Blake Morgan welcomes banking and finance expert

Banking and finance lawyer Paul Duggan has joined Blake Morgan as a Senior Associate.

Paul joins the Blake Morgan Banking and Finance team from Hugh James Solicitors. He will now work with fellow Senior Associate Reshma Jogia to further develop the firm’s portfolio of banking clients that includes both lenders and borrowers.

Having qualified in 2007, Paul began his career in Bristol before joining Hugh James in 2011. Commenting on the move, he said: “ Blake Morgan is a Top 50 UK law firm. The team is top ranked and has an excellent reputation in banking and finance providing a quality service to meet the needs of borrowers, funders and lenders in all types of financing transactions. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Reshma and her team.”

Partner and Head of Banking and Finance Kath Shimmin added: “Attracting and retaining the very best lawyers has always been our top priority as we continue to focus on developing our national presence and client offering.

“Paul benefits from comprehensive real estate finance expertise. Having advised many of the leading banks and funders, he has an excellent track record in funding for commercial development, property financing, residential development and property acquisition as well as in the hospitality and leisure and healthcare sectors. This experience will further benefit our client offering. We are delighted to have him on board.”

With clients including UK clearing banks, international and merchant banks, mezzanine funders, property and equity funds and non-institutional financiers, Blake Morgan is described by Legal 500 UK as ‘excellent’. Work includes negotiating loans, working capital facilities, security, project finance, invoice discounting, management buy-outs and buy-ins, agreeing and issuing secured and unsecured loan stock and dealing with debt restructuring. The team also undertakes security reviews for lenders and advises on and undertakes restructuring of security, trade finance, asset finance, and regulatory advice, particularly Consumer Credit Act and the Financial Services and Markets Act.