Lesley Fairclough, a partner and head of housing at Ward Hadaway, has been appointed the 200th president of The Newcastle and North of England Law Society during its bicentennial year. She is only the eighth female to hold the role and takes office following the merger of Newcastle Law Society with Carlisle and District Law Society and Tees Valley Law Society in January 2026.
The merger has created the largest regional law society in England and Wales, bringing together members from across Newcastle, Northumberland, County Durham, the Tees Valley and Cumbria. Fairclough, who trained at Ward Hadaway, will lead the organisation under the theme ‘Honouring the past, preparing for the future’.
Fairclough said: ‘It is a privilege to take on this role at such an important point in the Law Society’s history,’ adding that ‘the merger has created a stronger regional body to support and promote the legal profession’. She also noted: ‘I am particularly keen to build greater awareness… and to make sure legal professionals across all of our vast region feel part of a shared community.’
Director of operations Sanchia Coatsworth said: ‘Lesley takes on the presidency at a landmark point for us,’ adding that ‘her experience and commitment to the legal profession will be invaluable’ as the organisation strengthens connections across the expanded region.
