Lawyers celebrate milestone promotions at Midlands firm

From this month, five of the firm’s solicitors across the West Midlands and Shropshire will be promoted to the role of partner or associate.

In the Wolverhampton office, leading medical negligence practitioner Michael Portman-Hann will be promoted to partner, alongside serious injury specialist Michelle Hartshorn and disputed probate expert Kimberly Mears.

FBC Manby Bowdler CEO Neil Lloyd said: “We are justly proud of our team of skilled and experienced lawyers across all legal disciplines, and I’m delighted to welcome Michael, Michelle and Kimberly to the prestigious role of partner.

“These promotions are just reward for their hard work and expertise, which help to make FBC Manby Bowdler one of the most respected and busiest law firms in the region.

“The company is going from strength to strength thanks to the talent and hard work of our exceptional team.”

Michael Portman-Hann has been an associate within the personal injury team since 2022 and has vast experience in the field of clinical negligence. He was recognised as a key lawyer in the leading Legal 500 2025 Directory and as a Star Associate in the Chambers and Partners directory for 2025.

Michelle Hartshorn joined FBC Manby Bowdler in 2020 as an associate in the personal injury department and is a member of the serious injury team. She is now a senior associate and has more than 25 years’ experience with clients facing life-changing injuries. Michelle was also recognised as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 2024 Directory.

Kimberly Mears joined the firm as a paralegal in 2007 and qualified as a solicitor in the commercial litigation department in 2010. She is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and specialises in estate matters including wills, inheritance and the removal of executors and trustees. Kimberly was recognised as a leading associate in the Legal 500 Directory.

As well as Michael, Michelle and Kimberly, two lawyers in FBC Manby Bowdler’s Telford office are also celebrating after being promoted to the role of associate.

Jessica Johnson, who works in the private client team dealing with all aspects of wills, trusts and probate, and Louise Coleby, who works in the residential property team on everything to do with sales and purchasing of property, mortgages and equity, will also take up their new roles from April 1.