Leading commercial law firm Thrings has introduced a brand new role to its career structure by appointing four senior solicitors to the position of legal director as part of the firm’s annual round of promotions.
Commercial property experts Charlotte Barrett, Robert Barnes and Charles Wakefield, and family lawyer Anna Patterson, will each assume greater responsibility for developing the firm’s work in their specific practice areas, managing relationships with key clients and supervising and mentoring junior fee earners.
The legal director role – which came into effect on 1 May – enables the firm to recognise the expertise, technical excellence and reputation of its highly regarded specialists who demonstrate many or all of the attributes required for partnership, but who don’t wish to take on the more traditional aspects of the role of partner at this stage of their careers.
The appointments coincide with the promotion of commercial property specialist Steve Schofield, litigation expert Megan Silcock and corporate lawyers Simon Hore and Elaine Meyrick to the position of partner.
The promotions by Thrings – which has offices in Bristol, Bath, Swindon and London – increase the size of the Top 100 firm’s partnership to 62, and follows last month’s appointment of experienced commercial litigation specialist, Caroline Watson.
Simon Holdsworth said: “Internal progression is an essential component of the future of Thrings, and as the legal profession evolves, so the firm continues to work with its solicitors and business support services staff to help them identify and achieve their individual career ambitions.
“The appointment of our first-ever legal directors comes on the back of ongoing consultations with staff to understand their individual career aspirations. Recognising how different staff often want different things, we have taken steps to create a new role which acknowledges the solicitors’ hard work, talent and contribution, while also reminding current and future employees that there are opportunities for those who are seeking a different, non-traditional career path.
“The firm would like to congratulate all of the new partners and legal directors, as well as the six lawyers who have been appointed to the position of associate. The lawyers’ ongoing contribution to the firm cannot be understated, and by assuming more senior roles, they will ensure their teams continue to provide high quality, affordable legal advice which enables clients to achieve their strategic objectives.”
