Public sector law firm opens first northern office in Leeds
Public sector law firm Bevan Brittan has launched its Leeds office with the recruitment of two senior solicitors from DWF.
Bevan Brittan is recruiting seven partners for its Toronto Square office, which becomes its fourth location – and first in the North – to add to its London, Birmingham and Bristol sites.
DWF’s former head of healthcare Michael Boyd, who also spent 11 years at Walker Morris before rising to partner during his 15 years at Pinsent Masons, said joining “a new office where healthcare is a key area for growth is a very exciting opportunity”.
Julie Cowan-Clark, who has more than 15 years’ property experience with Schofield Sweeney, Cobbetts and DWF, is the second named partner to join the firm. Details of the other five partners are not yet being released.
Beth Evans, senior partner at Bevan Brittan, will be based in Leeds to support the office’s opening.
Managing partner Duncan Weir described the Leeds office launch as “a new chapter in the development of Bevan Brittan”. The firm currently employs about 200 lawyers across the country, with a further 70 support staff, and turns over £33m.
He said: “Our move is in response to client demand and cements our status as a growing firm delivering national public, private and third sector work.
“We are an ambitious firm with aspirations for sustainable growth, which is why we are making a significant investment and bringing in some of the very best talent in the UK, across both public sector and private specialisms.
“Leeds is a major commercial centre in its own right and also a key centre for the public sector, taking a lead role in the Core Cities programme and housing NHS England’s national HQ. As such, it makes strong strategic sense for us to have a base in Leeds.”
