Jeff Lewis, commercial litigation Partner at Brabners, has assumed the position of Deputy Vice President at the Law Society of England and Wales — a role that guarantees his progression to President in 2028. Lewis, who will be one of only four presidents in the organisation’s history hailing from Manchester, was elected to the position by the Law Society Council in May.
He brings over 39 years of experience to the role, the past 21 of which have been spent at Brabners where he heads up the commercial litigation department in Manchester and has acted for many household names during his career.
Previously voted one of the 250 Most Influential People in Greater Manchester by Manchester Evening News, Jeff has also been named a ‘Hall of Fame’ lawyer by the Legal 500 in recognition not only of his private practice work, but also his longstanding public service. He’s also recognised as a top-tier ranked individual by Chambers.
Among his other roles, he has served as a Deputy District Judge on the Northern Circuit since 2001 and is chair of Manchester Law Society’s Civil Litigation Committee and convenor of Manchester Circuit Commercial Court Users’ Committee.
A key priority as deputy vice president of the Law Society will include supporting the next generation of lawyers, encouraging firms to provide mentorship programmes and championing the recruitment of young people to future-proof the industry. Jeff also intends to promote charities that advocate for better mental wellbeing within law and help solicitors navigate the challenges posed by a changing legal landscape, such as how to effectively train upcoming legal professionals.
He will serve a one-year term in this role before moving on to become vice president and then president, in line with the body’s leadership structure. Through frequent visits to local law societies and practices across England and Wales, Jeff is keen to increase pride in the profession, drive diversity and encourage positive change in social mobility, and redefine justice as a vital public service.
Jeff Lewis, Partner and Deputy Vice President of the Law Society, said: “This recognition of my experience and commitment to the profession is a real honour. Being elected from such a competitive pool of candidates, by industry peers that I have worked alongside and learnt from, is a true privilege.
“I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to have been offered some incredible support and mentorship by fellow solicitors who have made time to share their experience and expertise with me. This is the spirit that I intend to bring to my role — to give back to my peers; listen to colleagues, understand the pressures they face and ensuring their experiences inform the Law Society’s work.
“I’m proud to take this next step. There is a wealth of experience across our profession, and I want colleagues at every stage of their careers, wherever they practise, to feel they have a voice in its future.”
Jeff’s election represents another milestone for Brabners in what has been a significant year of growth for the firm, during which it has launched a new London office, renewed its B Corp status and announced its largest ever round of promotions.
Nik White, Managing Partner at Brabners, said: ” Everyone at Brabners is delighted to see Jeff take on this important role. He has devoted decades to supporting the legal profession, not only through his outstanding work as a lawyer but also through his commitment to mentoring others, giving back to the profession and championing positive change.
“Jeff will bring integrity, experience and a genuine passion for supporting solicitors across England and Wales. We’re incredibly proud to see him represent the profession on the national stage, and we look forward to seeing the impact he makes over the coming years.”
Images are courtesy of the Law Society.
For more information, visit: https://www.brabners.com/