Corporate and Commercial team promotes Samantha

Businesses are seeking legal advice about selling or making contractual changes ahead of uncertainty around the upcoming Budget, prompting a busy couple of months at Jacksons.

That’s the verdict of Samantha Higgins, who has been promoted to associate within the corporate and commercial team at the firm in the last month, as reward for her hard work and dedication in 2025.

Samantha has been working towards reaching the position of associate since joining Jacksons three years ago – but says she didn’t expect the promotion to come so soon.

“I feel extremely grateful and really appreciate the opportunity. I am especially grateful to Dan and Tony for all their advice and guidance over the last few years.”

Samantha, who graduated from Teesside University in 2016, was delighted to receive a personal message from every single Jacksons partner, congratulating her on her promotion.

“Jacksons is a great place to work, everyone is supportive and there’s a real team spirit,” says Samantha.

Samantha’s career has also seen her achieve a distinction in her Legal Practice Course alongside a Masters in Business Law in 2020, whilst working as a legal assistant to the corporate and commercial team and the commercial property department.

Samantha, who now provides assistance on a range of corporate transactions including business acquisitions, disposals, and mergers, completed her training contract at a Yorkshire-based firm, before moving back to Teesside and joining Jacksons’ corporate and commercial team in August 2022.

Samantha, who also advises on corporate and commercial documents including shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, company articles of association, and terms and conditions, says Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget on November 26 is currently keeping the team busy, as business owners look to “take control” amidst uncertainty.

“There is a lot of activity around shareholder agreements and business owners putting plans in place to look after their businesses at the moment,” she says.

“I think people are acting because of the unknown and the uncertainty and in anticipation of changes coming into effect for business owners.

“People want things done so they know what’s happening in their business – they are taking control.”

Samantha added: “I would like to thank Dan and Tony [Wentworth] for appreciating my hard work in 2025 and for everything they have done for me in reaching this point in my career. I am looking forward to the next stage in my career, knowing I have their support along with the support of the wider Jacksons team.”

Samantha is the latest in a long line of employees showing there are countless opportunities to grow and succeed within Jacksons.

Last month, the firm celebrated several new appointments.

These included 18-year-old apprentice Evie Jones in the residential conveyancing team, Yasir Hussain in commercial property, Stephanie Craddock, a trainee legal executive in the conveyancing team and Louis Dinsdale, who joined the corporate and commercial team.

Dan Flounders, partner and head of the corporate and commercial team, said: “We are pleased to have been able to offer Samantha this promotion to associate, which recognises the sterling effort and contribution she has made to the team since her appointment in 2022.

“There is a wide variety of opportunities for career advancement within Jacksons, and the corporate and commercial team is proud to be part of that growth – and the development of talented legal professionals.

“We are looking forward to another busy year ahead in 2026 with a robust team in place to take the firm forward.”