Sydney Mitchell announces string of senior promotions
Midlands law firm Sydney Mitchell has announced a string of senior promotions, including new partners for its Private Client and Family teams.
The 260-year old firm, which has offices in Birmingham, Solihull and Sheldon, has promoted Private Client specialist Lorna Payne and Family Law expert Gemma Whitchurch to salaried partner, taking Sydney Mitchell’s partnership to 16.
Recognised as playing a pivotal role by the Legal 500 2024/25 professional guide, Gemma Whitchurch has practised exclusively in family law since qualifying in 2008 specialising in financial remedy advising clients in high net-worth matters alongside trickier low-level asset positions. She is also highly experienced in issues arising in child arrangements, relocation cases and domestic abuse.
A specialist in trust law, tax and estate planning, Lorna joined Sydney Mitchell as an associate in the Private Client department in 2021, being promoted to senior associate less than two years later in May 2023. Lorna advises on a variety of matters including trust advice and inheritance tax and succession planning involving high net-worth estates. Lorna is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and of the STEP Birmingham Committee.
Homegrown talent Charlotte Jones is promoted to senior associate in the Private Client team. A qualified Trust & Estates Practitioner, she first joined Sydney Mitchell in 2018 as a Wills assistant and administrator, and today advises on a wide variety of private client issues including probate, estate administration, and Court of Protection matters.
Kiran Athwal, who was appointed head of Sydney Mitchell’s growing Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence practice in October last year, is also promoted to senior associate. Well known nationally for successfully handling very complex, heavyweight cases, including high value settlements for claimants, Kiran advises on all areas of personal injury law including advising clients in matters surrounding chronic pain, complex brain injuries and life-changing injuries.
Commenting on the promotions, Sydney Mitchell’s senior partner Karen Moores, says: “Lorna, Gemma, Charlotte and Kiran have each made significant contributions to the firm’s sustained growth in recent years, and their promotions are in recognition of this and also their important role in maintaining the firm’s high level of client service and its culture of inclusivity, support, opportunity, and ‘can do’ attitude.”
All promotions are effective from 1 April 2025.
