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04 June 2025
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Birketts—Barny Croft, Stephanie Kingdon & Lucia Mills

Firm expands Bristol team with strategic senior hires

Birketts has strengthened its Bristol presence with the appointment of three senior legal professionals: Barny Croft, partner in private wealth disputes; Stephanie Kingdon, partner in property disputes; and Lucia Mills, legal director in property disputes.

Barny (pictured) brings with him substantial experience and expertise in complex contentious probate, trust disputes and related matters. ‘Barny's arrival marks an exciting new chapter for our team,’ says Bernadette Baker, head of private wealth disputes.

Stephanie joins with ample experience from her time in major national firms, bringing expertise in retail, infrastructure, energy, and renewables. She reunites with property disputes partner Patrick Wetherall, who joined Birketts earlier this year. ‘Stephanie and Patrick will be a formidable combination,’ says Richard Eaton, head of property disputes.

Lucia joins the home ownership disputes team, focusing on TOLATA cases. Based in Bristol, she will drive the firm’s offering in the region. ‘Lucia’s expertise comes at an exciting time as we expand our reach,’ says Laura Tanguay, head of home ownership disputes. The latest appointments reinforce Birketts’ commitment to growth in the South West.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
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New guidance seeks to bring order to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Minesh Tanna and David Bridge of Simmons & Simmons set out a framework stressing ‘transparency’, ‘explainability’ and ‘reliability’
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