Movers & Shakers: South East

2023

April

Irwin Mitchell is expanding its construction & engineering team with the recruitment of a new partner, Robert Tunningley, who will be based in the firm’s Gatwick office.

Birketts has completed its planned merger with Kent and London based Batchelors Solicitors. The merger sees the firm’s headcount increase to over 1,000 and the opening of Birketts sixth office in Sevenoaks.

Hugh James has appointed Gemma Osgood as a partner in the medical negligence team based in the Southampton office.

Hugh James has appointed Eleanor Phipp as an associate in the medical negligence team based in the Southampton office.

February

Russell-Cooke has completed the relocation of its team in Kingston-Upon- Thames to a new office, at Riverview House, 20 Old Bridge Street, Kingston KT1 4BU, officially opened on 30 January 2023.

Mayo Wynne Baxter, part of the Ampa group, has announced a merger with Eastbourne firm Lawson Lewis Blakers.

Stacey St Clair has joined Debenhams Ottaway’s divorce and family law team as a partner. She joins from Hawkins Family Law where she was also a partner.

Blake Morgan has appointed tax specialist Camilla James as a legal director in the succession and tax team.

Stevens & Bolton LLP has announced the appointment of Doug Williams as its new chief operating officer.

Blandy & Blandy’s commercial property team has welcomed Paul Wilkinson as a senior associate solicitor. He joins from a firm in Reading.

Trethowans has appointed a new partner in its Southampton office, Kirsteen Hook.

Blake Morgan has appointed Suzanne Jones as a new partner in the firm’s insolvency team.

BP Collins LLP has welcomed Laura Mortimer as a partner in the firm’s family team.

It has been announced that Emma Cameronwill take over as SME representative on the Hertfordshire LEP board in March 2023.

Blake Morgan associate, Rachel Giles has qualified as a family mediator.

BP Collins has welcomed senior associate, Simone Ganley and associate, Simran Kaur Sehra to the firm’s commercial property practice.

Abdullah Suker has joined the parks, marinas and leisure team at IBB Law.

January

Thomson Snell & Passmore has welcomed Fiona Higgott as a partner in its wills, estate & tax planning division.

Lester Aldridge has welcomed David Fanchi who has joined as a partner in the real estate team, based in Southampton.

Glanvilles has announced the promotion of Oliver Zaki to partner in the commercial property team in the Fareham office with effect from 1 April 2023.

Glanvilles has promoted Gareth Maddern to associate in the commercial property team and Erin Hunt to associate in the private client team, both with effect from 1 January 2023.

Gardner Leader has appointed David Beckwith as its finance director.

Uma Seenath has joined Hewetts Law as a specialist in family law.

Setfords welcomes new joiners including: Clare Louise Newton (private client); Rachael Adekunle (construction); Kirsty Drain (residential conveyancing); Moneeb Majid (property and banking litigation); Abu Valimahomed (residential property); Dan Drummond (residential conveyancing); James Gresty (civil litigation); Damian Robson (employment); Kausar Choudhry (medical negligence, personal injury); Samantha Greer (commercial); and Sonia Josline Robinson (residential & commercial property).