SJ movers and shakers

Vannin Capital poaches leading advocate from Freshfields

International dispute resolution funder Vannin Capital has announced the appointment of Jeffery Commission as its senior counsel based in Washington, DC. Commission joins from Freshfields, where he worked in the firm's London, New York,and Washington, DC, offices. Prior to Freshfields, Commision practised litigation and arbitration with Shearman & Sterling and Linklaters in New York, and worked as a research assistant for Philippe Sands QC in London.

Dentons funds law school bursaries with dormant client accounts

Global firm Dentons has used dormant client account balances to make a donation of £48,000 to support three undergraduate bursaries at QMUL's School of Law. This is as a result of Solicitors Regulation Authority rules that allow firms to pay dormant balances to charities of their choice where the rightful owner cannot be traced.

The funding from Dentons, supported by some matched funding from the school, will provide three bursaries of £6,500 a year over three years to eligible undergraduate students from local boroughs.

BDB advises National Grid on flagship electricity project

London firm Bircham Dyson Bell has advised National Grid on its successful application for consent to construct the Hinkley Point C Connection. The transmission line, which will be approximately 60km in length, will connect the new electricity generators in the South West - including the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point - to National Grid's network.

Nicholas Brown, a partner in the government and infrastructure department, led the team. Other key members include real estate partner Charles Clarke and legal director Sarah Clark, who helped supervise the 20 or so lawyers assisting on the project.

Withers hires property litigation partner from DAC

International firm Withers has hired property litigation specialist Andrew Chesser as a partner in its London office. Chesser joins from DAC Beachcroft, where he led the firm's contentious property team in the capital. The new recruits practice covers all forms of property disputes, with particular experience in landlord and tenant disputes. He is also experienced in handling mediations.

Irwin Mitchell continues strategic growth programme

Irwin Mitchell has unveiled a further major appointment to its London office with the arrival of Gordon Anderson as partner to head up the firm's construction, engineering and infrastructure practice. Anderson, who has over 12 years' experience in construction practice, was previously a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills and prior to that an associate at DLA Piper after training at Hammonds Suddard Edge.

Cooley advises RockRose Energy on floatation

Cooley has advised RockRose Energy Plc on its flotation on the standard listing segment of the official list and trading on the London Stock Exchange. In 2015 the firm advised on 98 completed public offerings - 32 of which were IPOs. This comes after Cooley had a record-breaking 2014 - advising on 100 completed public offerings.

Orrick opens Houston office with 20 partner team

International firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has announced the opening of an office in Texas. Orrick's Houston office is the firm's 25th office worldwide. The new office will have a founding team of approximately 20 partners and will focus on the energy and infrastructure, technology, and finance sectors. The firm's new partners will be Texas lawyers who have been practising in the Houston offices of leading global, national and state firms.

Promotions and a new recruit for Shulmans

Shulmans is celebrating the new year with the development of its commercial dispute resolution team, announcing the accelerated career progression of three of its solicitors and the appointment of a senior solicitor. The team has been strengthened by the promotion of Ellie Cooke, Laura Hill, and Sara Souyave to associate level. In addition, the firm has appointed Paul Lewis, formerly a partner at Gordons, to a senior role within the team.

Tim Halstead, Shulmans's managing partner, said: 'We are delighted to celebrate the hard work of our newly promoted associates and welcome our new recruit. Having broken through the £10m turnover barrier last year, our aim is not to rest on our laurels but to build on this achievement, ensuring we provide a consistently excellent service to our clients. The knowledge and experience of our newly promoted and appointed colleagues will further strengthen our team and, ultimately, allow us to continue our firm-wide success in 2016.'

Athena Law bolsters corporate team with new partner hire

Manchester-based outfit Athena Law has further strengthened its practice with the appointment of a new corporate partner, Donna Powell, who joins from Gateley. Having previously worked at Cobbetts she will be providing advice to businesses across the region.

Stowe Family Law opens ninth office

The UK's largest specialist family law firm, Stowe Family Law, has opened a new office. Winchester is the firm's ninth office, with the first eight established in nearby London, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Hertfordshire.

With a national team of over 80, the firm's senior partner, Marilyn Stowe, said: 'I am delighted that Winchester is home to our ninth office. It is an historic city and but also a very modern and dynamic one. Our specially assembled team is already working hard for the people of Hampshire and helping them to resolve their marital and family issues. We do our very best to achieve the best possible outcome for every client.'

Bryan Cave makes two new appointments

International firm Bryan Cave has announced two new recruits to its London office. Corporate partner Sarah Atkinson joins the transactions client service group from Hogan Lovells, while associate Yannis Erifillidis joins from Norton Rose Fulbright, further enhancing the firm's corporate trust team. Atkinson is the fourth partner hired by Bryan Cave's London office in the last 12 months. Her arrival, together with Erifillidis, brings the total number of partner and associate hires to 12 in the capital over the past year.

Thorntons's expansion boosts turnover and profits

Leading Scottish firm Thorntons has announced an increase in both turnover and profits following a successful year of business. The firm's turnover increased by £3.7m as the business continued to expand, while profits increased from £3.9m to £4m over the same period. The significant 21 per cent increase in turnover was driven by a combination of further organic growth in certain sectors and mergers with the firms of Steel Eldridge Stewart and Murray Donald in Fife in 2014.