People: Bevan Brittan; Irwin Mitchell; JLL; and more

Real estate lawyer Simon Jackson says he is excited to return to the Yorkshire market after national firm Bevan Brittan confirmed he had joined its expanding Leeds team.

The Leeds-born development and investment specialist has moved to Bevan Brittan as a partner, joining from law firm Knights shortly after its takeover of Shulmans, where he had worked for more than 30 years and been a member of its management board.

He becomes the ninth partner in Bevan Brittan’s 35-strong real estate and property team in Yorkshire.

It follows a strong year for the firm, which also has offices in Birmingham, Bristol and London. It recorded its eight consecutive year of growth and recruited eight new partners in 2021, including two in Leeds – pensions expert Nigel Bolton and construction specialist Sarah Wilson.

Jackson said: “I wanted to work with a dynamic, forward-looking business and build a genuine real estate presence in Leeds. I was really impressed with what Bevan Brittan had been doing in Yorkshire and what they plan to do.

“I think the team has so much to offer businesses across Yorkshire and the North.

“The Leeds market is the largest legal centre outside of London and highly competitive. There’s so much going on and I’m looking forward to working on some fantastic deals to help businesses advance their growth plans.”

James Atkins, head of the Leeds office for Bevan Brittan, added: “Our team in Yorkshire is going from strength to strength and adding Simon to that gives us another level.

“He’s got fantastic experience from three decades of working in the real estate market here in Leeds and further afield and being able to add that to our national property, construction and development offering means we can support clients on some of the biggest and most complex developments around in both the private and public sectors.”

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Andrew Tucker

Irwin Mitchell has confirmed eight new partners, seven senior associates and 21 associates as part of this year’s promotion round across its offices in Yorkshire.

The eight new partners in the firm’s  offices in Sheffield and Leeds are Jason Newall (regulatory and criminal investigations); Padma Tadi (employment); Helen Revill (family law), Tania Harrison; Samuel Hill (medical negligence); Hema Rana (serious injury) and Oliver Collett (workplace illness).

John Gillies has been promoted to associate director in IM Asset Management.

Across the firm nationally there have been 13 new partners, 28 senior associates and 56 associates.

Andrew Tucker, group chief executive, said: “To announce these new partners, senior associates and associates makes me extremely proud and it is another clear sign of the continued emphasis we place on investing and developing in our people.

“These latest promotions show our strength and breadth across the group while also recognising the significant contribution our colleagues make to our business in terms of supporting our clients and creating the right culture for future success.”

All promotions take effect from 1 May 2022 and the partner appointments are subject to SRA approval.

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JLL has welcomed Mike Linnane back to its Building Consultancy team in Leeds, as the real estate services specialist continues to grow its presence across Yorkshire and the North East.

Linnane launched his career as a graduate surveyor in JLL’s London office, before moving to the Manchester office where he worked for several years.

He re-joins JLL as a director from Manchester-based Black Cat Building Consultancy. His cross-sector experience for both landlords and tenants is extensive, with a focus on contract administration, technical due diligence, development monitoring, planned maintenance programmes, reinstatement cost assessments and dilapidations.

In his new role, he will support the team’s work across market and sector specialist areas including offices, retail, leisure, and industrial and logistics.

His day-to-day responsibilities will include driving the firm’s surveying offer across the region, while supporting the wider team in strengthening key client relationships.

Linnane’s appointment follows a period of growth for JLL’s 90-strong wider team in Yorkshire and the North East, with the double appointment of James Mohammed, director, and Brad Harris, associate, both joining its Residential Development team in November.

Linnane said: “The local property market is incredibly resilient, but as landlords and developers navigate soaring inflation and the road to net zero, there is a greater need for the specialist support the team here provides.

“I’m looking forward to helping our clients to tackle these issues head on as they continue to support growth across the Leeds city region and the wider Yorkshire economy.”

Tony Stott, head of building consultancy in the North East at JLL, said: “Mike’s appointment is testament to his knowledge and experience and will complement the existing expertise within the business as we continue to provide our clients with market-leading guidance.

“Having watched his progression within other teams, I’m in no doubt of the positive difference he will make to the team in supporting some of the region’s most exciting and high profile real estate projects.”

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Regional law firm, Andrew Jackson Solicitors, has made several promotions across the business, including Jennifer Bradford and Samuel Peake who have joined the partnership.

Solicitors Sally Price (private client) and Debbie Gibbons (family) have been promoted as associates; Harry Mills (property) and Pippa Collins (private client) become senior solicitors; and Denika Barnes and Lauren Crabb are now paralegals.

With several years’ specialist experience, Bradford plays a crucial role in leading Andrew Jackson’s client service and compliance team; advising and supporting the firm on its statutory and regulatory obligations; and ensuring the highest levels of client service are maintained.

Peake is a well-established property law specialist who handles a broad range of commercial property and finance transactions, particularly acting for the firm’s banking clients.

His ability to complete transactions swiftly whilst protecting his clients’ interests have earned him an excellent reputation in the regional market, with clients praising his professionalism, skills and expertise.

Managing partner, Mark Pearson-Kendall, said: “These promotions reflect our continued investment in the hard working team, the development of our client offer and, most importantly, our commitment to the delivery of an excellent service to the businesses and individuals we work with.

“We warmly welcome Jennifer and Samuel to the partnership, both of whom have demonstrated consistently high levels of commitment and expertise in their respective roles, as well as their ability to deliver exceptional client service, which is what we aim for right across the firm.

“We also congratulate our newly promoted associates, senior solicitors and paralegals –  Sally, Debbie, Harry, Pippa, Denika and Lauren.”

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