Strong growth for family team at Manchester law firm

Northern law firm Ward Hadaway has announced new appointments in its family and matrimonial team as it continues to see strong growth across the North West.

Ed Davison has joined Ward Hadaway as a paralegal alongside newly qualified solicitor Sarah Crawford who has just completed a successful two-year training contract with the firm.

This dual appointment represents a significant further step in the implementation of Ward Hadaway’s national family and matrimonial practice strategy. The 16 strong team, with solicitors based in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, has achieved growth of more than 16% in revenue across its three offices compared to the same period last year.

Sarah Crawford recently completed a structured training programme with the firm and joins as a newly qualified family law solicitor.

Before joining Ward Hadaway, Ed was a paralegal at Prince Family Law Solicitors and, more recently, Hall Brown. As well as five years working in family law, Ed trained as an accountant, bringing a new dimension to the team.

Liz Bottrill, joint head of the matrimonial team, said: “The consistent growth of our family team, both regionally and nationally, is a testament to our strategic vision and the hard work, commitment and skillset of our talented lawyers. The recruitment of Ed and Sarah is a significant milestone in our pursuit of national leadership in family law services. We are seeing increasing demand from clients across the North West and in Manchester particularly. Excellent client care and a commercial approach are key focus areas for us. Ed and Sarah will play key roles in our growth strategy.”

Ward Hadaway’s family and matrimonial teams in Leeds and Newcastle are also growing strongly, reflecting the company’s overall commitment to the delivery of high quality family law services. This coordinated growth across the North of England enhances the firm’s ability to serve clients nationally, bolstering its reputation as a leading family law specialist.

The family and matrimonial team growth in the North West reflects a wider trend across the Manchester office which also continues to expand.

Sarah added: “I’m delighted to continue my career with Ward Hadaway. During my training period, I gained a deep understanding of the diverse range of legal disciplines that the firm operates within, including family law, which is the sector I have chosen to enter. The team is hugely supportive and talented and I’m looking forward to getting involved and playing an active role in our impactful client work.”