Bircham Dyson Bell reinvents itself as a PR firm

Bircham Dyson Bell is no longer just a law firm – it is also a public relations agency.

Not content with developing a reputation for planning and parliamentary legal advice, the firm has taken the surprise decision to offer clients communications and public affairs advice.

In a coup for the new service, Birchams has secured a five-year appointment as the exclusive public affairs adviser to public transport authority and executive Merseytravel.

The firm used its experience pitching for legal instructions, combined with its position as Merseytravel’s legal adviser, to pip several top communications companies in a five-way pitch for the role.

Birchams will now provide Merseytravel with advice on all aspects of public affairs and communications relating to the delivery of the Merseyside Local Transport Plan.

The appointment follows the firm’s ad hoc provision of PR support to Merseytravel over the last two years regarding the Mersey Tunnels Act 2004 and the ongoing Merseytram project.

Birchams has also bolstered its complementary parliamentary, public law and planning group with the appointment of three planning solicitors. James Parker joins from Berwin Leighton Paisner, Nicola Hickman-Robertson from Norton Rose and Sarah Wotton from Bond Pearce.