The UK’s regional hubs saw a spree of hiring as TLT strengthened its corporate practice in Manchester after a law firm’s collapse and Squire Patton Boggs bulked up in Leeds. Meanwhile, Ashurst enlarged its finance practice in Europe with the addition of two new partners and Fladgate recruited an employment partner.
Squires expanded its office in Leeds with the appointment of Nabarro’s construction partner James Duckworth. Specialising in major projects such as PPP/PFI and energy deals, Duckworth focuses on renewables in particular wind, biomass, solar, carbon capture and energy-from-waste sectors, both in the UK and internationally.
He will be reunited with infrastructure partner Robin Baillie who joined Squires last year in London and is part of a wider construction push in the regions for the firm with Matthew Mulqueen joining as a partner in Leeds in June.
Meanwhile TLT benefitted from the closure of local outfit Milbank Edge in Manchester this September with the hire of corporate partner Ian Roberts; Andrew Needham, who had previously been a partner at Addleshaws and led DWF’s corporate and commercial team; and commercial partner Pauline Cowie. The trio was joined by two other lawyers and will help bulk up the firm’s north-west offering.
TLT’s head of commercial Bill Hull said: ‘We are ramping up the strength of our UK corporate and commercial offering and this team arrival from Millbank Edge in Manchester showcases that. This is a talented and experienced team; and a great fit strategically, deepening our expertise across the UK and in Manchester.’
Other partners at the firm left for Hill Dickinson and Member Land Law.
In London, Fladgate added on Howard Kennedy employment partner Taj Rehal. Advising listed companies, private businesses and individuals Rehal is listed as a leading individual in The Legal 500 for employment work.
Rehal said: ‘Given the synergies that exist with my own client base and that of Fladgate and their ambitious plans for future growth, this move presents a great platform for my existing clients and an exciting opportunity for me to further develop and grow my practice.’
Finally, Ashurst strengthened its European finance practice with the addition of partner Fernando Navarro from Cuatrecasas. Having also served as in-house counsel at Stanander Investment and Grupo Ahorro Corporación, Navarro specialises in syndicated and bi-lateral loans though also has experience of derivatives, debt restructuring, direct lending, alternative funding, purchase and sale of debt portfolios and debt trading.
Ashurst also hired Detmar Loff from Allen & Overy, bringing him in as a partner in its financial services regulatory group.
michael.west@legalease.co.uk