LAW firm Collingwood Legal has added to its team of solicitors on the back of increasing demand for its specialist employment services.
Sarah Fitzpatrick has joined the Newcastle-based practice as an associate solicitor, and is now working alongside lawyers Liane Atkin, Jane Sinnamon and practice founder Paul McGowan.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Fitzpatrick came to the North East to study in 1994, and graduated from Northumbria University with first class honours.
She began to specialise in employment law after completing her training in the year 2000, and worked for five years with a large commercial practice in Newcastle.
She then returned to Northumbria to work as a principal lecturer in the law faculty, where she lectured in employment law on postgraduate courses, and also researched and published numerous articles focusing on employment tribunal practice and procedure.
Her experience includes acting predominantly for public and private sector clients on a wide range of employment-related issues, as well as conducting her own cases in employment tribunals and advising on proceedings at the High Court, Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
She said: “Collingwood’s approach to its clients, the supportive working environment and the quality of the work that it delivers all combined to make this a very attractive move for me.
“Paul and the team have built a strong client base and are all extremely impressive practitioners, and I’m now looking forward to contributing to the continued development and rapid growth of the firm.”
Established in 2010, Collingwood Legal is a relationship-based practice which specialises in employment law, and works with a growing number of well-known public and private sector organisations across and outside its home region.
McGowan said: “Sarah’s legal skills are truly excellent, and her enthusiasm and commitment to delivering the best client service fit very well with the ethos of our firm.
“Adding another senior solicitor to our team of specialist employment lawyers makes even more top-level expertise available to our clients, and will make a tangible difference to the firm’s continuing commercial development.”
