CBI Director joins Richard Nelson Solicitors

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 08, 2010 -
Former CBI Regional Director for the East Midlands, Paul Southby, has returned to the legal world and joined Richard Nelson Solicitors (RNS) as partner responsible for commercial and civil dispute resolution. RNS, who have offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Cardiff and Bristol have welcomed the appointment which will add increased depth to its commercial and business regulatory and defence departments.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Paul, “and one which will give me a chance to build both on recent experience and that gained in the profession over the years.  Many businesses face an uncertain future and, with the benefit of the insight I have gained at the CBI over the last few years, I feel that I can contribute more directly to the way in which businesses of all sizes are able to succeed.”

“We are really pleased that Paul has agreed to join us,” commented senior partner Richard Nelson. “We have known Paul for many years and feel that his particular mix of skills will fit extremely well within the spread of services we offer.  The profile which he so clearly has within the business sector in the East Midlands will, I am sure, help us to help businesses even more in these current, difficult times.”

Paul, who is a graduate of Sheffield University, qualified as a solicitor in 1982.  Having worked with several leading commercial firms in London over the following five years, in 1987 he later became a partner with Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield and Eversheds in Nottingham. From1997 to 2008 he was a commercial litigation partner at Browne Jacobson LLP. In January 2008 he became the CBI’s regional director for the East Midlands. There he was a member of the East Midlands Regional Economic Cabinet from September 2008 to its demise at the 2010 general election.  

Paul has nearly 30 years experience dealing with commercial litigation and civil disputes including cases involving trade libel & malicious falsehood, sports disciplinary, partnership disputes, company law (including warranty disputes and shareholder claims), contract disputes, health sector issues, debt recovery and various regulatory matters including defended health and safety and environmental prosecutions.

“I believe that my past and recent experience are an ideal match for the range of services provided by Richard Nelson Solicitors,” said Southby.  “It is an exciting firm which is taking a very progressive approach to the provision of legal services.  I am very much looking forward to being able to contribute to the development of that work and to finding new, and ever more effective, methods for delivering legal services to business clients.”  

Paul lives in Nottingham, and is a trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, a member of Nottingham Playhouse Trust, and a director of RideWise a Nottingham based not for profit cycling training company.