New London firms bring more names on board

TWO recently-formed law firms have strengthened their practices with the appointment of new lawyers.

City-based Orchard, formed last March from a management buy-out of Berman's London office, has taken on a partner and a solicitor for its commercial property arm.

Gordons, the niche commercial practice launched by three senior lawyers from Baker & McKenzie and Linklaters & Paines in May 1994, has announced the appointment of two partners.

The recruits at Orchard are Roger Coral, a former partner at DJ Freeman and consultant at Hopkins & Wood, who joins as partner, and Hannah Marshall, who qualified three years ago and comes from Chancery Lane firm Rakisons.

Gordons is moving premises as well as building up its practice, now made up of five partners and no assistants. It has relocated from Macklin Street to Great James Street, WC1.

It has taken on commercial property specialist Bruce Hopkins, a former Clyde & Co partner, and intellectual property partner John Beesley, formerly of Shoosmiths & Harrison and sole practice.