UK-based Hill Dickinson has expanded again by bringing in a team of shipping lawyers from rival Clyde & Co.
The six new staff, led by partner Stephen Mackin, are based in Newcastle.
Hill Dickinson established the northeast England office in 2022 and said it has experienced steady growth since.
The idea is to strengthen its offering across the UK with the new recruits.
Mackin is joined by Sophie Pollard as legal director and senior associate Amy Cope.
Associate Charlotte Padgett and trainee solicitor Gabriella Matthews are also joining, together with personal assistant Lisa Richardson.
“The new hires form part of the firm’s strategic growth plan to expand its marine offering into Newcastle, given its existing client base in the northeast and the longstanding relationships, both locally and internationally, that the new team adds,” Hill Dickinson said.
Mackin brings more than 30 years of experience at Clyde & Co and Eversheds Sutherland.
He covers issues arising from the carriage of liquid cargoes by sea.
Former seafarer
The former seafarer can draw on his time working on VLCCs, product tankers, LNG carriers and bulkers.
Tony Goldsmith, head of the marine & trade group at Hill Dickinson, said: “Over the last year, we have continued to expand our marine and trade team, and the addition of a team in Newcastle represents the next stage in this growth strategy.
“Newcastle is steeped in maritime and commercial trading and Stephen’s extensive connections in the city and internationally — in particular in Greece — will further cement our UK and international service offering.”
The law firm has added staff in Hong Kong, Singapore and Piraeus in recent years.
Mackin said Hill Dickinson has a strong heritage and reputation in marine services.
“I’m incredibly excited to be taking this next step in my career to join the firm’s Newcastle office. I have lived and worked in Newcastle for almost 30 years, so I am very familiar with the market and the opportunities that Newcastle as a city holds,” he added.
The office is run by partner Andrea Proudlock and has a team of 16.
In January, the firm expanded its international reach with a new operation in Cyprus.
The base in Limassol was set up in association with two former Ince & Co partners, George Zambartas and Ester Toumpouris.
Their law firm G Zambartas formerly traded as Ince and Ince Consultancy (Cyprus).
