Howells LLP has a new team at the top, following the recent retirement of managing partner John McSweeney.

Partner and head of the firm’s human rights team Peter Mahy took over the reins as managing partner from April 1^st, supported by new deputy managing partner Sue Colven, one of the firm’s family partners.

John McSweeney left Howells after more than twenty years working there – initially as one of the firm’s specialist childcare lawyers and more recently as head of the Rotherham office which opened in 2004, and then finally as managing partner since 2008.

Peter Mahy joined Howells in 1996, becoming a partner in 2002. Some of the human rights and civil liberties cases he has successfully pursued have brought national and international attention to the firm and in 2010 he was named criminal defence lawyer of the year in the prestigious national Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.

Sue Colven joined the firm in 1996, becoming a partner in 2000.  Most recently, she has headed up the firm’s successful bid to provide family law telephone advice on a national basis as part of the Community Legal Advice Service on behalf of the Legal Services Commission.

Peter Mahy said he was delighted to take up the job of managing partner and was looking forward to continuing the firm’s successful development.

“At a time when many other firms are struggling, Howells’ excellent reputation for high quality specialist legal advice has allowed us to develop and expand our services. We now have three offices in Sheffield, a thriving office in Rotherham and a new office in Barnsley.

“I am very proud to have been appointed managing partner of a firm which has a fantastic team of solicitors and support staff here who provide such a good service to so many people, ensuring that the people of South Yorkshire have access to justice when they need it.”