Law firm Bermans has expanded its property team and its healthcare sector offering with the appointment of Usha Sharma as a partner.

She has joined Bermans’ Liverpool office from Brabners’ real estate team, where she was a legal director and co-led and managed its property healthcare team across all four offices.

Usha advises clients on a range of commercial property matters, including landlords and tenants on lease negotiations, and companies and individuals on acquisitions and disposals of investment land.

She has nearly 25 years’ experience as a qualified solicitor and is recognised in the current Legal 500 for her commercial property work.

Her move to Bermans follows the arrival of corporate partner Paul Edels and senior paralegal Paul Rabbette last month. They specialise in advising clients in the healthcare sector, including dental practices, pharmacies and opticians, on a range of transactions and commercial matters.

Fergal O’Cleirigh, head of Bermans’ Liverpool office and the property and construction team, said:

“Usha is an excellent addition to our ranks, and her wealth of experience adds significantly to the existing quality and talent in our team.

“She will be working closely with Phillipa Baty, who recently rejoined us, and together they will provide the wider team with greater depth to support our commercial property clients.

“Added to this, Usha’s expertise in the healthcare sector will further strengthen our offering in this field.”

Fergal added:

“The firm remains committed to further strong growth and we anticipate more senior hires across the firm across our Liverpool and Manchester teams during 2025.”

Alongside her commercial property work, Usha is actively involved in promoting diversity in the legal profession and was recognised for her achievements as a finalist in the 2023 Northern Power Women Awards.

She is a member of Liverpool Law Society’s equality, diversity and inclusion committee and the Cheshire and Merseyside Legal Diversity Group, which helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking opportunities in the legal sector.

She spearheaded the region’s inaugural Law Programme, an initiative aimed at widening access to the legal profession, which was launched in 2023 as part of a public-private network with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Usha said:

“It’s an exciting time to join Bermans. What has struck me is how the firm manages to maintain such a strong reputation for delivering exceptional client service while also fostering a culture that supports its people.

“It’s the perfect environment in which to continue my professional development and I am looking forward to helping with the firm’s strategic ambitions and to making a positive difference to our clients.”

Bermans is part of MAPD Group, which was founded by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies in 2020 to power the growth of local law firms nationally through acquisition. The initials stand for Making a Positive Difference.

https://www.bermans.co.uk/