Birkett Long announces promotions

Essex law firm announces promotions

Birkett Long is delighted to announce 7 promotions taking effect from 1 June 2021. The firm would like to congratulate the staff who have been promoted this year in recognition of their ongoing contribution to the business, assessed across several varied criteria.

Promotion to Associate

Jess Birch

Jess joined Birkett Long as a Paralegal in August 2013. Jess worked in the Wills, Trusts and Probate team, before taking a career break to travel the world in December 2015.  Jess returned to commence her training contract in September 2016 and qualified as a solicitor into the Wills, Trusts and Probate team in September 2018.

Chris Burnett

Chris joined the firm from a specialist Intellectual Property law firm in August 2019 and is a Chartered and European Patent Attorney in our Intellectual Property team. Chris holds a BSc in Biochemistry and a MSc in the Management of Intellectual Property.

Promotion to Senior Associate

Karen Johnson

Karen joined the firm in October 2018 from a Hertfordshire firm of solicitors, where she was Head of the Family Department. Prior to that, Karen undertook her training contract at another firm in November 2000, qualifying into the Family department. Karen was promoted to an Associate at Birkett Long in June 2020.

Promotion to Partner

Jonathan Perlmutter

Jonathan joined the firm from a specialist Intellectual Property firm and became Birkett Long’s Head of Intellectual Property in April 2019. Jonathan was called to the Bar in 2006 (although he does not practice as a barrister) and is a member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Jonathan has established and grown the firm’s Intellectual Property offering and the team. Jonathan was promoted to Senior Associate in June 2020.

Promotion to Part Equity Partner

Lisa Collins

Lisa joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in September 2008. Following her training contract and qualification in September 2010 she joined the Colchester Divorce and Family team. Lisa moved to the firm’s Chelmsford office and took over the leadership of the South Essex Divorce and Family team and in June 2017, Lisa was promoted to Partner.

Mel Loxley

Mel qualified as a Solicitor in September 2002 and re-joined the firm in September 2016 as an Associate Solicitor in the Colchester Divorce and Family Team. Mel joined Birkett Long in 2006 and became Team Leader of the Divorce and Family Team in 2011. Mel was promoted to Partner in June 2017 and is the firm’s Training Principal and both a Trustee and Governor at St. Mary’s School.

Emma Wraight

Emma joined the firm in January 2010 and is the Team Leader of the Commercial Real Estate team. Emma has also taken on Team Leader roles in the past in the Chelmsford and Basildon offices in both the Commercial and Residential Property teams. Emma was promoted to Partner in June 2017 and is a Trustee of Farleigh Hospice.