Guildford-based law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP has announced the appointment of three new partners to the partnership. The firm now totals 37 partners and nearly 200 people overall, representing 15% growth over the last 12 months.
Gary Parnell joins the firm’s leading commercial practice from Clyde & Co as a partner. An IT specialist, Gary has over nineteen years' experience in business and law and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in outsourcing, IT, data protection and insurance. While at Clyde & Co he advised clients on a range of non-contentious issues spanning IT, intellectual property, data protection, procurement, financial regulation, advertising and e-commerce. Gary began his career in the IT sector working as a project manager for BT, where he gained valuable industry knowledge handling major outsourcing arrangements for clients in the IT and defence sectors.
Partner Stephen Rockhill recently joined the firm’s highly regarded construction and engineering group from Charles Russell Speechlys. Stephen began his career as a chartered engineer running his own consultancy before qualifying as a lawyer and joining the legacy City firm Charles Russell. Stephen’s practice covers both contentious and non-contentious construction work across high value procurement and contractual construction matters. He represents clients on a range of issues, from project rescues for corporate clients to representing ultra-high net worth private clients on property acquisitions and high-end fitouts.
The firm has also promoted senior associate Lloyd Davey to partner in the employment, immigration and pensions practice. Lloyd joined Stevens & Bolton in September 2013 after thirteen years at Osborne Clarke and has a substantial international client portfolio predominantly within the technology and media sectors.
Five associates, Matthew Carman (tax and trusts), Elaine O’Hare (IP), Jackie Penlington (immigration), Catherine Penny (commercial litigation) and Sarah Taylor (employment) have been promoted to senior associate as of 1 May 2015.
Commenting on the recent expansion Ken Woffenden, Managing Partner said:
“It is rare to find two leading practitioners who have significant experience in commerce and industry as well as law. They both understand the wider business context in which their legal advice sits and this ensures they can add real value to the clients.Gary’s arrival helps to strengthen further our significant profile in the IT sector. His first-hand industry experience sets him apart from most of his peers.
Stephen is a highly respected construction lawyer and his experience, both during his time in the law and as an engineer, is a significant addition to our construction and engineering practice.
We are also delighted to promote Lloyd to partnership. Lloyd has developed an extensive client portfolio in the technology sector and has played a critical role in developing our fast-growing employment, immigration and pensions practice. As a firm, our preference has always been to grow both organically and through high quality lateral hires and we remain committed to this approach as the firm continues to expand.”