Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has made its first lateral partner hire in Manchester since it launched the northern office last spring.

Professional liability specialist James Preece has joined the firm's northern outpost from Hill Dickinson where he had been a partner for the past five years.

He becomes the firm's third partner in Manchester along with fellow partners Mark Hemsted and Robert Muttock, who launched the office last year when they moved across from DLA Piper.

Preece's practice focuses primarily on defending professional workers, including
lawyers and surveyors, in cases of professional indemnity claims.

Before joining Hill Dickinson, Preece headed up the professional indemnity practice at Addleshaw Goddard.

Barlows opened its office in Manchester in April 2009, marking the firm's third UK office alongside London and Oxford.

At the time the firm said that it was opening in the city to become closer to its insurance clients and to provide lower cost advice.

Sarah Clover, Barlows professional and financial disputes chief, commented on the appointment: "Hiring James to our newly-opened Manchester office is part our strategy to build up our regional professional liability offering.