Napthens welcomes two new litigation partners. Insight by: Nicola Mason | 29 June 2026 Napthens has strengthened its litigation capability across the north west with the appointment of two new partners in Manchester and Liverpool, supporting the firm's continued regional and departmental growth. In Liverpool, Colin Vickers joins as a litigation partner, bringing more than 20 years' experience in the legal industry, including 18 years as a qualified solicitor. He specialises in business disputes and commercial litigation, advising corporate clients and owner-managed businesses on complex and high-value matters, including shareholder and partnership disputes and contentious claims. Prior to joining Napthens, Colin spent 12 years with DWF in Liverpool before moving to Mann Roberts Solicitors as legal director and head of the Liverpool office, where he led a team handling complex shareholder and partnership disputes, as well as high-value contractual claims. In Manchester, Sven Clarke joins as a litigation partner, further strengthening the firm's presence in the city. Sven arrives from Myerson Solicitors, where he spent more than six years, most recently as a partner in the dispute resolution team. Prior to this, he spent over 12 years at Laytons LLP, progressing from solicitor to partner. Sven advises national and international clients across a broad range of sectors on complex, high-value disputes, including commercial disputes, professional negligence claims, debt recovery, board and shareholder disputes, and both contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters. David Bailey, partner and head of litigation at Napthens, said: "Sven's appointment is an important step in the continued growth of its litigation team in Manchester. He brings a strong reputation for client service, along with a collaborative approach that aligns closely with its culture. "Colin also brings extensive experience and a proven track record of supporting clients through challenging disputes. His appointment further strengthens our Liverpool team and reflects our continued investment in senior talent across the region." Kieran Donovan, head of the Liverpool office at Napthens, added: "This is an important appointment for our Liverpool team. Colin's experience and reputation in the local market will be a real asset as we continue to grow our presence in the city and support clients across the region." Both partners will work closely with Napthens' wider litigation team, supporting clients on complex disputes while contributing to the continued development of the firm's services across the north west. Nicola Mason | Head of People and Operations Nicola Mason is head of people and operations within the people team, based in the firm's Preston office.

Harrison Drury bolsters intellectual property offering. Independent Northern law firm Harrison Drury has appointed Asima Rana as partner in its Manchester commercial team as it continues to expand its specialist intellectual property expertise. Asima joins from DWF, where she was a director, and has previously held senior positions at Addleshaw Goddard and TLT. She brings extensive experience advising businesses on contentious intellectual property matters, brand protection strategies and complex commercial disputes. In her new role, she will lead the development of Harrison Drury's intellectual property offering, supporting clients nationwide on issues ranging from brand enforcement to commercially sensitive disputes. Asima's sector expertise includes retail, fashion, consumer goods, food and drink, where she has acted for a range of high-profile brands on strategic enforcement programmes and reputational matters. She said: "Harrison Drury is a firm with big ambitions and a genuinely collaborative culture. "The opportunity to grow the firm's intellectual property offering is a natural fit with my experience and I'm delighted to be joining at such an important phase of its journey. "My practice focuses on advising clients on complex intellectual property disputes and brand protection, where I work closely with clients to deliver practical, commercially focussed advice, and build strong, long-term relationships. "I'm looking forward to working with colleagues across the firm to strengthen our service across the region and support clients in managing disputes and protecting their intellectual property rights." Asima's appointment reflects growing demand for specialist intellectual property advice as businesses navigate increasingly complex challenges around innovation, product development and brand protection. Harrison Drury is currently marking its 125th anniversary, with a programme of celebrations taking place throughout the year. Rory O'Hare, partner and head of Harrison Drury's commercial team, added: "There is always strong demand from businesses looking for support to both protect and commercialise their intellectual property. "Asima's arrival improves our capability to protect our clients' interests and complements our existing commercial expertise. "She is one of the most respected intellectual property lawyers on the market and shares our commitment to building lasting relationships with clients to help them navigate complex disputes and manage commercial risk. "Her track record speaks for itself, and we are delighted to welcome her to the team." Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.

Moves and promotions - week of 11 may, 2026. Moves and promotions at KR8 Advisory, Squire Patton Boggs, Clifford Chance, and more. Moves. Andrew Livingstone and Harris Waseem have joined KR8 Advisory in London as Managing Directors. Andrew was previously with AlixPartners, while Harris was previously with Forvis Mazars. Read more here and here. Christopher Neale has joined Squire Patton Boggs in Birmingham as a Restructuring and Insolvency Associate. Christopher was previously with Shakespeare Martineau. Read more. Conor Harvey has joined the Restructuring and Insolvency team at RPC in London as an Associate. Conor was previously with Thynne + Macartney. Alexander Finster has joined Arrow Global Group in London as an Associate in Restructuring & Recoveries. Stella Davis has joined Voscap Business Recovery in London as a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner. Stella was previously with Expedium Limited. Read more. Chris Norman has been promoted to Partner at Clifford Chance. Read more. Alex Szehidewicz has been promoted to Partner in the Finance & Restructuring team at DWF Law. Aaron Stafford has been promoted to Senior Manager at FRP Advisory. Read more. Jodie Wildridge, who specialises in insolvency and commercial litigation at leading barristers' set Kings Chambers, has been appointed as the new chair of R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals for the Yorkshire region. Read more.