Nearly two years after opening in Manchester, Fieldfisher has swelled its partner headcount with two lateral hires from regional firms.
DWF joint head of privacy Rob Sheldon joined the tech focused firm today (2 November), while Sam Jardine, head of commercial and technology at Newcastle firm Watson Burton will join in January.
Recommended by The Legal 500 for IP law, Sheldon had been at DWF since 2007 and specialises in commercial projects, providing IT, outsourcing, data protection, commercial contracts and IP expertise to clients from a wide range of sectors.
Jardine established the technology sector group at Watson Burton and has also worked at Eversheds, Addleshaw Goddard and Baker & McKenzie. He has expertise in non-contentious commercial and technology contracts, including agreements relating to the supply and purchase of goods and services, outsourcing, system supply, systems integration, distribution, resale of goods and software.
Fieldfisher says it is looking to grow to meet demand coming from rapid growth of greater Manchester’s tech cluster, which has seen both BBC and ITV move to Salford’s MediaCity.
The firm’s managing partner Michael Chissick said: ‘The UK’s tech sector is much more than just London – Manchester and the North West are home to numerous successful technology businesses and we are very well placed to support them.’
Fieldfisher’s Manchester office, which opened in February 2014 following the acquisition of local firm Heatons, focuses on regulatory, real estate, employment and technology work.
victoria.young@legalease.co.uk
