Manchester law firm Slater Heelis has announced the launch of a new crime and regulatory department.
The firm said the launch was in response to a “sharp rise” in referral numbers.
Chris Bishop, managing partner at Slater Heelis, said: “There is a growing demand from businesses for proactive legal advice and support particularly around HMRC and environmental prosecutions which can also lead to private criminal and regulatory matters.”
Rachel Fletcher has joined the firm’s Deansgate office to head up the new department, where she holds the role of partner and head of crime and regulatory.
In the role, she will provide private client criminal defence, which includes advice on driving offences, and regulatory advice to professional clients.
Ms Fletcher joins from JMW, where she was a senior associate.
She added: “This is a great opportunity to grow a hungry new department within a genuinely client-focussed firm.
“Launching this department completes the circle enabling us to offer a 360 legal service for private clients and their businesses.”