Howard Kennedy launches family practice

Howard Kennedy has raided Goodman Derrick for two partners to launch a family practice.

Ursula Danagher will head the practice in the firm’s West End office. She is joined by partner Lindsey Alexander and paralegal Christine Lightfoot.

The practice will focus primarily on high-net-worth cases in an effort to develop the practice into a core department alongside Howard Kennedy’s property and media practices.

Danagher said: “We want to grow team to a substantive size. I’d hope to have at least one or two more partners on board within a year.”

The firm headhunted the team from Goodman Derrick and was particularly keen on hiring Danagher because she wants to build her own practice.

“A lot of firms have recognised the importance of having a family practice as it gives that top - end quality service,” said Danagher.