Five promotions at Harrison Drury

North West law firm Harrison Drury has announced five promotions, including two new partners, in recognition of their work in helping clients and contribution to the firm’s vision and values.

Solicitors Nicola Beneduce and James Robbins have been promoted to partner, with Jack Stephenson promoted to the role of senior associate.

Meanwhile, Jenna Atkinson, a solicitor in Harrison Drury’s divorce and family law team is now an associate and HR advisor, April-Jayne Barnes, has been promoted to become the firm’s HR manager.

John Chesworth, executive chairman at Harrison Drury, comments: “It is a real privilege to promote Nicola, James, Jack, Jenna and April-Jayne in recognition of their consistent contribution to the positive culture in our business. They are living, breathing examples of what makes Harrison Drury a great place to work and a great place to develop a professional career.

“I have always strongly believed that making it possible for our people to progress their careers helps to create the type of working environment where everyone will thrive. More importantly, promotion also enables us to develop our next generation of leaders.” 

A commercial property specialist, Nicola advises clients on all aspects of commercial property transactions with a focus agricultural matters as well as leisure and hospitality. She is also head of the firm’s Clitheroe office.

James joined Harrison Drury in 2011. He is dual-qualified as an insolvency practitioner and regularly acts in court on behalf of a wide range of insolvency practitioners. In 2020, he was awarded the Higher Rights of Audience qualification which allows him to represent clients in senior civil courts in England and Wales. James becomes the first partner at Harrison Drury who started out as a trainee solicitor with the firm. 

Having joined Harrison Drury as a trainee solicitor in 2014, Jack has worked his way up to play a key role in the firm’s corporate and commercial team and is involved in significant high value corporate transactions for the firm’s commercial clients. 

Jenna advises clients on divorce, matrimonial and private children’s matters. She has also taken an active role in personally supporting colleagues and business partners through her #BeALittleKinder campaign throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

After completing a degree at UCLan, April-Jayne joined Harrison Drury in 2014. Since joining, she has consistently demonstrated strong managerial skills in her role as an advisor, providing valuable support to the senior management team on all HR-related matters.