Weightmans has announced some major new hires at its Birmingham office, strengthening its Midlands position.
Abdul Zaheed returns to the firm, to take up a new role as a partner in the real estate department. Previously a principal associate at the firm, Abdul has over 20 years of real estate experience, advising a wide range of clients from individuals to large corporates, developers, landowners, public/private bodies and educational institutions. At Weightmans, Abdul is tasked with growing the real estate team within the office, with interviews already in progress.
Joining Abdul is a new consultant in the commercial dispute resolution team, Sarah Perry, a highly experienced commercial disputes lawyer with a broad range of experience in complex high-profile commercial disputes and acting for individuals. Formerly managing partner at Wright Hassall LLP, and the current chair of the advisory board for the Centre for the New Midlands, Sarah’s objective is to raise the profile of Weightmans across the Midlands region.
Based in the city since 1996, the Birmingham team relocated to brand new offices in 2023 at 103 Colmore Row, in the commercial district. Employing 165 people, the Birmingham team operates across the UK and internationally and offers a complete range of legal services to businesses and individuals. In a strategic move to bolster the workforce and drive innovation, the recent hires signal the start of a further recruitment drive for the office in 2024, which is actively seeking partners in its corporate, commercial, real estate and family segments.
Abdul Zaheed, partner, said:
“I am delighted to be back at Weightmans. It’s always been a company that sits proudly on my CV, so it’s great to return. From the culture and the way it treats its employees, to the expertise on display and a client-first approach, it is a fantastic firm to be part of, with real ambitions for future growth, both regionally and nationally. I’m looking forward to playing my role in making this happen.”
Sarah Perry, consultant, said:
“In 2023 Weightmans demonstrated its commitment to the Midlands region with the significant investment it made in the new Birmingham office. It is my mission to capitalise on this and consolidate our regional standing. I want us to be the law firm of choice, both from a client and employee perspective. We care about the Midlands and its people and want to contribute and be part of its future success.”
Jawaid Rehman, partner and regional head of the Birmingham office, said:
“I’d like to welcome both Abdul and Sarah to the Birmingham team – both will be instrumental in our ambitions to grow the firm this year in terms of size and revenue, but also to be a key employer in the region, supporting our community and flying the flag for Birmingham and the wider Midlands.”
Karl Jackson, partner and built environment lead, said:
“Abdul is a fantastic asset to our built environment team, and his experience spans the sector, from acquisitions and disposals of commercial property to asset management, commercial lease and general landlord and tenant work. There really isn’t an area where Abdul isn’t experienced in. He is also well connected in the Midlands’ real estate circles, with a great understanding of the region’s property market.”
The news comes as Weightmans is recognised as a Top Employer in the UK for the 17th year in a row – ranked in the top 10 for its outstanding people-centric policies and practices that have created a positive workplace environment.
In 2023, Weightmans signed a ten-year lease on the 9th floor (12,132 sq ft) of the 26-storey Colmore Row building - Birmingham’s tallest office tower. Officially opened by The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the deal saw the firm’s regionally based staff move from St Philips Point, on Temple Row, where it had been based since 2006.
Jawaid Rehman joined Weightmans in 2007 and is the head of our HR Rely product and a partner in the employment, pensions and immigration team.
