2024 was another successful year for the firm, marked by further investment in our team, as we welcomed 14 new people across all practice areas, as well as a new head of finance in Sarah-Jane Roper.

Once again, we excelled in the annual Legal 500 legal review of the year. In total, 17 lawyers featured in Legal 500 UK commentary for their excellent contribution to their respective practices, with practice areas also continuing to rank highly amongst those within the profession. What’s more, we have been nominated by Chambers and Partners for Regional Law Firm of the Year. This is based on client feedback gained during the Chambers research and interviewing process, so real testament to the relationships we have with you, our clients.

2024 also marked the year that we created our first in-depth report on the regional business community – Ambition 2025. The research – combined with a survey of 200 North West businesses – focuses on five core areas: people, finance, impact, innovation and ambition. The results shine a spotlight on the motivations, priorities, and challenges for regional businesses, as they strive towards their goals in 2025.

It features interviews, opinions, data and insight – a piece of work that we’re extremely proud of. Watch this space for more news on the launch of the report.

It was also a standout year across all areas of the firm. Highlights include:

• Firm wide our team was re-appointed to the NG Bailey legal panel among other appointments.
• Our Corporate team won Corporate Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards. This award follows a number of standout deals for the team, including advising Mercia and Smedvig on the investment into CultureAI, as well as advising new client Alfred H Knight Limited on the acquisition of Grinding Solutions.
• Our Commercial team advised on a number of important and innovative AI projects, including a key long-term AI development agreement between a global recruitment client and a leading Nasdaq listed AI firm.
• Our Dispute Resolution team was bolstered by a number of new joiners including Emma Haymes from the inhouse litigation team at Vodafone, Jessica Boswell from JMW and Burak Demir who joined from Stone King. The team had a busy year and advised on a number of significant disputes across a variety of sectors including retail, telecoms and technology.
• Our employment team launched a toolkit to help employers comply with the new duty to prevent sexual harassment in their workplace. In addition, the team saw a significant increase in investigation work over the past 12 months, while also winning a place on the panel for employment law work for Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
• Our IP and Media team secured a top tier ranking in Legal 500 for Intellectual Property – the only firm in the North West to achieve that ranking. This follows the launch of RESTORE, a crisis and reputation management offering to clients, in conjunction with crisis management expert Cheryl Chung.
• Our Real Estate team completed a large strategic acquisition for a funder, in relation to a development site in Warrington that will involve a 10-15 year masterplan to include housing and sporting facilities. The development will play a key role in the growth of the town’s economy for a significant period of time.
• Our Real Estate Litigation team acted for BP Leisure Limited in connection with its renewal of the iconic Britons’ Protection public house in Manchester, which was hotly contested by Punch Partnerships (PTL) Limited, a Heineken subsidiary. They concluded a settlement in August which has enabled both parties to secure the future of the pub.
• Our insolvency and restructuring team welcomed Associate Partner, Helen Fyles, to the team. They were also delighted to assist with the rescue of Mona Island Dairy out of administration.
• Our Regulatory team represented an individual in connection with the joint police/ HSE investigation arising from the O2 Brixton Academy fatalities in December 2022.
• Our Debt team was shortlisted for Legal Services Provider of the Year at British Credit Awards 2025, while maintaining their Legal 500 ranking.
• Our Contentious Trusts and Probate team was delighted to retain their top tier ranking in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.

Thank you to all of our clients for your continued support over the last 12 months. Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2025.