Pictured above: New MFG partners Sarah Denney-Richards and Harjie Bindra with MFG chairman Maynard Burton and Sarah Baugh, head of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Two high-flying lawyers in fast-growing departments at Midland law firm MFG Solicitors have been promoted to partner after moving quickly through the ranks.

The firm has promoted property litigation expert Harjie Singh Bindra to partner only two years after he joined the firm as an associate.

Forty-one-year-old Mr Bindra has made his mark at a time when MFG's civil litigation department based at Halesowen has seen record growth.

Thirty-one year old Sarah Denney-Richards who works in the firm's agricultural and rural affairs division, has become a partner less than five years after joining the firm and only 15 months after promotion to associate.

She works in the firm's Worcester office and joined MFG Solicitors in November 2005.

Mr Bindra worked previously at the Solihull office of national law firm Lyon Davidson Solicitors and gained earlier experience at Mander Hadley in Coventry. 

Partner Tom Esler, MFG's head of litigation, said: "Harjie's experience in property litigation has boosted significantly the strength and depth of the division.

Mr Bindra, who is married with three children, said:  "I am extremely proud to have achieved a partnership so soon after my appointment.

"This opportunity will provide me with further chances to make my mark in the commercial litigation team."

Sarah Denney-Richards has focused on non-contentious property work, particularly farm and estate sales and purchases, development land sales, agricultural tenancies and mortgages.

She has also been closely involved in commercial land transactions including business leases and overage transactions.

She said: "It has been hard work to get to this position in just five years and I thank the firm for giving me this level of responsibility while I am still a young lawyer."

Ms Denney-Richards is originally from Herefordshire and is married with two daughters. She obtained a degree in law at Aberystwyth University and did her LPC postgraduate studies at Nottingham Law School.

She then trained and qualified with Roythornes, a firm of agricultural specialists in the Eastern Counties, before spending two years with Burges Salmon concentrating on non-contentious agricultural and rural affairs.

Sarah Baugh, MFG's head of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said:  "Sarah's rapid promotion is due to hard work and a level of dedication that has produced results of the highest quality and reliability. 

"She is now a valued senior member of the division and we regard her as a distinguished agricultural lawyer."

MFG chairman Maynard Burton added: "These appointments underline our confidence for the future, particularly in specialist areas where we have invested in high quality lawyers with the talent to take the firm forward."