Professionals: Castleford Tigers renews contract with law firm; Advisors act on manufacturer’s sale to French rail specialist; and more

hlw Keeble Hawson and Shorts Chartered Accountants have represented Sheffield rail depot equipment manufacturer Mechan in its sale to French rail transport specialist CIM for an undisclosed sum.     

Mechan managing director, Richard Carr, finance director, Zahir Altaf and a 20-strong team will continue to operate under the same name from the Sheffield site. They will be supported by CIM, whose portfolio of products and services includes railway infrastructure supply and construction projects.

Paul Trudgill, managing partner of hlw Keeble Hawson which acted for Mechan, said: “Mechan boasts a strong reputation in its field and we are pleased to have played an instrumental role in the purchase which will enable the business to make global inroads backed by CIM – a highly respected international player.”

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Castleford Tigers has renewed its contract with Leeds-based Michael Lewin Solicitors, which will continue to handle all of the club’s legal matters including player contracts, terms and conditions and HR support.

Richard Coulthard, director of commercial services at Michael Lewin Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to renew our contract for legal services with Castleford Tigers and it is our aim to assist the club going from strength to strength both on and off the pitch.”

The law firm specialises in employment, litigation, personal injury, criminal injury, industrial disease, wills and probate and RTA.

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Addleshaw Goddard has launched a Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, which offers people an alternative route to becoming fully qualified solicitors while working as part of the firm’s Transaction Services Team (TST).

Delivered in conjunction with BPP University Law School, the six-year programme leads to an LLB (Hons) degree awarded by BPP University, and, following assessment by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), registered qualification as a solicitor.

The programme combines funded part-time study and extensive in-house training, with each apprentice to rotate across multiple practice areas in a salaried role.

Due to join the firm’s regional offices in September, the apprentices will join the pioneering TST, a 134-strong team of paralegals and managers.

Mike Potter, head of the transaction services team, said: “As a firm, we are committed to redesigning the way legal work is done, and passionate about providing a different approach to attracting, retaining and developing great people. We see apprenticeships as an invaluable opportunity for harnessing talent.

“The solicitor programme is standout in giving the apprentices immediate experience of the workplace, and is an excellent alternative to the traditional university route to qualification. It will shape the future of careers in the legal sector.”