Firm hires and promotions: Foot Anstey

Top 100 law firm Foot Anstey has announced four new appointments to the partnership. Emily Settle and Jessica Pitt have both been promoted through the annual promotions programme. Mark Pinder and Paul Cox have been recruited as lateral hires. The appointments reflect the firm’s growth strategy, particularly in its core sectors.

Paul Cox, will head up the intellectual property practice at Foot Anstey. He is joining a team of ten individuals, including three partners and will significantly strengthen the team with his wide ranging experience. Paul has acted for many household names in several sectors including retail, leisure, food and drink.

Paul brings significant experience to Foot Anstey having previously worked in large international and national law firms. He has also been recognised by the legal directories for many years as a leading individual in the intellectual property field.

Mark Pinder joins the corporate team and has considerable experience in advising on complex international projects in a number of different industry sectors and to a wide range of international companies and businesses.

Prior to joining Foot Anstey, Mark led Bird & Bird’s international corporate group and then founded and headed their Middle East operations, where he was recognised as one of the Middle East’s most experienced international corporate lawyers and an expert in cross-border M&A. Mark will be leading the firm’s international strategy focusing on global businesses and building new relationships with international law firms.

Both Paul Cox and Mark Pinder will be based in the firm’s Southampton office, which opened in September 2016, representing further growth for the firm in this location.

Emily Settle advises corporate and private equity clients to deliver their strategic growth and business agenda. She focuses on managing risk and resources to drive value for our clients as they face changing markets and diversified customer needs, particularly within the retail and energy sectors. Drawing on her experience and skills, Emily fosters seamless partnerships with clients’ other business partners to successfully and efficiently deliver their business vision. Emily joined the firm after nearly 10 years with Linklaters LLP. She is based in Bristol but works from a variety of locations, including her home, taking advantage of the firm’s entrepreneurial approach to flexible working and technology.

Within the firm’s private wealth group, Jessica Pitt is head of the family team. She advises clients on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown for married and cohabiting couples. Jessica joined Foot Anstey as a trainee solicitor and has developed her career with the firm. Based in Exeter, Jessica has a lead role in spearheading the firm’s engagement with the business community in the city and wider region as well as leading the team of specialist family lawyers across the firm’s office network.

Managing partner John Westwell said: ’Each of our new partners have skills that are both demanded by clients and essential for continued growth. They are a reflection of the firm’s ambition and our focus on recruiting and nurturing talent. I am delighted to welcome them to the partnership.’