Leading law firm begins 2017 with series of senior appointments

Leading national law firm Blake Morgan has invested heavily in its London-based teams with a number of key appointments across a range of practices.

The firm has strengthened its built environment, litigation, private law and commercial services divisions as part of an ongoing recruitment drive which comes after its recent move to new offices in New Street Square.

Kate Silverman joins as a Partner in the Built Environment team. Kate joins Blake Morgan from TLT and was previously with Lewis Silkin. Kate specialises in housing and regeneration and has extensive experience advising Registered Providers and local authorities, which will further reinforce the London team. She will also support the social housing practice across the firm’s regional offices in the Thames Valley, Cardiff and on the South Coast.

Christopher Williams joins the Commercial Litigation team as a Legal Director. He joins Blake Morgan from Russell Cooke and has spent time with Charles Russell, Eversheds and Hextalls. Christopher has vast experience in several key areas, including infringement of trademark designs and copyright, IT disputes, domain name disputes and contentious trademark registry proceedings.

Mark Scott joins as a Legal Director in the Residential Property team. Based at the London office, he will be leading the firm’s renowned London Residential Property Team. Mark has a strong reputation in residential property, having acted for a large number of overseas investors. He acts for domestic and overseas high net worth clients and investors, and for banks on secured lending matters.

Laura Harper also joins the office as a Senior Associate in the succession and tax team. Laura joins from Morrisons Solicitors and specialises in advising high net worth individuals, families and business owners. Laura brings to the firm a deep knowledge of the charity sector, to extend the firm’s service offering to clients.

Lisa Parsons is a key new addition to the Immigration team in London. Joining as a Senior Associate, Lisa comes with significant experience and reputation, having spent 15 years at RadcliffesLeBrasseur. She will lead the firm’s Immigration offering nationally, advising both corporates and individuals.

Ona Proctor joins as a solicitor in the Built Environment team. The Korean-speaking lawyer has extensive experience in cross-border deals and strong links to Korea, having previously acted for one of the country’s largest commercial banks. Ona’s skills and experience will add to Blake Morgan’s renowned international deal-making credentials.

Justin Weare joins the London-based Commercial Litigation team as a Partner. Joining from Jones Day, he is an experienced litigation and arbitration specialist advising domestic, international and multinational corporates as well as individuals, and particularly on shareholder and joint venture disputes, offshore claims, energy disputes and product liability matters.

Mike Wilson, managing partner at Blake Morgan, said: “We enter 2017 stronger than ever with a number of senior appointments. We know that our people are our greatest asset and this is why we continue to invest in talent and expertise, both in London and in the wider firm.

“As the firm continues to thrive in London and across the regions, these appointments further strengthen our teams and the depth of their offering to our clients. I am very pleased to welcome these talented team members to the firm.”