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 joined Lewis Silkin in 1990, rising through the ranks to become a partner in 1998 and managing partner at the age of 37 in 2005. He led 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.
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.’
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