Ward Hadaway has invested significantly in its commercial litigation offering in Manchester to create a new flagship team, with the arrival of two new partners, Carlyn Weale and Nick Wells, along with Managing Associate Richard Burton.
These new hires strengthen our services across the North West, expanding the team to six dedicated commercial litigation lawyers, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to growth in the region.
Carlyn Weale joined Ward Hadaway in the summer from Kennedys, where she led the North West litigation team. She brings significant expertise in complex shareholder and board issues, restrictive covenant disputes and technology litigation. With extensive experience in recoveries in a rapidly changing market, Carlyn is an excellent commercial strategist and a valuable addition to the team.
Nick Wells, formerly head of the commercial litigation team at Flint Bishop in the East Midlands, also joined as Partner in early 2024. Nick’s focus on high-stakes commercial contract and transactional disputes, and his recent work on several notable cases, enhances Ward Hadaway’s reputation for handling complex dispute resolution.
Most recently, Managing Associate Richard Burton, formerly of Anthony Collins in Birmingham and in-house at Derby City Council, has also come on board, bringing specialist knowledge of public sector litigation and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) disputes.
“Our latest appointments in Manchester mark an exciting phase of growth for Ward Hadaway,” said Liz Bottrill, Executive Partner for Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office. “Carlyn and Nick’s combined experience and leadership will drive our commercial litigation practice forward, ensuring we remain a trusted partner for businesses across the North West and creates a team to rival the established Manchester practices with big names from several regions joining forces.”
Together with Managing Associate Melissa Munday, Associate Daniyal Malik and a trainee solicitor, they form a strong team of experts offering practical solutions across a wide spectrum of commercial litigation matters.
Carlyn Weale, Ward Hadaway Partner, said: “Joining Ward Hadaway’s Manchester team is an incredible opportunity. I’m looking forward to working alongside such talented colleagues as we continue to build a strong commercial litigation practice to support our clients in the North West.”
Fellow Partner Nick Wells added: “Ward Hadaway’s focus on creative, innovative legal solutions and teamwork aligns with my own approach to dealing with major litigation cases. Together, Carlyn and I are excited to lead this team, ensuring our clients have access to top-tier dispute resolution expertise and building a strong reputation in the Manchester market.”