Eva Akins joined Russell-Cooke in 2010 and has since 2015 dedicated herself completely to education law. Eva specialises in Equality Act claims, special educational needs, school admissions and exclusions appeals. As part of the firm's cross-departmental team, Eva also advises schools on compliant governance and managing risk.
Ed Cracknell joined Russell-Cooke as a trainee in 2003 and was promoted to senior associate in 2014. Ed specialises in property litigation and dispute resolution. His areas of expertise include landlord and tenant disputes, business lease renewals, rent and service charge recovery, possession proceedings, and dilapidations claims. He has a particular specialism in telecoms and the Electronic Communications Code.
Mark Fletcher trained at Russell-Cooke, qualifying as a solicitor in 2011. As part of the commercial litigation team, Mark acts for individuals, charities and businesses across a large number of business sectors, including construction, property development, IT, sports, events, hospitality, retail, medical and other legal professionals. He has particular expertise in disputes arising from construction and development projects.
Hannah Minty joined the firm as a trainee, qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 before being promoted to senior associate in 2013. She is dual-qualified in both England and Wales, and in Scotland. As part of the family team, Hannah advises on divorce and financial matters, jurisdictional disputes, property disputes between cohabitees and financial claims on behalf of children following the breakdown of relationships between unmarried couples. She has a particular interest in pre and post-nuptial agreements, including those with an international element.
Christopher Salomons joined the firm's private client team in 2013 as an associate before being promoted to senior associate in 2017. Chris advises clients domiciled in both the UK and overseas on a range of tax, trusts and estate planning and succession related matters. He is highly experienced in dealing with complex cross-border issues, the EU Succession Regulation and in obtaining UK Grants of Probate for individuals who die domiciled outside of the UK.
Stephen Small trained at Russell-Cooke, joining the firm in 2007 and qualifying in 2009. As part of the firm's housing and property litigation team, Stephen acts for both landlords and tenants, advising on commercial, residential and mixed-use property related disputes. He has specific expertise in the private rented and build to rent sectors.
John Gould, Senior Partner at Russell-Cooke, commented:
"We are delighted to be promoting six new partners. They have chosen to develop their careers with the firm over the long term and accordingly they represent both change and continuity. Given the many challenges at present, clients have never had a greater need for talented lawyers."
"The promotions demonstrate our continuing optimism that Russell-Cooke will continue to grow and prosper by serving our clients ever better. These promotions underpin our commitment to growing and reinforcing the partnership for the future. The new partners have a wide spectrum of expertise, from private to commercial work, helping us to continue offering our clients access to the breadth and depth of expertise for which we are known."
"Their new roles are a reflection of each individual's commitment to the firm, their practice and the profession. It is a particular pleasure for me, and for the whole leadership team, to see the progress of those who joined the firm as trainees and who have developed their careers with us. We congratulate our new partners and wish them the very best."
In the last three years, the firm has promoted 13 solicitors to the partnership, with these latest promotions bringing the total number of partners at Russell-Cooke to 61.