Evolving with the times

Jacksons Law Firm recently made a number of key appointments and promotions, and has undergone a significant restructure, as it embraces modern and flexible working practices.

The firm recently announced a formidable female duo was taking the reins, as it replaced the traditional managing partner role with new head of legal Erica Turner and Amie Callan in the role of head of operations.

And Erica says “the best is yet to come” as the firm undertakes an exciting brand project and demonstrates it “is not afraid to do things differently” to achieve ambitious aims.

She says: “While we are currently working on a hugely exciting brand project, the high quality of legal services, which we have provided for 150 years, remains.”

This commitment to quality saw the firm take home the law firm of the year and practice management awards at the Northern Law Awards in 2024 – titles it is keen to build upon.

The practice management award was welcome recognition of Jacksons’ promotion of non- lawyers to senior positions, a commitment reflected through partner Amie’s background in accountancy.

In addition, Beckie Talbot has advanced to the position of accounts manager with the firm, having started out as a legal cashier.

Erica says: “Jacksons has an impressive legacy, outstanding people in key positions and has enjoyed a number of recent successes.

“But, like any business in any industry, we need to move with the times in terms of the way we serve clients and look after employees.

“We are committed to retaining Jacksons’ independence and ensuring our team can provide high quality legal services in the best environment we can create, for many decades to come.”

The firm has also introduced modern working practices, such as term-time working, providing a move towards flexibility for employees rarely seen in legal services.

Erica says: “We have demonstrated there are opportunities to progress in your career at Jacksons, whether you have a legal background or not, and we will continue to offer flexible working practices to ensure we get the best people supporting us to become the greatest independent law firm in the North East.”

Recently, Philippa Walker was appointed in a term-time only associate solicitor role.

The position had a large influx of applications from males and females, showing there is increasing demand from a diverse range of people to progress their careers around other commitments – something Jacksons is keen to support.

Philippa says: “I was very surprised to find out about this rare opportunity, as it wasn’t something I’d heard of before.

“I’m a mum of two young children, and the new role is allowing me the opportunity to find the perfect balance and excel in my career while also being a parent.

“Jacksons have really embraced the idea of term-time working and are supporting me in this role.”

At the same time as providing a modern approach to work, Jacksons has cemented its commitment to independence by appointing professionals in the areas of compliance, marketing, IT and HR, bringing these services in house.

The firm’s newest recruit Dan Flounders is also set to take the firm’s corporate and commercial department to new heights, being involved in strategic decisions and seeing an opportunity at Jacksons that is better than anything else he has identified in the region.

Dan says: “If I was ever going to leave to go anywhere, it was going to be to come to Jacksons.”

This demonstrates Jacksons is determined to become the legal employer of choice across the region, attracting dynamic people who have the ambition to be more than just a number and to have autonomy in the way they operate.

This is the strength an independent firm can bring to its employees and clients alike.

Jacksons Law Firm
www.jacksons-law.com
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