Legal executive advocate Nick Hanning became the first legal executive to be made partner in a law firm under the Legal ­Services Act’s new business structure changes, according to the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX).

Hanning, a personal injury lawyer at Poole firm RWPS, took his place in the firm’s partnership as soon as the firm was allowed to form a legal disciplinary practice on 31 March.

He has been an ILEX council member since 2005 and is also chair of the ILEX pro bono forum and secretary of the ILEX Bournemouth & District branch.

ILEX said that a number of firms are expected to announce that legal executives have made partner over the coming weeks.‘I’m obviously pleased that I can finally be acknowledged as a partner, as this will clarify my position with my clients, suppliers and other bodies,’ Hanning said.

ILEX president Mark Bishop said: ‘ILEX members have been performing at partner level for many years.

‘It has long been a source of frustration for our members and their firms that they have not had the opportunity to have their skill and expertise acknowledged through partnership.’

  • See feature on LDPs