Practical experts easy to deal with

Sep 28 2007 By Karen Wilson, The Journal

HAY & Kilner has reported another strong year with outstanding increases in performance indicators.

The 23-partner Newcastle law firm has seen a healthy rise in turnover and profitability. It now has 89 fee earners and is recruiting in key areas. The firm’s full service, personal approach has led to recommendations in 22 work areas. It was praised for its expertise in many fields, including corporate and commercial, insolvency, employment, litigation, clinical negligence, debt recovery and private client.

The Legal 500 reports that Hay & Kilner has a solid reputation. Clients rate it highly for its response times and “approachability and practical attitude”, qualities that make the firm stand out from the crowd.

The banking and finance team includes Phil Broadhurst, former head of legal at CitiFinancial Europe plc. Phil has 20 years’ experience in financial services with expertise in consumer credit, mortgage law and FSA regulation. The firm has added two German banks to its institutional client list. Under its Wallers trading name it provides specialist volume services to financial institutions.

Building relationships with clients is an area on which Hay & Kilner prides itself. Senior partner Martin Soloman said: “We provide an efficient and personal service to all our business and private clients. Our independently conducted client research tells us that we are succeeding in delivering that brand of service and that it is greatly valued by our clients. We cover a wide range of specialist areas, which is shown in our rankings in 22 fields.”

Departments work together to give clients a seamless and thorough service. The private client and corporate and commercial services teams provide a complete package, including employment advice for human resource professionals, debt recovery for credit control/accounts departments and tax planning advice to owner-managers and directors.

Headed by named leading individual Nick James, its corporate and commercial department receives instructions on
issues including M&A, corporate reorganisation and MBOs. The department is also instructed by clients in the US and Europe, and frequently receives referrals from other law firms and accountants. The unit had a successful year with a 26% increase in turnover.

Commercial department head Nick James was pleased with his team’s performance. He said: “Work levels remained buoyant throughout the year with the addition of new corporate
clients.”

The Legal 500 has singled out Hay & Kilner’s clinical negligence – claimant “market leading” team. The firm is one of the few in the region with a clinical negligence franchise. It has a reputation for handling complex and substantial cases, led by David Bradshaw, a member of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel and also an assessor for the panel.

It is active in a range of cases, including birth trauma and cerebral palsy. The team is capable of handling high-value, complex claims, including those arising from spinal injuries. Employment is another area to receive praise. The firm acts for employers, advising on the full gamut of employment matters, from equal pay to unfair dismissal. A reputation for contentious expertise means the team regularly garners heavyweight tribunal work and was involved in one of the first cases piloted under the Judicial Mediation Scheme in London. Employment unit partner Neil Dwyer said: “We have a number of initiatives to assist employers and human resource managers with the legal complexities of HR management.”

The firm will host employment seminars for HR managers and employers, in Middlesbrough on October 16 and Newcastle on November 27. Limited free places are available. Headed by Paul Taylor, who “provides a 10 out of 10 service” and the recommended Nicola Tiffen, the four-partner commercial property team is involved in work that includes acquisition and disposal of investment property, commercial leasing for landlords and sale and leaseback arrangements.

The dispute resolution team, headed by Martin Soloman, has an extensive capability, with particular expertise in intellectual property, contracts, construction, partnership, railway litigation, judicial review and shareholder claims. The Legal 500 rates the team for its “approachability, practicality and problem-solving skills”.

In debt recovery, the firm helps clients improve cash flow. It provides a bespoke service to clients that include newspapers, accountancy practices, major financial organisations and estate agents, both in the region and nationally.

The private capital department is headed by trust and estate expert Kirstin Cook, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.