People: Partner promotion at Yorkshire law firm; Director appointed at planning consultancy; Shareholders announced at law firm; and more

Law firm Weightmans has bolstered its partner numbers in Yorkshire by promoting Louise Walker to partner.

Walker is one of four partners across the firm promoted from 1 May 2019 and are based across three Weightmans offices across the UK. She heads up the firm’s Leeds Family Law departmen and  has over 25 years’ experience in all areas of family law, specialising in financial disputes and arrangements following the breakdown of a relationship.

The promotions come following a year of advancement in Weightmans’ approach to technology and innovation – announcing an AI partnership with Kira Systems and the University of Liverpool, securing government funding for further exploratory work and creating a dedicated innovation hub and adding new skills to an evolving workforce, including a Legal Engineer – an entirely new role for the firm – and two data scientists.

Weightmans’ Managing Partner John Schorah said: “I would like to congratulate our four new Partners for their achievement – their focus on the client and quality service are integral to our success, and I know that they will continue to work hard to deliver new and exciting customer solutions. Weightmans’ enterprise and teamwork is something I am incredibly proud of – and this is something that will ultimately set the firm apart from its competitors.”

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Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has promoted a lead member of its Yorkshire team to Senior Director.

Chris Darley joined Lichfields in 2011 helping company chairman Justin Gartland establish its Yorkshire base.

He has since played a key role in the growth of the office, which is based in Leeds city centre, and now has a staff of 14.

Lichfields Chief Executive James Fennell said: “This promotion for Chris is a well-deserved recognition of his skills and abilities in delivering for our clients in the region.

“He has amply demonstrated his capabilities as a director and we look forward to supporting the further development of his career with Lichfields.”

Darley is currently acting for CEG in the development of 500 homes, and a new a school, in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

He is also advising on developments comprising over 1,000 new homes in Leeds City Centre and the Hudson Quarter development in York for Palace Capital.

Darley said: “Lichfields continues to grow, both in the region and nationwide. I am delighted to become a Senior Director of such a dynamic and forward-thinking consultancy.”

He has been joined as a Senior Director by his colleague Caroline Musker, who is based in Lichfields’ Manchester office.

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Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors has appointed two new shareholders to its senior team.

Commercial Property director Paul Gibbon and Private Client director Suzanne Porter join the existing seven-strong team of shareholder directors at the established law firm.

The move, with effect from May 1, reinforces the strength of the firm’s management with a firm eye on succession planning and stability for the future.

Gibbon joined the firm in 2015 as a director and has more than 18 years’ experience in Commercial Property, particularly occupier led transactions, investment deals, leases, property development and portfolio management. Paul also heads up the firm’s risk and compliance.

Porter is a specialist in Private Client law and joined the firm as a director in 2017, taking over as head of department later that year. She has extensive experience in all areas of Private Client work including wills, probate applications and estate administration, inheritance tax planning, elderly client issues, powers of attorney and trusts.

Nick Lambert, chairman of Wake Smith, said: “I am delighted that Suzanne and Paul have become shareholder directors of Wake Smith Solicitors.

“Their appointment will bring added strength, stability and depth to the management of the company, and to the vitality and profitability of the Wake Smith brand over the forthcoming years, as well as adding a much needed younger profile to the ownership structure and legacy of the business. Their introduction is a key element of the firm’s strategy in addressing long term succession planning.”

“I wish both of them all the best in their new role.”

Paul Gibbon said: “I’m extremely proud to become part of the senior team at such a well-regarded Sheffield law firm as we look to expand and develop our highly rated legal services.”

Suzanne Porter added: “I am looking forward to the challenges that this new role brings and know that I will take on board many valuable lessons and skills from my fellow shareholders.”

The firm now has approximately 100 staff, including 48 fee earners and provides legal services for businesses and individuals. It holds legal quality mark Lexcel, plus the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation and boasts 21 years of maintaining the Investors in People accreditation, which sets the standard for people management.

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