Three strong restructuring and insolvency team join Browne Jacobson

UK and Ireland law firm has announced the high profile hiring of a three-strong team from Irwin Mitchell to build on its existing restructuring and insolvency practice.

Partner and former Head of Restructuring and Insolvency for Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham Stephen George has been joined by Partner Amy Keogh in making the move to the firm’s flagship offices at 103 Colmore Row. Stephen and Amy will be joined in October by the arrival of associate Sally Parkes.

Stephen George, Emma Taylor and Amy Keogh

The three strong team will significantly expand and strengthen the firm’s regional and national credentials. Browne Jacobson has a diverse and highly regarded restructuring and insolvency practice which advises on high-value and complex contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring matters for a range of stakeholders. The team has particular strength in the manufacturing and retail sectors as well as considerable experience advising on cross-border insolvencies. The expanded team acts for, amongst others, Interpath, PwC, Teneo, Grant Thornton, A&M, FRP, RSM, BDO and Mazars.

Stephen George has over 30 years’ experience advising banks, financiers, asset-based lenders corporates, directors, pension scheme trustees and administrators on a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters, including disposals, business recovery, directors' duties, pension deficit and turnaround matters and distressed debt. Ranked for many years by Legal 500 as a Leading Individual and in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners, Stephen is described by clients as ‘brilliant, knowledgeable, strong with a great reputation’.

Amy Keogh has extensive experience advising practitioners, asset-based lenders, institutional lenders and major corporates on both contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters, with a particular strength in asset-based lending matters, including advising on asset realisation strategies, funding agreements and business sales. Amy is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ by Chambers & Partners and as a ‘Next Generation’ Partner by Legal 500.

Associate Sally Parkes advises on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters and joined Irwin Mitchell’s restructuring and insolvency team in 2020 after qualifying at the firm.

Emma Taylor, a Partner in restructuring and insolvency at Browne Jacobson in Nottingham, said: “We’re very excited to welcome Stephen, Amy and Sally to Browne Jacobson and to grow the firm’s restructuring and insolvency offering in a way that reflects the quality our clients expect and need during these pressured economic times. Stephen and Amy bring with them over three decades of experience and expertise and a reputation for delivering exceptional client service which chimes perfectly with our brand values. Their arrival will add real weight to our offering and opens up exciting opportunities for the firm and its clients.”

Stephen George added: “It is an exciting time for all three of us to be joining the firm. Its investment in the West Midlands is a real statement of intent and we are looking forward to being a major part of their drive to further grow their offering regionally and nationally.”