Manchester law firm Pannone Corporate has promoted three lawyers to partner, as it secures its position on two long-standing legal panels.

Sarah Bazaraa has been promoted to partner in the firm’s dispute resolution team and will head up the IP litigation and media team. The firm holds the sole Legal 500 Tier One ranked IP team in Manchester, alongside a Legal 500 Tier One ranking for media work. Sarah joined Pannone in 2009 as a trainee solicitor and has risen through the ranks, being recognised by Legal 500 as a “rising star” and “one to watch” for several years.

Alongside Sarah, Michael McNally has been made partner in Pannone’s employment team. Michael, who has particular experience working with businesses in the care, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, joined Pannone in 2021 and has quickly made his mark at the firm.

Michael and Sarah are joined by Gareth Birch, who has been promoted to partner in the firm’s real estate team. Gareth has built up a strong reputation in the property market since he joined Pannone nearly a decade ago, being listed as ‘Up and Coming’ by Chambers & Partners for three years, before being ranked last year when the real estate team received its first ranking in Band Three. Specialising in advising clients in the retail and wholesale sector, he also works alongside a number of investor and developer clients.

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone, commented: “The promotion of Sarah, Michael and Gareth to partner is richly deserved, with each demonstrating great commitment, technical excellence and passion in their respective roles.

“As a firm, we pride ourselves on taking a partner-led approach, delivering a personal, collaborative and client focussed service with the support of a group of highly talented people. We’re confident that Sarah, Michael and Gareth will continue to lead from the front and help to strengthen our proposition, not just in dispute resolution, employment and real estate, but across the firm.”

The trio of partner promotions follows Pannone’s reappointment to two long-standing legal panels. The firm has been appointed by SSP Group for a further three years. Pannone has provided employment law services to the leading operator of food and beverage outlets for the last 15 years.

In addition, Pannone has been reappointed to the legal panel for Manchester-based NG Bailey – an independent engineering and services business. Pannone have supported NG Bailey for almost 10 years.

Jonson added: “By building longstanding relationships with clients, we’re able to gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face. It’s testament to the team’s commitment to that approach that we’ve been reappointed by two such highly regarded businesses and we’re delighted to be supporting SSP and NG Bailey as they continue on their exciting growth journeys.”