Square One Law is continuing to strengthen its team to meet the growing demand for its services, nationally and in the region, and welcomes three new lawyers and a digital marketing manager.

Managing partner, Gill Hall said, “Clients are wanting a different experience and we are focussing on continuous improvement of our service delivery and being more innovative in how we deliver our services. The legal marketplace is seeing great change, with increased mergers, but we are confident that our flatter and more agile structure, coupled with our enviable client base is continuing to attract talented people in all areas of our business.

“I am very pleased to welcome property senior associate Bal Manak, corporate associate, Luke Philpott, employment solicitor, Francesca Lilley, and digital marketing manager, Claire Duns.”

Senior Associate Bal Manak joins the commercial property team and advises a diverse range of clients including employers, consultants, building contractors, funders and suppliers on commercial developments as well as developments in the housing, healthcare and education sector. She has been listed in the 2019 edition of the Chambers Guide as a result of her experience and expertise in the construction industry.

Bal said, “I was impressed by the projects the property team has been involved with, including: the redevelopment of the former Three Tuns Hotel, Durham to provide high quality student accommodation, working with clients such as the South Tees Development Corporation on projects aimed at the regeneration of the former Steel works; Highbridge plc and their development of the new Jade Business Park with Durham County Council and Muse Developments as Development partner of South Tyneside Council on the regeneration of South Shields Town Centre.”

Corporate associate, Luke Philpott qualified as a solicitor at national law firm, TLT before joining boutique commercial firm, Turner Parkinson and he relocated to the North East from Manchester in 2018. Luke has particular expertise in private equity and venture capital having worked on a number of investments during his time in the North West.

He said, “I was attracted to Square One Law by the size of their corporate team and the quality of their clients. Recently the team has worked on the acquisition of Pipeshield International Ltd by Tekmar Group plc, the investment in Tutorful by NVM Private Equity and the sale of Punjab Kitchen.”

Francesca Lilley joins the employment team and has worked on an array of Employment Tribunals and on strategic projects in relation to redundancy, national minimum wage and output work, gender pay gap reporting and TUPE.

Francesca said, “I like the culture of the firm and I was very impressed by the recent employment conference the firm held on “What Will Your Future Workforce Look Like?” The keynote speaker, Matthew Taylor, CBE, CEO of RSA and author of The Taylor Review report “Good Work” discussed what good work looks like and highlighted the importance of creating a positive working environment for everyone.”

Square One Law has also created a new digital marketing position to support the brand and the firm’s growing online presence. Claire Duns will strengthen the business development team and brings 10 years’ digital project management experience to the firm. She has extensive and varied experience having lived and worked in France before moving to London where she worked for Ralph Lauren and Marks and Spencer. Claire returned to the North East in 2015 and worked agency side before joining Square One Law.

She said, “I am very impressed by the significant investment Square One Law has made into its digital infrastructure and activity showing the firm’s commitment to continuous development as a forward-thinking business. I hope to continue to develop its multi-channel marketing strategy and increase the firm’s overall online presence.”

Gill Hall, Managing Partner said: “Despite the political uncertainty, we are seeing positive growth and expansion plans from our clients and these new people will strengthen our teams in both the Newcastle and Teesside offices.”