Machins Announce Partner, Senior Associate and Associate Promotions

Holly Baker is a highly respected member of our Dispute Resolution team, with expertise in property and commercial litigation. She is known for her pragmatism, attention to detail, and commitment to client care. Holly regularly advises on complex disputes including commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters, disputes over property rights, co-ownership disputes and contractual disputes. Holly has been consistently recognised in the Legal 500 for her strategic thinking and professionalism – as a ‘Rising Star’ in 2024 and as a ‘Leading Associate’ in 2025 and 2026. Her promotion to Partner reflects her leadership and continued excellence in delivering results for clients.

Joe Colley trained with Machins and rejoined in 2022 after gaining experience with a leading London family law firm. Having spent the majority of his training in the Family Law team, Joe has over eight years’ experience advising on high-net-worth financial matters, children cases, and same-sex family matters. He is a confident advocate in the court room and has successfully challenged appeal applications. Joe’s empathetic and strategic approach has earned him a reputation as a stand-out associate named in the Legal 500 as a Key Lawyer, and his promotion to Senior Associate reflects his continued excellence and leadership within the team.

Jennifer Browne is a key member of our Public Family Law team in Luton. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as a Duty Solicitor, presenter for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and independent legal advisor for the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Jennifer is known for her empathetic yet professional and pragmatic approach, representing children especially teenagers, guardians, and families in complex care proceedings, including cases involving non-accidental injuries. Her passion for culturally sensitive legal practice and her commitment to client advocacy have earned her high praise from both clients and colleagues.

Philip Bain is a valued member of our Employment Law team, known for his approachable and compassionate style. He advises individuals and businesses on a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination, redundancy, and settlement agreements. Clients consistently commend Philip for his clarity, professionalism, and ability to simplify complex legal issues. His recent work includes leading webinars on managing senior employees and contributing to key employment law updates.

Dan Bradley joined Machins in 2019 and qualified as a solicitor in July 2023 after completing his training contract with us. Now part of the Company Commercial team in Luton, Dan advises on mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial property matters. His pragmatic and client-focused approach has made him a trusted advisor to businesses navigating complex transactions. Dan’s diligence and professionalism have been recognised in the Legal 500, where he was praised for his confidence and competence beyond his years.