We are delighted to announce the promotion of ten senior solicitors to associate across five of our six offices.
The newly appointed associates are Emma Angus-Smith (education and public law), Ruth Creed and Philip Grey (health), Caroline Foster and Robert Weatherley (construction), Jodie Hosmer (real estate), Debra Kirkwood, Sarah Trendell–Smyth and Jonathan Watmough (insurance) and Andrew Secker (employment).
Emma Angus-Smith (Cambridge) joined the firm as a trainee in 2003. She advises education and public sector clients on contentious issues, including court claims, governance and constitutional matters.
Ruth Creed (Birmingham) joined the health team in 2008 and specialises in law relating to children in a healthcare context ranging from best interests decisions to advice on disclosure issues. Earlier this year Ruth won the Birmingham Law Society award “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year”.
Philip Grey (Cambridge) joined the health team in 2009. Philip is a barrister and advises NHS organisations on contentious, patient-related matters. He was a criminal barrister for 10 years.
Caroline Foster (Birmingham) joined the firm in 2009 and has more than 17 years' experience specialising in construction and engineering law. Caroline acts for private and public sector clients.
Robert Weatherley (Cambridge) joined the construction team in 2005. Robert specialises in non-contentious construction work and also heads up the firm’s China Group.
Jodie Hosmer (Norwich) joined the firm’s real estate team in 2005. She advise on a range of issues relating to commercial property from landlord and tenant work to corporate acquisitions and disposals.
Debra Kirkwood (London) joined the insurance team in 2006. She specialise in professional negligence claims, with experience defending claims against solicitors, accountants and auditors, engineers, architects and surveyors.
Sarah Trendell-Smyth (Birmingham) joined the firm’s insurance team in 2007. Sarah defends professionals who have been accused of negligence, on the instructions of their insurers.
Jonathan Watmough (Leeds) joined in 2004. Originally based in Birmingham, Jonathan joined the expanding Leeds insurance team in 2009. He specialises in professional indemnity insurance litigation.
Andrew Secker (Cambridge) joined the employment team in 2007 and advises a range of clients in both the private and public sector on all aspects of contentious and non contentious employment law.
Guy Hinchley, managing partner of Mills & Reeve, said:
“I would like to congratulate all our new associates on their well-deserved promotions. Associate is a senior title at Mills & Reeve and follows three other career steps with candidates usually having at least five years’ experience as a solicitor. The selection process is extremely rigorous and is designed to ensure that we are able to offer our clients top quality advice and outstanding client service."