West Midland law firm Needham & James has appointed four new partners.

The firm, with offices in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds, has appointed five new associates in the largest number of promotions in the firm’s history.

The promotions are part of a growing success story at Needham & James, which has 29 partners and employs more than 170 legal specialists and support staff.

Managing partner Herbert Andrews said: “Over three years the firm has made a significant investment in the long-term development of the practice, including three offices moving to new premises.

“This has created a sound platform for our future expansion and these promotions are a vital part of that,” said Mr Andrews, who is also president of the Warwickshire Law Society.

Of the four newly-promoted partners, two specialise in commercial property – Justin Mason, who joined two years ago having previously worked with firms in Birmingham and London and is based in Birmingham; and Chris Watts, who joined the firm last year after spending 20 years working in central London.

Mr Watts is based at the firm’s Cotswolds offices in Moreton-in-Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour.

The other two new partners are Alison Wacey, a specialist in residential property who is based in Stratford, and Shirley Rabbetts, who works in the private client department at Shipston.

The newly-promoted associates are Arvin Bhamra and Sarah Rao from the social housing department, Donna Bates and Ian Yarde from commercial property, and George Douloubakas from banking.