Halliwells grows North West with DLA Piper, Pinsents hires

Halliwells has snagged a second partner from DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary's Liverpool office and has lured Pinsent Masons partner Patrick Kennedy in Manchester.

Colin Gibbons will join Halliwells later this year along with DLA Piper associate Fiona Parry, who becomes a partner at her new firm. The firm hired DLA Piper corporate partner Paul Jefferson in February. Kennedy joins as national head of pensions.

The hires follow Halliwells' move into Liverpool through a merger with local firm Cuff Roberts in January. The firm also hired Hill Dickinson Liverpool property partner Sue Edwards in April.

Gibbons specialises in technology, media and communications, having headed up DLA Piper's Liverpool practice in those areas.

According to Halliwells managing partner Ian Austin, the appointments are part of an ongoing growth strategy in Liverpool. Austin said the arrival of commercial litigators in the city would complement and strengthen the firm's presence in the North West.

"The commercial presence that we're building up there is increasing. It's a demonstration of our commitment to the Liverpool market right from the outset," said Austin.

DLA Piper Liverpool managing partner Philip Rooney said: "I'm sorry he's going and wish him well."