LAW firm Hay & Kilner has expanded some of its key practice areas with the appointment of two solicitors.

Following the successful completion of their training, Lauren Hall and Richard Marshall have secured their future careers as solicitors with the Newcastle-based firm. Lauren Hall has joined Hay & Kilner’s clinical negligence department. It’s a significant practice area for the firm, which is ranked top in Chambers Guide and The Legal 500, both independently researched guides to the UK legal profession. Hay & Kilner is one of the few firms in the area to hold a clinical negligence franchise with a team that is experienced in handling complex claims.

Richard Marshall has qualified into Hay & Kilner’s seven-strong team of leading private capital solicitors. Richard advises clients on all aspects of private capital work including wills, trusts, probate, powers of attorney, inheritance tax and estate planning.

Martin Soloman, senior partner, said: “We are always keen to attract high-calibre graduates to Hay & Kilner. Lauren and Richard have worked extremely hard over the last two years to earn permanent positions at our firm where they can specialise and complement the skills of existing team members.”

Hay & Kilner has also recently appointed two new trainee solicitors. Jan Rzedzian and Jonathan Smith join two other trainee solicitors who are currently completing the final year of their training contracts.

The firm has 26 partners and is recommended in 23 work areas by independently researched legal guide The Legal 500, Hay & Kilner holds the Law Society Lexcel Quality standard.