Archive for the ‘Clarion’ Category

Promotions at Clarion

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Helen Bates and Clare King have both been promoted to senior associates by Leeds law firm Clarion.

Helen is eight years qualified and since joining the firm’s corporate recovery team as a contentious insolvency lawyer four years ago, she has continued to develop not only her contentious insolvency offering, but also her expertise as a non-contentious lawyer.  Her areas of expertise include advising on all aspects of administrations, liquidations, receiverships, voluntary arrangements, bankruptcy and director disqualification and Helen advises all parties involved in the insolvency process; from insolvency practitioners, asset based lenders and banks to individuals, directors and creditors.

Clare King also becomes a senior associate in Clarion’s private client team.  A Chartered Legal Executive with more than 11 years’ experience in the field of private client law, she joined Clarion in 2005. Clare advises on a full spectrum of private client matters, including the administration of high value estates, post-death inheritance tax planning, drafting and implementing of personal injury and disabled persons trusts, advising elderly clients and their families in connection with planning and funding care, the use of powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters.

Picture shows: Clare King (left) and Helen Bates of Clarion

“In recent weeks, we have seen a number of new appointments as we prepare to move into our new offices at Elizabeth House next month, but as well as attracting the most talented people to the firm, we are equally passionate about maintaining high levels of staff loyalty by enabling our team to develop with us,” explains Mark Burns, managing partner of Clarion.

“Both Clare and Helen are talented lawyers who have made a vital contribution to the growth of the firm.  Helen is recognised in the market place for her technical strength and continues to develop a strong client following for the benefit of not only her team, but the firm as a whole.  Clare is also highly regarded within the team for her strong technical expertise and for her valuable business development activities.”

For further information, please visit www.clarionsolicitors.com or call 0113 246 0622

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Cattles shareholders land settlement in £16m compensation claim

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds dispute resolutionLeeds law firm Clarion has helped to secure a settlement for over £16 million in compensation claims for a group of 60 former shareholders in Birstall based sub-prime lender Cattles plc from its subsidiary company Welcome Financial Services Limited.

The landmark settlement is believed to be the first time a subsidiary business has paid compensation to shareholders in the collapsed parent company.  The shareholders, including private individuals and a number of charities, lost millions when the Cattles plc shares were suspended in April 2009.

The shareholders fought for three years to secure redress and a deal was agreed with the scheme supervisors of Welcome Financial Services at the eleventh hour this week, just ahead of appeal papers for the 60 claims, prepared by a team of lawyers at Clarion, being presented to the Companies Court in London.

Shareholder Barry Dearing, who led the shareholders in their actions, called in Clarion when it became apparent that it was going to be necessary to take court action to preserve the claims.

Clarion partners Simon Young and Paul Burkinshaw assembled a five-strong team of Leeds lawyers to prepare the court papers for the claims in just three days.   An agreement was reached with the scheme administrators on terms acceptable to the shareholders preventing the need for further court action.

Clarion partners, Simon Young (left) with Paul Burkinshaw

Barry Dearing said “Clarion demonstrated great expertise and responsiveness by being able to call upon their resources to prepare all the necessary appeal claim documentation, on behalf of 60 shareholders spread throughout the world, in just three days in order to avoid any argument by the scheme administrators that the claims were time barred.  The decisive and swift action ensured that a prompt settlement could be reached with the scheme administrators on behalf of the former shareholders.”

Simon Young of Clarion said: “As far as we are aware, this is the first time a subsidiary of a quoted plc has agreed to pay compensation for losses sustained by shareholders in a parent company.  The settlement is welcome news for the shareholders after a long battle and should reduce the losses sustained by them to a slightly more bearable level.”

For further information about Clarion, please visit www.clarionsolicitors.com or call 0113 246 0622

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Leeds lawyer to speak at international intellectual property conference

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Intellectual PropertyLeigh Martin, partner at Clarion in Leeds and head of the law firm’s intellectual property team, has been chosen to speak at INTA, the International Trademark Association’s annual conference which is one of the largest worldwide intellectual property events.

The conference will be held in Washington DC from 5-9 May and will be attended by more than 9,000 intellectual property professionals from around the world.

Leigh will discuss trade mark and brand clearance advice, focussing on client expectations and legal duties of care across borders and cultures.  He has also written about these topics in the 2012 annual publication of World Intellectual Property Review, one of the foremost international intellectual property publications, which will be launched at the INTA Conference.

With 16 years’ experience in this niche area, Leigh is one of the region’s leading intellectual property lawyers regularly advising international clients from throughout Europe as well as the USA, China and even Australia.

“INTA is one of the most prestigious intellectual property events in the world and a fantastic opportunity for networking with international colleagues and clients and for exchanging ideas in relation to the latest developments in intellectual property throughout the world,” comments Leigh.

Leigh Martin, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Clarion Solicitors Leeds

“I’m looking forward to leading one of the skill-building and thought leadership workshops and sharing some of our Yorkshire, UK and international expertise with overseas professionals.  With so many global brands, many of our clients are multinationals or becoming increasingly multinational in their reach, and it’s essential that everyone working in this field has a thorough understanding of IP law and practice and also relevant cultural issues in other jurisdictions.”

To find out more about how the Clarion Intellectual Property department can help with the identification, protection, exploitation and enforcement of rights in patents, designs, trade marks, copyright, databases, confidential information and related rights please visit www.clarionsolicitors.com or call 0113 2460622.

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Clarion appoints another partner

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Corporate RecoveryLeeds law firm Clarion has appointed its 18th partner with the promotion of Alice Pratt from senior associate to partner in its growing corporate recovery practice.

Alice joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2001, having studied Law at the University of Liverpool followed by the LPC at The College of Law, Chester, where she obtained a distinction.  She qualified in September 2003 and was promoted to senior associate at Clarion in April 2008.  She is a member of insolvency trade body R3.

During her 11 years’ experience, Alice has dealt with all areas of insolvency work, both contentious and non-contentious.  She has acted on many high profile insolvency matters including the administrations of Celtic Crusaders Limited; Wakefield Trinity Rugby Football League Club Limited; Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles Ltd; and the recent administration of architectural practice careyjones chapman.

In her new role, Alice joins fellow partners Roger Hutton and Ryan Millmore to add further strength to the team.

Alice Pratt with Ryan Millmore (left) and Roger Hutton of Clarion

Roger Hutton, senior partner at Clarion, commented: “Alice is one of our rising stars, a highly regarded lawyer who is consistently rated and recommended by clients.

“From an early stage, Alice distinguished herself through her quick grasp of the client’s needs, her technical know-how and her dedication to seeing through a case to conclusion We are delighted to see Alice growing with us and developing her role from her early days as a trainee through to one of our most respected senior associates and now to partnership – a thoroughly deserved recognition of her hard work and commitment to the firm and to our clients.”

Alice comments: “I have been very fortunate to be part of a dynamic, young firm which has given me the opportunity to quickly gain extensive experience of all types of insolvency work, including high profile and complex cases.  Being part of a strong team with an open culture that welcomes involvement and input in all aspects of the firm has also been extremely satisfying.”

For further information, please visit the Clarion website or call 0113 246 0622

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Leading commercial litigator joins Clarion

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Dispute ResolutionLaw firm Clarion has added another partner to its growing team with the appointment of Paul Burkinshaw to its dispute resolution practice.

One of the region’s leading commercial litigators, Paul undertakes a broad range of commercial disputes and specialises in property and construction work.  He joins from Last Cawthra Feather where he spent 10 years as head of its commercial litigation and construction team.  Almost 20 years qualified, Paul has a wealth of experience of mediations, expert determinations and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution as well as pursuing matters via arbitration or the traditional courts route.

Paul works with developers, contractors, professional service providers, landlords and tenants in relation to disputed matters.   His specialist areas of interest include construction adjudications and leasehold enfranchisements in addition to more general commercial and property disputes.

Clarion partners, Simon Young (left) with Paul Burkinshaw

“Paul is an extremely experienced and very well regarded commercial litigator and will be a real asset to our team, helping us to further grow the dispute resolution practice and in particular Paul will spearhead the development of our property and construction litigation services,” commented Simon Young, partner and head of Clarion’s dispute resolution team.

Paul comments:  “Clarion is a law firm that is going places – clients now want lawyers who understand their business in a broader sense as well as serving their immediate legal needs.  With a relatively young partner profile, Clarion has evolved as a modern practice, able to meet the needs of today’s businesses by offering a full range of quality commercial services, delivered in a businesslike manner that clients can relate to.”

For further information please visit the Clarion website or call 0113 2460622

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Legal eagles soar above target with charity skydive

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Two Leeds lawyers have almost doubled their fund raising target in aid of St Gemma’s Hospice having completed a 15,000ft skydive.

Helen Gott and Stephanie Dunderdale, both associates at law firm Clarion, raised a sky-high figure of £1,650 for completing the jump at a North Lincolnshire airfield, which included a one minute free fall reaching a heart-stopping speed of 120mph.

Stephanie Dunderdale commented:  ‘’The skydive was terrifying, but it is the best thing Helen and I have ever done, although on the day of the jump the weather took a turn for the worse and we had to endure a nerve-racking six hour wait for the sky to eventually clear at sunset.

“We’d like to thank our clients and contacts who have supported us, enabling us to make such a significant donation to St Gemma’s.”

L to R: Helen Gott and Stephanie Dunderdale of Clarion after their 15,000ft skydive

The money raised by Stephanie and Helen will be donated to St Gemma’s Hospice which provides specialist medical and nursing care for people with life threatening illnesses, predominantly cancer, along with support for their families.

Clarion partner Sara Rogers has been a trustee of St Gemma’s Hospice for six years and was recently appointed as deputy chair.  The firm supports the charity with a number of events including an annual sports dinner and quiz, and initiatives such as the ‘Make a Will for Free’ month.

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Helen Gott of Clarion becomes member of Solicitors for the Elderly

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Clarion Solicitors Leeds Private Client servicesHelen Gott, associate solicitor at Clarion in Leeds, has been accepted as a member of the national association ‘Solicitors for the Elderly’ (SFE).

SFE is an association of lawyers which specialises in legal services for older people and their carers. Members of SFE have a wealth of experience within this key legal area and they are required to have spent a substantial amount of time working for elderly clients. The aim of this national association is to improve the knowledge and service provided on legal issues including, tax planning, wills, enduring powers of attorney, long-term social and health care and other retirement issues.

Helen is part of Clarion’s private client team which specialises in providing legal services issues for clients from wills and probate to tax planning and trusts.

Helon Gott, solicitor at Clarion Leeds accepted as member of Solicitors for the Elderly

Helen said: “I have specialised in legal services for the elderly for several years, and am looking forward to continuing to work with the Clarion team to give clients first class legal advice in a field of law which is constantly evolving, as the requirements of the elderly population change.”

For further information about the services offered by Clarion, please visit www.clarionsolicitors.com or call 0113 246 0622

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Another Associate Joins Clarion’s Corporate Team

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Clarion Solicitors LeedsClarion’s growing corporate team has welcomed another new member, Helen Young who has joined as associate.

Helen qualified in the corporate finance team of Hammonds (now Squire, Sanders & Dempsey) in 2008 and worked there as an associate for the last three years.  She has experience of acting on a variety of corporate transactional work including M&A and Private Equity (PE) transactions, acting for buyers, sellers, management teams and PE houses.

Helen’s appointment to the ten-strong Clarion corporate team follows the recent addition of Rachel Neems as consultant and the promotion of Jonathan Simms to senior associate.

Helen Young, associate in Clarion’s corporate team

Helen comments, “Joining a modern, ambitious team like Clarion is a great opportunity to build on the solid grounding I have gained in corporate law.  With its strong reputation in this specialist area, the firm’s expertise and straight-forward approach is winning clients from many of the national firms.”

Richard Moran, who heads Clarion’s corporate and commercial practice, said: “Growing and developing our team, particularly by nurturing the most talented young lawyers, will be key to our continued success.  We’re looking forward to Helen’s contribution to our fast-expanding practice. ”

For further information about Clarion’s corporate and commercial practice please visit www.clarionsolicitors.com or call 0113 246 0622

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