Shakespeare Martineau—Paula Swain & Ray Welsby

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has bolstered its national debt and asset recovery team with the appointment of highly experienced commercial litigator Paula Swain (pictured right).

Paula has joined the firm’s debt and asset recovery team following more than five years leading Shoosmiths’ UK-wide commercial recoveries department and Solent office. She will be joined by team supervisor Ray Welsby (pictured left), also from Shoosmiths, who will be a supervisor in the debt and asset recovery team.

With more than 24 years’ post-qualification experience, Paula regularly advises creditor companies on their finance and business disputes, and is accustomed to handling disputes around guarantees and indemnities, complex asset recoveries, breach of warranty, and fraud claims.

Paula, who will be based in Southampton but servicing a national client base, said: ‘The calibre of Shakespeare Martineau’s debt and asset recovery team was already very well known to me.

‘When I met the leadership team and learned of both the strategic progress they have made and their ambitious plans for the future—including setting up in Southampton—I couldn’t help but be impressed. The firm’s attitude to career development and responsible business made it an obvious choice for me.

‘I love nurturing positive relationships with colleagues and clients, as well as the mix of advisory work, operational delivery issues, sales opportunities and leadership needs that come along with my area of law. No day is ever the same and there is always a problem to solve. I am looking forward to bringing my energy, passion and experience to the team, wider firm and Southampton market.’

Paula is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and is an elected representative for the South East, sitting on its advisory council and think tank.

Jayne Gardner, partner and head of debt and asset recovery at Shakespeare Martineau, said: ‘I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Paula to the firm. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation in the debt and asset recovery market and unparalleled knowledge of the Southampton landscape. Her excellent, market-leading expertise will be a real asset to our team and clients as we look to enhance, grow and cement our offering in the Central South region.’