Watkins Solicitors Announces New Partner Appointment and Senior Promotions Across the Firm

Watkins Solicitors is pleased to announce a series of promotions across the firm, recognising the significant contribution, dedication and continued development of colleagues across multiple departments.

These promotions reflect the continued growth of Watkins Solicitors and recognise the contribution these individuals havemade to the firm, colleagues, clients and our wider communities. They also highlight the firm’s long-standing commitment to developing talent from within and supporting progression at every stage of a legal career.

The following promotions have recently taken effect:

• Partner and Head of Public Law - Children: Yatin Amin
• Associate Solicitors: Joanne Davies and Nicola Harvey, Chris White - Head of Judicial Review and Public Law
• Associate Solicitors: Sophia Beekmann, Morgan French, Celine Conley and Emma Thompson
• Associate Solicitor and Head of International Family: Andy Kerese
• Senior Accounts Assistant: Faye Brady
• Trainee Solicitor: Morgan Buckley (from 1 June 2026)

In addition, Sarah Kasbia began her Training Contract with the firm earlier this year.

The promotions span several of the firm’s key practice areas, including Family Law, Education Law, Conveyancing, Public Law and Human Rights and International Family Law, reflecting Watkins Solicitors’ continued focus on developing specialist expertise while maintaining a strong commitment to client care, community support and access to justice.

Among the promotions is Yatin Amin, who has been appointed Partner and Head of Public Law – Children. Yatin joined Watkins Solicitors as a Paralegal in January 2018 and has progressed through the firm over the past eight years, becoming an Associate Solicitor, then Senior Associate Solicitor, and now Partner. He has played an important role in a wide range of complex children law matters and is highly regarded across the firm for his leadership, commitment to clients and support for colleagues within both the Family and Public Law teams.

Commenting on his promotion, Yatin said:

“I am unbelievably proud to become a Partner at Watkins Solicitors, having started at the firm in 2018 as a paralegal and progressed through the ranks over the last 8 years. It has been a privilege to progress my career within this incredible firm and to work alongside such dedicated and supportive colleagues across all of our offices.

One of the things I am most passionate about is supporting the development of the people around me, particularly our junior team members, graduates and trainees, especially at the beginning of their legal careers. I know how important the right guidance and encouragement can be in helping people develop and excel in what they want to achieve in their legal careers. We are here to give them every opportunity to be the best versions of themselves and the autonomy to learn and grow.

We have built a very strong team in Bath and across the wider firm, and I am proud of the collaborative culture we have created to enable people to shine. I am committed to continuing to mentor and develop our staff, while ensuring we provide the highest standard of care to our clients and our wider community. It is something that remains extremely important to me.

I am looking forward to continuing to grow the Public Law team in the years ahead, supporting our clients to achieve their aims and helping to further strengthen the excellent reputation Watkins Solicitors has built across the region and beyond.”

Managing Partner Beverley Watkins added:

“These promotions reflect the hard work, professionalism and commitment shown by each individual, as well as the collaborative and supportive culture we have built across the firm and our continued commitment to client care.

Yatin’s appointment as Partner reflects the strength of his work, his leadership within our Public Law – Children team and the impact he has had on both clients and colleagues. His commitment to supporting vulnerable families through complex cases has been highly valued across the firm and wider community.

I am extremely proud of everything our teams continue to achieve and look forward to continuing to strengthen our services and support the communities we serve across the South West and beyond.”

Founded in 1998, Watkins Solicitors has grown from a small local practice into a multi-award-winning law firm with more than 50 staff across offices in Bristol, Bath and Hereford. The firm continues to receive regional and national recognition for its work across Family Law, Education Law, Conveyancing, Public Law and Legal Aid, including winning all three awards it was shortlisted for at the Bristol Law Society Awards 2025: Law Firm of the Year (Regional), Team of the Year - Education Team and Rising Star of the Year.

The firm has also received recognition through national shortlistings and awards including the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards, Bristol Property Awards and the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYs), reflecting both the strength of its legal services and its wider commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families across the communities it serves.

For more information about Watkins Solicitors, please visit www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk or contact info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk