Pannone bolsters local government team with Dobson hire

Manchester law firm Pannone has recruited high-profile local government lawyer Nicholas Dobson as a senior consultant.

Dobson was chief solicitor at Doncaster MBC until 1999, when he became a partner and national head of local government at Pinsent Curtis (now Pinsent Masons). He was latterly a senior consultant.

He is a prolific author on local government matters and communications officer for the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors.

Dobson, who worked as a social worker before becoming a solicitor in 1984, said: “Local authorities are looking to build relationships with firms that offer high quality legal services at competitive prices, and who also have a thorough understanding of the complex issues facing the sector.

“Pannone is a serious and substantial player with the resources to take on quality projects for all types of clients.”

In March this year the Manchester firm was one of four firms to secure “partner status” with the 25-authority strong North West Legal Consortium.

Pannone’s current local government projects include advising Manchester City Council on the development of an urban quarter around the Co-operative Group’s headquarters.

It also recently acted for St Helen’s Council on a £44m scheme to build a new rugby league stadium on the former United Glass site.

Stephen Chalcraft, head of public sector at Pannone, said: “Nicholas has unrivalled knowledge, experience and contacts in the public sector. These will prove invaluable in gaining greater penetration and opening up new opportunities in this extremely important market.”