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02 June 2025
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Ward Hadaway—Birmingham office

Firm expands beyond the North with first Midlands location

Ward Hadaway has opened its fourth office in Birmingham, marking its first expansion outside the North of England. Situated in Chamberlain Square, the new office strengthens the firm’s presence in the Midlands as part of its plan to double turnover within the next decade. ‘Birmingham is a thriving legal hub, home to an active business community,’ says managing partner Steven Petrie (pictured). ‘Our research shows significant demand for a firm like ours in the West Midlands.’

The firm is actively recruiting talented professionals to build a strong regional team and provide comprehensive legal services tailored to local businesses. ‘We encourage our people to reflect the character of the regions they serve,’ says Petrie. ‘I’m really excited to watch the Birmingham office develop and become a thriving part of the Ward Hadaway family.’

With expansion plans well underway, the firm is also in talks to merge with Teesside-based The Endeavour Partnership. ‘We’re seeing a surge in demand for commercial legal services in the West Midlands,’ says Petrie. ‘Our presence here will allow us to support businesses in navigating legal challenges and seizing new opportunities.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
The legal profession’s claim to be a ‘guardian of fairness’ is under scrutiny after stark findings on gender imbalance and opaque progression. Writing in NLJ this week, Joshua Purser of No5 Barristers’ Chambers and Govindi Deerasinghe of Global 50/50 warn that leadership remains dominated by a narrow elite, with men holding 71% of top court roles
A legal challenge to police disclosure rules has failed, reinforcing a push for transparency in policing. In NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth examines a case where the Metropolitan Police required officers to declare membership of groups like the Freemasons
Bereavement leave is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Writing in NLJ this week, Robert Hargreaves of York St John University explains how the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a day-one right to leave for a wider range of losses, alongside new provisions for pregnancy loss and bereaved partners
Courts are beginning to grapple with whether AI-generated material is legally privileged—and the answers are mixed. In this week's issue of NLJ, Stacie Bourton, Tom Whittaker & Beata Kolodziej of Burges Salmon examine US rulings showing how easily privilege can be lost
New guidance seeks to bring order to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Minesh Tanna and David Bridge of Simmons & Simmons set out a framework stressing ‘transparency’, ‘explainability’ and ‘reliability’
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