Firm appoints new managing partner
London law firm Osbornes Law has appointed Jo Wescott to be its next managing partner. She becomes the first female managing partner in the firm’s 50-year history.
Having joined Osbornes in 2013 as an assistant solicitor, she was promoted to associate in 2015, then partner in 2017. In 2018, she made an appearance in the Supreme Court in Mills v Mills [2018] UKSC 38, one of the most important family law cases of the decade. In 2021, she joined the firm’s equity partnership.
Outgoing managing partner Stuart Kightley canvased the firm’s partnership for their views on his successor. He said: ‘It was unanimous. Everyone I spoke to suggested Jo. Since she joined the firm over a decade ago, she has embraced every opportunity that has come her way, showing herself to be a forward thinker, commercially astute and a strong leader. I know I am leaving the leadership of Osbornes in the best possible hands.’
Stuart steps down as managing partner after 30 years at Osbornes, having led the firm for the past six years. He remains as a partner emeritus.
Speaking of her appointment, Jo said: ‘I love Osbornes. Not only is there a real family feel, but I am proud to be in a firm that actively promotes women. We currently have 26 partners, over half of whom are female. It’s also a great place to develop your career; over 70% of our partners were promoted from within.
‘We’ve grown considerably under Stuart’s leadership, and I’m excited to build upon these amazing foundations and take the business to the next level. One of my early priorities will be embracing all that technology has to offer, driving efficiency and in doing so, demonstrating to our younger solicitors the importance of a good work-life balance.’
Paying tribute to Stuart, Jo said: ‘On behalf of everyone at the firm I want to thank Stuart. It is impossible to overstate the positive impact he had on Osbornes. He sets a very high bar and I’m lucky to have had the benefit of Stuart’s counsel as my mentor over the last year, and I will certainly be combining this wisdom with my own ideas as I continue to develop Osbornes.’
