Balfour-Lynn's rise heralds revamp at Peters & Peters

The appointment of Julia Balfour-Lynn as managing partner of Peters & Peters represents the first stage of a firm-wide restructuring at the business crime specialists.

Balfour-Lynn says the firm is planning a revamp of its partnership structure and significant growth in its regulatory and commercial litigation departments.

Balfour-Lynn takes over single-handedly on 1 May when fellow partner Raymond Cannon retires from the partnership and becomes a consultant in charge of developing the firm's IT strategy.

The pair have shared management duties since 1995.

"I've been doing less client work for the past few years and taking on more management responsibilities," says Balfour-Lynn.

She joined the firm as an assistant solicitor in 1986 and made a partner in 1988, practising as a litigator in business crime.

"We are a young firm which is in the process of restructuring. Most of our partners are in their thirties or early forties so we have got a long way to go and we are very confident and optimistic about our continued growth," she says.

Last year, the firm took over ownership of its five-storey building and, when asked about expansion plans, Balfour-Lynn hints at new appointments.

"Certainly taking on the whole building should be an indication of our intentions."

Also on 1 May, assistant solicitor Claire Lipworth is promoted, so the firm will still have 10 partners.