COMMERCIAL law firm Square One has strengthened its dealmaking team with the arrival of an up-and-coming young lawyer from one of the City’s magic circle firms.

Corporate finance specialist Jemil Visram has joined the Jesmond-based firm from Slaughter and May where he acted for multi-national clients such as Diageo, Unilever and Marks and Spencer.

He has extensive experience in a broad range of corporate matters such as mergers and acquisitions, disposals and corporate reorganisations.

Visram’s expertise also includes corporate debt and equity financing, complete refinancings, debt issues and the raising of equity via flotations and rights issues.

Square One’s head of corporate Jeremy Swift said: “Jemil’s City experience ensures he brings a confident and assured approach in delivering the highest level of service regardless of the transaction size or profile.”

Durham University graduate Visram said he was looking to return home to the North East after several years in London.

“I met a few of the region’s law firms, but the one that stood out for me was Square One Law.

“They act for a very impressive range of clients so I know I will be involved in some very interesting work. I was also impressed by their fresh approach and the quality and friendliness of their people.

“I feel they are going somewhere and are changing the Newcastle legal market and this offers me a great opportunity to be part of something new and exciting in the North East.”