Managing partner Jane Lister said that continued growth since its merger two years ago means that more lawyers are needed across the board, including commercial property, company and commercial and four in the two-partner private client team.
The firm's Exeter-based media team is also looking to hire additional staff, but with an unusual and very specific candidate specification – a disenchanted journalist looking for a move into the law. “We're looking for a journalist who has the desire to become a lawyer and who can work with our media team, led by Tony Jaffa. He's very well known in the industry and has a large regional newspaper practice, dealing with the defamation and litigious side. Our commercial team looks after the other legal needs of the media clients,” said Lister.
Clients of the team include Trinity Mirror, Johnson Press and Northcliffe Newspapers, which is currently being advised on the proposed acquisition of The Hornsea Post.
“We want someone who can really understand the industry and learn to give the right advice on pre-publication,” said Lister. “It's a very busy practice. There are three of them at it full-time and we need somebody else to come in and support them.”
The 27-partner firm was formed by a merger two years ago between Anstey Sargent & Probert and Foot & Bowden. It is one of the largest practices in the South West, with offices in Exeter and Plymouth. Turnover for 2002 was £10.1m.
It grabbed the headlines last year when, along with Exeter-based law firm Michelmores, it spun off its investment management business into a new jointly controlled company, Iimia. It is thought to be the first solicitor-led investment manager to obtain membership of the London Stock Exchange.
