The corporate team at Higgs LLP has welcomed four new legal experts to the team, bolstering the firm’s capacity to provide top-tier services to its clients.

• Neil Large
• Claire Stretton
• Matt Allen
• Sam Dell

These new appointments are a significant development for Higgs LLP, marking a major milestone in the firm’s growth and expansion. Neil Large, a banking and finance specialist, joins the firm as consultant solicitor, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience in middle-market M&A transactions and debt and equity funding. His extensive background in banking and finance matters will strengthen the firm’s offering in response to an increased demand for support and advice about funding matters. Claire Stretton, a principal associate, joins from Gateley Legal, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience in corporate law. She will play a pivotal role in enhancing services and introducing new efficiencies, systems, and processes for the benefit of the team and clients. Her appointment is seen as a progressive move, with a focus on driving efficiencies to ultimately enhance the client experience. Matt Allen, a senior associate, joins Higgs from MFG Solicitors, where he gained valuable experience in the Midlands legal market. He advises on all aspects of company law, with a particular interest in mergers and acquisitions of all sizes and in all sectors. Allen’s association with the firm began in May 2022, and his firsthand experience of being in the shoes of the client has made him a valuable asset to the team. Sam Dell, an associate, has qualified for the corporate team following the completion of his training contract at the firm. He has been associated with the firm since May 2022, having first been introduced to the firm through the Higgs Spring Vacation Scheme in April 2022. Dell’s association with the firm has provided him with invaluable experience and has prepared him for his new role as an associate. Richard Griffiths, head of corporate at Higgs LLP, said: “We have grown significantly over the past few years and these new appointments will play a key role in driving the next phase of our growth. Neil’s extensive expertise in banking and finance matters will strengthen our offering in response to an increased demand for support and advice about funding matters. We see Claire’s appointment as a real progressive move with her role centred on driving efficiencies to ultimately enhance the client experience. Meanwhile, Matt and Sam will provide invaluable support to our busy transactional team, enabling us to continue to deliver a top-tier service to our clients.”
Another significant development for Higgs LLP is the appointment of Digby Morgan and Kate Davies to the social purpose law firm, Anthony Collins.

Morgan and Davies Join Anthony Collins

Digby Morgan and Kate Davies have joined the firm’s housing sector and property team, bringing extensive experience and expertise in real estate, joint ventures, and affordable housing developments.

• Digby Morgan
• Kate Davies

Morgan has over 20 years of experience in real estate, advising on housing stock acquisitions and disposals, land-led transactions, and multi-million-pound regeneration schemes. He has worked extensively with registered providers, local authorities, and public sector organisations on complex real estate matters. Davies has 15 years of experience in the business, specialising in joint ventures, partnerships, and affordable housing developments. She has a strong track record of delivering high-profile housing projects, including a 1,200-home development. Jonathan Cox, housing sector lead at Anthony Collins, said: “Digby and Kate are going to be invaluable additions to the housing team. Their experience will be essential as we continue to support our clients in an ever-evolving sector, their appointments will continue to strengthen our property team and the wider housing sector team and our ability to deliver high-quality, socially impactful solutions.”
Digby Morgan, partner in the property team at Anthony Collins, said: “Joining a firm renowned for its commitment to social purpose and its expertise in affordable housing is a great opportunity. The challenges facing the sector are significant, and I look forward to working with the team to deliver innovative solutions for our clients and help navigate the evolving landscape of affordable housing development.”
The national law firm Freeths has continued to strengthen its national employment team with several new hires.

Freeths Expands Its National Employment Team

Led by Partner and National Head of Employment, Pensions and Immigration, Rena Magdani, the Team has announced eight new lawyers across seven of its 13 offices.

• Lisa Aitken
• Maggie Johnson
• Emily Wilson
• David Lee
• Mark Smith
• Chris Taylor
• Stuart Bradley
• Thomas Brown

In the West Midlands, Lisa Aitken has come on board as senior associate in Birmingham. Magdani said: “I am delighted to welcome our eight new lawyers to the Team. This expansion is a direct response to our unprecedented growth and the increased demand for employment law advice, particularly driven by the Employment Rights Bill. This strategic growth ensures we continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to our national client base.”
Rena Magdani, Partner and National Head of Employment, Pensions and Immigration, said: “We have grown significantly over the past few years and this expansion is a direct response to our unprecedented growth and the increased demand for employment law advice, particularly driven by the Employment Rights Bill. This strategic growth ensures we continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to our national client base.”

Strengthening Services and Expanding Offerings

The new appointments at Higgs LLP demonstrate the firm’s commitment to delivering top-tier services to its clients. The expansion of the firm’s corporate team will strengthen the offering in response to an increased demand for support and advice about funding matters. The appointment of Claire Stretton will play a pivotal role in enhancing services and introducing new efficiencies, systems, and processes for the benefit of the team and clients. The new appointments at Anthony Collins also demonstrate the firm’s commitment to delivering high-quality, socially impactful solutions. The appointment of Digby Morgan and Kate Davies will provide essential support to the firm’s housing team, enabling the firm to continue to deliver innovative solutions for its clients and navigate the evolving landscape of affordable housing development. The expansion of Freeths’ national employment team will enable the firm to continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to its national client base. The firm’s growth and expansion demonstrate its commitment to delivering exceptional services to its clients and staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving legal landscape.

Awards and Recognition

The new appointments at Higgs LLP and Anthony Collins demonstrate the firms’ commitment to excellence and their reputation for delivering high-quality services to their clients. Both firms have received numerous awards and recognition for their work in the field of employment law and social purpose.

Conclusion

The new appointments at Higgs LLP, Anthony Collins, and Freeths demonstrate the firms’ commitment to delivering exceptional services to their clients and staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving legal landscape. The expansion of these firms’ teams will enable them to continue to deliver top-tier services to their clients and provide innovative solutions for their clients. The firms’ reputation for excellence and their commitment to delivering high-quality services will continue to be recognized and rewarded.