RJW bounces back with five promotions

Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) has made up five senior associates to salaried partners following last year's count of zero.

RJW managing partner Neil Kinsella said the new partners significantly strengthen the firm's offering in a number of key areas.

"Making five senior promotions is a significant move for RJW and is testament not only to these individuals' professionalism and talents, but to the firm's success in 2007 and continued optimism for business growth in 2008," said Kinsella.

Last year no lawyers were made up to the partnership as the firm says it does not have an annual promotion round. It is instead based on merit as and when it is deemed appropriate to make up a partner.

RJW's last lot of promotions was in April 2006 when four associates were made up - one in employment and three in personal injury (PI).

This year PI has taken on the most promotions with two lawyers - John Oultram based in Manchester and Paul Jackson from Sheffield.

In London, James Bell has been promoted and will head up the clinical negligence department.

The private client, wills, trust and charities department also sees its practice grow by one with Dominik Opalinski joining the partnership.

Susan Freeburn, the only women to be promoted this year, becomes a partner in the criminal team.

The new partners:
*John Oultram. Joined in 2002. A member of Law Society's PI panel for ten years.
*Paul Jackson. Joined in 2006. A member of APIL and was one of the very earliest members of the Law Society's PI panel.
*James Bell. Joined last year and is part of the Law Society's PI and Clinical Negligence panels.
*Susan Freeburn. Trained with the firm and qualified into the criminal department in 2001.
*Dominik Opalinski. Trained with RJW qualifying in 2002.