Watson Burton announces 11 promotions

May 21 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

LEADING law firm Watson Burton has announced the appointment of five partners and six associates, all promotions from within its Newcastle and Leeds offices.

The newly promoted partners are Robin Adams from the corporate department; Andrew Cawkwell, corporate recovery; David Jenkins, employment; Mark Lazenby, banking and corporate; and Ed Meikle, intellectual property.

The six new associates are Julie Farrell-Knowles and Deborah Jameson, both from the property department; Jacqueline Hoyland and Zoe Thomas from employment; Tonia Simpson, a corporate lawyer; and Susan Ford of the professions and insurance group.

Rob Langley, senior partner at Watson Burton, welcomed the promotions at the law firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London.

He said: “They have each demonstrated exceptional commitment, to best serve the needs of our clients.

“Our strategy of finding, training, hiring and keeping talented people who strengthen our client-focused values is central to the continued growth and success of our firm.” Watson Burton now has 42 partners and 300 staff. It was the first North East law firm to expand into Leeds and the first to set up a permanent office in London.

In 2006 the firm won the North East Business Award for Services in recognition of its outstanding client service. It has been operating from its Newcastle base for almost 200 years.