Duncan Lewis Solicitors Strengthens Leadership Team with Five Director Promotions (14 April 2026)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors has announced the promotion of five lawyers to Director, effective 1 April 2026, marking a significant investment in senior talent developed from within the firm.

The promotions span the firm’s core practice areas of Family, Child Care, and Housing law, and reflect a long-standing strategy of building leadership through internal progression. Each of the newly appointed Directors has developed their career at Duncan Lewis, with several having trained or started as caseworkers before advancing into senior roles.

Jason Bruce, Practice Director, commented:

“These promotions reflect the strength and depth of talent within Duncan Lewis. We are committed to developing our people and providing clear pathways for progression, and it is particularly rewarding to see colleagues who have built their careers with us step into leadership roles. Their expertise and dedication will play an important role in supporting our clients and shaping the future of the firm.”

Investing in People and Progression

Internal progression remains central to Duncan Lewis’ growth, with over half of its 56 Directors promoted from within the firm. Many have trained and qualified at Duncan Lewis, demonstrating the strength of its development framework.

This commitment has been recognised externally, with the firm shortlisted for Trainee Scheme of the Year at the LexisNexis Legal Awards, alongside achieving Investors in People Gold accreditation.

Over the past 12 months, Duncan Lewis has delivered more than 29,000 hours of training and supported 161 professional accreditations. Its structured approach combines technical legal education with practical skills development, ensuring lawyers are equipped to deliver high-quality, client-focused services.

The New Directors

Kohitoor Alam – Director, Family (City of London)

Kohitoor Alam's promotion marks a significant milestone in a long-standing career with Duncan Lewis, having joined in 2002 and qualified at the firm in 2005. She specialises in complex financial remedy matters and private children cases. She will play a key role in developing the firm’s Private Family Finance and High Net Worth Divorce practice.

Paul Nuttall – Director, Family & Child Care (City of London / Shepherd’s Bush)

Paul Nuttall joined the firm in 2016 and has developed a well-regarded practice across public and private children law, alongside complex financial remedy work, including cases involving high-value assets. Known for his advocacy and client-focused approach, he will continue to expand the firm’s private family finance offering.

Daljit Singh Shina – Director, Housing (City of London)

Since joining Duncan Lewis in 2021, Daljit Singh Shina has established himself as a leading housing specialist, with experience in possession proceedings, landlord and tenant disputes, disrepair, and unlawful eviction cases. Recognised in the Legal 500 as a Leading Associate for Social Housing, he combines strong technical expertise with a commitment to access to justice.

Emma Hamilton – Director, Child Care (City of London / East Anglia)

Emma Hamilton joined the firm in 2018 and qualified in 2020, progressing rapidly to Director level. She has developed a strong practice across both private and public children matters, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable clients. Emma is building the firm’s Child Care and Family Law offering across Colchester and the wider East Anglia region, where she is available for both face-to-face meetings and remote work. Her work with organisations including the Family Justice Centre and Women’s Aid reflects her commitment to client care.

Jaspreet Rai – Director, Family & Child Care (Birmingham)

Jaspreet Rai trained and qualified with Duncan Lewis and has built a strong reputation in Birmingham for her work across private children, domestic abuse and matrimonial finance matters, including High Net Worth Divorce cases involving complex financial and international elements. Her promotion reflects both her legal expertise and her role in strengthening the firm’s regional private family offering.

Strengthening Key Practice Areas

These appointments enhance Duncan Lewis’ capabilities across its Tier 1 Legal 500-ranked Family, Child Care, and Housing law teams—areas where experience, continuity, and client-focused representation are essential.

They also reflect the firm’s commitment to building a diverse and representative leadership team, with 76% of Directors female and 59% from an ethnic minority background.

Looking Ahead

With 56 Directors nationwide, Duncan Lewis continues to invest in its people as a central part of its long-term strategy. By developing lawyers from within, the firm ensures its leadership combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of its values and client needs.

The firm continues to evolve its training offering, including the rollout of LexisNexis Protégé, equipping its lawyers with the latest tools to enhance client service. This is complemented by multiple routes to qualification, including Training Contracts, Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships, CILEX, and SQE pathways, supporting the development of future talent across the firm.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a multi-award-winning national law firm recognised for its commitment to justice and high-quality legal services. Its solicitors provide representation across 25 areas of law. The firm is consistently ranked as top-tier by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, and is named in The Times Best Law Firms. Headquartered in the City of London, Duncan Lewis holds Investors in People Gold and Law Society Lexcel accreditations, reflecting its focus on excellence, innovation, and its people.