The Co-operative Legal Services – Jenny Beck and Christina Blacklaws to launch family law service

T V Edwards LLP has today confirmed that from July 2012 Jenny Beck, its current managing partner, and Christina Blacklaws, who has been the partner responsible for business development, will leave the firm to join the Co-operative Legal Services to help establish their nationwide family law business subject to them being granted an ABS licence. The firm recognises that this development is of great importance as the scope of the legal aid scheme is reduced and to maintain access to justice for clients who previously could be assisted in that way. It welcomes the coming of Alternative Business Structures and the injection into the legal market of external funds and the opportunities this creates for the profession and the public.

The firm is delighted that both Jenny Beck and Christina Blacklaws will remain as consultants with the firm.

The firm has announced a series of appointments that will take full effect in July 2012. The firm encourages the development of all its staff and this provides an opportunity to promote a new generation of managers

The new managing partner will be Julian Overton. The family department will be headed by existing partners Maud Davis, Susan Fitzgerald who will manage the South London offices and Alison Leivesley who will manage the North London and Cambridge offices. Farhana Rahman-Cook will become head of crime. Anthony Edwards remains Senior partner. The partnership remains unchanged otherwise

TV Edwards has always been at the forefront of developments of legal services for the less advantaged and these changes will maintain its primary position in that field. Senior Partner Anthony Edwards said “The development of reasonably priced legal services for our clients of modest means is critical as the Government reduces the scope of legal aid. We are delighted that we have the expertise that will assist that process.”

PRESS CONTACT Anthony Edwards 020 7791 7112 email anthony.edwards@tvedwards.com

NOTES
TV Edwards was formed in 1929 and is one of the country’s largest suppliers of legal aid services. It has a turnover in excess of £8million and there are over 200 employees across a series of specialist areas including crime, family, social welfare, civil litigation and non contentious work. It will move its Whitechapel offices to new premises in the Mile End Road London on 14th November 2011

Jenny Beck joined the firm in 1993 and was appointed managing partner in 2002. She has overseen the growth of the firm to its present size supervising a series of 8 mergers over a three year period.
She is a co-chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Association and a Member of the Access to Justice Committee of the Law Society.

Christina Blacklaws was previously principal of Blacklaws Davis solicitors which merged with TV Edwards in May 2011 and is a member of the Law Society Council with Chair of the Legal Affairs and Policy Board and designated child care representative on Council. She is also Chief Assessor of the Law Society’s Children Panel.