Berwins, based in Harrogate, is changing from a limited liability partnership (LLP) to a limited company and has appointed a non-lawyer as operations director.

Paul Berwin, managing director, said: "We are one of the first law firms in the country to switch to operating as a limited company. The decision gives Berwins the right corporate management structure for its development, as well as giving us the opportunity to bring some more talented individuals into the boardroom.

"Law firms traditionally operated as partnerships or LLPs, which means that managership and ownership of the business can be confused. We are separating these so the directors can focus their attention on management as a distinct item. It is the way most (non-legal] businesses operate."

The other existing LLP partners who become directors are Sue Blake, Carolynn Peace and Stephen Root. They are joined by four directors who have been promoted from within Berwins – Julie Jewers, Sarah Smith, Natalie Saunders and practice manager Caroline Davison, who becomes operations director and is one of the first non-lawyer managers of a law firm.