Shoosmiths recruits Halliwells trio for Manchester corporate launch

Shoosmiths has launched a corporate practice in Manchester with the hire of Halliwells partner Mark Dawson.

Dawson has joined Shoosmiths' Manchester office with immediate effect alongside two associates, Karen Procter and Alex Laver. The hires come as part of Shoosmiths' plan to go full service in the region.

Dawson joined Halliwells as an associate from DLA Piper's Leeds office in 2004 and was promoted to partner in 2008 in the northwest private equity team. He specialises in corporate finance focusing on private equity investment, debt refinancing and M&A.

Dawson commented: "After initial discussions with other law firms, we chose to join Shoosmiths because of the quality of the people we met there and the dynamic and open culture of the firm. The opportunity of building a corporate team for Shoosmiths in Manchester is an exciting prospect."

Shoosmiths chairman Andrew Tubbs said: "Mark's well-respected private equity business in the north complements our successful southern private equity team led by partner Sean Wright. We are delighted to have recruited such a high quality trio of lawyers who are all well known in the Manchester market."

The news comes after Halliwells completed the break-up and sale of its remaining business with Hill Dickinson, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and HBJ Gateley Wareing taking on the majority of the firm.

• For more, see Firms divide up Halliwells assets and 38 staff are laid off as sell-off closes