Birketts announces five new partners

20 May 2025Appointments

Birketts, a leading UK law firm, has welcomed five new partners to strengthen its teams for future growth

In a significant move for the firm, UK Top 50 law firm, Birketts, has announced that five new Partners will be joining its Partnership in May 2025. The new appointments include Damocles Merry, Salim Somjee and Helen Garner in the Corporate Team, adding depth to an already strong area of practice. Damocles arrives from Osborne Clarke, while Salim and Helen shift from Cripps. Simon Oats will enhance the Construction Team having previously worked with Eversheds, and Phil Brown joins the Residential Development Team. This brings the total number of Partners at Birketts to 135.

Commenting on the new appointments, Jonathan Agar, Chief Executive, expressed enthusiasm about the additions, saying “We are delighted to welcome our new Partners to Birketts. I have no doubt that individually they will play a significant role in Birketts’ continuing success and growth. Collectively, their vast experience will be invaluable in enhancing our client offering.” Chris Schwer, Senior Partner, emphasised the firm's commitment to excellence, stating “These appointments demonstrate our commitment to delivering next level law. Bringing a wealth of experience, they will ensure Birketts is well positioned for future growth in 2025.”

The announcement follows a series of promotions and appointments at the firm, including five partner promotions last month and the recent addition of Patrick Wetherall as a real estate partner on 1 April. Patrick is a Band 1 leading Partner for property disputes according to both Chambers and Legal 500 and was formerly Head of Real Estate, Developer Sector, and a Board Member at Foot Anstey. These strategic moves showcase Birketts' commitment to strengthening its position in the legal industry as it looks ahead to future opportunities.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Why UK paternity leave still fails families

The UK’s paternity leave framework lags Europe, undermining families, equality and long-term economic resilience

Agent signatures fail for trust declarations

Court of Appeal rules that declarations of trust over land must be personally signed to satisfy statutory formalities

The UK anti-corruption strategy: pillar one in focus

How the UK’s latest Anti-Corruption Strategy seeks to disrupt corrupt networks, incentivise whistleblowers, and strengthen enforcement

CD&R Galaxy UK Opco Limited fined £33,438

CD&R Galaxy UK Opco Limited has agreed to a financial penalty and investigation costs following regulatory breaches identified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Using US discovery to support English litigation

How Section 1782 offers a powerful, underused route to obtain US-based evidence for foreign proceedings

FCA priorities and predictions for 2026

A forward-looking assessment of the FCA’s recent focus and what FS regulatory lawyers can expect in the year ahead

Why judge-only trials won’t fix court backlogs

Proposals to curb jury trials risk fairness, worsen delays, and ignore the real causes of Crown Court backlogs

Regulatory progress under Martyn’s Law

Ronnie Megaughin reflects on his experience as Interim Executive Director and shares the important developments made in the regulation of Martyn’s Law over the past six months

International taskforce unveils bribery indicators

The Serious Fraud Office and Five Eyes nations release guidance to identify foreign bribery indicators for businesses

Government appoints interim commissioners to EHRC

The Government has appointed Ali Harris and Professor Shazia Choudhry as interim commissioners at the EHRC while new commissioners are recruited

Joey Barton: where online speech becomes criminal

The sentencing clarifies how courts are drawing limits on free expression in the digital age

Impecuniosity, mitigation and credit hire on appeal

The High Court clarifies the limits of impecuniosity and appellate restraint in challenges to credit hire awards

Lawyer reflects on New York courts

A London lawyer shares insights from his visit to a busy New York City Criminal Court

Employers face potential legal issues

As Christmas parties approach, employers must be aware of increasing legal risks stemming from festive events

Thousands to benefit from legal support

The Deputy Prime Minister announced nearly £20 million funding aimed at improving access to legal services for vulnerable individuals

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

Justice reform risks targeting the wrong fix

As 2026 approaches, ministers eye jury trials while ignoring deeper causes of England’s criminal justice crisis