JMW—a hat trick of hires

Full-service Manchester firm JMW has made a hat trick of heavyweight hires.

John Burns (pictured right) joins as partner and head of brands in the commercial team. He brings significant experience in non-contentious intellectual property matters and is an expert in the brand licensing industry. He also works extensively in the sports world, advising on high-value sponsorship and naming rights agreements, as well as acting for a wide range of franchisors and franchisees in relation to non-contentious matters.

David Easdown (pictured left), partner in the corporate team, has worked with many of the region’s best-known businesses. He has particular focus on high-growth, often technology-focused businesses and the funders of them. His client base is wide, and includes development capital funders, family offices and owner-managed businesses. David also has expertise in advising management teams receiving private equity investment ahead of executing buy-and-build strategies.

Neil Armstrong (pictured centre) comes to the firm as partner and head of construction. With a background in mechanical engineering, he brings insight and expertise to JMW’s construction practice. His advisory scope spans transactional and procurement arrangements, and engineering and development projects within the construction industry.

John said: ‘JMW is a truly entrepreneurial firm and I am pleased to be joining such a successful commercial team. I’m looking forward to working with the team and bringing new clients into the business.’

David added: ‘I’m delighted to be part of a law firm with such a strong reputation for excellence and a genuine commitment to its chosen markets. In a sector as traditional and conservative as law, JMW’s progressive, entrepreneurial approach and commitment to investment in both its people and its clients made the decision to move here an easy one.’

Neil said: ‘This is a unique and exciting opportunity to further develop the JMW construction offering. There are many challenges facing the sector, but also numerous opportunities. The team’s industry expertise and sound understanding of the sector means we deliver the highest level of legal advice to clients old and new.’

Marc Yaffe, managing partner, said of the three new hires: ‘I am extremely pleased to welcome John, David and Neil. They bring with them the rare combination of expertise and human perspective that is the key to the success of JMW. I know they will make a significant contribution to our programme of strategic growth, as well as further developing our reputation as one the UK’s leading full-service law firms.’