Birmingham law firm Emms Gilmore Liberson has secured a significant new signing from a leading national firm, in news which comes just eight weeks after it celebrated its first anniversary.
Richard Coates has been appointed Director of Commercial Litigation, arriving from Cobbetts LLP’s Birmingham office, where he was an Associate.
Emms Gilmore Liberson founder director Martyn Liberson said: “Richard joins the firm at an exciting time in its development. We are looking to expand our commercial litigation offering and Richard’s appointment is key to the firm’s ability to provide complex litigation advice, underpinned by solid tactical, pragmatic and commercial considerations.”
Mr Coates has acted for individuals to PLCs in disputes both within the domestic market and abroad. He has particular emphasis in complex chancery/commercial and corporate matters as well as specialising in disputes arising in the manufacturing/engineering (in the Technology and Construction Court), recruitment and partnership sectors.
He also has extensive experience in partnership law. He has conducted numerous partnership disputes including acting for a partner in the dissolution of a law firm, representing a partner in a multi-party high value dispute and acting for a national firm of accountants in successfully defending a claim by a former partner to wind up the firm.
And Emms Gilmore Liberson has recruited a further lawyer to work in their corporate team.
Danielle Boyce has joined as an assistant from Young and Lee, where she had held a similar post since qualifying with Birmingham firm Martineau.
She said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work in a new and dynamic business which also has the benefit of highly experienced directors with loyal client followings and who have a very strong work and service ethic.”
Emms Gilmore Liberson founder director Greg Emms said: “Danielle’s recruitment reflects the volume of business that the firm is doing in the corporate market. Whilst the market is thin, with not very many deals being done, we seem to be bucking the trend and have been working flat out for the whole of this year.”
Fellow founder director Stephen Gilmore added: “This signifies our commitment to building a well-balanced corporate and commercial team. I would be very surprised if there were not more recruits into this part of the business over the next few months as other lawyers see that it is possible to build a strong and profitable firm without taking on unnecessary overheads for which clients ultimately have to pay. Our first year in business has proved this to be the case and I believe that the future for this firm is very bright indeed.”
At its first anniversary celebration held at Hotel du Vin, Mr Emms told guests that the founder directors’ decision to launch a new kind of law firm had been thoroughly vindicated by the first year results and increasing reputation.
“Our clients are businesses who want their lawyers to give them advice, rather than options. Our clients are individuals who talk directly to the directors of this new business and therefore they have direct access to the highest level of advice available,” he said.