Kirwans law firm has made a number of promotions across its Liverpool, Wirral and Southport offices.

Employment law specialist Lindsey Knowles has been made partner, and will manage the Southport office while continuing to lead the Employment Law department.

Lindsey has extensive experience of advising both companies and employees on a wide range of employment law matters and joined Kirwans in October 2016.

Her promotion will see her leading the growth of Kirwans’ Southport office, while continuing to oversee the expansion of the employment law offering as well as helping to develop firm-wide growth.

A further move has seen dispute resolution and litigation solicitor Paul Barnes promoted to senior associate. Paul’s areas of expertise are widespread and include commercial debts, building and construction disputes, contract disputes, partnership disputes, agricultural disputes, professional negligence and possession proceedings.

Paul’s new role will see him continue to work on business development in order to expand on all areas of dispute resolution.

Commercial property solicitor Lisa Evans has been promoted to associate. Lisa deals with all aspects of commercial property work for a large number of private and commercial clients, and has overseen large commercial property transactions across the North West and London.

Criminal defence solicitor Leanne Kennedy has been appointed to the Crime Management Team. Her new role will see her provide additional professional support services to the rest of the team.

Another member of the Crime team, solicitor Natalie Byrne, has been awarded the role of deputy head of crime in recognition of her emerging management skills.

Gabrielle Kitchen has been promoted to prison law supervisor and will add to her current duties of representing clients at adjudication hearings and before the Parole Board by developing the firm’s Prison Law offering.

Finally, Annie Thomas has completed her legal training contract with Kirwans and is now a qualified solicitor within the Private Client department.

Managing partner David Kirwan said:

“We are immensely proud of these remarkable members of staff and are delighted to see them move into their new roles. We are all now looking forward to further growth of the Employment, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property and Crime Departments.”