Wilkes Partnership announces three new Associates

THE Wilkes Partnership has promoted three of its staff members – Jon Huskisson, Peter Raybould and Adrian Schuck – to associate level.

Huskisson, part of the commercial dispute resolution team since qualifying four years ago, has worked for firm since the beginning of his training contract in 2006.  He has represented clients in a broad range of commercial disputes in the County Court, High Court, Companies Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and specialises in intellectual property disputes.
 
Raybould is part of the firm’s corporate and commercial team, while Schuck has worked for the partnership for nearly two years and specialises in private client work including trusts, tax, estate planning, wills and lasting powers of attorney.

Nigel Wood, senior partner at The Wilkes Partnership, said: “Jon, Peter and Adrian have shown real commitment to their respective departments and excellent client service, so we’re delighted to see each of them become an Associate.

“These promotions recognise their outstanding work for the firm so far and mean they will be able to play an even more prominent role in their departments.”

BCL Legal beefs up Private Practice team with new appointment

LEGAL sector recruiter BCL Legal has appointed a new senior associate to its team in Birmingham.

Joanne Lack, 37, has joined the Private Practice team and will focus on the recruitment of solicitors, legal executives and paralegals for law firms across the West and East Midlands together with East Anglia. She has more than 12 years legal recruitment experience working at MCA Legal, a niche Birmingham-based consultancy.

James Brewster, business manager at BCL Legal’s Birmingham office, said: “Joanne is a great addition to the team. She’s got some fantastic experience and knowledge which will further enhance our offering.”

BCL also has offices in London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Reading.

Irwin Mitchell man becomes RPR

BIRMINGHAM-based corporate recovery lawyer, Mike Bennett, left, of Irwin Mitchell, has become one of only a handful of solicitors in the UK to become a Registered Property Receiver and a Fellow of NARA – The Association of Fixed Charge Receivers.

Otherwise known as LPA Receivers, registered property receivers are usually instructed by banks in order to recover debt on a mortgaged commercial or residential property. Once appointed they manage the property, deal directly with occupants and collect rent and ultimately sell the property.

He said: “I am obviously delighted to have achieved registered property receiver status. As a result I have a much greater appreciation of the challenges faced by LPA Receivers during the course of an appointment both in a commercial and a regulatory context.”

Mark Elder, partner and Head of the firm’s commercial litigation and disputes team in Birmingham, added: “This is a significant achievement for Mike and the result of a great deal of hard work. This qualification adds to Mike’s credibility in the sector and we believe provides another key differentiator between Irwin Mitchell and our competitors.”