– Sussex law firm Rawlison Butler has hired a new partner for its commerce and technology team. Chris Holme joins the Gatwick office from Kent firm Brachers. Rawlisons has also promoted Abigail Owen and Chris Dodd to associates in the corporate team.
– Shipping firm Curtis Davis Garrard has appointed Ronly Holdings in-house lawyer Clare Calnan as a partner with effect from 1 May. Calnan specialises in dispute resolution in shipping, insurance, shipbuilding and the offshore construction sectors. Calnan was managing partner at Ince & Co between 1997 and 2000.
– Newcastle upon Tyne-based Ward Hadaway has promoted eight associates to the partnership and six solicitors to associates. Of the new partners, two are litigators while the rest straddle business services, corporate finance, employment, IT/IP, pensions and private client. Ward Hadaway now has 53 partners and 29 associates.
– Payne Hicks Beach has appointed partner Alice Palmer as head of the private client department. Palmer became partner at Payne Hicks Beach in 1993. Her practice encompasses old and new money, onshore and offshore clients and contentious trust and probate work.
