Uxbridge: IBB broadens services with key lateral hires

Leading West-London law firm, IBB Solicitors (IBB), has expanded its corporate and commercial teams with the addition of two partners.  The recruitment of these partners signals the start of a significant investment plan in talent.  This drive will further support IBB’s growing number of multi-national corporate, and West London and Thames Valley clients.

Richard Devall, a leading employment law and business immigration specialist from Pitmans LLP, joins team-leader Justin Govier as a partner in the firm’s employment team.  Adam Dowdney joins from Shoosmiths, as a partner in the corporate and commercial team to work with team-head David Clark and Dr Christopher Hayes.

Devall brings a particular specialism in business immigration work. This natural fit with IBB’s existing client base will deliver solutions for their employment issues, including international employee transfers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations and outsourcing arrangements.  He has sector expertise in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, defence and security; and he has particular experience with companies planning inward investment into the UK. 

Commenting on his appointment, Devall said: “IBB’s proximity to Heathrow and Thames Valley means we are ideally positioned to serve organisations with internationally mobile workforces, requiring specialist employment law and immigration advice, together with broader commercially focused strategic employment advice.”

Dowdney will strengthen the corporate and commercial offering at IBB and develop new M&A opportunities.  He has a wealth of experience in all aspects of corporate and corporate-finance matters, including mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts and buyins, private-equity transactions, joint ventures and shareholder agreements.   Adam has advised on numerous large and complex corporate transactions across a broad range of sectors. He has particular expertise in the technology, automotive, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors; and he is ranked as a leading individual by Legal 500.

Paul Kite, head of commercial services, commented: "Our commercial teams continue to take on new clients with ever-changing legal needs.  Adam and Richard are a welcome addition to IBB Solicitors. Their experience will help us to ensure that we continue to meet the requirements of our growing client base of global businesses, and entrepreneurial SMEs.” 

These hires follow Joanna DeBiase’s appointment as the firm’s new managing partner, and supports IBB’s vision to build a distinctive firm, ready to take advantage of the opportunities in the changing legal market.