Ward Hadaway Bolsters Manchester Presence with Strategic Hires

A rapidly expanding Northern law firm has announced strong growth of its Manchester team with the recruitment of seven new law professionals, including four partners.

The appointments add further expertise to Ward Hadaway, which has seen the headcount at its Manchester office grow by a third in the past year.

The partners each bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the firm in their respective fields. Margaret Evans is now a member of the corporate team and Nick Wells joins the commercial litigation and dispute resolution department. Grahame Love becomes a partner in the insolvency division, whilst Sarah Ellam will lead Ward Hadaway’s private residential conveyancing services.

Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office now boasts a dynamic team of approximately 70, up from just over 50 the previous year, reflecting its commitment to growth and excellence in serving its diverse client base. Additionally, the team welcomes Phil Parker, a director in the real estate litigation team, a new paralegal, Lucy Evans, who joins the corporate team and Laura Hartley-Williams, an insolvency associate.

Liz Bottrill, executive partner in Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office, said: “Our North West team has experienced remarkable growth, and these appointments are a testament to our firm’s robust strategy and vision for the future. With a growing team that combines deep regional knowledge and broad legal expertise, Ward Hadaway is well positioned to navigate the evolving legal landscape and to support the diverse needs of our clients. We’re excited about the specialist skills and fresh perspectives our new team members bring, further cementing Ward Hadaway’s position as a leading law firm in Northern England.”

Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester and employs approximately 480 people, recently announced revenue of over £45m for the 2022-2023 financial year. It marks the firm’s eighth consecutive year of growth.

Nick Wells, a new partner in the commercial litigation team, said: “I’m very pleased to join Ward Hadaway which has established a great reputation for legal services provision across the North West. The firm’s growth, particularly in Manchester, presents a unique opportunity to contribute my commercial litigation expertise in a dynamic and ambitious regional law firm. I’m also impressed with how the business prioritises a culture of employee wellbeing and trust – providing a supportive environment and investing in continuous development opportunities for everyone.”

Photo caption: L to R Grahame Love, Phil Parker, Sarah Ellam, Nick Wells, Lucy Evans and Margaret Evans