Growing our Southampton Team with Insolvency Partner Hire

We are delighted to have further expanded our growing team in Southampton with the appointment of insolvency partner Katie James.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Katie has joined the firm following almost a decade at Blake Morgan. Working with insolvency practitioners, lenders, creditors and directors of distressed businesses, Katie maximises recoveries for the stakeholders of insolvent companies through restructuring, transactions or litigation.

Throughout her career, Katie has been involved in a wide array of insolvency matters, including administrations, receiverships, company voluntary arrangements, liquidations and bankruptcies, helping to sell businesses, properties and other assets. She has also pursued claims related to directors’ loan accounts, misfeasance and antecedent transactions.

Katie, who will be based in Southampton but servicing a national client base, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Shakespeare Martineau at such an exciting time in the firm’s growth. The ambition to build a thriving insolvency practice in the Central South aligns perfectly with my own goals.

“Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with a wide range of insolvency practitioners, managing recovery relationships with clearing banks, and more recently collaborating with key players in the insolvency claims purchasing market. I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to Shakespeare Martineau and growing the firm in the South.”

Last April, we secured office space at the University of Southampton Science Park and kick-started our expansion into the Central South market with the appointment of leading corporate partner James Hawkeswood, who is heading up the local hub; followed by commercial litigator Paula Swain, banking and finance partner Jake Holmes, and banking and finance solicitor Lauren Green.

James said: “We are delighted to welcome Katie to the team. Her wealth of experience in insolvency, particularly in handling complex cases and working with key stakeholders, together with her undoubted enthusiasm will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence in the Central South.”