Irwin Mitchell Expands Its Leeds Corporate Team
14/10/2008
Law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Paul Johnson as a Partner in its corporate team, based in the firm’s Leeds office.
Paul is an established and well-regarded figure in Yorkshire, having worked in Leeds for 10 years, and he also has strong connections in London. He was previously at Eversheds and more recently led the corporate team in the Leeds office of Keeble Hawson.
Paul has extensive experience in corporate finance with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions acting for public and private companies. He advises on all aspects of company legal issues and works with businesses seeking to grow by raising finance on public markets or through private investment.
This is a further boost to Irwin Mitchell’s Corporate team, which last year appointed James Bullock from niche commercial firm HLW. Paul’s arrival also follows the appointment in May of Andrew Woolf from Howard Kennedy, and prior to that, Edward Persse from Baker McKenzie.
Kevin Cunningham, Head of Corporate at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Following hard on the heels of our move to Wellington Place, Paul’s appointment represents further investment by Irwin Mitchell into the local market. The economic climate is difficult, but we continue to see opportunities to capture market share by combining technical excellence and high levels of service with straightforward, pragmatic advice.
"Paul’s addition demonstrates Irwin Mitchell’s ambition to strengthen its corporate team in these tough trading conditions, as there remain deals to be done but with a view to building the right team for this market for the future.
"We work hard to make sure that our transactions do not become over engineered, and are founded on clear strategic guidance for the client. We are careful to ensure we recruit people who share and can add to this ethos. Paul fits the bill perfectly."
Paul said: "To work within a team which is already well established in the region, and with such a strong brand, is a very exciting opportunity.
"Irwin Mitchell’s Corporate Team focuses on medium sized private and public companies and has the desire, attitude and resources to be recognised as a leading provider of legal services to them.
"I am looking forward to providing my existing contacts and clients with the benefits that Irwin Mitchell offers and to working with, in particular, Kevin Cunningham and Simon Cuerden to build the Leeds Corporate team into the first choice for legal services in this market. All the corporate partners intend to see the national team develop still further."
Paul is married and lives in Holmfirth in the Peak District.