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.”

Pannone Corporate has announced the promotion of five people, as it continues to invest in future talent across the law firm.

Effective from 21 July, Arshnoor Amershi has been promoted to Associate Partner in the Corporate team, having joined the North West firm as a trainee solicitor in 2011. Ranked as an ‘Associate to watch’ in leading legal directory, Chambers and Partners UK, Arshnoor specialises in all aspects of corporate legal work, including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, and debt and equity investment.

She recently advised on the sale of Up & Away Aviation – a provider of aircraft cleaning and detailing services – to US-based group, Unifi Aviation. Unifi is the ground aviation services company that forms part of the Argenbright Group, which Pannone has previously acted for on its cross-border strategic investment in risk-led intelligent security solutions provider, Amberstone Security.

Arshnoor is joined by Andrew Walsh who, having qualified as a solicitor in 2017, is also promoted in the Corporate team, becoming a Director. Andrew was instrumental in assisting Dutch client Boels Rental and French-listed company Visiativ SA continue their buy and build strategy in the UK.

In the last 12 months, the Corporate team has seen unprecedented activity levels and headcount has risen from 10 to 14 as a result, putting the team in a perfect position to capitalise on significant growth opportunities in the market.

Commenting on the promotion, Arshnoor said: “I’m delighted to have been promoted to Associate Partner in the Corporate team, as we continue to make our mark in the North West M&A market.

“Having joined the firm as a trainee solicitor, it’s hugely satisfying to have moved up through the ranks, while playing a part in the growth of the firm. It really is an exciting time to be at Pannone, as the firm’s growth story continues to unfold.”

In total, Pannone has promoted five people. These include the promotion of three lawyers to Senior Associate in the well regarded Dispute Resolution team – Callum Halley, who specialises in commercial disputes and who joined the firm in 2019;  Gemma O’Brien, who also specialises in commercial disputes and joined Pannone in the same year; and Elizabeth Walsh, who joined the firm in 2018 and advises on contentious trust and probate disputes, as well as commercial disputes.

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone, commented: “Pannone has an unwavering commitment to invest in people. Our staff represent the future of the firm and have an integral role to play in helping us to reach our long-term goals.

“The promotions are all thoroughly well-deserved and testament to the passion and dedication of our team.”

Pannone Corporate has announced the promotion of two longstanding members of the team to Partner.

Effective from 3 February, Jonny Scholes has been promoted to Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team. Jonny has been with Pannone since its inception in 2014, having previously worked at Pannone LLP joining in 2005. Jonny has built up a strong reputation in his field, particularly in the area of contentious trusts and probate – a top tier practice area for the firm in the Legal 500 rankings.

He is joined as Partner by Daniel Clarke, who leads the Corporate Recovery and Insolvency practice at Pannone. Like Jonny, Daniel joined Pannone LLP nearly 20 years ago and qualified in 2006. Daniel advises on all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency, including administration, bankruptcy, CVAs/IVAs, and restructuring and re-organisation.

Commenting on his promotion, Dan said: “I’m delighted to have been promoted to Partner alongside Jonny, during what is an exciting period of growth for the firm. The investment we make in talent is integral to our ongoing success – not just for the Corporate Recovery and Insolvency team, but for the firm as a whole.”

Jonny added: “I’m very proud to have been promoted to Partner and I look forward to helping Pannone continue to flourish alongside a group of wonderful and hard-working people.”

The promotions follow a number of recent appointments, as the firm continues to invest in future talent. As part of the recruitment drive, Joshua Dolan joins the firm as a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team; Will Newman has been appointed as a solicitor in the Real Estate team; Ciara Scanlon joins in the Employment team as a solicitor; Natasha Mafunga has been appointed as a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team; Jack Taylor further strengthens the Dispute Resolution team, also joining as a solicitor; with Renée Neophytou completing the raft of appointments, joining the Corporate team as a solicitor.

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone, commented: “Each promotion and appointment represents Pannone’s commitment to investing in our people and the future of our business.

“The Partner promotions are thoroughly well deserved. Jonny and Dan have both demonstrated true commitment, dedication and passion to the firm, acting as a real example to those rising through the ranks, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”