Property lawyers move on to fresh pastures

FORMER Freshfields partner Ian Fisher has defected to West End firm Fladgate Fielder saying the move will allow him more scope to pursue his institutional property speciality.

Fisher was a partner for 15 years in City-based Freshfields' commercial property department, but says he feels domestic institutional work was being marginalised there.

In a second commercial property related move announced this week solicitor Graham Brothwood has left Taylor Joynson Garrett to set up a property arm at Charles Russell's Swindon office.

Fladgate Fielder says Fisher's appointment continues a "lateral hiring" strategy which has seen a clutch of senior lawyers joining it since last May, including former Olswang partner Nicolas Greenstone.

Fisher, who has joined the firm's institutional property group, says a catalyst behind his move was the desire of a key institutional client, which also dealt with Fladgate Fielder, to work with just one firm.

Penny Freer, head of his old department, denies Freshfields sees domestic institutional work as an adjunct to corporate.

Brothwood says setting up a commercial property wing at the Charles Russell Swindon branch will be a challenge. "All the indications are that Swindon and its surroundings have very real potential for business growth and expansion,"

*Property litigation lawyer Helen Hoath has left City firm McKenna & Co for Manchester firm Gorna & Co as associate partner.