Clarke Willmott team defects to ‘aggressive’ Harvey Ingram

BIRMINGHAM solicitors Harvey Ingram has recruited the family law team from city rivals Clarke Willmott in what it called “an aggressive expansion” of its second city operations.

New partner Andrew Breakwell will head up Harvey Ingram’s family law division and he has taken with him his immediate team including family solicitors Charlotte Fuller and Janine Harding.

Mr Breakwell has over 20 years of experience and sits on Resolution’s National Accreditation Committee and is a qualified collaborative lawyer.

Meanwhile, Clarke Willmott is set to lose two more partners next spring.

Live coverage of today’s spending review: click here

Construction partner Simon Bradley and property specialist Kathy Toon have handed in their notice and are expected to leave Clarke Willmott in April.

Stephen Rosser, Clarke Willmott chief executive who joined the practice in May, has been reported as saying that it was business as usual at the company and the process of recruiting replacements had begun.

Harvey Ingram has also recruited two more solicitors. Joining them from Cradley Heath-based George Green is new trusts and probate partner Simon Vaile.

Mr Vaile has nearly 20 years of experience and specialises in estate planning, wills, tax and trusts and is also secretary to the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ Birmingham committee.

Harvey Ingram has also expanded its commercial property team in Birmingham by recruiting solicitor Jasdeep Virk.

She joins from Clifford Chance, where she developed her expertise in the property sector. All five solicitors will be based at the firm’s office in Newhall Street, Birmingham.

Harvey Ingram has also recruited business development director Tim Percival, who joins the firm from Nabarro, and IT development manager Claire Payne.

Managing partner Simon Astill says: “We are absolutely delighted with these key hires – and there’s more in the pipeline.

“They are all high-calibre appointments with exceptional reputations that reflect Harvey Ingram’s ambition and vision.

“The commitment and investment in our expanded wealth management offering is especially timely as it’s proving to be a huge growth area for us.”