Knights has strengthened its team in Oxford with the appointment of Rachel Khiara and Helen Close as Partners.
A Corporate law expert, Rachel has extensive experience advising on LLP and partnership law, SRA regulatory matters, as well as M&A and private equity transactions in the legal sector.
Her practice focuses on supporting professional services businesses, fund managers and family-owned enterprises on partnership and LLP structures, including governance, profit and equity sharing arrangements, and partner exit provisions.
She also advises on complex, high-value and cross-border matters, including alternative business structures and other commercially sensitive, time-critical issues.
Rachel Khiara, Partner at Knights said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Knights at such an exciting time. Its ability to balance national growth with a strong local presence is one of the reasons I decided to make this move – alongside the chance to work with such a talented Corporate team in Oxford and nationally.
“I’m also looking forward to embracing the firm’s unique one team approach and work with colleagues from across the Knights network to deliver the best possible experience for our clients.”
Helen Close joins in the Property Litigation team. A highly experienced property disputes and telecoms specialist, she advises on commercial real estate and telecoms disputes and risk management strategy. She has significant experience resolving matters through arbitration, mediation and litigation.
Her background includes advising corporate occupiers, landlords, private individuals and public sector bodies on a broad range of property matters, as well as substantial expertise in the Electronic Communications Code, telecoms litigation and dispute resolution.
Her previous in-house role as Litigation Counsel for Cornerstone gives her strong insight and connections in the telecoms sector and supports her work helping landowners navigate telecoms disputes while protecting their wider real estate interests.
On joining, Helen Close, Partner at Knights said:
“It is clear that Knights is very much on an upward trajectory, and I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time.
“It’s a business with a culture that reflects my own approach and I’m excited to be working closely with the existing Property Litigation and Telecoms teams – whose national reach provides an exciting opportunity.”
Andy Day, Regional Client Services Director at Knights, added:
“It’s fantastic to welcome Rachel and Helen to our team in Oxford.
“Both bring more than 25 years’ experience in their respective fields and add further depth to the firm’s senior expertise – bolstering our already strong Corporate and Property Litigation teams.
“This is brilliant news for our clients and colleagues as we strive to deliver exceptional service and advice across all sectors.
“The appointments reflect Knights’ continued investment in senior talent and its commitment to delivering specialist advice across a broad range of business and dispute-related matters. We’re continuing our organic growth in Oxford through investing in people and, these high-quality appointments reflect Knights’ commitment to delivering specialist advice across a broad range of business and dispute-related matters.”
Knights is the largest legal and professional services business built for the UK regions. With 1,400 professionals working collaboratively nationwide, Knights provides multiple services to business clients alongside premium advisory services to private individuals.
