Browne Jacobson bolsters commercial practice with hire of former team lead at county council

Browne Jacobson has strengthened its Government practice with the appointment of Jan Cumming as Legal Director.

Prior to joining the firm, Cumming was Team Lead for Commercial and Contracts at Warwickshire County Council, where she held a complex caseload of high-value commercial contracts and procurements, including defending procurement challenges.

Browne Jacobson said Cumming would help to grow the firm’s national work in public sector procurement, commercialisation and governance. She will also bolster its presence in the West Midlands, being based in its Birmingham office.

Cumming has also advised both the New Zealand and Australian governments on administrative decision-making and governance during previous roles at the New Zealand Crown Law Office and law firm Clayton Utz respectively.

Cumming said: “Having witnessed how Browne Jacobson works with its local government clients from the other side of the fence, I know the high regard in which this firm is held for its support, not just from a legal perspective but also as a supportive ally.

“I am very excited to be joining at a time when providing this support has never been more important as local authorities seek to identify new ways of making efficiencies while ensuring they are meeting their statutory duties during challenging economic times.”

Cumming’s experience includes drafting high-value commercial contracts and frameworks, resolving multi-million-pound procurement challenges and advising on urgent interim procurement solutions, and advising on local government pension scheme admissions and exits.

She has also advised on governance processes (including governance of local authority trading companies), joint ventures, shared service options and delegations of functions, and trading powers.

Peter Ware, Head of Government, added: “Jan brings a wealth of valuable experience from her roles advising both local and national governments.

“We are delighted to welcome Jan to the team at Browne Jacobson and are excited about how she can support us to further expand our commercial, procurement and projects work for a growing list of clients.”