Formidable female managers take up new roles at Jacksons Law Firm
Ambitious growth plans have led to two new top roles being created at award-winning Jacksons Law Firm, as it approaches its 150th year in business.
Erica Turner, partner and head of commercial property, is to take up the role of head of legal at the firm, while Amie Callan becomes head of operations.
The strategic roles have been created as Tony Wentworth steps down from his role as managing partner.
Both Erica and Amie are looking forward to taking Jacksons, which was named Law Firm of the Year at the recent Northern Law Awards, even further forward, as a formidable female management duo.
Erica explained the firm’s succession plan has been in the making for the past year, to ensure the firm has the personnel, management and client base to remain relevant for the next 150 years.
The changes also demonstrate Jacksons’ commitment to recognising and rewarding talent within its team.
“It is a privilege to be at the helm of Jacksons as it approaches its 150th year,” Erica said.
“I joined the firm in 2004, working alongside studying at university, and did not ever anticipate that 20 years on, this would be what the future held.
“This is testament to the mentoring, development and career opportunities that the firm provides – and which I am committed to delivering and developing moving forward.”
She added all successful businesses have to remain dynamic to succeed – and Jacksons is no exception.
“We’ve proven that, notwithstanding the firm’s heritage, the firm remains relevant, ambitious and successful as the firm’s recent Law firm of the Year and Practice Management Award wins demonstrate,” she said.
“Within our strategic planning, we are constantly looking at how we can do things differently and better.
“This has led to us replacing the traditional managing partner role with two new roles – head of operations and head of legal – which align with Amie’s accountancy and innovative skills and my legal and strategic skills respectively.
“I am thrilled to be embarking on the next step in my career and indeed the next step in the evolution of Jacksons with Amie.”
Further strategic developments are also in the pipeline, including the growth of Jacksons’ Newcastle office, further development of the firm’s specialisms and building on existing employee engagement programmes.
“It is therefore clear that, notwithstanding all that the firm has achieved to date, the best days for Jacksons are ahead of us,” Erica said.
Amie Callan said that since she joined the firm in 2018, it was clear to her that employees are at the heart of Jacksons and that the firm prides itself on putting its people first, “without whom, we wouldn’t be where we are today”.
“I am proud to be part of such a great team,” she said.
“We have a dynamic and fast-paced partnership with a results-driven approach that drives change and improvements in all areas, from client experience through to employee culture.
“A source of great personal pride was the recent Law Firm of the Year (6+ Partners), and Law Practice Management Awards, which highlights the change we are currently going through in Jacksons.”
Addressing the fact it is unusual for a non-lawyer such as herself to be at the helm of a law firm, Amie added: “As a qualified chartered accountant with Industrial experience, Jacksons provided me with a great opportunity to diversify my career not only into a new sector, but also into a wider operations role.
“This would not have been possible without the support and mentoring of others such as Tony, Jane Armitage and Erica, showing the great stewardship of the company but also the role the culture plays in succession and ensuring people have the skills to succeed.”
She added that as a non-legal practicing partner, being given the opportunity to bring 20 years of business experience to such a passionate team had been “greatly rewarding” as well as allowing the firm to develop strategy across short, medium and long-term objectives.
She said: “Culture forms part of all decisions we make as a firm, with the intention of incorporating a high-performance team culture, including team members who are engaged in decisions that will impact them and the clients they represent.”
Amie also echoed Erica’s sentiment that the best for Jacksons is yet to come.
Looking ahead, there will also be a change in equity partnership at Jacksons from April 1st 2025.
Amie said: “This change in management structure is just the first step for Jacksons, as we move forward as an organisation which puts people – both employees and clients – at the heart of everything we do.
“I am very excited about the future direction and growth of the business.”
Tony Wentworth, the outgoing managing partner at the firm, said: “The appointment of Erica and Amie to these two new roles is well-deserved recognition for their hard work, dedication and talent.
“The firm couldn’t be in better hands and I wish them the very best of luck in their new roles and look forward to working alongside them as they write the next chapter in Jacksons’ illustrious history.”