Gateley has opened a new office in Leeds with the hire of Cobbetts partners William Ballmann and Rob Payne.

Ballmann will head up the new office, which is the top 50 firm's eighth UK base and comes after it opened in Manchester 18 months ago.

Restructuring partner Ballmann has worked with clients including Parkside Industries Group, CardWorld and Furness Withy Shipping, while litigation specialist Payne has acted for banks, building societies, life companies and other financial institutions, and holds a higher right of audience in the civil courts as a solicitor-advocate.

Ballman said: "It's an exciting time to join. We have been impressed with the success the firm has achieved in recent times and there's a real drive and determination at board level to cement Gateley's position as a national brand."

The partners will be joined at Gateley by a solicitor, a paralegal and a secretary.

Their departure is another blow to beleaguered Manchester firm Cobbetts, which has been one of the hardest hit major practices in recent years. The firm, which conducted three separate redundancy rounds during the financial crisis, has recently held informal merger talks with rapidly expanding northwest firm DWF.

Gateley stormed into Legal Week's top 50 ranking for the first time last year, entering at number 48 thanks to a 23% leap in turnover to £63m, up from £51.2m in 2009-10.

Commenting on the new office, senior partner Michael Ward (pictured) said: "This is an important phase in our development and follows a busy and successful year.

"Establishing a presence in Leeds supports our strategy to build on our position as a national law firm, but with a focus on local service delivery. We're delighted that William, Rob and the team have joined us and we're looking forward to working with them."

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