Changes at the top at expanding law firm JMW
Fast-growing law firm JMW has announced several new changes to its management board including the appointment of a new CEO for the first time.
The board changes come as managing partner Paul Walker steps away for retirement this month having worked at at the Manchester firm for more than 33 years.
Paul joined as a commercial property solicitor, progressing to finance director in 2009 and managing partner in 2014.
He has worked alongside senior partner Joy Kingsley since 2014. With Joy’s leadership, the firm has experienced phenomenal growth with revenues surging from £10m to £66.6m over the past 12 years, head count increasing from 170 to 650 people and the opening of a London office in 2019.
The new management team will comprise Marc Yaffe, Warren Martin and Chris Sutton.
Marc Yaffe will become managing partner from 1 November 2022. Marc has been at JMW for over 10 years where, as head of commercial litigation, he grew the department from 14 to over 60 people taking turnover from £1m to £6.6m and transforming it into one of the biggest litigation teams in the North West.
His team also won Litigation team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards in 2019 and 2021.
Warren Martin will become joint senior partner, initially sharing the title with Joy Kingsley until April 2023.
Warren has been the head of real estate at JMW for the last 3 years and specialises in real estate finance. He joined the firm in April 2015 to set up the new Real Estate Finance division that now comprises of over 40 people.
Warren acts for high street banks, challenger banks, peer to peer lenders and other specialist lending institutions with existing clients including Lendinvest, United Trust Bank, and Social Money.
Current head of operations Chris Sutton will be become CEO of JMW.
Chris, a former trainee, has been at the practice over 25 years and successfully jointly led the personal injury team from 2001-2017.
Chris currently oversees the operational management of the firm and has responsibility for the growth, development and sustainability of JMW through the implementation of IT and efficiency systems, with a particular focus on client care and service delivery.
Lee Adams will continue as managing partner of the firm’s London office under the new management board.
Commenting on Paul Walker’s retirement, Joy Kingsley said: “The whole of JMW are very grateful to Paul Walker for his leadership over the last eight years as Managing Partner and for his service for over 33 years to JMW.
“I know that he will be greatly missed not only by all the Partners and staff at JMW but his long-standing property clients, many who he has worked with for many years. I know everyone at the firm would like to wish Paul all the best for a very enjoyable retirement.”
Commenting on the new management board, Joy added: “We are delighted to announce that Marc Yaffe, Warren Martin and Chris Sutton will take over the Management of JMW. They are all embedded into the culture of JMW and committed to its growth.
“I know everyone at JMW wishes them every success in their new roles. They all have the full support from the Equity Board and will continue to build on the success we have achieved at JMW already.”
