National law firm Freeths has announced an array of senior promotions across its UK offices as part of its annual promotion round.

As one of the UK’s fastest-growing law firms, the promotions include seven new partners across various multi-disciplinary areas, in recognition of their contributions in supporting the continued success of the firm and its clients.

A total of 78 employees have received promotions this year across all practice areas.

In the insolvency and restructuring team, Helen Bates has been promoted to partner, where she will continue to act for clients specialising in aspects of both corporate and personal insolvency. Lisa Wallis has also been promoted to partner within the firm’s award-winning corporate team.

The firm’s highly-regarded real estate team has promoted Michael Bray and Benjamin Jones as partners, working across various sectors for many high-profile clients nationally.

Freeths Manchester employment team has been bolstered with the promotion of Laura Tracey to partner as she leads the North West regional team on all areas of employment law with a particular focus on retail and hospitality.

Kim Jones is now partner in Freeths pensions team, bringing specialist experience in advising on scheme mergers, scheme wind-ups on a solvent and insolvent basis (including dealing with the Pension Protection Fund) and benefit design changes, including closure of schemes to future accrual.

Freeths has also promoted the highly regarded private client lawyer Louise Lewis to partner and Joint Head of Oxford Trusts, Estates and Tax.

These promotions follow 11 partner promotions in April 2022, in addition to 10 lateral partner hires so far in 2022 including Rail sector specialist Tom Johnson from Norton Rose Fulbright and funds specialist George Metcalf from Simmons and Simmons.

Karl Jansen, National Managing Partner, said: “This round of promotions comes amidst a significant period of strategic growth for the firm and is a major boost across many practice areas supporting our clients nationally.

“These senior promotions are a reflection of the diversity and calibre of talent across the business, and we are delighted to announce these very well-deserved promotions.”