By Gabriel Princewill-
The Law Society has appointed a former managing partner and chief executive of City firm Lewis Silkin as its new chief executive. Ian Jeffery will take over from interim CEO Gerry Walsh in September.
Jeffery (pictured)will lead the Law Society in continuing its over-aching aim of safeguarding the rule of law in British society, in all spheres where its underpinning tenets of fairness, consistency and absence of arbitrariness appear to be compromised or predisposed to danger.
His function will be aided by an estimated 100 Council members and 300 elected and appointed members who help to set the strategic direction of the Law Society. climate change resolution to support both individual solicitors and the companies or firms that they work for, to develop a climate-conscious approach to legal practice.
Mr. Jeffreys is an accomplished professional who rose through the ranks to become a partner in 1998 and managing partner of Jeffrey at the age of 37 in 2005, leading Lewis Silkin as managing partner and chief executive for 15 years before stepping down in 2019. More recently, he has been working as an independent consultant to law firms and other businesses.
He has developed extensive experience in information technology and intellectual property law and rose through the ranks quickly, becoming a partner in 1998 and managing partner at the age of 37 in 2005.
Ian has recently acted as an independent consultant, using his extensive leadership experience to advise law firms and professional services organisations.
He also acts an adviser to high potential businesses in the legal tech space and has sat on numerous boards across different industry sectors.
The Law Society is driven towards the building of strong relationships with its members, representing their views and conducting extensive research about the legal practise, and has established network partnerships with external stakeholders
The Society also has a climate change resolution to support both individual solicitors and the companies or firms that they work for, to develop a climate-conscious approach to legal practice.
Valuable Skills
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: ‘As a solicitor and law firm leader, Ian comes with valuable and highly relevant skills amassed during his time as a managing partner and chief executive at a large firm, from his specialism in intellectual property and his early experience in legal aid.
‘I am confident he will develop an ever-more sophisticated approach to meeting our members’ needs, from in-house to government, from the City to legal aid practitioners and high street solicitors. I know Ian will be instrumental in helping us to continue to realise our vision for a valued profession delivering the highest quality legal services in the public interest and advancing the rule of law.’
Jeffery said: ‘It is an exciting time to be joining the team at the Law Society. As the voice of the solicitors’ profession the organisation has a huge role to play in shaping the future of legal services, addressing immediate challenges and leading conversation around long term opportunities. I’m looking forward to working with the Law Society to champion solicitors’ interests and to support them to thrive in a rapidly changing legal environment.’