Schofield Sweeney announces seven new promotions across the firm

The Yorkshire-based law firm has started 2023 celebrating the promotions of seven individuals for their outstanding contributions.

Annie Gray, has been promoted to partner in the employment team. Annie has extensive experience advising schools and employers of all sizes, offering solutions to complex HR and employment law issues.

“I am delighted to announce Annie’s promotion to Partner. It is very much deserved given Annie’s hard work and dedication but, most importantly, for always providing a first class service to all of our clients.” Simon Shepherd, Partner

Pardeep Khela, has been promoted to Director in the commercial property team. His area of expertise includes high value landlord and tenant matters, real estate finance, investor purchases and corporate support.

“Pardeep’s promotion is very well deserved and I am delighted to have supported his progress. Pardeep has built himself a reputation as a strong commercial property solicitor and has a great future ahead of him.” Darren Birkinshaw, Partner.

Lucy Holroyd, has been promoted to Director in the corporate team. Her specialisms include acquisitions and disposals, mergers, joint ventures, reorganisations, restructurings and management buyouts.

Annie Hui-Gillen, has been promoted to Director in the litigation team. She specialises in commercial dispute resolution, with particular expertise in commercial contract disputes (termination rights, performance and payment issues), as well as professional negligence and intellectual property.

“Annie has been a key member of our team and her promotion is richly deserved. She has recently been shortlisted for “Dispute Resolution Rising Star of the Year” at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2023. We look forward to continuing to support her as she reinforces her already excellent reputation in the market.” Leo Jones-Rowe, Partner.

Neil Towse, HR Director is the firm’s first non-lawyer to be promoted to Director. Having already delivered several major projects to the firm in relation to hybrid working, lawyer reviews and career progression, he will now be focusing on the recruitment of future lawyers whilst continuing to ensure the firm’s culture and values remain at the forefront of everything they do.

Tasneem Patel, has been promoted to Associate in the commercial property team. Tasneem acts for high-net-worth individuals, corporations and SMEs and advises on acquisitions and disposals, real estate finance (including Islamic finance) and commercial landlord and tenant matters. She also provides specialist property support on education land transactions for schools and academies and corporate transactions.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Tasneem over the last five years and see her develop into a great commercial property solicitor and a highly valued colleague in the team. Tasneem’s hard work and ‘can do’ attitude has been rewarded with well-deserved recognition and promotion to Associate . I fully expect her to continue to progress within the team and the firm generally over the coming years.” Basharat Ali, Partner.

Seema Gabbi, has been promoted to Associate in the residential property team, offering expertise and guidance throughout the house buying and selling processes.

“These seven promotions demonstrate the outstanding achievements of those individuals to client service, development of their practise areas and growth of the firm and its people. They reflect our commitment to growing team members and encouraging career progression. Well done to all!” Graham Sweeney, Managing partner.

Since the new promotion framework was introduced in the summer of 2020, 11 employees have been promoted through the scheme.

This reflects the value the firm places on developing colleagues and in particular, its commitment to providing opportunity for everyone to achieve a rewarding career.