Raft of promotions announced at leading Manchester law firm

New Equity Partners at JMW

Leading Manchester law firm JMW Solicitors LLP has made a raft of promotions across its business.

The firm made 34 promotions across all levels and departments, including six at equity partner level.

Ian Lewis and Mike Rainford from business crime and regulation, Warren Martin from real estate finance, Michael Purvis from real estate residential and Graham Small from commercial litigation have all been made full equity partners.

David Pickering of DWF will also become an equity partner.

Ian Lewis and Graham Small both joined JMW in September 2016 and were previously founding partners of Lewis Hymanson Small.

Ian specialises in professional regulatory defence in all areas of fitness to practice and professional discipline.

He has a leading reputation for representing the most senior police officers in the UK in misconduct hearings, inquests and inquiries.

He has recently been appointed as national solicitor to CPOSA, the Police Superintendents Association (PSAEW) and Greater Manchester Police Federation.

Ian currently represents Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, the retired match commander at the Hillsborough disaster.

Graham Small is a partner in commercial litigation and handles complex and high value disputes.

He is presently acting for an international businessman in respect of a dispute with a value of $181m, which is spread over a number of jurisdictions including the UK, BVI, Qatar and the Isle of Man.

Due to his deep and lengthy legal and business experience, he acts as “trusted adviser” to a number of regional entrepreneurs and businesses.

Mike Rainford joined JMW as a Partner in 2015 from Burton Copeland where he was head of their business crime, fraud and regulatory team for over eight years.

He specialises in fraud and regulatory issues and has extensive experience in commercial fraud, VAT and tax fraud, money laundering, trading standards and prosecutions brought by regulatory bodies such as the FCA.

In the real estate finance team Warren Martin, who joined as a partner three years ago acts for banks and other lending institutions and his property finance clients include Lowry Capital and Aldermore Bank.

Meanwhile Michael Purvis joined JMW’s real estate residential team as an associate in 2012 and has relationships with lenders, developers, agents and financial intermediaries.

He has forged relationships across these sectors and is involved in some of the current iconic residential development schemes in Manchester.

Staff numbers have increased at JMW from 360 to 440 in the last 12 month and in the past five years staff numbers have increased by 84%.

Senior partner Joy Kingsley said: “All these promotions are extremely well deserved and we were delighted to offer Equity to Ian Lewis, Graham Small, Mike Rainford, Michael Purvis, Warren Martin and David Pickering at JMW.
“All apart from Warren and Michael have been equity partners at other Manchester firms.

“Michael’s rise at 38 years of age from associate to equity partner in six years is unprecedented and reflects the massive contribution he has made to the development of our property business.

“For our continued growth it is very important we retain our talented people by rewarding them for their considerable contributions and this is shown in the 34 promotions this year which represents 14% of eligible employees.”

Paul Walker, managing partner at JMW said: “In the last year we have increased the numbers of employees at from 380 to 440, taken 14,000 sq. ft. of further accommodation at 3 Hardman Street and expect to be reporting substantial increases in income and profit in May.”

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