Appointments: Gordons, LCF Law, Williamsons Solicitors, Alix Partners

LAW firm Gordons has hired Alan Herbert as partner and head of property litigation.

He will work with partners Paul Young and Joanne Fearnley in a team of 23 people.

Mr Herbert joins from DWF, where he was real estate litigation partner for the past six years, before which he was at Pinsent Masons for seven years.

Mr Herbert has over 25 years’ experience in property litigation and is described by sector directory The Legal 500 as “unflappable”.

He advises on commercial property ownership with a particular emphasis on the retail, development, leisure and financial sectors.

Gordons’ head of commercial property, Paul Young, said: “Alan’s vast experience of all aspects of property litigation allows us to further enhance the fully integrated service we currently provide across acquisition, portfolio management and disposal. We all look forward to Alan contributing to our commercial property team’s continued success.”

Partner Joanne Fearnley added: “Alan has an outstanding reputation within Yorkshire and beyond as an excellent property litigator. He is an excellent addition to our team who will protect our clients’ interests with commercially-focused, practical advice.”

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PARTNER Ann Christian has been promoted at LCF Law.

She has worked for the firm for eight years. In her role she will be growing the client base of LCF across wealth protection, inheritance planning, wills and probate.

Ms Christian joins three partners in the personal law team, which consists of seven lawyers and support staff.

Head of personal law at LCF Law, Neil Shaw said: “We have a sound reputation for providing people with trusted advice and guidance across all elements of family law and Ann has a particularly strong ability to guide our clients through their specific needs when it comes to financial issues – she has great technical skills and is a real asset to the team.”

Ms Christian said: “I thoroughly enjoy my role at LCF Law, solving complex legal problems and guiding people through what can be very complicated processes when it comes to inheritance planning.

“People have the right to leave their assets to whomever they chose, many want to provide for a mix of family members, friends and charities and of course ensure that as much of their estate as possible is passed on without contest and minimum tax penalty – which is where we excel.”

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SIMON RAMSHAW joins Williamsons Solicitors, leaving his partnership at another Hull practice where he was for 30 years.

Mr Ramshaw’s new role will allow him to focus entirely on his specialist field of law, clinical negligence.

He said: “Obtaining a cheque for damages is only part of the story. Our role goes further and I have been involved with families long after the compensation claim has been settled, such as advising on the appropriate expertise needed when clients subsequently face new challenges later in life.”

Bill Waddington, Williamsons’ director, said: “Medical accidents can happen to anyone and it is extremely important that they get proper representation. With Simon joining us, we are very well placed to look after their interests.”

Williamsons was highlighted for its clinical negligence expertise in the Legal 500 this year.

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THE Leeds turnaround and restructuring division of Alix Partners has been boosted by the appointments of Richard Oddy and Perry Higgins.

Mr Oddy joins as a senior associate, having advised management teams, banks, asset based lenders and other stakeholders in distressed situations.

He undertook a 15 month secondment to a major clearing bank, where he supported the relationship management team. He is a chartered management accountant and a member of the Insolvency practitioners association.

Mr Higgins, a chartered accountant, joins as an associate. He has spent two years with a specialist restructuring practice and worked on a range of restructuring assignments across the North of England including projects in retail, manufacturing and home energy sectors.