Browne Jacobson expands banking team

BROWNE Jacobson has grown its banking team with the appointment of associate Emma Hopkinson.

She joins the Birmingham-based law firm from Deutsche Bank where she managed the bank’s institutional client group and commodities legal team, with a particular specialism in over-the-counter derivative contracts. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, she spent more than six years in the finance team at DLA Piper in Birmingham.

Hopkinson has significant experience in both domestic and international finance work, having acted for banks, borrowers and venture capitalists amongst others on a wide range of transactions.

She joins a six-strong banking team at Browne Jacobson which acts for a wide range of public and private sector clients.

Paul Ray, head of banking at Browne Jacobson, said: “Her experience across a wide range of banking and finance transactions will be a significant asset and we look forward to her using her expertise in the further development and growth of the team.”

High profile ABL hire for Irwin Mitchell

THE Birmingham office of law firm Irwin Mitchell has recruited high profile asset-based lending (ABL) partner Jon Bew from Squire Sanders as part of the firm’s on-going strategy to invest in its business legal services team.

Described in Chambers as having ‘in-depth technical knowledge and commercial sense’, Bew has specialised in ABL for 15 years with particular expertise in acquisition, cross border, supply chain and inventory finance.

His client base is wide ranging and includes UK clearing banks and their subsidiaries, independent specialist financiers, and US and European asset- based lenders.

Niall Baker, head of business legal services at the firm, said:  “Finance is a natural area for Irwin Mitchell to continue to expand into, leveraging off our already strong relationships with a large number of banks, insurance companies and related businesses.”

Wright Hassall brings in compliance expert

WARWICKSHIRE law firm Wright Hassall has appointed a new compliance manager.

Anna Roughley (below), who spent seven years at HSBC in Birmingham as an operational risk manager and audit manager within the third party debt management team, will be part of the firm’s growing debt recovery business.

Wright Hassall’s debt recovery service has grown to employ 40 debt collectors and several senior managers in its first 12 months.

Roughley said: “During my time with HSBC, I was able to build a compliant environment through fostering open, long-standing relationships.

“The opportunity to be part of Wright Hassall’s growing recovery business is something that really appealed to me.”