The Leeds-based law firm Lee & Priestley LLP has appointed three new solicitors, Dominic Lush, Ryan Gracey and Nigel Cousin, as the firm continues to expand its range of specialist expertise. 

Dominic, is a newly qualified solicitor specialising in transactional work, including mergers, acquisitions, and management buy-outs. He is part of the firm’s business start-up team which provides legal advice and support to entrepreneurs taking their first steps in business.

Ryan will handle a variety of commercial work including supply, distribution, consultancy, music and licensing contracts, as well as technology and intellectual property matters. According to Ryan:

“Our focus will be on business start-ups. It’s a really positive initiative designed to provide a package of assistance to those about to get involved with starting their own business. It’s absolutely critical that anyone starting up in today’s market gets proper advice right at the start.  Over recent years, the Lee & Preistley business start-up team has had extensive involvement in the funding of technology and healthcare start-ups, and given the firms overall strengths in these areas, we anticipate a very positive long term position.”

But start-ups will not be the teams only focus. As Dominic explained: “When times are tough, much of our work focuses on refinancing and restructuring where we are involved in the critical deals that enable businesses to get access to further funding and thereby avoid failure. We act for individual vendors of family businesses, for buy-out/buy-in teams, for acquisitive groups and on the disposal of non-core interests by those groups.”

Lee & Priestley's Head of Corporate, Jonathan Priestley commented: "These appointments demonstrate Lee & Priestley's commitment to developing one of the best corporate capabilities in the region.   We are delighted to have Dominic and Ryan on board. They join a strong team that is geared up for the challenges demanded in this area of work."

Nigel Cousin meanwhile joins Lee & Priestley’s Insolvency team. Nigel, who has a degree in business and management studies, graduated from College of Law, York in 2006, before joining the Insolvency team at Lee & Priestley. Whilst at College he worked in industry evaluating business plans and conducting on-site due-diligence. He even managed a Pizza Hut whilst completing his legal studies.

Nigel Whitfield, Insolvency Partner at Lee & Priestley said: “Nigel, who qualified recently has already shown himself to be a highly valuable member of our team. He joins us team at a very exciting time for our part of the business.” 

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