Bermans accelerates growth with new head of commercial and litigation partner

Law firm Bermans has appointed a new head of its commercial team and a litigation partner as it continues to strengthen its ranks with key strategic hires.

Richard Riley and Elizabeth Wilkinson have joined Bermans from Slater Heelis and are based in the firm’s Manchester office.

They are the latest additions to the Bermans team in the city following the recent arrival of litigation partner Mike Carter, Jobeth Copping-Barrett as a senior associate in the private client department and Adam Tiesteel as an associate in the asset-based lending recoveries team.

Richard has more than 15 years’ experience advising on a wide range of commercial matters. His work includes drafting and negotiating contracts, advising on intellectual property rights, preparing and reviewing software development and SaaS agreements, IT contracts and licences and franchise agreements.

His arrival at Bermans also enables the firm to offer a new service in the area of data protection advice to SMEs and lending clients.

Richard regularly helps clients in numerous sectors, particularly in the scientific and life science industries, to navigate complex legal and commercial issues.

In addition, he advises on corporate matters in support of his clients’ broader commercial objectives, and acts for schools and trusts in relation to academy conversions and their ongoing operational needs.

Elizabeth is a dispute resolution specialist with more than 25 years’ experience of advising individuals and corporate clients on matters including shareholder and partnership disputes, commercial contracts, professional negligence, claims involving directors’ duties, and warranties in sale and purchase agreements.

She focuses on helping clients to minimise risk and protect the value of their businesses, enforcing restrictions in employment contracts and sale agreements when needed, and securing urgent solutions such as injunctions and asset freezing orders as well as other pre-emptive actions to protect companies from departing employees or previous owners.

Jon Davage, managing director of Bermans, said: “Our recruitment strategy to attract high-quality individuals who can complement our existing team has made great strides in 2025.

“Richard and Elizabeth are the latest to join us, and we feel the depth of their experience will be of tremendous benefit to our clients.

“Assisting clients on commercial contracts, intellectual property and data protection matters are key elements of our business, and we are delighted that Richard has taken on the role of head of department and is looking to build the team.

“Elizabeth joins Mike Carter and head of department Andrew Koffman to offer one of the most experienced litigation teams in the city.

“We continue to explore options for further expansion of the Bermans offering and we expect to add more recruits in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, Bermans trainees Kieran Williams, Sean Quinn and Jessica Murphy have become fully-qualified solicitors in the litigation, asset-based lending and property teams respectively. Megan Boyle has joined the firm’s Manchester office as a paralegal in the insolvency team.