The North East Seeks Legal Talent
6th November 2007 from 9:18 amOver the last ten years Newcastle & the North East of England has re-emerged as a thriving business community; billions have been spent investing in the infrastructure, the regional heritage and regeneration projects. This has helped attract businesses back into the region and many large corporations (providing quality instructions to the regions law firms) have a presence in the North East including Arriva, the Sage Group PLC & Entec, one of the UK’s largest environmental and engineering consultancies.
This economic improvement has given rise to a mass of opportunities for professionals in the region and particularly for lawyers. From trainees wishing to gain excellent exposure and client contact early on in their career to experienced individuals looking for recognition and rewards, Newcastle & the North East has plenty to offer Lawyers & Solicitors across a variety of disciplines. Solicitors in the corporate, commercial, property & private client departments have a wide range of choice in both the type of firm they can work for and the type of client they wish to represent.
Firms grabbing the headlines for 2006/7 include Muckle LLP, Ward Hadaway & Dickinson Dees. Ward Hadaway, for the first time, posted profits of over £400,000 per equity partner & Dickinson Dees’ turnover exceeded £56 million both improving their standings in the Lawyer Top 100 up to 85 & 48 respectively.
Causing a stir in the region is Muckle LLP, formerly Robert Muckle Solicitors. With turnover increasing by 20% last year to just under £10 million the firm received 6 nominations at the inaugural North East Insider Dealmakers awards and walked away with the awards for Corporate Deal and Corporate Lawyer of the year.
In October 2007 Stephen McNicol, Muckle LLP’s managing partner said "attracting talented lawyers to the region is extremely important to us. We offer quality work for quality clients as many of our competitors do, but what we find people increasingly look for is a culture which invests time in their personal and professional development; a culture that allows them to really contribute and feel valued".
James Hitti, Consultant at BCL Legal, confirmed ‘the region offers a complete spread of firms from national giants including Eversheds to high quality high street operations. I deal with managing partners who have a genuine interest in working with quality staff handling quality work.”
BCL Legal provides comprehensive legal recruitment services for Solicitors, Lawyers, law firms and businesses at all levels, across all disciplines and across all sectors. With offices in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham, BCL Legal is dedicated to assisting Lawyers throughout the North East and the UK’s regions.
James Hitti specialises in recruiting Solicitors into law firms across all disciplines in the North East of England. If you would like information in relation to employment within Private Practice, please contact James Hitti on 0845 241 0938
Lawyers party in Manchester for the ‘Oktoberfest’ as the Legal Recruitment Boom Continues
29th October 2007 from 9:20 amUK legal recruitment agency BCL Legal have seen an increase in instructions in the final quartre of 2007 with many instructions from firms and in house legal departments across a wide variety of sectors. Private practices as well as in house legal departments seem set to grow across all the regions in what seems to continue to be a buoyant and candidate driven market. Particularly buoyant disciplines include Corporate, Commercial, Employment, Commercial Litigation and Construction
The in house market is exceptionally buoyant with many departments looking for Solicitors and Paralegals with IP, Corporate and Commercial experience. BCL Legal is currently acting for a number of major property and banking blue chips including HBOS, Balfour Beatty plc, AMEC plc and Urban Splash.
BCL Legal held a party on 18 October 2007 to inaugurate the new Trainee Solicitors from law firms in Manchester, Preston, Cheshire and Liverpool. The event was held in association with the Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group and the Young Solicitors Group at the Slug & Lettuce in Manchester city centre.
Over 400 lawyers and trainee Solicitors attended from leading national law firms including Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, Weightmans and Eversheds as well as local law firms including Pannone LLP, Turner Parkinson and Horwich Farrelly. Going on late into the night with local jazz band, stilt walkers and fire eaters to entertain; the event was a huge success.
BCL Legal Recruitment Director Victoria Clark commented “It’s a great opportunity for the solicitors and lawyers of tomorrow to network with solicitors and partners from law firms across the region. The North West is a relatively small legal community and it’s important we promote ourselves nationally to encourage more legal work to travel out of London. The North of England is thriving and these events allow everyone to have some fun.” Victoria Clark specialises in placing solicitors into private practices in Manchester and Lancashire.
With offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, BCL Legal provides a comprehensive legal recruitment service for solicitors, lawyers, law firms and businesses at all levels, across all disciplines and across all sectors. The next event sponsored by BCL Legal is ‘Thank Fawkes it’s Friday’ in Birmingham at Must on Friday 2 November from 5pm.
Victoria Clark can be reached at BCL Legal Recruitment in Manchester on 0161 209 3300
Specialist Conveyancing Recruitment Consultancy for the Conveyancing Sector in Yorkshire and the North East
18th October 2007 from 9:26 amUK legal recruitment consultancy, BCL Legal is a specialist agency with a niche Residential Conveyancing team of Consultants across Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.
At BCL Legal’s Leeds office, David Carr specialises in recruiting professionals into the property sector at all levels within private practice including paralegals, legal executives, licensed conveyancers and solicitors.
The Residential Conveyancing sector has seen significant changes over the past 12 months with the phased introduction of HIPS and a move towards E Conveyancing. Despite well documented fears of a housing market slow down across the country, firms across the Yorkshire and the North East continue to recruit at all levels.
David Carr commented “There are a wide range of opportunities at practices of all sizes throughout Yorkshire and the North East. There has been a noted rise in residential conveyancing jobs being offered by small and mid tier firms. Additionally, large firms with national client bases continue to have regular recruitment needs”.
David Carr can be reached at BCL Legal Leeds Office on 0845 2410935
Residential Conveyancing Recruitment Remains Buoyant in the East and West Midlands as Solicitors, Paralegals and Licensed Conveyancers Still in Demand
2nd October 2007 from 9:30 amBCL Legal is a full service legal recruitment agency with offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.
Melanie Daly is a Consultant at BCL Legal’s Birmingham office who specialises in recruiting legal professionals into the Residential Conveyancing sector within private practice, specialist conveyancing businesses and in house across Birmingham, Nottingham and the Midlands.
The Residential Conveyancing sector has seen significant changes during 2007 with the phased introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and a move towards E Conveyancing. Despite well documented fears of a housing market slow down across the country, many firms across the Midlands continue to recruit to fill jobs at all levels from Conveyancing Fee Earners to Licensed Conveyancers and Residential Property Paralegals.
Melanie claims “Firms throughout Birmingham and the Midlands law firms expanding their Residential Conveyancing services and are recruiting Paralegals, Legal Executives, Licensed Conveyancers and Solicitors for all manner of Conveyancing jobs”.
Melanie Daly can be reached at the BCL Legal Birmingham Office on 0121 616 0380 or via birmingham@bcllegal.com
Legal Recruitment experts BCL Legal expand Birmingham office to service legal firms and businesses across the UK
17th September 2007 from 9:30 amLeading specialist regional recruitment consultancy BCL Legal recently expanded their Birmingham office to provide a full service offering to the legal market in the West and East Midlands and East Anglia.
BCL Legal launched their Birmingham office in November 2006 with established Consultant Melanie Daly offering a specialised service recruiting fee earners for the Residential Conveyancing sector providing us with a firm foundation in the region.
Philip White has now joined as Associate Director to spearhead the growth of the private practice team and comes highly recommended by many firms in the region. Philip has worked in legal recruitment in the Midlands for seven years and has acted for the full range of firms including large national and regional commercial firms and high street clients.
Leading in house recruitment specialist and director of BCL Legal, Mark Levine will be working closely with Philip recruiting for a variety of in-house legal departments across commerce and industry in the region.
Commenting on the new direction for BCL Legal, Director James Batt said 'we are delighted by the welcome the Midlands market has already shown us, we will be replicating the model we have used to develop in the North West and Yorkshire and will be very active in the Midlands. We intend to offer the same high quality bespoke candidate and client service we are well known for in the North'.
Preston, Lancashire 3rd Largest City in the North West for Solicitor Recruitment
15th August 2007 from 9:31 amWith Preston becoming the 3rd City of the North West UK by 2012, it's no great surprise that the Legal sector has seen a huge period of growth of late. Preston obtaining city status in 2002 has resulted in a huge regeneration plan in the newest city estimated at £1.8 billion of investment, which will transform Preston and the region's economic standing.
Naturally, Preston is perfectly placed to live up to expectations with its excellent transport networks, a modern crown courts complex and a large number of businesses in the banking, insurance and legal sectors establishing regional offices within the city.
The M6 around Preston consists of eight lanes and junction 31a provides direct road links to strategic employment sites east of the motorway. The extension of the M65 to link with the M6 and M61 south of Preston has completed a local high speed road network allowing access to all parts of the North West and beyond. One million people are within 30 minutes reach of Preston and 90% of UK residents are within a 5 hour drive.
As the economy develops, so do the number of career options available to Solicitors across a range of disciplines. The investment and involvement of the North West Development Agency has increased the demand for Corporate Finance, Company, Commercial and Commercial Property Solicitors, which has seen law firms recruiting for Newly Qualified Solicitors to Partner level in volume, in order to manage the levels of work coming through the door.
Evidence of this, is shown with the increased number of mergers of firms in Lancashire. DWF following their merger with Ricksons on 1st January 2007 gained a Preston office and have subsequently announced that turnover has broken through the £50M barrier. Roland Maguire, DWF Real Estate Partner comments "Our approach to the market is to offer the same level of service and expertise that clients receive in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds with the advantages of being right in the heart of Preston and commitment to the city. Our recruitment policy is entirely focused on this."
Another firm making headlines is Napthens LLP, who have been very pro-active in their development strategy. Following on from their recent announcement to merge with Blackpool-based Cuddy Woods & Cochrane under the Napthens name, Lancashire law firm, Napthens have also announced plans for Chorley-based legal practice, Wallwork & Company to join them. From1st October 2007, it will be a 28 partner firm with 179 staff, and one of the biggest general practice law firms in the county.
BCL Legal provides comprehensive legal recruitment services for Solicitors, Lawyers, law firms and businesses at all levels, across all disciplines and across all sectors. With offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, BCL Legal is dedicated to assisting Lawyers throughout the North West UK.
Layla Jackson of BCL Legal specialises in recruiting Solicitors into law firms across all disciplines in Lancashire and the Greater Manchester area. If you would like information in relation to employment within Private Practice, please contact Layla Jackson.
Leading Specialist Recruitment Consultancy BCL Legal Strengthens Temps Team
20th July 2007 from 9:31 amUK Legal Recruitment Agency BCL Legal recently acquired the Temporary and Contract team from consultancy rival Michael Page plc. Mary Nowell and Liz Lawson join during a period of growth for BCL Legal to develop their success in supplying Locum and Contract Lawyers in the regions.
Having graduated in Law and coming from a family of lawyers Mary has a good understanding of legal disciplines which is invaluable when sourcing opportunities for lawyers and liaising with partners of law firms and legal teams. Liz has enjoyed working with temporary lawyers and enjoys the fast paced nature of working within temporary recruitment where a firm usually requires someone to fill a vacancy within a very short time scale. She has gained good technical knowledge and is developing key relationships with law firms, in-house teams and public sector departments in Leeds, Yorkshire and the North East.
Director Mark Levine commented ?We are delighted to welcome Liz and Mary to the team, they have strengthened our contribution to the legal sector across the regions as we are now able to offer the full range of services our clients need to run their businesses. In a survey of the legal sector, 90% of the businesses surveyed said that their biggest bar to growth was recruitment. At a time where the permanent recruit is taking longer to find, businesses are having to think laterally about how they can continue to maintain high levels of client satisfaction and in many circumstances a temporary lawyer or locum is a very viable option?
With offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, BCL Legal provides a comprehensive legal recruitment service for solicitors, lawyers, law firms and businesses at all levels, across all disciplines and across all sectors.
BCL Host Evening for In-house Lawyers from the North West's Leading Businesses
11th June 2007 from 9:34 amOn 6th June 2007 BCL Legal, leading legal recruitment consultancy with offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, hosted an evening for in-house lawyers from the North West's leading businesses. This was in conjunction with the Law Society's Commerce and Industry Group.
The event: "How to Manage your Career" was attended by 35 in-house lawyers who currently work across the North West at companies including CitiFinancial plc, MyTravel plc and United Utilities plc.
Lara Oyesanya - Head of Legal, Lex Legal Services, David Wilson - Head of Legal, Makro Cash & Carry UK and Steve McDowell - Legal Director, Military Air Solutions, BAE Systems all shared their own experiences of managing their careers and the importance of doing so. They revealed some of the good and not so good advice they have received during the course of their career.BCL Legal was also on hand to give advice on how to advance your in-house career and offered tips on how to secure the next step as well as how to make yourself marketable.
Current UK conveyancing job listings for solicitors and legal professionals can be found on the BCL Legal recruitment website through the links below.
Mark Levine, in house legal recruitment expert said, "This was an excellent event for in-house lawyers, not only to raise their own profile within the in-house legal community but to get some real life examples of how other lawyers have been able to develop their careers."
For further information please contact Mark Levine on 01612093300 or marklevine@bcllegal.com for information relating to job opportunities within legal departments of commerce and industry in the region. For information on in house opportunities in Yorkshire and the North East contact renukasalvi@bcllegal.com
North West UK In House Legal Market Booms
23rd April 2007 from 9:38 amIn a recent article the North West of England was described as a ?country within a country? such is its economic clout, its educational and research base, the strength and innovation of its industries and the beauty of its countryside. Its economy dwarfs anything outside the South East and is larger than many economies on the European mainland.
Within the UK, the North West?s economy is the third largest, with 6.8 million people and 230,000 business powering a £106 billion economy. The region is the second largest legal centre with 1,800 law firms employing approximately 11,000 lawyers.
The North West is home to 80 banks and the financial and business services sector employs 172,000 people are employed in a sector that is valued at more than £9 billion. Some of the UK?s leading retailers, pharmaceutical, telecoms, aerospace, and health care companies have operations here resulting in many exciting legal opportunities in-house for the region?s lawyers.
As the economy develops, career options for lawyer?s in-house increase. The majority of vacancies are for existing legal teams looking to expand further. It is not unusual for a business to recruit its first in-house lawyer and quickly realise the benefits of keeping the legal work in-house. AstraZeneca recently recruited three corporate lawyers in preparation for a sharp increase in M&A activity as they look to boost their drug pipeline by buying up smaller life sciences operations.
The majority of lawyers who are sought come from a commercial/IP/IT background however that is not to say that lawyers with little experience in these areas automatically fail to make the move in house. It is often the case that in-house lawyers are recruited as much for their personality and future ability as well as their current legal skills. Only last month we assisted a lawyer specialising in transactional banking at a London City firm relocate to an in-house and predominantly commercial contracts role in the North West. Working with the correct recruitment consultant with knowledge of the market that you are looking to enter could be the key to your success.
BCL Legal is a full service legal recruitment agency with offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham, UK
On the Piste in Leeds with BCL Legal Recruitment Agency
26th March 2007 from 9:40 amLegal recruitment agency BCL Legal is hosting the "Join Us On The Piste in Leeds" event for solicitors and legal professionals in Leeds and across West Yorkshire. The event will be held on Thursday 29th March at Bar Ha! Ha! 4, Millennium Square in Leeds.
BCL Legal is inviting regional legal professionals to re-live apres-ski moments with their friends and colleagues in Leeds. The party starts at 6:00 PM with a champagne reception followed by DJ and live jazz band.
?Going off the success of our last event in Leeds, we are expecting a good crowd of local supporters and recently qualified lawyers? claims BCL Legal Director James Batt.
BCL Legal Consultant Tom Crampton added "the Leeds and West Yorkshire market is buoyant, with very high demand for skills in key disciplines including Corporate Finance, Commercial Property and Construction. The 1-3 years' pqe lawyers are often the most sought after".
In house Legal Recruitment Consultant Renuka Salvi comments "there is competition from in-house legal departments in the Yorkshire and North East which is also draining the small pool of resources much sought after by local private practices. Most businesses with in-house legal teams will look for commercial contract drafting experience however recently there has also been a need for Employment, Litigation, Commercial Lending and Property Lawyers. "
Tom Crampton specialises in recruiting solicitors into private practice law firms in Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hull, Bradford and throughout Yorkshire. Renuka Salvi specialises in recruiting solicitors into businesses in Yorkshire and North East with in-house legal departments.
BCL Legal provides a comprehensive legal recruitment service for solicitors, lawyers, law firms and businesses at all levels, across all disciplines and across all sectors.
For more information or current legal job vacancies, please search our legal job listings, or call our offices in Leeds, Manchester or in Birmingham.
View the 'On the Piste in Leeds with BCL Legal' event photo gallery.
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