Law firm appoints a new partner and associate
Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has announced the appointment of a new partner and associate.

Charlotte Clode
Charlotte Clode has been promoted from Associate to Partner within the firm’s Commercial Litigation team. And solicitor Kimberly Mears, a member of the firm’s Disputed Probate team, has been made an Associate. Both lawyers are based at the firm’s headquarters in George Street, Wolverhampton.
Charlotte is the firm’s Training Principal and specialises in commercial and contractual disputes and contentious intellectual property, technology and media law disputes.
She also handles the Intellectual Property, Technology & Media Law Group’s IP litigation and manages a portfolio of IT, software and development companies, most of whom have a national presence.
The new Partner also deals with contentious defamation and media law work, advises on trademark infringements that have a criminal focus and is one of the firm’s lead advisors in regulatory, business crime and motoring offences.

Kimberly Mears and Guy Birkett
Kimberly joined FBC Manby Bowdler as a paralegal in 2007 and qualified as a solicitor in 2010.
She is a member of the firm’s Disputed Probate team and advises clients on all aspects of contentious trusts and probate disputes.
Guy Birkett, Head of the Commercial Litigation department, said: “Charlotte and Kimberly are great assets to the FBC Manby Bowdler team.
“Their promotions are duly deserved and recognition of their commitment to providing stellar service to our clients.”