Lewis succeeds Dana Denis-Smith in the deputy vice presidency ahead of the 2028 leadership cycle
Jeff Lewis has been elected as the new deputy vice president of the Law Society of England and Wales, placing him in line to become president of the representative body in 2028.
Lewis, a commercial litigation partner at Brabners and a deputy district judge on the Northern Circuit, will take up the deputy vice president role in October 2026. Under the Law Society’s succession model, he will become vice president in 2027 before assuming the presidency in 2028.
The Manchester representative on the Law Society Council has served on the governing body since 2016 and has been involved in several advisory groups, including the Membership and Communications Committee and the Civil Justice Committee. He is also a member of the Manchester Civil Courts Users’ Committee.
Lewis brings almost four decades of legal experience to the role. Since 2001, he has served as a deputy district judge on the Northern Circuit, a position the Law Society said has given him insight into court operations and the pressures facing access to justice. He joined Brabners as a partner in 2005 and specialises in commercial litigation.
Announcing the appointment, Law Society president Mark Evans congratulated Lewis on emerging from what he described as a strong field of candidates.
“His experience and commitment to the profession will be invaluable,” Evans said. “I look forward to working with Jeff to drive progress and help the Law Society navigate the future successfully for our members, the legal community and society.”
Lewis said he was “honoured” to have been elected at what he described as an important moment for the profession, adding: “I look forward to being a strong voice for solicitors, encouraging young people to enter the profession and build their careers. We need to ensure our justice system continues to serve everyone effectively.”
The Law Society’s office-holder structure provides for three elected leadership positions president, vice president and deputy vice president each serving one-year terms to provide continuity in the organisation’s leadership.
Lewis succeeds Dana Denis-Smith, who moves up to vice president in October 2026. Brett Dixon, the current vice president, is due to become president at the same time, with Mark Evans completing his presidential year.