Hill Dickinson has launched an in-house advocacy group with the hire of barrister Sarah Venn from national rival Halliwells. Venn, who joined the firm’s Liverpool office at the beginning of the year, will lead the firm’s advocacy group - the brainchild of insurance head Jason Spencer. The firm follows in the footsteps of Herbert Smith, Eversheds and Denton Wilde Sapte which have all taken on barristers to offer clients an in-house advocacy service.