Law firm Jackson Lees Group has announced a raft of senior promotions in its 70-strong private client division.
John-Paul Dennis, who joined earlier this year as a partner and head of the wills, trust and probate team, has been appointed to the new role of divisional director.
Sarah McCarthy and Janet Jones, who head the family and residential property teams respectively, have been promoted to partner level. Chris Stone and Claire Martini have also become partners.
Jackson Lees Group is a full-service practice comprising Jackson Lees, Broudie Jackson Canter and Farrington Law. The group employs 240 people across offices in Liverpool, Wirral and Southport.
It is part of MAPD Group, which was founded by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies in 2020 to power the growth of local law firms nationally through acquisition. The initials stand for Making a Positive Difference.
Chris, a specialist in wills, trusts and probate, joined Jackson Lees as a team leader in 2017 from Morecrofts Solicitors. He was appointed as a director in 2022 and in 2024 became deputy head of his team. Chris is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Claire moved to Jackson Lees in 2024 from Wirral firm BBH Legal Services. She joined as a team leader and became deputy head of the Court of Protection department in 2024. She has now been made head of the department.
She looks after the finances of clients who have lost mental capacity after sustaining serious injury. This often includes managing millions of pounds in settlement, overseeing modifications to their home, purchasing specially-adapted vehicles, and other activities that make their lives more comfortable.
Sarah, a highly-experienced family solicitor with more than 20 years in the field, joined Jackson Lees last year from Hill Dickinson. She advises clients on a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, private children arrangements and special guardianship orders.
Janet, who joined Jackson Lees in 2022, has worked in conveyancing since 1987. She specialises in a wide range of residential transactions, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, share ownership, new builds, re-mortgages and transfers of equity. She is working towards becoming a licensed conveyancer. She also handles probate sales and transactions involving deputyships with the Court of Protection.
The promotions at Jackson Lees follow the launch of the firm’s Legal Career Pathway earlier this year. The initiative has been introduced to recognise the achievements of team members by providing a clear route for progression.
Esther Leach, managing director of Jackson Lees Group, said:
“For me, private client is the area where we are really driving growth at Jackson Lees Group.
“We now see private client as a unified division within the business, and appointing John-Paul as our divisional director marks an exciting new chapter for us.
“Alongside this, we are committed to building from within – our career pathway is designed to develop our own people, provide clear routes for progression, and retain the talent we have invested in.
“These latest promotions are a testament to that approach – we are nurturing future leaders, strengthening our team and benefiting from the dedication and ambition of our colleagues.
“I am delighted to see Chris, Claire, Janet, John-Paul and Sarah take up the reins of leadership. It’s a significant milestone and recognition that they totally deserve. This is all part of our wider strategy to deliver outstanding service, grow our reputation and build lasting relationships with our clients, the communities we serve and other professionals.”
In addition to private client matters, Jackson Lees advises on a diverse range of specialisms including medical negligence, commercial, litigation and personal injury.
Broudie Jackson Canter specialises in civil liberties and social welfare, with teams working on actions against the police, inquests and inquiries, immigration, criminal matters, prison law and family and children law. It is representing around 1,500 clients at the Covid Inquiry and has been instrumental in shaping the Hillsborough Law.
Farrington Law specialises in private client services and commercial property.
