Results in uncertain times
TWENTY-THREE partner, Newcastle-based, Hay & Kilner has improved its impressive ratings in the Legal 500 guide this year with recommendations in 23 different work areas.
The firm attributes much of its success to its personal approach and expertise across a comprehensive range of commercial and personal legal services. The recent promotion of four trainee solicitors to permanent positions in growing practice areas is evidence of the firm’s confidence and stability despite prevailing uncertainty in the wider economy. The firm was praised for its expertise in a large number of fields, including corporate, commercial, insolvency, employment, litigation, clinical negligence, debt recovery and private client.
Building strong relationships with clients is an area in which the firm prides itself. Martin Soloman, senior partner at Hay & Kilner and Legal 500 named leading individual, said: “We provide an efficient and personal service to all our business and private clients. Our independently conducted research tells us we are succeeding in delivering a brand of service that is greatly valued. We cover a wide range of specialist areas, as demonstrated by our rankings in 23 different fields.”
Headed by named leading individual Nick James, Hay & Kilner’s corporate team also includes partners Jonathan Waters and Mark Adams who are recommended for their ‘excellent service’. The team has handled a steady stream of mergers and acquisitions work and a growing number of corporate restructurings.
The dispute resolution team at Hay & Kilner, headed by the widely praised Martin Soloman, has an extensive capability, with particular expertise in intellectual property, contracts, construction, partnership, railway litigation, judicial review and shareholder claims. Responding to the increasing recourse to mediation as a means of settling a dispute, the department has been proactive in conducting mediations. Martin Soloman, an accredited mediator, is particularly busy in this area.
The Legal 500 has highlighted the expertise of Hay & Kilner’s clinical negligence – claimant team led by leading individual David Bradshaw. The firm is one of the few in the region with a clinical negligence franchise. It has an established national reputation enhanced by Clare Thompson’s recent appointment to the Solicitors Regulation Authority Clinical Negligence panel, alongside David Bradshaw. The panel awards this accreditation in recognition of experience in handling the most complex and substantial clinical negligence cases.
The employment team, led by Neil Dwyer and including recommended partner Sarah Hall and assistant solicitor Sarah Furness, advises on the full gamut of employment matters, from equal pay to unfair dismissal. An established reputation for contentious expertise means the team regularly garners heavyweight tribunal work and is busy helping employers avoid such proceedings in the current climate.
Hay & Kilner’s six-strong private capital department is headed by trust and estate expert Kirstin Cook. The team benefits from the combined legal and tax expertise of Alice Clewes, one of the few lawyers in the region to hold the Chartered Tax Adviser’s qualification. Private capital work, particularly for the high net worth client has increased.
The firm has enhanced its reputation in the field and is receiving rising levels of referrals from accountants, bankers, IFA s and existing clients.
The style of personal service on offer and the firm’s diverse client base mean Hay & Kilner is well placed to react to the challenges posed by the current economic climate.
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