Bridge McFarland Are Delighted to Announce Another Set of New Partner Appointments for 2025
Bridge McFarland are delighted to announce another set of new partner appointments for 2025 as Staci Markham, Leanne Crellin and Jacob Odam have each been deservedly promoted to partner at the Pan-Humber firm which continues to go from strength to strength following its latest new office opening in Anlaby in February.
Staci Markham
Staci left school after A Levels and started her legal career at another local law firm before moving to Bridge McFarland in 2015 having qualified as a lawyer through the CILEx route. She acts for clients in all types of medical negligence claims, but specialises particularly in cases involving people who are sadly affected by life-changing injuries. She is an incredibly compassionate lawyer who supports her clients and their families every step of the way through the legal process.
Staci’s Head of Department, Lorraine Taylor had this to say about her appointment:
“Staci’s promotion is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication she has put in over many years. She is a real asset to the Medical Negligence department and the firm and her promotion to partner is well deserved!”
Leanne Crellin
Leanne is a Private Client Solicitor who joined the firm in December 2019 and rapidly established herself as a key team member in our Hull Office. Leanne has gone from strength to strength and has been instrumental in finding and establishing our new Anlaby Office. Leanne has a great down-to-earth manner with clients and recently passed her STEP exams to become a full member of the Society for Trust & Estate Practitioners adding further technical expertise to her client-centric approach to legal services.
Jacqui Johnson head of the firm’s Private Client department is thrilled that Leanne’s commitment to the firm has been recognised in this way and said:
“Many congratulations to Leanne and I am delighted to welcome her to the partnership. Leanne has worked extremely hard to become a full member of STEP through a series of very challenging exams, and we are proud of her achievement. Leanne is a tremendous asset to our growing Private Client department and I look forward to working with her in her new role.”
Jacob Odam
Having undertaken a law degree at the University of Chester, followed by the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in Leeds, Jacob came to the firm initially on our Summer Placement scheme while still an undergraduate. Having impressed during this period he continued to work for the firm alongside his studies and then upon finishing the Legal Practice Course in 2018 he promptly started a training contract and qualified as a solicitor specialising in residential and commercial property transactions just as Covid struck in March 2020. His rapid rise to Partner is a testament to his attitude and application. He has quickly established himself as a key member of our Lincoln Office property team building a reputation for himself and an efficient and sensible solicitor with an extremely client-centric approach.
Jacob’s Head of Department, Kate Seward said:
“Jacob’s promotion is richly deserved and reflects not only his exceptional legal skills, but also his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to both his clients and colleagues. He leads by example, earning the respect of everyone he works with, and his contribution to the growth and strength of our property team in Lincoln has been outstanding. We’re incredibly proud to see him take this next step and look forward to all he will continue to achieve as a Partner.”
Lincoln-based Commercial Property Partner Chris Hubbard is delighted to see the progress his former trainee has made:
“Congratulations to Jacob on his appointment to partnership. Jacob has worked tirelessly to create and develop a reputation for providing excellent quality work to an ever-increasing base of clients and fellow professionals. Jacob has displayed natural management skills and his appointment to partnership is the right step for Jacob and the firm. We are delighted that Jacob displays the same confidence in the firm as the firm has in Jacob.”
Managing Partner, Stephen Oldridge is feeling extremely positive about the future:
“I have been at the firm now for over 20 years and the partnership just keeps getting stronger. We work hard to ensure that Bridge McFarland is the kind of firm in which lawyers want to become a partners but we are acutely aware that we operate in a fiercely competitive labour market. So I feel very fortunate that we have been able to attract and retain such talented individuals as Staci, Leanne and Jacob. All three are extremely personable and are liked and respected by both clients and colleagues. It bodes really well for the future of the firm.”
