TWO prominent figures in the region's legal sector have joined North East firm Hay & Kilner as it gears up for a period of expansion and prepares to break new ground in a number of markets.
Richard Freeman-Wallace has been appointed as a partner at the Newcastle-based firm’s commercial property division, bringing with him a prolific track record and a nationally renowned level of expertise.
Also joining the firm as a partner is Alison Hall, an extremely experienced private capital expert who also serves as regional chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
The new recruits join the firm ahead of what promises to be a busy period of growth and development, with the business targeting new and emerging markets in the coming months.
Richard, who is one of the most experienced commercial property practitioners in the North East, until recently headed up the commercial property team at Newcastle firm Watson Burton.
In a career spanning more than 30 years he has built up a national portfolio of clients and played an important role in several landmark deals involving heavyweight organisations such as national housebuilders, a property investment and development company that has one of the largest portfolios in the north of England. He has also worked extensively with a number of prominent regional players in the property market.
As well as bolstering Hay & Kilner’s flourishing commercial property division, the newly-appointed partner is also aiming to use his profile and reputation to help grow the firm’s national presence.
He said: “I’m delighted to have joined Hay & Kilner at such an exciting time in its history and I’m greatly looking forward to working with the firm’s well-respected team.”
Having joined Hay & Kilner from Ward Hadaway, Hall will now serve as a partner in the firm’s wealth management department. She comes into the role on the back of 15 years of advising clients on all aspects of private capital work including wills, estate planning, trusts and powers of attorney.
She also advises many business clients in the area on succession and business property relief and is a leading legal expert in the region on agricultural property relief, acting for a number of farmers and landed estates. She speaks annually at the national Farm Tax conference and regularly advises clients on agricultural property relief, succession plans and partnership agreements for farmers.
Part of her new role will involve developing Hay & Kilner’s operations in the specialist market for countryside-related legal matters which affect farmers and land owners.
