Pictured above: L to R: (front) Andrew Lee and Doug Houghton have joined Challinors Fraud & Asset Recovery Department, led by Mark Kenkre (back, left) and Arun Chauhan (back, right); Peter Lowe (back, centre) is Partner in the Dispute Resolution team.

Midlands law firm Challinors has added two solicitors to its Fraud & Asset Recovery Department, which was launched earlier this year.

Andrew Lee and Doug Houghton have joined the team following completion of their training contract at Challinors, a step that sees the firm buck a nationwide trend amongst law firms, as Arun Chauhan, Partner and joint head of the Fraud & Asset Recovery department, explains: 

"In the current climate, a significant number of law firms across the UK, including those ranked in the top 50, are either suspending training contracts or are unable to retain trainees upon completion of their training. It is excellent that Challinors is bucking this trend and able to support newly qualified entrants to the legal profession in this way. 

"The Fraud & Asset Recovery department has seen a dramatic increase in workload since it was formalised in March this year and the number and size of instructions has rapidly risen since that time. Andrew and Doug join as the team experiences continued growth. Their appointment is driven by the increase we have seen in instructions over the last few months, which is a positive reflection as to the market awareness of our team." 

Mark Kenkre, joint head of the department with Arun, adds: "The team continues to build on last year's development which saw Challinors appointed to the Treasury Solicitor's Department Panel, which provides legal services to more than 180 government departments and other publicly funded bodies throughout England and Wales. This year we have been fortunate to receive further instructions from other central government departments outside of our Treasury Solicitors appointment, together with an increase in corporate transactions."

"Retaining our trainees is testament to the growing reputation of the Fraud & Asset Recovery Department. On a wider note, it further endorses Challinors' growing reputation in the commercial sector throughout the Midlands."

Challinors has offices in Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Halesowen and Nottingham. The firm has 23 partners and over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms in the West Midlands, being Number 1 in the Chambers UK Directory in a number of