International legal practice Osborne Clarke has announced one of its biggest UK promotions rounds of recent years with 11 of its lawyers being made up to partner – seven of them from its Bristol office.
Five lawyers from the firm, which employs around 800 people in Bristol and also has UK offices in London and Reading, are also being promoted to legal director, effective from 1 May – including two based in Bristol. 
The new Bristol partners are:
Leanne Coates, who joined the firm in 2001 as a trainee solicitor and qualified in 2003. Leanne is an employment law specialist across the tech, media and comms; built environment and energy and utilities sectors with a strong focus and expertise in the retail and consumer sector where she leads the firm’s food and beverage sub-sector. She advises on matters concerning the employment aspects of commercial and corporate transactions, managing employee relationships and employment tribunal claims.
Adam Hayward, a built environment and retail sector expert, specialising in regeneration, retail, investment and development work. He brings more than 12 years’ experience and joined the firm in 2017.
Tobias Hole, who joined Osborne Clarke in 2013 and has extensive experience of advising and providing training on all areas of pensions law and practice but with a particular focus on risk transfer projects including insurer buy-ins/buy-outs, transfers to DB superfunds and capital backed journey plans.
Duncan Parker, a key member of the firm’s energy construction practice since joining in 2011. He advises clients on all forms of construction and maintenance contracts with a particular focus on the renewables and energy storage sectors.
Andrew Parsons, who joined the banking and finance team in 2020 from ‘magic circle’ firm Allen & Overy, He acts on a variety of debt finance matters but has a particular focus on structured real estate finance, having experience of financing assets across a wide range of classes and at all levels of the capital stack. His clients include investment and clearing banks, credit funds and other alternative lenders and private equity sponsors and sponsor-backed platforms. 
Eleanor Williams, who having trained at the firm and qualified in 2011, specialises in telecoms and technology transactions. With expertise ranging from leading and managing high-value and complex telecoms infrastructure and technology projects through to advising clients on connectivity arrangements (including mobile, fibre and satellite communications and IoT), procurement of new network technology and launches of new products and services.
Chris Wrigley, a global compliance lawyer specialising in bribery and corruption, modern slavery and sanctions, who joined the firm in 2015. He advises on ESG, ethical compliance and investigations.
The two new Bristol-based legal directors are Martha Arnold, who is in the employment team and advises employers across the full breadth of employment matters, and Sarah McCool, a member of its projects team specialising in construction and engineering procurement.
Osborne Clarke partner and head of Bristol office, Lara Burch, pictured above, said: “This year’s round of promotions has been truly exceptional, reflecting the outstanding talent within our firm.
“Our new partners and legal directors bring a wealth of diverse skills and expertise to our team.
“Their dedication and commitment to our strategy will undoubtedly drive our firm’s success and enhance our client relationships.”
Osborne Clarke UK managing partner Conrad Davies added: “I’m proud of this new group of partners and legal directors and pleased we’re able to recognise their contribution to Osborne Clarke on the back of the firm’s strong performance this year. Their promotions are critical to growing key service lines and sectors, as well as delivering on our client strategy.”
To building on the support and investment it makes in new partners, Osborne Clarke has launched a New Partner Leadership Programme that aims to further support and develop newly promoted partners as they transition into the role.
