New real estate partner at SGH Martineau

SGH Martineau has promoted senior associate Alison Hancock to partner in the firm’s Real Estate Disputes team.

Hancock, a chartered legal executive who joined the firm in 2003, is a litigator working in the Leisure and Retail sector, and represents a wide range of clients in court most weeks. But it is her growing reputation for advising a number of pub companies on issues relating to the beer tie and the recovery of property or arrears that has singled her out for this promotion.

Commenting on her promotion, Hancock said: “The invitation to become a partner was really satisfying and I believe it’s a testament to the hard work I have put in throughout my career, not just the last 11 years here at SGH Martineau. It’s an exciting time to be a partner in a business this dynamic, with a clear unambiguous strategy for growth; a future I can now help shape more directly.”

Emma Shipp, SGH Martineau managing partner, said: “Alison’s promotion is just the latest in a long line of recent promotions and appointments that are helping us align the firm’s skills and experience with our sector-focussed strategy.
 
“The strength of client relationships she has formed over many years, exemplifies the approach that has shaped the strategy we have developed for the Leisure & Retail sector. She is determined to succeed and demonstrates a deep and genuine understanding of the sector in which she operates on an almost daily basis.”

New practice manager at Meridian Private Client

SOLIHULL-based Meridian Private Client has recruited a new practice manager from Wragge Lawrence Graham.

Karen Palmer, left, joins after more than 30 years’ experience as a personal assistant, of which 15 years were spent in the legal sector as a senior personal assistant in Wragge Lawrence Graham.

Meridian Private Client partner Philip Harrison said: “Karen’s appointment will help us to build our business by providing specialist management and support resources and skills to back our expansion.

“Karen’s background has provided her with an abundance of experience upon which to draw in order to support the partners in both the everyday running and the development of the practice.”

Trio of trainees recruited by FBC Manby Bowdler

FBC Manby Bowdler has welcomed new trainee solicitors to its team.  Katherine Lloyd and Olivia Jones have taken up roles with the firm’s offices in Wolverhampton.

Ms Lloyd has been appointed to the Litigation department and her new colleague to the Commercial Property team.  Both were paralegals in their departments prior to becoming trainee solicitors.

Ms Lloyd, who specialises in disputed probate, studied sports and exercise science at Loughborough University and graduated in 2011. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Birmingham, achieving a commendation and distinction respectively, before joining FBC Manby Bowdler in July last year.

Ms Jones, a law graduate from the University of Birmingham, worked as a paralegal at Irwin Mitchell for two years within the International Travel Litigation Group of the Personal Injury Department before joining the company in January 2014.

She achieved a distinction in her Legal Practice Course at Birmingham’s University of Law and is currently completing a Masters degree in Professional Legal Practice.

They have been joined by Fiona Sedgley (pictured), who has begun her solicitor training in the Planning Department of the firm’s Telford office.

Training Partner Craig Ridge said: “We are delighted to see Katherine, Olivia and Fiona take up to their new roles within FBC Manby Bowdler.  They are already great assets to their departments and we are proud to support them as they train for the next step in their legal career.”