head of Blythe Liggins’ property department, said: “Nick’s experience and expertise in the field of commercial property and commercial law generally will be a considerable asset to the firm. In addition, the ASA and British Swimming will be a welcome addition to our new sports law unit.”