Cripps Harries Hall in IP drive with new hire

Cripps Harries Hall has appointed its first ever intellectual property (IP) partner to head the IP unit within the corporate department.
Peter Jennings is a former partner and head of IP at niche City firm Pettman Smith. Prior to his time at Pettmans, Jennings was a partner at Theodore Goddard and Baker & McKenzie.
Corporate partner Peter Ashford said: "It's a very strategic move for the firm. Clients are increasingly demanding advice in this area." Jennings joins three other IP solicitors in the unit.
Head of corporate Trevor Carney said: "I'm confident that this experience, coupled with his contacts in the industry, will drive the team forward and heighten the profile of our IP department."
The firm has made a number of high-profile lateral hires in the past couple of years, including Kate Robinson from Herbert Smith and Stephen Williams, who was formerly a Linklaters & Alliance partner and deputy director at the Office of the Rail Regulator. Cripps now has a total of 34 partners.
The firm has announced strong year-end figures with profits-per-partner up 23 per cent to £164,000 and turnover up 12 per cent to £17m. It predicts another 10 per cent increase in turnover in the coming year.