BIRMINGHAM LAW FIRM WELCOMES TWO NEW PARTNERS

Leading full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed partner Mark Taylor to its Birmingham education team and Bukola Obadun-Craigs to its Birmingham real estate disputes team.

Mark advises further and higher education institutions on commercial issues, mergers, corporate transactions and constitutional reviews. Having drafted part of Universities UK’s guide to international collaborations, Mark has particular expertise advising UK-based institutions on overseas partnerships. With more than 16 years’ post-qualified experience, Mark – who will be based at Shakespeare Martineau’s Birmingham hub but working with clients nationally – has joined the firm after more than six years as a partner at Eversheds Sutherland.

Mark said: “I have worked opposite the Shakespeare Martineau team for years and it would be impossible not to be impressed by them. I am also passionate about and heavily involved in pro bono work, so the firm’s status as a B Corporation is a real attraction.

“I have always been just as interested in education as I am in law. I led school volunteer projects when I was in secondary school, and I worked in a further education charity when I was at university and law school. When I stumbled into education law as a trainee, everything fell into place for me.”

Mark is a member of Birmingham Law Society’s Pro Bono Committee, having previously chaired it for a number of years. He is also a regular speaker at education sector conferences and client training events on commercial, corporate and governance issues.

Bukola brings with her a wealth of knowledge advising on all aspects of contentious residential landlord and tenant disputes for freeholders, developers, leaseholders and registered providers of social housing. Her particular interests include leasehold enfranchisement, lease extensions, right to manage, service charges disputes, and lease interpretation.

Having worked with the social housing sector for more than 20 years, Bukola has particular expertise in providing registered providers with support regarding injunctions, possessions, serious nuisance and anti-social behaviour, subletting, succession, and defending allegations of landlord repairs and obligations.

Bukola, who will be based in Birmingham but working with clients nationally, said: “I’ve followed Shakespeare Martineau’s growth journey since qualification. The firm has evolved and adapted accordingly, challenging outdated norms, which makes it stand out in a sea of stagnation.

“There has always been a magnetic pull towards Shakespeare Martineau as I believe it truly understands the intricate web of social housing from all aspects. It is a key player in advising the sector about catalysing dynamic change, offering thoughtprovoking solutions and unwaveringly supporting the sector, while challenging its place for residents and key stakeholders.”

Shakespeare Martineau is proactively seeking talented people to join the firm on its growth journey, including mergers, team recruitment and lateral hires nationally.