South West law firm Foot Anstey, which opened a Bristol office last year, has underlined its commitment to developing talent by promoting three specialist lawyers to its partnership.
The promotions strengthen existing areas of expertise at the firm – corporate, employment and pensions and financial services –
and follow the recent high-profile recruitment of 14 new partners from national and international firms.
Matthew Stoate, who joined Foot Anstey in 2011 after developing his career in London, becomes a partner in the corporate team, which is ranked in the top tier in the region by legal directory Chambers UK.
His expertise includes private equity, venture capital, inward investment and equity restructurings with a particular focus on management advisory. Matt’s recent work includes advising Lord Alli on the establishment of his new media rights venture, Silvergate Media, and on the contractual arrangements surrounding the commissioning, financing and delivery of a new film production of Peter Rabbit and Series 2 of the Octonauts.
Karen Bates becomes a partner in the firm’s employment and pensions team, one of the largest outside London, which advises major organisations such as Halfords, Kingfisher plc, Odeon Cinemas, Screwfix and the Royal Shakespeare Company at a national level.
Her expertise includes complex high value discrimination claims, advising on TUPE transfers and changes to collective agreements. She has particular expertise in equal pay litigation and leads a team dealing with the defence of multiple equal pay claims for several local authorities and academy schools.
Head of financial services Alan Hughes completes the trio of new partners.
With vast experience in the sector, he has extensive expertise in advising a wide range of regulated firms with a particular specialism in advising IFAs, discretionary managers and other intermediary firms. He also advises credit providers and brokers on the complex area of consumer credit legislation, including drafted regulated agreements.
Foot Anstey managing partner John Westwell said: “Congratulations to Matt, Karen and Alan who have impressed clients with their progressive, determined and supportive approach. Their promotions highlight our commitment to not only bringing the best lawyers to the region but also our dedication to developing talent and making this available to our national client base.”
