One of Birmingham's most rapidly expanding legal practices has executed a significant recruitment coup, welcoming five new partners as part of a major strategic expansion. FBC Manby Bowdler, the founding firm within the new Adeptio Law Group, is set to almost triple its team of legal experts in the city centre, with the hires arriving from established Legal Top 200 firms.
Strategic Growth and New Legal Talent
The substantial investment in people will grow the firm's Birmingham practice to around 40 staff, establishing one of the most notable legal recruitment drives witnessed in the city this year. The new partner appointments bring a wealth of specialist expertise to the firm's Colmore Row base.
The incoming partners are: fraud and commercial litigation specialist Chris Recker; contentious probate expert Anna Sutcliffe; property litigation specialist Victoria (Vicky) Khandker; Claire Cooper, who will lead the Commercial Property department; and private client expert Richard Dundee. They are joined by new associate solicitor Michelle Harvey.
Further strengthening the team, senior associate Raquel Twigger joins the residential conveyancing team in Knowle, while contentious probate solicitor Hollie Mills also comes on board.
Capitalising on Birmingham's Resurgence
Neil Lloyd, chief executive of FBC Manby Bowdler and Adeptio, stated the recruitment is a deliberate move to attract top-tier Midlands legal talent. He directly linked the calibre of the new hires to the firm's reputation and the exceptional opportunity presented by Britain's second city.
"This is an investment which demonstrates our commitment to establishing a major presence in Birmingham's legal market," Lloyd said. "These professionals have chosen to join us because they will be part of something genuinely transformative in Birmingham's legal landscape."
He highlighted that the timing aligns with unprecedented levels of inward investment and development in Birmingham itself. This includes over £900 million in government funding for major regeneration announced by the Chancellor this month, alongside an ambitious programme from Mayor Richard Parker focused on business growth and housing infrastructure.
A Comprehensive Service for a Transforming City
The recruitment drive is a strategic move to offer comprehensive legal services that can compete with any long-established city centre firm. The expanded team will provide deep expertise across key areas including contentious probate, commercial litigation, private client work, and commercial property.
Neil Lloyd pointed to Birmingham's resurgence, fuelled by major projects like HS2, the legacy developments from the Commonwealth Games, and substantial commercial property developments, as a key driver for the firm's expansion. "Birmingham's resurgence as the UK's second city has attracted significant corporate investment," he added.
This growth in Birmingham forms part of a broader strategy by the Adeptio Law Group, which is itself underpinned by a £30 million private equity investment. The firm's ambitious expansion signals a confident bet on the continued economic and legal prosperity of the Midlands' core city.
