Record year for expanding legal team

Leeds-based Blacks Solicitors is marking a record year for its Corporate & Commercial team with a 27% increase in turnover year on year and a fourth year of consecutive growth.

The 15-strong Corporate & Commercial team completed 70 deals from January 2019 to 2020 in a range of sectors including live events, entertainment, leisure and hospitality, food & drink, healthcare, holiday and home parks, and technology.

A factor in the team’s growth has been the recruitment and retention of talent.

A partner, senior associate and two solicitors have been recruited, including Saby Sambhi who has been reappointed as a senior associate after leaving Blacks in 2019 to join a national firm.

Sambhi will strengthen the team’s expertise in acting for private equity houses.

The team has also seen two promotions of an associate to partner and a trainee solicitor becoming newly qualified.

The team’s expansion and reputation attracted 130 new clients. In total, it supported and advised over 300 clients including Production Park, Harrogate Spring Water, Fazenda, Roxy Leisure, Brightbridge Solutions, Technology Group, Vida Healthcare and Catalyst IT Solutions.

Dave Paterson, partner in the Corporate & Commercial team, said: “The past year has seen us complete a significant number of deals and deliver exceptional advice to our clients, and the team has been fantastic in making sure we continue to fulfil our promise of outstanding service.

“We’ve seen transactional work slow as a result of the Coronavirus, which is a reflection of the merger and acquisition market generally.

“We are seeing an increase in advisory work as clients adjust to the effects of the Government’s Coronavirus policies on their businesses, and we’re supporting business owners who are bringing forward longer term strategic projects and decisions.

“We are continuing to support clients through this difficult period and ensure they have all the legal support and expertise they need.

“Our growth and new client wins have significantly contributed to our successful recruitment policy and in turn strengthened our ability to attract new clients and win work.

“We are expecting to be very busy assisting and advising businesses on opportunities in the post-Coronavirus economy.”