Irwin Mitchell Appoints National Head of Commercial Litigation as Business Team Continues

25th October 2013

Pinsent Masons' Former Head Of Litigation Becomes 10th Partner To Join IM's Business Team This Year Sheffield-based law firm, Irwin Mitchell, has continued to bolster its fast-growing Business Legal Services (BLS) division with the high profile appointment of Nigel Kissack as its National Head of Commercial Litigation.

His appointment represents the 10th partner appointment into Irwin Mitchell's commercial practice this year alone, with other recent lateral hires including intellectual property specialists Alex Newman and Georgie Collins. Nigel was Head of Litigation at Pinsent Masons for 15 years until 2012 and specialises in resolving disputes for private and listed companies, in the manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and energy sectors. He is experienced in international arbitration and acts as a court appointed supervisor of search and seize orders. Nigel is a qualified mediator and also has experience in dealing with listed company regulatory matters. He will be based in Irwin Mitchell's London office and be responsible for expanding the firm's national commercial litigation team which already spans five cities. Niall Baker, partner and chief executive of Irwin Mitchell's Business Legal Services division, said: -Not only is he a superb litigator, Nigel is a proven innovator in terms of legal delivery and has an impressive track record of winning work and building first-class teams across the UK. We are confident that he will do the same at Irwin Mitchell and will be another key hire for us, helping to take our already successful commercial litigation practice to the next level. -Nigel the 10th new partner to be announced this year and the 18th since the start of 2012. He is a lawyer of the highest calibre and like all of our other recent senior-level appointments, he shares our vision and recognises the strong position we are in to take advantage of growth opportunities in the current legal market. Baker added: -Nigel is well-connected in the city and will maintain his non-executive directorships with Tangent and Exigent Group. He will bring new work and his network of contacts and reputation will support our ongoing strategic recruitment plans. In addition to working in leadership roles at Pinsent Masons in both London and Leeds, Nigel has also operated at a senior level within the North West of England as managing partner of Alsop Wilkinson's Manchester office (which became DLA). Commenting on his appointment, Nigel Kissack said: -I am enthusiastic about leading Irwin Mitchell's commercial litigation practice and contributing to the growth and overall expansion of the firm's Business Legal Services division. Irwin Mitchell's commercial litigation team already has a strong reputation across a range of sectors and the recent additions of IP litigation specialists Georgie Collins and Alex Newman illustrates the firm's commitment to building on this further. This new role represents an exciting and unique opportunity and I very much look forward to growing the team whilst delivering a first-class service to all clients. He added: -Irwin Mitchell is an innovative firm and I'm also excited about working in a dynamic and decisive corporate structure designed to meet the service challenges of the next decade.