Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway has promoted 11 team members in its North East office as it continues to push ahead with national growth plans.

The promotions form part of a wider firmwide round, with 22 people progressing across the business, including two new partners.

The North East promotions include one new partner – James Donnelly in the Health and Care Advisory team – six managing associates, three associates and two directors.

They span a range of practice areas including Public Sector, Construction, Employment, Company Commercial, Social Housing, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency and Real Estate.

Nick Gholkar, Executive Partner in the Newcastle office at Ward Hadaway, said: “These promotions reflect the hard work, dedication and talent of our people.

“We’re incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built where talented lawyers can thrive and progress their careers.

“We’re focused on ensuring that Ward Hadaway remains the place to grow and we’re excited to see what this group will achieve in their new roles.”

The promotions come as Ward Hadaway pushes ahead with its national expansion strategy, including the opening of a new office in Birmingham this month and its recently announced merger plans with Teesside firm The Endeavour Partnership.

Both moves mark significant steps in strengthening the firm’s footprint across the UK and creating fresh opportunities for its teams and clients.

James Donnelly, a newly promoted partner in the Health and Care Advisory team, said: “It’s an exciting time to be part of Ward Hadaway. The firm is growing, the opportunities are abundant and there’s a real sense of drive and momentum across the business.

“I’m thrilled to be stepping into this new role and to continue supporting our clients alongside such a fantastic team.”

Ward Hadaway continues to invest in building deep sector expertise, ensuring its teams are well placed to meet the complex challenges faced by clients.