Well known and respected in the Liverpool city region maritime sector and beyond, Colin Lavelle is one of four new senior promotions at law firm Hill Dickinson. Tony McDonough reports

Shipping lawyer and well known face on the Liverpool professional scene, Colin Lavelle, is one of four new senior promotions at law firm Hill Dickinson.

Colin joins Paul Allerston, a healthcare advisory lawyer, and Joanne Raisbeck, head of the Liverpool firm’s family law team, in becoming a fixed share partner. Edward Liu of Hill Dickinson Hong Kong is also promoted to partner.

Hill Dickinson says the announcement demonstrates its  commitment to developing its people by promoting from within. It follows the promotion of 19 senior associates to legal director in May.

Colin has been with Hill Dickinson for almost 19 years and is particularly well known and respected in the maritime sector. He advises national and international shipping clients, as well as insurers, banks and ports, on a wide range of maritime-related and general commercial issues.

In addition to his membership of the Law Society and the Liverpool Law Society, Colin is an active member of the British Ports Association, Mersey Maritime, Maritime UK, the UK Chamber of Shipping and the Propeller Club.

Tony Goldsmith, head of marine at Hill Dickinson, said: “Colin has successfully worked to build his reputation as a maritime lawyer not only on his home turf in the North West but with clients across the UK and internationally.

“He has built his career at Hill Dickinson from the bottom up, establishing trusted relationships with his clients, and is an excellent example of how the firm seeks to develop, nurture and promote its future leaders from within.”

Speaking about all the promotions, chief executive Peter Jackson said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome four more of our lawyers into the partnership. The uniquely challenging conditions and uncertainty of the past 15 months could very easily have forestalled career progression.

“Instead, our people have risen to the challenge magnificently and worked harder than ever to ensure our clients continue to be serviced without interruption.

“I am hugely proud to see the efforts of these four individuals rewarded with the progression to partnership and wish them every success in their continued careers with the firm.”