National law firm Weightmans has tripled its fixed share member promotions since last year, while Kingsley Napley has also announced its promotions, with women now making up half of the firm’s 52 partners.
In this year’s round, Weightmans has promoted nine associates, an increase on last year’s number of three. All of the new Weightmans partners will assume their roles on 1 May 2017, with appointments being made in a host of practice areas.
Deborah Edwards, Keith Jones and Alex Marler have all been made up in insurance, while Nilesh Bathia, James Hough, Simon Turner and Hannah Walsh have been promoted in public bodies. Dewi Ap Thomas is the sole regulatory appointment, with James Knowles the only private client promotion.
Weightmans managing partner John Schorah (pictured) commented: ‘It is always a great privilege to recognise the contribution, dedication and talent of our people. Our new partners possess strong leadership skills and unwavering commitments to clients, and these promotions are very well deserved.
Kingsley Napley’s promotion number has seen less of a jump, rising from two last year to three this time around. As a result of this year’s promotions, women now make up 52% of the firm’s partnership.
Two of the new partners have been made up in the firm’s criminal litigation team, namely Rebecca Niblock and Johanna Walsh. Niblock is a specialist white collar and extradition lawyer, acting on criminal matters such as serious fraud, money laundering and corruption. Walsh, who joined Kingsley Napley from DLA Piper in 2014, is also a fraud specialist.
Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu has been promoted to partner in the firm’s real estate team. Tataru-Marinescu joined from Taylor Wessing in 2015, and has expertise in non-contentious construction work.
Kingsley Napley managing partner Linda Woolley commented: ‘Our three new partners are thoroughly deserving of their success. Each has grown in stature and experience in their roles and respective practice areas and are highly regarded by peers and the firm’s clients. Their promotions continue to strengthen the firm’s record for recognising talented women in the law.’
tom.baker@legalease.co.uk
Kingsley Napley partner promotions in full:
Brandusa Tataru-Marinescu, real estate, London
Rebecca Niblock, criminal litigation, London
Johanna Walsh, criminal litigation, London
Weightmans partner promotions in full:
Dewi Ap Thomas, regulatory, Liverpool
Nilesh Bathia, public bodies, London
Deborah Edwards, insurance, Leicester
James Hough, public bodies, Liverpool
Keith Jones, insurance, Liverpool
James Knowles, private client, Liverpool
Alex Marler, insurance, Liverpool
Simon Turner, public bodies, London
Hannah Walsh, public bodies, London
