Pinsent Curtis partner defects to Devon firm

PINSENT Curtis has lost a litigation partner to Exeter firm Michelmores, which has also poached a partner from London practice Withers.

Commercial litigation partner and qualified mediator Tim Richards joins the 14-partner firm as corporate partner in the new year.

"They have some high-calibre people doing surprisingly good work for Exeter. They have also given me carte blanche to build up an ADR practice," says Richards.

Before moving to Pinsents, Richards practised at Lovell White Durrant and was head of litigation at Horney Westwood & Riegels, the leading commercial firm in the British Virgin Islands.

Michelmores' other recruit is David Gebbie. The former head of corporate finance Withers also joins as a corporate partner.

Gebbie left Withers in February to become business development director of fledgling hi-tech company News-Venturer, raising finance in the US.

Richards says regional firms offer a more balanced lifestyle and are increasingly handling high-quality work. "They offer exceedingly good rates in comparison to London, which these days is attractive to clients," he says.