Halliwells professional negligence trio quits for Weightmans

Weightmans has recruited three professional negligence partners from North West rival Halliwells.

Iain Fraser, Michelle Garlick and Anne-Marie Morgan-Barrett will be based in Weightmans' Manchester office.

Weightmans head of professional risk Mike Grant said the hires were a response to a growing demand for professional negligence advice.

"We're busier than we've ever been," he added.

The firm has seen particular growth in claims against construction companies arising from PFI work.

Fraser said the team had decided to leave Halliwells because the Weightmans practice "has thrived in a difficult market".

The move comes just weeks after Kennedys raided Halliwells' Manchester office for a team of three - Paul McGrath, Mark Dickson and Scott Nightingale - to launch in the city (The Lawyer, 4 February).

Halliwells said the professional negligence team leaves with the firm's "best wishes".