Bristol-headquartered national law firm Bevan Brittan has appointed its head of clinical risk Joanne Easterbrook as the firm’s new senior partner.
Joanne, pictured, succeeds Bethan Evans, who is returning to full-time local government client work. 
Joanne joined Bevan Brittan as a partner in 2004 and is a recognised specialist, leading the firm’s clinical risk practice and counting the NHS Litigation Authority (NHS LA) among her major clients.
In the role of senior partner, which takes effect from May 1, she will continue her major client work but also help lead the firm’s market and client focus, working closely with managing partner Duncan Weir over a three-year term.
Bevan Brittan has enjoyed significant growth in its current financial year, which ends on April 30. It opened an office in Leeds in September and expanded its private sector client base.
The firm’s 46 partners and nearly 300 staff work with a range of clients including all England’s local authorities, a third of all NHS bodies, 40 housing associations and 100-plus UK private sector companies delivering public services.
Duncan Weir said: “I am delighted that Joanne will be taking on the role of senior partner. She has developed a first-class reputation in her field and knows the markets in which we operate extremely well. She will have an important role to play as we pursue our strategy for growth.
“I would also like to warmly thank Bethan Evans for her four years as senior partner. She was a key figure in the planning and opening of our new Leeds office, which has started up with great success.”
Joanne Easterbrook said: “I am greatly looking forward to taking on the senior partner position. At a time of such change and challenge across health, local government, housing and related sectors, there are huge opportunities for our firm to bring real value to our clients as they seek to develop new and more integrated models of working. A focus for us will also be on integrating our service offerings across key sectors.”
