Birketts strengthens public sector team with Senior Associate hire

Regional law firm Birketts has bolstered its public sector team with the appointment of Claire Jones as a Senior Associate.

Jones, who will be based in the firm’s Ipswich office, specialises in a variety of matters relating to public authorities and the governance of local authority trading companies.

Prior to joining Birketts, she held roles as a Legal and Governance Manager and Data Protection Officer at a local authority trading company and she was also Lead Lawyer for the Licensing and Litigation in-house department at a local authority.

Birketts said: “With over 15 years’ experience, Claire has significant public sector understanding and is well placed to offer advice and representation for all types of organisations. Her wide ranging knowledge of Local Government has enabled her to skilfully navigate the complex regulation of the political and regulatory environment to provide expert counsel to a number of council committees.”

Jones also has a wealth of experience in licensing, public sector procurement and data governance issues including Freedom of Information and Data Protection, the firm added.

Jones said: “I am delighted to join one of the most experienced public sector teams outside of London with such an impressive record of effective service delivery. I am looking forward to fresh challenges and to assisting a new group of clients in achieving their strategic objectives.”

Ruth Neave, Legal Director and Head of Birketts’ Public Sector Team, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Claire, who has a wealth of experience in commercial activities as well as in-depth knowledge of corporate governance. Claire has significant regulatory acumen and I am confident that she will enhance our client offering immeasurably."