Latest News at Jennings Perks & Co.
Steve Jennings
June 29, 2011Steve first decided to enter the law after being inspired by the Al Pacino movie ‘Justice For All’. He quickly realised that real life is somewhat different to the Hollywood imagery.
Qualifying in 1981, Steve had previously gained a BA Honours Law Degree after studying in Birmingham and began his career at a Birmingham City Centre practice, initially honing his litigation skills in the local Magistrates and County Courts. Following a successful apprenticeship he subsequently moved to Lichfield where he spent ten vibrant years and achieved Partnership status. During this time Steve commenced specialising in high net worth matrimonial matters and undertook instructions from several high profile public figures. By way of example, in one case a leading national newspaper was threatened with injunction proceedings stemming from the libellous remarks by one of their journalists in his daily column. The late George Carman’s Chambers were instructed on behalf of Steve’s client and a public apology was duly printed.
Another of Steve’s cases occupied six weeks of time as a trial at the Old Bailey. The matter was of the most serious nature but Steve successfully secured the clients liberty resulting in him being interviewed by national television, radio and the national press.
In 1992, together with his fellow partner Tim Perks, Steve decided to establish Jennings Perks Co. Their desire was to establish a niche practice which could offer specialist advice at competitive rates whilst at the same time providing a quality service to clients.
The core of the practice business emanated from personal referrals and satisfied clients and this remains the case today. Steve’s aim is to provide solutions and satisfying results for clients with a friendly and efficient but firm approach.
Steve lives locally and has many regional connections .He is a Christian. His main indulgencies are sporting based and although he no longer competes in triathlons, away from the office he enjoys boxing, golf and football with varying “joys and sorrows”.
Posted in Our PeopleTim Perks
June 29, 2011Tim entered the legal profession in 1976 and in his early years as a Solicitor in practice gained experience in many areas of the law, both contentious and non-contentious, but for the last 28 years Tim has specialized in all aspects of Conveyancing.
In the 1980’s Tim joined a Lichfield firm, having been recruited to set up and successfully establish a new office in neighbouring Burntwood, during which time he gained valuable experience in business management and acting for individual clients and numerous property developers.
Tim was soon invited to join the partnership and continued to expand his knowledge and experience of Commercial Property work.
In 1992 Tim and fellow partner Steve Jennings decided upon a new career path and fresh challenge, setting up Jennings Perks & Co. Initially Tim’s broad experience was instrumental in creating successful Conveyancing and Probate departments, leading to the recruitment of additional fee earners and leaving Tim to concentrate on Commercial Property work, plus Inheritance Tax planning and Trust work for wealthier clients.
Whilst the majority of Tim’s clients emanate from personal and professional referrals, the arrival of fellow partner Kian Golestani and the creation of the firm’s Business Law department in early 2008 provided extensive additional Commercial Property work to Tim’s team.
Tim now predominantly handles:
site acquisitions and disposals for developers and investors;
sales, purchases and leases of industrial and commercial premises;
acquisitions and disposals of small businesses;
other non-contentious landlord and tenant matters; and
Inheritance Tax planning and Trust work.
Tim’s personable and meticulous approach to work has resulted in a loyal client base. His ethos is to provide the best possible legal service to clients in a thorough and cost effective way, and to ensure that clients enjoy the benefits of forming a friendly yet professional working relationship with him.
Outside of the office Tim, a former football and basketball devotee, now enjoys playing golf, following the fortunes of a leading midland football team; enjoying good food and wine and spending time with his family and friends.
Posted in Our PeopleKian Golestani
June 29, 2011With an accountant father and an entrepreneur mother, Kian’s choice of career is perhaps not entirely surprising. Right from the outset, Kian was clear in his mind that he wanted to practice within the field of business law and specifically corporate transactional work. The break required came in early 1988 a few months prior to Kian’s formal admission as a solicitor in November of that year. In June 1988 Kian moved to the Midlands since when he has forged a variety of business and professional connections.
After spending a highly valuable decade working within larger commercial firms in central Birmingham, Kian transferred his practice to its current home, where he joined his old friends Tim Perks and Steve Jennings on the basis that with his reputation established, he could take greater control of his future within a niche practice, whilst continuing to serve his broad client base, both in nature and in location, in a professional, direct and cost-effective manner from offices in Aldridge and Solihull.
During a professional career commencing in the late Eighties and based on the demands of a predominantly owner-managed and entrepreneurial client base as well various UK subsidiaries of certain multi-national companies, there has been the need for a “can do”, versatile and solution driven approach. Many corporate lawyers are highly focussed within a very narrow band of work and thus unable or unwilling to deal with any work not directly within their specific field. However, through experience gained in dealing with entrepreneurs who are often risking their own capital rather than that of a third party and who generally prefer a more consistent, long term and personal professional relationship, Kian has developed a broader “multi-specialist” approach within those core areas of the law directly relevant to the needs of the business community, resulting in a more rounded understanding of the various elements of a transaction and the requirements of clients, directly arising from the consequent exposure to a wider variety of work including: -
Share and assets sales and purchases, MBOs and other private equity transactions, joint ventures etc;
Purchase of own shares;
General company secretarial and administration;
Commercial property sales and purchases as well as non-contentious landlord & tenant matters;
Commercial contracts (agency, supply, distribution, as well as guarantees and inter-creditor documentation etc);
Drafting service agreements and certain general non-contentious aspects of Employment Law;
Charity Law including Charity Land Transactions.
Key to this “multi-specialist” approach is a clear understanding of one’s own limitations. Where greater expertise is required in non-core areas and is not available within the firm, Kian has developed working relationships with a number of specialist colleagues who are able to assist either directly or indirectly as requisite or as desired by clients.
Kian’s approach is borne out by the fact that several clients have remained with him for the whole or the majority of his career and much of the work undertaken by him is of a repeat nature.
Outside work, most of Kian’s attention is focused on his interests in skiing, hiking and travel which he shares with his family as well as his lifelong love of history.
Posted in Our PeopleJames McFarlane
June 29, 2011James was born, bred and educated in Walsall and so has strong ties to the local area. After graduating from the University of Nottingham in 1997, he completed his Legal Practice Course in Birmingham before securing a training contract with a niche commercial practice in Birmingham city centre. James’ principal interest throughout his training lay in the area of business law and he was therefore delighted when he was given a role on qualification in the corporate department of that firm.
James remained with the firm for just over ten years during which time he rose to associate level as the practice grew from relatively small beginnings to become one of the larger firms in Birmingham. During this time James gained experience dealing with a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters for clients who ranged from sole traders and investors through to AIM listed companies whilst also building up a range of contacts across numerous professional sectors. Throughout the majority of this time, James worked with Kian Golestani in Birmingham and the working relationship was renewed by James’ arrival at Jennings Perks.
Immediately prior to his move to Jennings Perks, James worked as a member of the legal team at Barclaycard’s head office in Northampton. This gave him the chance to build upon his commercial contract experience whilst also enabling him to see things from the other side of the fence and learn more about what businesses want from their legal advisers. This knowledge helps James to ensure that he provides his clients with the accurate, concise and commercial advice that they require in order to drive their businesses forward in today’s competitive environment.
Away from law James’ main interests are sport based and he is heavily involved in Walsall cricket club where he serves on the committee and captains a predominantly junior third team.
Posted in Our PeopleLesley Coleman
June 29, 2011Lesley is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. She became interested in the legal profession whilst undertaking a commercial college course which necessitated a weekly one hour session of law.
In the 1970s she joined a firm of solicitors based in Lichfield where she gained experience in various aspects of the law. Following the arrival Steve Jennings at the same firm in the early 1980s, Lesley and Steve have worked together as a professional team.
Lesley’s role progressed to a personal assistant and in the 1990s she decided to qualify as a Legal Executive.
When Steve and Tim decided to establish their practice in Aldridge in 1992 Lesley took up a position with them and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in the late 1990s.
Lesley continues to deal with many aspects of private client law but concentrates primarily on matrimonial matters, conveyancing as well as wills and probate. She has a sensible and practical approach to work which she deals with in a friendly and efficient manner. She has received numerous commendations and testimonials from satisfied clients, and enjoys the respect of many colleagues, barristers and judges.
Outside of the office Lesley enjoys listening to a wide variety of music; attending concerts and music festivals and watching sport, particularly Wimbledon.
Posted in Our PeopleMichael Lillywhite
June 29, 2011Michael joined the firm in June 2008 and undertook his training contract with the firm prior to qualifcation in February 2012 and whose penchant for the law emanates from watching the film ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ as a youth.
Michael’s ethos of hard work and striving to attain one’s goals was instilled in him at an early age. This resulted in him attaining a Law Degree at Aberystwyth University, followed by the Solicitors’ Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Chester.
Since embarking upon a legal career with Jennings Perks & Co, Michael has gained extensive experience in various areas of the law, starting with wills & probate, Court of Protection matters as well as matrimonial work. Michael is now an increasingly integral member of the firm’s Business Law department working primarily alongside Kian Golestani and James McFarlane. With his scrupulous and friendly approach, Michael aims to continue to fully satisfy the needs of the firm’s business clients as he has done in relation to private clients.
Outside of the office, Michael is an avid participant in and follower of football, plying his trade as a Telford Sunday league footballer, as well as following the rather mixed fortunes of a local football team for his sins. He also enjoys following cricket and tennis and spending time with friends and family.
Posted in Our PeopleKeith Allen
June 28, 2011Keith has spent a large part of his long career working in Wolverhampton and has dealt only in residential conveyancing. As a result, he has acquired many years practical experience and brings a calm and reassuring presence to the tasks involved.
Keith believes in personal attention to all his clients, including face-to-face meetings as often as necessary for a client to fully understand their transaction before any documents are signed.
Out of the office, Keith enjoys ballroom dancing, birdwatching, golf and following the exploits of a local football team.
Posted in Our People