Kirwans law firm has announced the promotion of both senior associate Paul Barnes and personal injury solicitor James Barker to partner.
Paul joined Kirwans in March 2017 following over 25 years of practice in the North East and was promoted to Senior Associate earlier this year.
As a specialist civil and commercial litigation solicitor, his areas of expertise are widespread and include will and inheritance disputes, professional negligence, building and construction disputes, commercial litigation, partnership and shareholder disputes and agricultural law. Paul is also an ADR Group Civil and Commercial Panel Mediator.
Head of Personal Injury James took up his position at Kirwans in 2013 and has since been responsible for the management and development of the firm’s Personal Injury department.
He specialises in a wide range of personal injury matters, such as whiplash claims, accidents at work, employers’ liability and occupiers’ liability, as well as Highways Act and road traffic accident claims.
Commenting on the promotions, managing partner David Kirwan said: “I am delighted to announce the well-deserved promotions of Paul and James to partner as they continue their careers in-house.
“Both Paul and James are supremely knowledgeable and skilled solicitors who have shown great commitment to the firm, and their expertise will be of huge value as we continue to grow Kirwans generally across all the departmental disciplines.”
Paul said: “Kirwans is a great team to be part of, and is well-positioned to take advantage of some of the fantastic opportunities currently on offer. I’m proud to be part of a firm that represents its clients in such a professional and ultimately successful way.”
James said: “I am very pleased to join the team of partners, and look forward to working with them as we extend Kirwans’ reach across the North West and beyond.”
So far this year, three solicitors have been promoted to partner level at Kirwans.
In January, employment law specialist Lindsey Knowles was made partner and is now leading the growth of Kirwans’ Southport office, while continuing to oversee the expansion of the employment law offering as well as helping to develop firm-wide growth.
