NORTH East law firm Muckle has unveiled its latest major signing from city rival Watson Burton with the arrival of John Devine to head up its charities and sports teams.
Devine follows three former Watson Burton senior colleagues to the Gallowgate-based firm in the last year.
First to leave Watson Burton for Muckle was its senior partner and commercial property head Rob Langley.
Langley was followed by insolvency chief Andrew Cawkwell and then Keith Hately who now heads Muckle’s private client team.
Devine comes to Muckle with a stellar reputation, having acted for over 100 professional sports clubs across football, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, basketball and ice hockey.
Devine, has worked in the region for over 14 years and now has a dual role leading both the charities and sports teams at Muckle.
He has helped more than half of the Premier League clubs to set up community sports trusts and charitable foundations. He has advised the Premier League itself on charity matters and worked with national sports organisations such as the Rugby Football League, British Basketball League and Football League Trust.
He has also acted for many professional athletes, players and sports celebrities.
Devine, who is also a trustee of The Great North Air Ambulance Service and Falcons’ Community Foundation, as well as the official club charities affiliated to each of Chelsea FC and Queens Park Rangers FC, said: “I’m delighted to join Muckle LLP.
“The firm has an excellent reputation in the charities sector and has a very strong record of giving back to local people. In my niche areas of work, this ethical pedigree was very important to me.
“Like any business, a law firm is very much about the people – and Muckle is renowned for having really good people. I wanted to be part of that team. I’m now looking forward to working closely with clients throughout the charities and sports sectors at Muckle.”
Hugh Welch, senior partner at Muckle, said: “John brings with him a wealth of specialist expertise and we are delighted with his enthusiasm to join us and to strengthen our teams’ capabilities.”
Watson Burton has seen partner numbers fall from 30 to 25 in the last year but says it is actively recruiting as it prepares for a period of growth.
Last week Watson Burton published its results for the year 2009/2010 which showed revenues had fallen by 29% to £14.1m.
Watson Burton said: “We have welcomed a number of excellent lawyers this year, maintaining partner numbers at 25, and our growth plans will provide opportunities for the recruitment of further talented professionals.
“Recent recruits include real estate partner George Parker Fuller and experienced solicitors Roisin Laird, Helen Milburn, Amanda Campbell, Lee Bletchley, Sonya Driller and Malcolm Rogers, who build on the appointments of partners such as Michael Ord and Henry Cave and consultants Luan Kane and Paul Hopkinson last year.”
