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Bermans bolsters its restructuring team with key lateral hires
L-R Martin March, Phil Farrelly and James Whittaker
North West commercial law firm Bermans, which is celebrating its 50th year in business, has made two key appointments to its busy restructuring team. The team, led by Phil Farrelly, welcomed Martin March as a partner and James Whittaker as a Senior Associate.
Martin has more than 20 years’ experience working in the insolvency and restructuring arena and joins the firm from Knights Plc. A well know face across the North West, Martin focuses on transactional and advisory work, acting for business owners, insolvency practitioners and other professionals in relation to business restructuring. He has been involved in a number of high-profile property related insolvencies involving distressed “investor funded developments”. His focus at Bermans will be on corporate transactions particularly property related insolvencies.
Since qualifying in 2012, James has gained extensive experience in all aspects of restructuring and litigation from working at two large international law firms. At Bermans he will focus on contentious insolvency including misfeasance/breach of duty claims, antecedent transactions, void dispositions and related issues in both personal and business insolvency.
Team head Phil Farrelly comments
“We have seen steady growth in the restructuring team over recent years and in the last 12 months we have received an exceptional level of new instructions. The addition of Martin and James to the team will ensure we can continue to service our clients to a high standard while also seeking new opportunities within the market. They are a perfect fit to the team; both have proven track records for delivering high quality, commercial advice and are well respected within the sector.”
Bermans recorded a 15% increase in turnover in 2019 and has seen growth year on year for the last five years. The insolvency and restructuring team has advised on a number of high profile restructuring deals in the last 12 months including the sale of Bolton Whites Hotel Limited as part of the Bolton Wanderers Football Club Administration, acting for the buyer of Manchester House restaurant from administrators, advising administrators on the administration and pre pack sale of AAA Linen Supplies , advising the buyer of a well-known bar and live music venue in Manchester and advising in relation to the administration of a local solicitors’ practice.
ENDS.