Independent law firm Brabners has strengthened its litigation practice with the appointment of two new partners as part of its strategy to expand its portfolio of mid-to-large corporate clients and high-profile private individuals.
Steven Garry and Craig Arrowsmith have joined Brabners’ 50-strong litigation team—one of the largest in the North of England—after moving from Fieldfisher. Their expertise enhances the firm’s commercial litigation and insolvency services.
Brabners’ litigation practice specializes in handling complex commercial and personal disputes, utilizing mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution to achieve effective outcomes. The team advises on a range of matters, including shareholder disputes, professional negligence, debt recovery, defamation and privacy, medical negligence, property disputes, and wills and inheritance issues.
A commercial litigation specialist qualified in multiple jursidictions, Steven joins Brabners as a partner having also spent time at Pinsent Masons, Knights and Addleshaw Goddard. With significant experience in high value, complex commercial disputes in the UK and internationally, he has acted for a range of blue chip and international clients.
Craig, who joins the firm as partner after more than 10 years at Fieldfisher, will support Brabners’ insolvency and restructuring team. Having managed a broad range of corporate and personal insolvency cases, he also holds long-standing client relationships with alternative and digital lenders as well as insolvency practitioners.
Both partners will be primarily based in the firm’s Manchester office at Barbirolli Square, working as part of a cross-office team.
Recognised as a tier one practice by the Legal 500 and ranked among The Times’ Best Law Firms, Brabners litigation team has secured a string of high-profile victories for clients in recent years. Last year, it led a landmark malicious falsehood case in the Supreme Court and continued to represent the Commonwealth Games Federation following a successful nine-figure settlement relating to Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the 2026 Games. Prior to this, it led Coleen Rooney’s successful defence in the infamous Wagatha Christie case.
Brabners, which has offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire and Leeds, was recently named as the UK’s Best Law Firm to Work For by Best Companies for a second year.
Paul Lunt, head of litigation at Brabners, said: “Our litigation practice has gone from strength to strength in recent years, supporting successful outcomes in cases of national significance. Steven and Craig bring complementary drive and expertise to the team, strengthening our strategic client support not only in mainstream commercial litigation but recoveries, restructuring and contentious insolvencies.
“It’s incredibly pleasing to see them step up to partnership with us as we look to further scale our litigation team across the North.”
Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Much of our success in recent years has been based on our purpose-led approach, and our commitment to being our sector’s employer of choice. Doing so has enabled us to attract ambitious and talented lawyers like Steven and Craig, who will play a key role in delivering the commercial success that enables us to bring about positive change. I look forward to seeing the positive impact they bring to both our thriving litigation team and the broader partnership.”