Talbots Law—two appointments

Major investment in two new directors is set to help a West Midlands law firm expand its corporate and commercial offering over the next twelve months.

Talbots Law, which employs 250 people across six offices in the Black Country, Worcestershire and South Staffordshire, has appointed Shaun Owen and Mike Linford to the business as it targets 20% growth this year.

The duo have more than 50 years’ legal experience between them, advising owner managed businesses, entrepreneurs, SMEs and multi-nationals on a host of corporate matters, such as mergers, acquisitions and sales, commercial agreements, succession planning, share transfers, shareholder agreements and general corporate governance.

Both of them have a strong local background and will bring a pragmatic and commercial approach to transactions, ensuring firms across a range of sectors - including automotive, construction, IT, manufacturing and professional services - receive the support they need to bounce back from the pandemic.

'Talbots has a great reputation in the West Midlands and has seen significant growth across the business and we’ve been set the challenge to replicate this with the corporate commercial department,” explained Shaun Owen.

'It’s a really exciting opportunity and comes at an important time for the region, as industry and commerce look to emerge from the shackles of lockdown and the impact of the virus.'

He continued: 'In addition to providing more corporate support to existing clients, we also want to develop our intermediary network to build a steady pipeline of new opportunities.'

Talbots Law is determined to help Black Country, Worcestershire and South Staffordshire businesses recover from the economic impact of Covid-19.

With the furlough scheme coming to an end in September, there is likely to be a significant increase in contractual legal work; the first couple of weeks following the easing of lockdown has already seen a significant rise in corporate transaction activity.

The latter has been sparked by an increase in owner managers looking to restructure and admit talent into their businesses and ambitious companies keen to expand through strategic purchases. Some owners have also taken the opportunity to start planning for their retirement and exit.

Mike Linford picked up the story: 'Companies are going to need pragmatic legal advice to help them navigate the current climate and also a law firm that will respond quickly to opportunities to grow.

'We are looking forward to complementing the established reputation for quality and service that the Business Services team has locally, especially in the business property, litigation and employment teams.'

He concluded: 'Shaun and I have exciting plans to ensure the corporate and commercial team become a similar trusted partner to business and this will involve growing the team over the coming years.'

Joining Mike and Shaun in Talbots Law’s corporate commercial team is Trainee Solicitor Sophie Evans, who was appointed last year after graduating from Birmingham University with first class honours and spending time with an international law firm in the City.