Blacks Solicitors welcomes back four returnees

Blacks Solicitors has welcomed back four returnees to strengthen its offering.
Kirsteen McFadzean has been reappointed as Business Development Director to drive the business development function of the firm. Saby Sambhi has rejoined Blacks as a Partner in the Corporate team and Pete Konieczko-Hansom is a Senior Associate Solicitor across the Corporate and Commercial teams, and Head of Intellectual Property. Blacks has also invested in its niche specialisms with the return of Pete Bott to establish the Music Law arm of the firm.
Kirsteen previously joined Blacks in 2013 as Head of Business Development. She has spent several years working in firms across Yorkshire to build on her experience, including Shulmans and LCF. Kirsteen aims to build the business development function to drive referrals and support the teams in delivering an excellent service to existing and new clients.
Commenting on her return, Kirsteen said: “Blacks is one of Yorkshire’s leading law firms and is well-positioned as a full service firm in the region, assisting clients across the UK. The firm has great potential and my role will support the teams in realising this. People who work or who have worked at Blacks will also be aware of the positive, progressive and vibrant culture. It has a brilliant team that feels like family, which is one of the key reasons that I decided to return. You are always encouraged and supported, and free to take your ideas through to implementation.”
Both Saby and Pete Konieczko-Hansom have rejoined to strengthen the firm’s Corporate and Commercial offerings. Saby initially joined Blacks in 2014, before joining the Corporate team of a leading national firm where he developed his expertise in private equity backed and multi-jurisdictional transactions. He was recently promoted to Partner.
Pete Konieczko-Hansom first joined Blacks in 2016. During his time away, he gained significant experience working for different firms across Yorkshire, as well in London for the Government’s Legal Department. Pete rejoined Blacks as a Senior Associate Solicitor and brings extensive experience in a wide range of matters, including share sale, management buyouts, supply and distribution agreements.
Following a successful career in the music industry, Pete Bott trained as a Solicitor and qualified at Blacks in 2012. Pete recently returned to Blacks as a Partner and Head of Music Law, after working for two specialist music law firms in London. With first-hand experience of the music industry, Pete is known for his ability to explain complex legal issues to his clients in a practical manner and aims to expand the new specialist Music Law team.
Tom Moyes, Equity Partner at Blacks, added: “We are delighted to welcome back all four returnees. Their decisions to return to the firm are testament to the progressive and positive culture which we have built. Without our people we wouldn’t be able to service our clients as well as we do. We have a significant focus on building a supportive environment that our team is proud to be a part of”.
The four returnees brings the Yorkshire-based law firm’s headcount to 195.


