Welcoming Leanne Franks as an Equity Partner at Chadwick Lawrence
At Chadwick Lawrence, we recognise talent from within our business, so we’re delighted to announce the promotion of Leanne Franks to equity partner.
Leanne has been an integral part of the firm for the past 11 years and, during that time, has played a key role in strengthening our corporate and commercial offering while helping to shape the direction and growth of the department.
As partner and head of our corporate and commercial team, Leanne has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, commercially focused advice to businesses across a wide range of sectors. Her client portfolio includes well-known organisations such as Huddersfield Town Football Club, Leeds Rhinos and Barnsley FC.
What makes Leanne’s journey particularly special is how far she has progressed since joining the firm. She arrived at Chadwick Lawrence with just one year of post-qualification experience and no prior background in corporate and commercial law. Through hard work, determination and a commitment to delivering the best outcomes for clients, she has developed her expertise and established herself as a trusted adviser to businesses across the region.
Three years ago, Leanne was promoted to partner and head of department, reflecting both her legal expertise and the confidence we had in her leadership abilities. Since then, she has continued to grow the team while fostering a collaborative and supportive culture, with a strong focus on mentoring junior lawyers and helping them progress in their careers.
Speaking about her promotion, Leanne said:
“Becoming an equity partner is something I’m really proud of, and on a personal level, it feels like recognition of the journey I’ve been on with the firm over the past 11 years. Starting out with no experience in corporate and commercial law, I’ve had to learn and grow at every stage, so reaching this point is incredibly rewarding.
Professionally, it reflects the trust the firm has placed in me, not just in terms of the work I do with clients, but also in leading the department. It strengthens my sense of responsibility for the team, our clients and the continued development of the firm, and I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve achieved so far.”
Our managing partner, Neil Wilson, added:
“Leanne’s contribution to the firm over the past decade has been outstanding. Her commercially minded approach coupled with a collaborative and pragmatic leadership style has seen her significantly increase our client base and develop strong talent in our team. We are proud to make her our next equity partner.”
Leanne’s promotion represents another exciting step forward for Chadwick Lawrence as we continue investing in the future of our people, our clients and the firm as a whole.
