Four promoted to Equity Partnership at Weightmans

National law firm Weightmans has welcomed four Partners to Equity in the latest round of promotions.

The announcement follows the promotion of four Associates to Fixed Share Partnership in May.

The new Equity Partners are:

• Deborah Bannister, Birmingham, Healthcare
• Andrew Roberts, Liverpool, Commercial Litigation
• Sarah Walton, Manchester, Corporate and Commercial
• Chris Webb-Jenkins, Birmingham, Casualty

Deborah Bannister is a Partner in the firm’s Healthcare team. Joining Weightmans’ Birmingham office in 2005, Deborah became a Partner in 2009. She advises and trains organisations in respect of all aspects of healthcare law as well as governance and risk management.

Andrew Roberts joined Weightmans in 2013 and is a Partner in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team. He is also the firm’s national sector lead for Manufacturing and lead Partner for Further Education.

Sarah Walton is Head of Service Delivery for the Corporate, Commercial and Wills, Trusts & states teams, operationally managing over 60 partners and employees nationwide. Sarah is based in the firm’s Manchester office and joined Weightmans when the firm merged with Mace & Jones in 2011.

Chris Webb-Jenkins is a Partner with over 15 years’ experience acting for social care providers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Chris joined the firm in 2015 and specialises in defending claims, particularly group actions. He also advises on all aspects of social care and safeguarding, covering both adults and children.

The main role for the new Equity Partners will be business generation for their departments and wherever possible, other areas of the firm.

Weightmans’ Managing Partner John Schorah said:

“We are delighted to offer Equity to Chris, Deborah, Sarah and Andrew – all four are extremely talented lawyers who have worked hard to grow the business in their respective areas, consistently demonstrating our values of results and success for both our people and our clients.

“In the 12 months we have hired 15 new partners, promoted another four Associates to Fixed Share and now add four Partners to our Equity. We also created new career paths for our outstanding people, with 103 taking up new roles as Principal Associates or Legal Directors. We are passionate about giving staff opportunity to grow with the firm and look forward to another year of success for our people and ultimately, great results for our clients.”

Photo L-R: Deborah Bannister, Andrew Roberts, Sarah Walton and Chris Webb-Jenkins