Extensive promotion round at Ward Hadaway

A North East law firm has made a series of promotions as it looks to expand opportunities for career development.

Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, has introduced two new roles within its legal teams and made a much larger number of promotions than normal.

Anna Brown, head of people at the UK Top 100 firm, explains: “This year we have introduced managing associate and director roles into our legal structure.

“This provides a more flexible career trajectory and wider opportunity for development suited to individual goals and aspirations.”

Ten legal professionals have been promoted to managing associate, thirteen to director, and a further two to associate level.

Ward Hadaway also has two new partners, both of which started their legal careers at the firm nine years ago.

Nick Gholkar is a property lawyer working in the built environment sector. Nick leads on a significant number of complex transactions for key clients of the firm and has a particular specialism in development projects in both the public and private sector.

Flora Mewies is an employment lawyer in Leeds. As well as having established herself as a ‘go-to’ employment lawyer in her own right, she has built from almost a standing start a successful immigration practice at the firm which now consists of a team of four highly regarded specialists.

Martin Hulls, managing partner at the Ward Hadaway, said; “I am delighted to be able to announce this range of promotions at the firm.  Well done to all those involved.

“It is particularly rewarding to see talent that we nurtured so recently as trainees working their way to join the partnership.

“Both Flora and Nick have demonstrated that hard work, a positive approach, and innovation bears fruit.

“In this year’s exceptional circumstances, it would be easy to simply batten down the hatches. However, we are determined to keep doing the things we believe in to help develop our people and our firm, and in so doing retaining and attracting the best talent.

“Our people focus and commitment to look after our clients throughout these extreme and unusual times has been fantastic, and I thank all of them for their dedication and hard work.”