Rising high with leading law firm
THREE partners are among 19 promotions announced by law firm Hugh James. Members of staff have been advanced at associate, senior associate and partner level within the firm, which has offices in Cardiff and London.
Elin Davies, 35, has been promoted to partner following nine years’ experience in dealing with a range of medical negligence cases, including pursuing successful claims relating to ophthalmic treatment and stroke misdiagnosis. Ms Davies joined Hugh James as a trainee in 2007 and qualified in 2009 into the firm’s clinical negligence department.
Bethan Gladwyn, 38, has been promoted to partner in the housing management team. Ms Gladwyn started her career with Hugh James in 2001 as a trainee solicitor and now heads up the firm’s specialist housing management and antisocial behaviour team, which she helped to establish. It is the only one of its kind in Wales.
Rowena Downie, 34, has been promoted to partner in the firm’s banking and finance team. She joined Hugh James in 2011 after training and working in London. Her main clients are commercial lenders including Metro Bank, Hodge Bank, HSBC, Santander, RBS and NatWest. Ms Downie also frequently advises Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales on debt investments.
Alongside the partner promotions, Nikolai Llewellyn, Carlos Land, Mark Lane, Sophie Jones, Rhodri Thomas, Lowri Walters and Sarah James have been advanced to senior associate level.
Catherine Harris, Charlotte Fletcher, Hayley Hawkins, Paul Spiteri, James Hastings, Elinor Jones, Alisa Smith, Vlad McDonald-Munteanu and Lianne Jones have been promoted to associate level at the firm.
Hugh James has worked with a variety of organisations from the public and private sectors since 1960 and recently scooped The Legal 500 Law Firm of the Year for Wales title for the second time in three years.
The firm has also strengthened its London presence by opening a new and expanded office on Gresham Street in the City in February of this year.
Alun Jones, managing partner of Hugh James, said: “We continue to invest in our staff by recognising and developing talent and we are very pleased to be reward these 19 talented legal experts through career advancements.
“We seek to identify, train and retain talent so our lawyers become experts in their specialist fields to the ultimate benefit of our clients.
“Our investment in staff as we move to Two Central Square later this year supports our ambitious growth plans, which can only be achieved with the right team in place.
“Our staff are our greatest asset and add significant strength to our offering and culture.”