Property head becomes new senior partner at Birketts
Schwer is a Birketts stalwart. Having trained at the firm between 1986 and 1988, and returning to join Birketts in 2000, Schwer became Head of Property in 2005.
He specialises in all aspects of commercial property matters, acting for many of the East of England’s leading investors, developers, landlords, tenants, funders and charities.
Schwer says: “During my time at the firm, I have taken pride in mentoring and assisting colleagues in their careers at Birketts. When taking on the role of Senior Partner a key focus area will be on encouraging social mobility and promoting the various avenues that exist for those from all walks of life to get into the profession.”
Schwer will also continue to play a key role in managing relationships with clients, offering close consultation and partnership so the firm continues to offer next-level client service.
Birketts Chief Executive, Jonathan Agar, said: “Over the last 24 years, Chris has played a key role in Birketts’ evolution. Since he took the helm of our Property practice in 2005, it has seen more than a seven-fold increase in fee income and has become our largest practice area by revenue and fee-earners.
“His dedication and passion for the firm’s success makes him an ideal successor to James Austin and I am looking forward to working with him as Birketts moves into its next stage of growth.”
James Austin joined the firm over 35 years ago, becoming a partner in 1990. He has since held a number of management roles and has seen first-hand the many changes which have taken place as the firm has grown.
Austin was first elected as Senior Partner in 2016. Over his two terms he has seen the firm through its entry into the London market with a merger with EC3 in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the most recent merger with Batchelors Solicitors in 2023 to extend the firm’s reach further into the South East.
Austin will remain a member of the firm’s Corporate team, offering senior support and developing several key client relationships. He will also be acting on an interim basis to assist Birketts’ Commercial and Technology team, as well as continuing to manage the firm’s complaints process.
Agar added: “On behalf of everyone at Birketts, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to James for his support over the last eight years as Senior Partner. He has successfully stewarded the firm through significant stages of change and growth, from the mergers with EC3 and Batchelors, to the firm’s rebrand, playing a vital role in the establishment of Birketts as a UK Top 50 law firm.
“The fact that we have retained the firm’s unique culture throughout the last few years of rapid expansion is testament to James’ care and guardianship.”
Grace Kerr will take over from Schwer as UK Head of Real Estate. She joined the firm as Partner in 2004 and has led the Chelmsford Commercial Property team for the last 15 years. She is also Chair of Birketts’ ESG Committee.