Newbury: Gardner Leader boosts commercial team with new recruit

Thames Valley law firm Gardner Leader has recruited again, appointing dual-qualified corporate solicitor Ami Bhatt as associate to join its expanding commercial team.

As a dual-qualified solicitor with six years in corporate law, Bhatt can practice in India and the UK. She is also a licensed chartered accountant and has been an in-house lawyer for a UK-based investment bank in India, responsible for capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Gardner Leader, she was a corporate solicitor at Blake Morgan and Clifton Ingram and is experienced in shareholder arrangements, acquisitions and disposals, management buyouts and buyins, private equity investments, bank financing transactions, and general corporate and commercial matters including advising on various commercial and IT contracts. She has a specific specialism in owner-managed businesses in the IT, real estate, telecoms and health sectors. 

Bhatt is based at Gardner Leader’s Newbury office but also works alongside the commercial team in Maidenhead. The firm also has an office in Thatcham.

In just 12 months, the firm’s commercial department has welcomed seven new solicitors, and provides a wide range of commercial services via specialist teams including corporate law, employment, property, dispute resolution, and charity law.

“I’m very excited to join Gardner Leader," said Bhatt. “It’s a really progressive and forward thinking firm that encourages innovation and new ideas, so a place where I can really make a difference in the way I serve my clients and in shaping the future of the firm. In particular, I look forward to supporting the local businesses and charitable organisations in Berkshire on a wide range of company and commercial matters.”

 “Ami brings added strength to the commercial team and to the excellent service we provide our clients,” said Greg Humphreys, partner and head of the commercial team at Gardner Leader. “Her dual-status will further strengthen our services to clients with international interests. Also, as a chartered accountant as well as a corporate lawyer, she has exceptional skill in the financial and contractual areas of commercial law. We’re delighted to have her on board.”