Cobbetts’ four-partner Birmingham social housing team is set to leave for Shoosmiths, in a move that would leave the Manchester-based law firm with just two social housing partners at the firm’s Leeds office.
Discussions between the two firms are currently underway, with the team set to move by March if a final agreement can be reached.
Cobbetts’ well-regarded social housing team comprises partners Andy Ballard, Philip Heath, Yetunde Dania and Simon Denslow in
A joint statement sent out by the firms said: “Following a planned change in the strategic direction of the social housing team, four partners have decided that their futures lie with Shoosmiths rather than Cobbetts. Discussions are underway and the arrangement is still subject to any final agreement between the two firms.”
The loss of the team is likely to be seen as a blow to Cobbetts, which substantially upgraded its social housing practice through its tie-up with Midlands-based Lee Crowder in 2004.
The news comes as Cobbetts looks to draw a line under a transitional period in its recent history. In 2006 the firm concluded a major restructuring that saw 15% of its partnership leave the firm, while recent moves have seen the national outfit ditch its salaried partner rank, modify its pay for equity partners and slash its partnership board from 11 members to six.
More news, deals and comment on Cobbetts
Cobbetts on the Legal Week Wiki
For thousands of the best legal jobs, click here.
