Formidable female management duo ready to help historic law firm flourish for years to come.

An award-winning law firm which serves the whole North East region is looking ahead to the next 150 years with optimism, as a formidable female management duo takes the reigns.

Ambitious growth plans have led Jacksons Law Firm to appoint Erica Turner, partner and head of commercial property, to the role of head of legal at the firm, while partner and chartered accountant Amie Callan becomes head of operations.

The two roles replace the traditional managing partner, previously held by Tony Wentworth, who has stepped down and will remain with the firm, heading up the corporate commercial team.

Jacksons, which was named Law Firm of the Year at the Northern Law Awards last year, has always been known for breaking the mould – and as the firm starts the next chapter in its story, Erica and Amie reflected on its rich history.

“Our roots are on Teesside, but we’re now covering the whole of the North East”, said Erica, who points out that the firm now also has a large office in the centre of Newcastle and a presence in Sunderland.

“We are not your traditional law firm- we are thinking and behaving differently, as demonstrated by the fact we have moved away from having a managing partner role.

“The firm was started by a man who, like us, saw potential and opportunity in the region.

“Gilbert Jackson and his son came up from London because of the potential of what was then known as the port of Darlington- and the firm was engaged to deal with the legal processes around the new port.”

It is quite fitting that, at a time when the Port of Middlesbrough is undergoing a significant period of investment, Jacksons, whose origins are in the port, is also writing the next chapter in its history.

While the firm has always excelled at recognising commercial potential and business opportunities, it is also a placer where talent is nurtured.

Jacksons has also proven it is forward thinking when it comes to women in senior leadership positions- something Erica has witnessed in her two decades with the firm.

“When I joined in 2004, the equity partnership was completely male, but as it stands now it’s 50/50,” she says.

“We are keen to continue to support and promote progression based on merit, and we have upskilled a wide range of people to extend the pool.”

Continuing to offer flexible working with things like term-time contract , which benefits a wide range of diverse staff members, is something both Erica and Amie are also keen to continue.

Employee engagement will also continue to be key to the firm’s future success.
Amie, who won ‘Law Practice Management Award’ at last year’s Northern law Awards, is rightly proud of her genuine care demonstrated by the firm when it comes to looking after its team- and also, looking after the region, with support for local charities like bot Mind charities in Teesside and Newcastle and Northumberland.

They are the firm’s current charities of the year, as voted for by colleagues.

“We are ambitious and forward-thinking and we want to be strategic, innovative and diverse- but it’s not just about increasing revenue, although that is , of course, a key part of our strategy,” Amie says.

“I think it is important going forward that, while we have ambitions to grow, we want to bring everyone with us.

“It’s not selfish ambition, it’s am ambition to bring everyone in the region up with us and as the firm grows in revenue and profit, we will be able to support more local organisations.”

As to what growth might look like, the firm is looking to develop and grow its Newcastle office, offering more specialisms from there.

Speaking of her own successive promotions, Amie acknowledges that having accountant at the top of the tree is also something that is quite ground-breaking for a law firm.

“It’s a privilege to be involved and to be able to make positive changes and continuously improve,” she says.

Erica points out Amie brings with her a different skillset that the firm wouldn’t ordinarily benefit from, had it taken a more traditional approach.

“She brings strategies, innovations and plans from previous manufacturing experience to the firm, so I think Jacksons is lucky to have her as much as she feels privileged to be working in a management role at Jacksons,” Erica says.

Tony Wentworth, the outgoing managing partner at the firm, said: “The appointment of Erica and Amie is well-deserved recognition for their hard work, dedication and talent.

“The firm couldn’t be in better hands, and I wish them the very best of luck in their new roles and look forward to working alongside them as they write the next chapter in Jacksons’ illustrious history.”