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Glaisyers promotes first legal executive to partner

Glaisyers promotes first legal executive to partner

Manchester-based law firm, Glaisyers Solicitors LLP, is paving the way in the North West by becoming one of the first law firms to promote a legal executive to the role of partner.

Craig Budsworth, 36, heads up the road traffic accident (RTA) department and has been with the firm since 1998 – Craig became a partner on 1st July.

He is a national trainer at the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) and has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and claims management within the North West. He has spent 11 years with Glaisyers where he started as a clerk in the RTA department. Since then, he has helped grow the firm and develop a bespoke case management system. He is now responsible for a team of eight staff and has seen a 40% increase in business in the last 12 months, particularly credit repair cases and taxi firm work.

Speaking on his promotion, Craig commented: “It’s a huge honour to become one of the first legal executives to be made partner of a law firm. I believe that Glaisyers is truly taking the lead when it comes to the reforms to the Legal Services Act. It breaks from tradition and is not afraid to recognise and reward talent within the firm and allow non-solicitors to take an active role in the management of the business.”

Craig was shortlisted in 2008 for ‘Legal Executive of the Year’ at the Law Society’s annual Excellence Awards. He was particularly praised for his commitment to community education and his work with MASS, a non-profit organisation helping to bring justice to the victims of road accidents.

Nick Johnson, partner at Glaisyers LLP, added: “We welcome the new reforms that aim to make the legal industry more competitive and law firms more transparent. I am firmly of the opinion that it should be the best person for the job and not just limited to those who have qualified as a solicitor. The Legal Services Act 2007 gives us the freedom to reward talented individuals who would not normally have the opportunity to manage a law firm. By doing this, we can raise the hope and aspirations of everyone that they could become part of the senior management team.

“Glaisyers must be one of the first law firms in the North West to do this, if not the first. Eventually all law firms will have to adopt alternative business structures but we pride ourselves in being one step ahead in adapting to the changing legal marketplace. I am confident that Craig will help drive the business even further and will comfortably rise to the challenges that his particular legal sector will present.”

Prior to Glaisyers, Craig spent five years at Direct Line Insurance as a personal injury specialist in the claims department. Before that, he worked for NatWest.

Craig is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) and is secretary of its Greater Manchester network. He is a recognised trainer at MASS and has helped create and deliver its diploma in personal injury and accident management which is accredited by the Law Society.

He is married with two children and lives in Swinton, near Salford.