Solent: Changes at the top for law firm Trethowans
There’s been senior level change at one of the south’s leading law firms. From March 31, head of litigation services group Chris Whiteley at Trethowans will become managing partner, while Simon Rhodes moves to senior partner.
“Continuity is vitally important to us as a firm,” said Whiteley, who has enjoyed a long career at Trethowans. “The key is to recognise and embrace that stability while at the same time looking for growth and new opportunities.
“Late last year we expanded into our new Southampton offices after reaching capacity in our former premises. We now intend to further expand across all disciplines with a particular emphasis on building the private client portfolio to match the private client team in Salisbury which is already very strong.”
In addition to his litigation role, Whiteley has been appointed by the Court of Protection to act as a professional deputy to manage the property and financial affairs of vulnerable adults. Two years ago he was appointed as a deputy district judge by the Lord Chancellor.
Paying tribute to Rhodes, Whiteley said: “Simon has done a terrific job at the helm to take us to the forefront of legal practices in the south and it provides us with a superb platform from which to move further forward. I’m relishing the challenge.”
As well as his duties as senior partner, Rhodes will return as full-time employment partner and continue with his leadership of Future Southampton and being a board member on the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
With offices in Salisbury and Southampton, Trethowans is a UK top 200 law firm with a team of more than 140 people and 25 partners. The firm was founded almost 150 years ago. Commercial clients include household names such as Ladbrokes plc, Endsleigh Insurance Services, Jewson (part of the Saint Gobain Group), Pizza Hut and Rowanmoor Group plc.
