PRIVATE PRACTICE


Partners

Starting in the capital, City firm Withers takes on partner John Langan to launch a new funds, investment and business tax group from the London office of US firm Bryan Cave, where he was an associate.


Memery Crystal has hired real estate partner Alastair Moss from Bristows, where he was an associate.


Moving west, in Bristol, TLT takes on property specialist Tim Rowe from Leamington Spa’s Wright Hassall, together with assistant solicitor Helena Terry.


East Anglian firm Kester Cunningham John has promoted five to partner, bringing its total to 28. They are: Edward O’Rourke (company/commercial); Simon Cunningham (commercial property); Sue Varty (family); Trefine Maynard (claimant clinical negligence); and Simon Davis (personal injury).


In the midlands, James Leo has been promoted to litigation and employment partner at Coley & Tilley in Birmingham.


North-west firm Stephensons promotes three new partners: Karen Atkins, head of the family division in St Helens; Louise Griffiths, head of the clinical negligence department in Leigh; and criminal liability specialist Martin Pizzey in Salford.


In Manchester, Nick Bone joins Lopian Wagner as head of employment, moving from Higgs & Sons in the West Midlands.


Criminal specialist law firm Draycott Browne promotes Robert Mann to partner and head of the youth court department at its Trafford office.


Lancashire firm Napthens takes on Michael Fetherstone as a partner in the commercial property practice. He moves from Hill Dickinson.


At Lupton Fawcett in Leeds, employment specialist Doug Hart is promoted to director.


In the Tees Valley, Endeavour Partnership takes on corporate and commercial partner David Hunter from local firm Crutes.


Associates/Assistants


In Crawley, commercial assistant solicitor Lisa Comber moves to ASB Law from City firm Bird & Bird.


Over in Salisbury, Caroline Probert is promoted to associate in the commercial property team at Trethowans.


On the south coast, Damian Richardson joins Lester Aldridge’s marine shipping division as an assistant solicitor from marine insurance company ITIC.


In Southampton, Moore & Blatch takes on Penelope Twine in its personal injury team, from Websters in Guildford.


Up at Manchester’s Davis Blank Furniss, Nessa Sharkett is promoted to associate and head of the employment team. Richard Hamilton (property) and Shiva Shadi (employment and corporate immigration) are also promoted to associate.


In Sheffield, residential conveyancing specialist Neil Riley joins Taylor & Emmet as an associate, from Parker Rhodes in Rotherham.


In-house/local government


Howard Norris joins the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire Authority as a solicitor from Warrington Borough Council. He replaces John Gregory, who is retiring from local government.


Insurance company Assurant Solutions takes on Tara Caithie as company secretary and senior counsel for the UK and Europe. She moves from the in-house legal team at RBS Insurance.


Amanda McGurran is promoted to head of human resources and legal services at national building contractor MITIE Engineering Maintenance.


Management


Magic circle firm Linklaters has elected corporate partner David Cheyne as senior partner, with effect from 1 October, for a five-year term. He will take over from Anthony Cann, who will retire from the firm at the end of September.


South-coast firm Lester Aldridge has elected its head of dispute resolution, Michael Giddins, as managing partner. He replaces Roger Woolley, who will continue to serve on the firm’s board.


Michael Tunbridge is appointed senior partner at Sheffield firm Wake Smith. He takes over from Jonathan Hunt, who stays on as a consultant.