Kevin works for Freeths and specialises in all aspects of restructuring, corporate recovery and insolvency, including contentious and non-contentious work as well as being Deputy Managing Partner in the Manchester office. He is listed as a Recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 (2019 Edition).
Click here for his profile on the Freeths website.
Can you tell us a bit about your background, and your role at Freeths?
I grew up in Belfast and moved to Manchester to study law at Manchester University in 1996 and have stayed ever since! I trained at George Davies solicitors in Manchester, then moved to Turner Parkinson as an NQ where I was for four years before joining Freeths’ new Manchester office in 2007. I have been a partner at Freeths since 2010. I am one of the insolvency partners at Freeths, specialising in non-contentious insolvency and restructuring. I am also the deputy managing partner of the Manchester office.
If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what would you have done?
Whilst growing up I would have loved to have become a professional footballer, I suspect more realistically I would have been a history lecturer or a journalist.
In the Covid19 era, what is the main challenge in insolvency and restructuring?
It is very difficult to advise clients when nobody knows exactly what the future holds and the situation is likely to change quickly. Insolvency legal work often involves advising insolvency practitioners who are in turn advising businesses and usually seeking to salvage those businesses where possible. Advisors in this area are having to get their head around government schemes and changes to the law very quickly in order to advise at the coalface.
What opportunities can you see?
The present situation clearly means that a lot of businesses are suffering. This puts insolvency practitioners in position of great responsibility and presents them with an opportunity to show what they can do to make a material difference to people’s lives. Insolvency professionals can also try to influence the inevitable legislative changes to ensure that they are fit for purpose wherever possible.
How have you found lockdown?
I am fortunate in that I can carry out my role effectively from home. As I am sure is the case with many people it has been difficult at times combining home schooling with working from home, but as we head into week 8 of the lockdown it is becoming second nature!
How have you kept in touch with colleagues?
We set up a team WhatsApp group straight away which has been a great way to stay in touch and has allowed for the sharing of some humour in addition to dealing with practical work matters. We have also had regular video calls, phone calls, and emails.
What about clients?
I have kept in regular contact with clients by phone, email and video calls. This has been essential!
What do you think the biggest change will be working life post lockdown?
I don’t think we will ever go back to the “work commute” to the same extent as pre-lockdown as I think in future a much greater proportion of work will be carried out from home.
When you are able, what restaurant you will visit?
Either a family meal at Kosmos (lovely Greek restaurant in South Manchester) and if we can source a babysitter I will take my wife to either Wood or Masons in Manchester city centre, two of our favourite restaurants.
