A CONSTRUCTION lawyer has joined a Midlands law firm as a partner.

Keith Blizzard has joined Harrison Clark Rickerbys, while his colleague Maria Stevens - secretary of the West Midlands Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - has also joined the team.

Mr Blizzard brings a wealth of construction law experience including as a chartered quantity surveyor, construction manager and arbitrator.

He had also held lectures on construction law issues internationally, recently as a keynote speaker at an conference of quantity surveyors in Qatar.

He also contributed to a Government White Paper on ADR and civil justice reform as part of a small team from the

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Mr Blizzard not only decides construction disputes referred to him but he uses his experience to advise clients on a wide range of construction matters in order to avoid as well as to resolve construction related issues, some with a multi-million pound value.

Andrew James, head of construction and engineering for Harrison Clark Rickerbys, said: “I’m delighted that Keith, and his colleague Maria Stevens, have joined us – they are both well-known and highly respected within both the construction industry and their field of law.

"Keith’s approach is both practical and commercial, and his experience adds to our expertise, enhancing our multi-disciplinary team".

Mr Blizzard said: "I am delighted to be joining such a multi-talented team and both Maria and I look forward to working with our new colleagues and the wider firm to further develop the services we offer to our clients."

Harrison Clark Rickerbys has 400 staff and partners based at offices around the Midlands including in Worcester.