Manchester lawyer elected to Law Society’s ruling council

One of the founders of a Manchester law firm has secured election to the Law Society’s decision-making body.

After a three-week vote of society members, Karen Bexley, chief executive at Bexley Beaumont, has been chosen to take up a seat on its ruling council.

She had been one of 27 candidates vying for five seats representing women lawyers on the council, described as the “collective voice” of the legal profession in England and Wales.

Ms Bexley expressed her “immense pride” at being elected and said she would use her new position to play a part in the continued evolution of the industry.

She said: “I fully intend to do what I can to help ensure that others have the best possible opportunity to fully realise the potential of their own careers.

“This year marks the centenary of the first women qualifying as solicitors. Yet even in the relatively short space of time that I have been a solicitor, the legal profession has seen incredible change.

“Part of that is due to the impact achieved by Alternative Business Structures (ABSs) like Bexley Beaumont.”

Ms Bexley and the others who were elected through the ballot will serve an initial four years on the council but are also entitled to seek a further two terms.

All the successful candidates are due to take up their positions at the end of the society’s annual general meeting next month.

Along with co-founder Anna Beaumont, Ms Bexley was one of only two lawyers with Bexley Beaumont when it opened its doors in January 2020.

The firm now boasts 34 lawyers and, in addition to its offices in the City of London, maintains premises in the heart of Manchester’s business district.

As well as working for clients in a variety of sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, logistics, real estate and the public sector, the firm has won a string of prestigious awards.

In March, Bexley Beaumont was chosen ahead of larger and longer-established national rivals in the Business Growth category of the Modern Law Awards, set up to highlight “the successful, dynamic entrepreneurs within our industry”.

It was also shortlisted for Boutique Law Firm of the Year at last year’s British Legal Awards.