Brace of promotions for Browne Jacobson

BROWNE JACOBSON has announced a brace of promotions within its Commercial Health and Employment teams in Birmingham. The appointments form part of the firm’s annual round of associate promotions.

Emily Godson advises various NHS bodies including their local authority partners and related organisations in commercial law, contracting, governance and all aspects of primary care.  

Gemma Steele specialises in contentious and non-contentious employment matters including contractual issues, unfair dismissal, redundancy and all areas of discrimination.

The two women join 14 other associates promoted, which is a record for the firm. The other promotions were in the firm’s Exeter, Manchester and Nottingham offices.

The promotions follow on from a stellar 12 months for Browne Jacobson in which the firm posted a record turnover of £50.2m and expanded its presence in the London market.

Senior Partner Derek Bambury said: “All 14 are wholly deserving of their promotions having excelled in their specialist field, contributed to the firm’s outstanding growth and delivered exceptional client service.

“We have an excellent track record in enabling young talented lawyers to progress with their careers and we look forward to seeing them build on this momentum in years to come.”  

The promotions will take effect from May 1, 2015 and will bring the firm’s total number of associates to 88.

HCR hoping Lazarus will breathe new life into Commercial Litigation team

HARRISON CLARK RICKERBYS has boosted its Commercial Litigation team with a new appointment.

The Worcester firm has recruited Marc Lazarus, who joins as Senior Legal Counsel with a brief to meet the growing need for litigation services.

He brings with him specialist knowledge of breach of contract and negligence claims, particularly those with an engineering bias, following his experience as head of the litigation team at the civil engineering giant, WS Atkins.

Richard Morgan, Partner and Head of Litigation at HCR, said; “Marc’s expertise in a wide range of litigation matters will be of real value to our clients. Appreciating that the courtroom is a last resort, he also has considerable experience with alternative dispute resolution methods including mediation, arbitration and adjudication, and we are pleased to be able to offer such legal assistance across the region and further afield.”

Wright Hassall ploughs ahead with new agriculture specialist

WRIGHT HASSALL has strengthened its specialist agriculture team with the appointment of a new partner.

Alex Robinson joins from Lodders Solicitors in Stratford-upon-Avon where she was noted by the legal directories in advising on farms and estates.

Working alongside Partner and Head of Agriculture Paul Rice, Ms Robinson, who has 12 years’ experience in the agricultural sector, will provide legal advice to the firm’s expanding portfolio of agricultural businesses.

Rice, who is the current Chair of the Warwickshire Committee of the Countryside Land and Business Association, said: “Alex’s appointment brings valued expertise and knowledge into the team.

“The rural economy contributes over £260bn to the UK’s GVA, with 9.3m people living in rural areas. The agriculture sector is facing some enormous challenges and Wright Hassall is well-placed to advise rural businesses on how to meet these challenges.

“Having Alex on board will help to strengthen the legal services offering we are able to provide to clients in the agricultural sector.”

Wright Hassall’s agriculture team works with clients across the agricultural sector including the Cotswold Farm Park, The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and the Young National Farmers Federation.

Ms Robinson (centre) is pictured with managing partner Richard Lane (left) and Paul Rice.