Blacks Solicitors starts the year with a bang

One of Yorkshire’s leading law firms, Blacks Solicitors, is marking the start of a promising 2024 with the promotion of 21 team members across multiple specialist teams.

Seven teams across the Firm have announced the promotion of colleagues; Real Estate, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Residential Property, Employment, IT, Real Estate Litigation and Private Wealth & Succession. The Firm recently celebrated a record net turnover of £17 million in 2023 and currently employs 217 team members across 21 specialisms.

Paul Sagar (Real Estate Litigation) who joined the Firm in 2022 and Marcus Kaye (Real Estate) who joined in 2017 have both been promoted to partners, marking their continued dedication to the firm and its success. Paul has been instrumental in the team’s growth in the Real Estate sector, leading the way in his national telecoms specialism, acting exclusively for site providers.

Commenting on his promotion, Marcus said: “I’m dedicated to continuing to deliver highly valued and quality services in my new role. It’s been a pleasure to have helped develop our Real Estate specialism whilst being supported by the Firm, focusing on Real Estate Finance transactions.”

Anna Schiavetta (Employment), Danielle Swainston (Commercial Dispute Resolution) and Claire Cooper (Residential Property) have all been promoted to associate solicitor. Annie Beaumount (Private Wealth & Succession), Samantha Simpson (Residential Property), Andrew Morgan (Commercial Dispute Resolution), Yat Wong (Commercial Dispute Resolution) and Ben Finley (Real Estate) have all been promoted to senior associate solicitor.

After joining the Firm in 2022, Anna Schiavetta has shown continued dedication to the success of the Firm and Employment team. In 2023, Anna worked together with barrister, Rachel Senior, of the Kings Chamber to successfully represent a Direct Line employee in a discrimination case, which is believed to have been the highest award in the UK, for a claim of disability discrimination relating to menopause.

Commenting on her promotion, Anna said: “I’m delighted that my commitment and dedication to the Firm has been recognised. Over the last few years, I've had the opportunity to work with several leading specialists in the Employment law sector and I'm excited for what 2024 and beyond will bring.”

Jack Parkinson, Will Ashton, Shamaila Mughalm, Faye Parkinson, Abbie Spence, Helen Carter, Eleanor Firth and Gulfraz Ahmed (Residential Property) and Andy Manns and Gavin Peer (IT) have all been promoted to non-qualified associates. Dawn Atkinson (Residential Property) has also been promoted to associate chartered legal executive.

Tom Moyes, training partner commented: “We remain fully committed to investing in our team and are delighted to have started off the new year by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our colleagues. Their teamwork, collaboration and communication has been crucial in the continued success of the Firm, it will be fantastic to see how they continue to progress throughout 2024 and beyond.”

The Firm has recently invested in adding Music Law to its portfolio, as well as significant expansion and development of the Real Estate, Private Wealth & Succession and Commercial Dispute Resolution teams. The Firm continues to strive to provide exceptional service levels, genuine client relations and specialist services to clients.