Firm hire: Simon Fisher and Sarah Samuel Gibbon

Gardner Leader, has recruited two further solicitors to join its rapidly expanding team. Simon Fisher joins as senior associate in the family team and Sarah Samuel-Gibbon as senior associate in the corporate and commercial team as a maternity cover.

Gardner Leader has hired 27 staff in just 12 months. The firm now has more than 125 employees based across three offices and turns over £7 million.

Simon has more than 10 years practicing in family law and specialises in a range of areas from simple financial consent orders, which protect both parties from any future financial claims, to complex international law disputes. He is also a collaborative trained lawyer; an alternative way of resolving family issues without involving the courts, and is a member of the Law Society Family Law Accreditation Scheme and Resolution; a national organisation of family lawyers committed to non-confrontational divorce, separation and other family problems.

Sarah has 12 years experience in corporate and commercial law. Prior to joining Gardner Leader, she was an in-house lawyer at Sky plc and worked for the leading London and International law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills.

Sarah has considerable experience across a broad range of areas including commercial contracts, strategic alliances, and merger and acquisitions. She particularly focuses on advising companies from small to major multinationals in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors on matters including technology, intellectual property and privacy related issues. 

Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said, ’I’m so pleased to be joining such a rapidly growing and dynamic team. The firm has a very strong reputation in corporate and commercial matters. There will be plenty of opportunity for me to challenge and nurture my own abilities as well as bring something new to the team. Having worked as an in-house lawyer for six years for a major plc, I have a clear understanding of the issues and challenges that my clients face internally which brings a valuable perspective to my advice.’

Simon added, ’I’ve always been passionate about helping people to resolve their family law issues in as sensible way as possible and to achieve the best possible outcome and so I’m looking forward to applying my 10 years in family law to help families and to assist in further growing and developing the firm.’

Managing partner, Derek Rodger, also commented: ’It’s an exciting time for the firm as we continue to grow and expand. I’m delighted that Simon and Sarah are joining the firm as they both bring unique, specialists skills that will further strengthen our offerings and bring peace of mind to our clients.’