Watson Burton winter review 2016

Winter 2016

2016 REVIEW CELEBRATING A YEAR OF INNOVATION FOCUS ON ...TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOUNDATIONS FOR CHANGE Hans Moller shares his vision for the NE

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS The challenges facing the NE digital sector

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Patrick Harwood CEO

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Welcome

...to our Winter review 2016 has been a year of celebrated innovation in the North East. Identified as one of the fastest growing tech scenes in the country, Newcastle is fast becoming one of the country’s leading cities when it comes to entrepreneurial activity.

Over the past couple of years we have become established as the go-to law firm for technology companies in the North East. We’re proud of this reputation, and what our clients have achieved. We feel immensely privileged to have worked with some of the region’s most innovative and passionate leaders who are thinking outside the box, striving for improvement and driving change in our region.

Going into 2017, we are very excited to be working alongside such inspirational thinkers and to being a part of their story and that of the region.

It was very fitting that Hans Möller, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s first innovation director, provided our cover story in the Spring edition of Briefly Legal. For those of you who missed this article highlighting the regions expertise in technology and encouraging us all to question traditional constraints, breakdown barriers and drive innovation, we have included it on page 14.

2016 has also been a year of innovation and change at Watson Burton. We continue to streamline our services to ensure they meet the needs and opportunities of the ever-changing marketplace. We have strengthened the firm with partner promotions and new appointments whilst embracing the future with our highly innovative graduate recruitment programme (pages 20-22).

So, what does innovation mean to you? This is the question we should all be asking ourselves regularly in order to encourage progress and growth. For me, it is taking a risk to actually do something different rather than just thinking or talking about it. You can be the smartest person in the world, but you will always be outdone by someone who is braver than you if you are not willing to take a risk.

So here’s to 2017; may it be a year of success fuelled by the pursuit of innovation, the power of creative thinking and the desire to do things differently.

Merry Christmas Patrick

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CONTENTS 6 NEWS Big news stories from 2016

9 FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

The tech issues affecting you

10 HOW VULNERABLE IS YOUR CONFIDENTIAL DATA

Protecting your business from a Cyber Attack

12 BRIEF ENCOUNTER

Security measures to stay one step ahead of hackers

14 SPEARHEADING INNOVATION

Hans Möller on shaping the future of the region’s economy

18 BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

The challenges facing the NE digital sector

20 PARTNER PROMOTIONS

We welcome Anthony, Julie and Paul to the partnership team

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Construction team advise Clancy Docwra on contract for pioneering project

Lawyers in the Chambers spotlight Nine lawyers from Watson Burton were recognised in this year’s Chambers and Partners. Construction was ranked Band 2 with Sarah Wilson described as “very knowledgeable and understands the industry and its practices”. Richard Palmer is ranked Band 1 for Professional Negligence in the North East & Yorkshire, with clients saying “he is excellent and really stands out”. Partner Anne-Marie Knight is ranked as a Band 2 individual. In the Corporate team, DuncanReid was described as “a very safe pair of hands” and “good to have on our side”.

Paul Wigham is an “associate to watch” with one client saying: “You can trust him to deliver”.

Richard Palmer, Head of Professions and Insurance

The construction team at Watson Burton has advised Clancy Docwra Limited in negotiating a contract for a pioneering project with Gateshead Council.

Bal Manak, associate at Watson Burton, negotiated a NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract with Gateshead Council as well as professional appointments that Clancy has entered into with D3 Associates Limited and Hydraulic Analysis Limited for consultancy services.

The project – which is to provide a new district heating and private wire network from the proposed Energy Centre at Quarryfield Road in Gateshead – will serve a number of customers in Gateshead town centre including Gateshead Housing Company, the Civic Centre, The Sage Gateshead and Gateshead College.

Bal said: “This is a great opportunity for Clancy Docwra and it is envisaged that the network connections required will increase as the project develops. This will help to further cut bills and reduce carbon emissions, which is a key priority in the construction industry right now.”

The scheme is part of Gateshead Council’s efforts to attract new business to the area, reduce emissions and cut energy bills. It is expected to be fully self-financing, with the construction and operating costs for Gateshead Council being repaid over the life of the project via energy sales.

Colin Wilkinson, director of Clancy Docwra, said: “Clancy Docwra are proud to be part of this groundbreaking challenge.”

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Strength across the commercial landscape WATSON Burton’s expertise across a range of practice areas - and its multi-disciplinary capabilities - have been recognised in the Legal 500 2016.

The Newcastle-headquartered commercial law firm saw partners Duncan Reid and Christopher Graham named as “leading individuals” in the Legal 500 for their work in commercial and corporate practice, and employment law, respectively.

In the construction field, Sarah Wilson, partner in the construction and engineering department, was also recommended in the report, alongside Richard Palmer.

Partner David Jenkins was recognised for leading Watson Burton’s work with education institutions, and his expertise in TUPE transfers, redundancy programmes, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims, while partner Jacqueline Turner was acknowledged for her “significant expertise” in handling employment tribunals.

Watson Burton’s property litigation practice area maintained tier one status, with partner Gavin Winter praised for bringing “a commercial awareness to the table to ensure clients get the best outcome”.

The firm’s professional negligence practice also maintained tier one status: Richard Palmer, head of Watson Burton’s professions and insurance group, was viewed as standing out for his “straightforward professional advice that is always well researched.”

In banking and finance, Leeds based partner Andrew Francey was highlighted for his work In addition, Watson Burton’s along with Duncan Reid. He corporate team was praised said: “Watson Burton’s strong for its “excellent in-house showing in the latest Legal 500 expertise”, while the Legal 500 is proof of the expertise we highlighted the work of partner can apply for clients across a Julie Farrell-Knowles in the real wide range of disciplines, and estate team, and acknowledged of the close relationships the the firm’s commercial litigation members of our team develop practice for being “good on all with clients.” counts”.

Duncan Reid, Head of Corporate

Corporate team advises on engineering company acquisition A Newcastle engineering company, WHP Facilities, which specialises in the design, construction and maintenance of facilities like cleanrooms and laboratories has been acquired by Enact, an SME fund managed by private equity house.

Enact has invested in WHP Facilities alongside the existing management team to provide the financial platform to support the continued growth and development of the business.

Enact investment director joins the WHP board and will support the existing management team.

WHP was advised by PwC and Watson Burton.

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Watson Burton secures long-term partnership with national risk management group Lucion Services

Bal Manak (Watson Burton), Ross Boulton (Lucion Services) and Richard Palmer (Watson Burton)

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ucion Services is a group of health and safety risk management companies with offices across the UK. The partnership will allow Lucion’s clients to connect with the specialist legal support offered by Watson Burton, and the law firm will be using its multi-disciplinary experience to review contracts on behalf of the group.

Under the agreement, Watson Burton will undertake a ‘traffic light’ report identifying the high-risk, industry standard and non-critical clauses in contracts that Lucion Services is required to enter into.

The partnership will enable Watson Burton to identify contractual terms which pose a risk and will help the group to manage commercial risks more effectively.

Richard Palmer, head of Watson Burton’s professions and insurance group, said: “Lucion Services has built up a formidable reputation for helping businesses across a range of sectors.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Lucion Services and to be able to bring our

market-leading expertise in this area to the group and its clients.“ “The advice provided to Lucion Services means all parties that sign up to a construction contract can understand the commercial implications of clause and benefit from the guidance offered. Ultimately this means when clients are negotiating, rather than being confrontational, parties can adopt a pragmatic approach to working together to get the contract agreed in a way that is fair to both parties.“ Bal Manak, associate in Watson Burton’s construction and engineering team, added: “This partnership is an example of how businesses can benefit from of our multi-disciplinary approach and our depth of industry expertise in sectors such as construction, infrastructure, housing and education.

“We pride ourselves on working very closely with our clients and are looking forward to developing a long-standing relationship with Lucion Services, and supporting its operations with our specialist legal advice.“

FOCUS ON ... TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Cyber attacks, innovation and breaking down barriers. We take a look at the tech issues affecting you and hear how embracing innovation has the power to shape the region.

HOW VULNERABLE IS YOUR CONFIDENTIAL DATA?

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yberattacks on caused to your business companies are becoming in the event of a security increasingly frequent. breach? It is important to Whether an internal attack from have a clear handle on the an employee who is stealing answers to these questions data, or an external attack from before deciding on the hackers, the effects can be most appropriate security equally as devastating. Here, measures to deploy.

Anthony Rance, Partner at Watson Burton, outlines what • Make sure your employees can be done to counter the are all signed up to written threat. employment contracts, which contain a clear and robust You might take cold comfort definition of what constitutes from the fact that many the company’s ‘Confidential businesses across the country Information’. In addition, have suffered cyberattacks at consider whether any further one time or another, since data contractual restrictions theft can be alarmingly easy to are necessary for those perpetrate. employees in a senior role, or with access to particularly There are, however, several sensitive data. People rarely simple steps you can take take the time to focus on the to protect your company’s fine print until it is too late. confidential data from falling into the wrong hands…

• Invest in employee training and awareness. A thorough • First, assess your IT systems and well communicated set and understand where of company policies and there may be risks and procedures should let your vulnerabilities. How valuable, employees know what their sensitive or confidential roles and responsibilities is the data within it and are and what they can and what damage could be cannot do. For example,

policies may lay down guidelines for accessing company IT systems remotely or for working on confidential documents whilst on the move.

• Consider who needs access to the company’s data and set permissions accordingly. For example, an employee in your company’s sales team may not need access to financial information about the whole company. An admin clerk is unlikely to need access to the company’s client list. Each user should also have their own username and password, which should be regularly changed and updated.

• Be wary of departing employees. Whilst this is not to say that you should overlook the contribution they may have made to your business, the fact remains that they no longer have a vested interest in its success.

Common ways that departing employees take confidential information is by sending data to their personal e-mail

accounts before they leave, downloading data to a portable device or by logging into company systems after they have left. You should therefore ensure that you disable access to computers, servers and databases for ex-employees as soon as possible.

“Consider who needs access to the company’s data and set permissions accordingly”

Revolutionary Air Traffic Management Platform takes off

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revolutionary platform which will provide air traffic control and automation services for drones in all airspace across the world launched at the end of 2015, thanks to a six-figure funding boost by North East investors.

Anthony Rance, Partner

If the worst happens and you suspect or are faced with a data theft incident, employing the correct practices at the outset is crucial.

A small investment in knowledge and understanding could make all the difference between getting it right (and catching the culprit and retrieving your data) and getting it wrong. In particular, consider whether legal advice is necessary (it usually helps!) and also specialist forensic assistance. These measures are by no means bulletproof and rogue employees will always try and devise new ways to beat the system and get the upper hand.

The brainchild of innovator and entrepreneur Richard Parker, Altitude Angel or, The Internet of Flying Things™ will effectively solve the problem facing global governments which air traffic services and even NASA have been working to find a solution to in recent years.

“It’s clear that drones are rapidly becoming part of our future”

Paul Wigham, Partner

The £210,000 seed funding round was facilitated by corporate associate Paul Wigham. He said: “It’s clear that drones are rapidly becoming part of our future, so we were very pleased to be involved in this highprofile, innovative project. Months ago Richard began working on a solution to a problem which many people didn’t know would ever exist. His foresight means that this traffic management system can be implemented just as drones are starting to become more popular, ensuring that their usage is controlled and remains safe.”

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BRIEF ENCOUNTER The well publicised cyberattack on extramarital affair website Ashley Madison and further attacks affecting Twitter, Netflix and Spotify proves that organisations need to use the latest security measures to stay one step ahead of hackers, as Christopher Graham, partner at Watson Burton, explains.

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ackers are increasingly using the latest technology to carry out good old fashioned blackmail.

As you may recall a hacker, or hackers, calling themselves The Impact Team completely compromised databases, financial records and other information relating to users held by Ashley Madison and AdultFriendFinder. Online user data of millions of accounts were leaked along with maps of internal company servers, employee network account information, bank account data and salary information. This followed a demand by The Impact Team that the owners of these services close them down permanently, describing subscribers as “cheating dirt bags”.

Leaving aside expressions of moral outrage, the position has worsened for both Avid Life Media, which runs these websites and some of its subscribers. When all of this

personal data was made available the demands began.

Enclosing a link to a site where bit coins can be purchased, using a credit card, numerous individuals or organisations began demanding around £300 if subscribers did not want their personal details published more widely on the internet, using social media such as Facebook to inform the subscriber’s partner or employer. Unlike the hackers, these demands were motivated by financial reward.

simply more newsworthy than most cyberattacks. Increasingly, hackers use an insight and expert knowledge of online business to circumvent security systems. This is an emerging but common scenario involving either the theft of data or diversion of internet traffic, with casinos and online gambling platforms just as vulnerable as dating websites. Hackers use the latest technology but what they do involves simply good old fashioned blackmail.

In December 2013, two Polish hackers who unleashed a cyberattack to blackmail an online casino business out of millions of pounds were jailed for five years and four months each. To avoid a mass attack on computer servers designed to overwhelm the system, the Defendants demanded a 50 per cent stake in the company.

When compared with the The size and scale of this blackmailers using leaked cyberattack is quite staggering. details from Ashley Madison, Equally, this type of activity is not their ambition appears to have uncommon. Recent events are brought about their downfall.

“Increasingly, hackers use an insight and expert knowledge of online business to circumvent security systems.”

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“Organisations need to use the latest security measures to stay one step ahead of hackers�

Most blackmailers make more modest demands, with a view to avoiding investigation by the authorities as well as making a quick buck.

Whilst this type of attack involves more than one criminal offence, in the context of the internet, this does not appear to involve much of a deterrent.

It is likely that the solution to this type of serious problem lies partly in the technology.

Organisations need to use the latest security measures to stay one step ahead of hackers.

Victims also have civil remedies.

In common with Ashley Madison, most cyberattacks are based on the platform of some inside knowledge of systems. The perpetrator is often a former contractor or even an employee. Our law has developed along with online technology and the High Court is now quite accustomed to granting injunctions to prevent unauthorised disclosure and misuse together with consequential orders to police

this type of restraint, we have recently obtained Orders for imaging as well as inspection.

Civil proceedings enable a victim to retain control over the proceedings and the potential damage will usually justify the cost. The sanction for breach of an Order is contempt and this can include imprisonment as well as a fine. Once the victim’s position has been protected, complaint can then be made to the prosecuting authorities.

Doing business online is necessary for most commercial organisations and the growing threat of cyber-attacks runs the risk of the internet appearing to operate outside the boundaries of the law. Online businesses will grow more accustomed to implementing increased measures to ensure external security but also imposing controls internally upon those who have access to systems and know their operations.

Advances in technology also mean that evidence of wrongdoing is easier to uncover

and there are sanctions.

Wrongful interference, theft and blackmail have been around for much longer than the internet. The Courts have adapted existing remedies such as injunctive relief to the new age of the internet. Until the risk of prosecution becomes an effective deterrent, victims of a cyberattack should consider civil remedies in the High Court.

Christopher Graham, Partner

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SPEARHEADING INNOVATION Hans Möller, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s first innovation director, sees a region brimming with opportunities, with a rich seam of expertise in technology-led sectors. Briefly Legal meets the man who’s helping to harness this potential – and shape the future of the region’s economy.

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often get asked the question, ‘can we really do that in this region?’. But what the heck, why not? Why put constraints on ourselves?” Hans Möller knows what it takes to break down barriers, to drive innovation.

During his 12 year stint as chief executive of Ideon, Sweden’s first (and largest) science park, he grew the number of companies on site from 150 to around 350, shifting its focus to start-ups in the process and drawing in research expertise from Lund University.

A staunch advocate of ‘open innovation’, Hans helped Tetra Pack solve a long-standing packaging problem, through facilitating a workshop attended by designers, engineers, mathematicians… and even origami experts.

leaders and senior academics to help create a dynamic innovation culture across the North East economy. And he’s also overseeing the delivery of more than £125 million worth of investment to create a globally competitive innovation ecosystem in the region.

The organisation’s strategy surrounding this, Hans believes, is one of the most developed in the UK.

The Swede’s eyes light up when he talks about the potential residing in the region. Here’s just one example: “I visited Gateshead the other day and I Hans sees his role – and met people developing virtual that of the Innovation Board reality applications,” he recalls.

– as something that brings a “Gateshead is one of the ‘focus’ to innovation. He says: world’s centres of excellence for “Innovation cannot be done developing virtual technology. by your left hand when you It’s a great asset, a fantastic have some spare time or spare opportunity, so how can we money, it has to be focused use that? How can we help that in the region in a systematic new cluster to be successful in way. It has to be focused in entering other industry sectors? companies and businesses, and How can we use virtual reality also in the public sector which is in the healthcare sector, in the sometimes forgotten about when automotive sector?” you talk about innovation.”

Nissan and the supply chain During his successful tenure around it, the research strength “We have a fantastic at Ideon, Hans was co-founder of the North East’s universities, and CEO of the Ideonfonden AB heritage in this the growing digital sector venture capital fund in Sweden, (now boasting more than 1500 investing in ICT and life science region that we can companies), facilities such as start-up businesses.

The Cloud Innovation Centre at build on” Newcastle University… they’re It’s fair to say, then, that he is all listed by Hans as examples Part of that focus is on smart grasping his role as innovation of the region’s assets and specialisation – targeting director of the North East capabilities. research, development and Local Enterprise Partnership innovation support in key areas (North East LEP) with both But there is room for of strength. In the North East hands. Currently occupying improvement. Although he LEP’s case, passenger vehicle the only such position across praises the contribution of manufacturing; subsea and the UK’s LEPs, as innovation existing hubs such as the offshore; life sciences and director Hans works with the healthcare; and creative, digital, Digital Catapult in Sunderland organisation’s Innovation Board, software and technology based and the North East Technology which combines the expertise of services, have been identified Park, he believes that more business leaders, public sector as ‘smart specialisation’ areas. can be done to see these kind

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of communities germinate and flourish.

“Compared to Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries and regions in Europe, we don’t have very many science park environments, incubator environments and start-up communities,” the innovation director explains. “So the possibility and potential here is really to make this region stronger in terms of science parks and incubators. We have set up an incubator support programme to do that.”

And what of the role the legal profession can take in supporting the region’s visionaries? Hans suggests they are a vitally important part of the supply chain surrounding innovative businesses, helping for instance, to protect Intellectual Property rights and create a sustainable model for growth.

However, he asserts that the legal profession shouldn’t put start-ups in a straightjacket that discourages open innovation processes, or stunts their ability to move rapidly. “It’s a balance,” he says. But it’s a balance that he feels can be struck. At Ideon, a law firm – along with a patent company, bank and marketing agency – lived side by side with start-ups, it brought professional services into everyday contact

with innovators at the front line of emerging technologies, and allowed them to play an integral part in their business journeys, providing them with an invaluable insight.

an events programme. This, he feels, will build more powerful networks and sow the seeds of new partnerships.

Hans elaborates: “If you have very smart people inside your It’s those mutually beneficial, organisation, you can bet that close relationships which he there are smarter people out wants to see more of in the there, so how do you access North East. On a large scale, that? I’m not talking about building a more widespread meeting someone at board spirit of collaboration is key, level or CEO level, I’m really says Hans. trying to find ways to help SMEs’ employees meet other SMEs’ The exchange of ideas between employees.” entrepreneurs and academics is one example. “If you look Delivering the North East LEP’s at the interaction between Innovation Strategy, Hans academia and business, for says, will clearly not happen large corporations that’s not overnight. Expectations need to a problem,” he states. “They be managed. However, the LEP have structures in place and is an ideal model for helping universities always want to work to improve the fortunes of the with the likes of IBM, Microsoft region, he states. “It’s about and Siemens, as they have orchestrating, finding partners financial muscle. But how do for delivery, designing projects you interact with universities and helping partners apply for as an SME? I don’t think we funding.” have cracked that model and that’s what I would really like to Hans concludes: “It’s about develop in this region over the putting in the right foundations. coming years.”He also points If we do this right, and see the to cross-sector collaboration as long term strategy working and an exciting method of sparking being delivered we will create and fostering innovation, and thousands of jobs. I know it says that the North East LEP can can be done. And let’s not play a key role in supporting this forget, we have a fantastic process, bringing, for instance, heritage in this region that we businesses from the automotive can build on.” sector together with subsea specialists, or healthcare professionals together with digital entrepreneurs, through

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BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Paul Wigham, Partner at Watson Burton and part of our specialist technology team, talks to Briefly Legal about the North East’s digital sector.

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he digital sector nationally is becoming increasingly important and as an industry it has become a particular strength of the North East. As a region we now have a higher proportion of the workforce working in technology, digital and IT than any other sector. From start-ups to corporations and government departments, our region is a technology hub.

focused around geography, infrastructure, employment and finance. Once key issues have been identified, tailored seminars and workshops will be held to help businesses of all sizes to combat any problems they may face.

We know that digital businesses face a number of challenges.

They operate in a highly regulated environment, with data protection legislation and As a partner of the North East compliance being of particular Chamber of Commerce, Watson importance.

Burton’s specialist technology team has worked closely on a We are seeing increasingly joint research project to identify more digital businesses looking any barriers to entry or issues to us for advice on compliance that technology businesses in issues. On top of this, this region may face, and how successful digital businesses we can work together to break often have to manage down those barriers, making it regulations across multiple easier for businesses to grow. jurisdictions – particularly those companies to whom the online More than 400 technology economy is a central part of companies were asked to their business. complete a survey to feed into the report, with questions In the North East region,

employment issues are of paramount importance to digital businesses and it’s about more than finding skilled developers, but also senior executives and marketing teams who are skilled in championing this specific type of business and understand the challenges in order to drive growth.

The survey aimed to find out how easy companies have found it to recruit and retain the right employees, whether they have recruited from outside of the region to meet specific needs, and what they think could be done to help close the skills gap.

Despite the fact that establishing a digital business is generally less capital intensive than other industries, access to finance remains important.

This is an area where the North East is particularly strong, with a buoyant business angel investing ecosystem. We work very closely with venture capital

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“One of the most exciting aspects of the North East tech industry is the sheer scope and variety of companies” company Northstar Ventures which invests in innovative, high growth businesses and social enterprises across the region.

In 2015, the technology team advised on one of the first investments in a UK company by a ground-breaking new investment syndicate AngelList.

Taking the tech world by storm, the platform allows startups access to a syndicate of investors including some of the country’s leading technology entrepreneurs.

businesses have found it to access external finance, what support they have benefited from and what problems companies might have faced from lack of understanding, a lack of professional support or simply not knowing where to look.

business. I would be particularly keen to see policy initiatives focused on encouraging collaboration between digital businesses.

We’re lucky enough to have a network of dynamic and innovative individuals in the North East who are pivotal to our LOOKING TO THE FUTURE region’s success in this sector.

These people are passionate One of the most exciting about growth and recognise aspects of the North East tech the importance of pioneering industry is the sheer scope new ideas, supporting start-up and variety of companies. Tech businesses and collaborating businesses in our region operate where possible to make ideas Newcastle-based Fit Gurus, an in a global arena, a real coup – reality. online platform which allows not just for the businesses – but individuals to access bespoke for people living and working We’re very proud to work training plans from personal in the region who increasingly with some of the most trainers and celebrities, was one have access to more and better entrepreneurial and innovative of the first start-ups in the UK to jobs. companies in the North, helping receive investment from the UK them navigate through the syndicate, alongside investment A key outcome from this project frequently changing legislation from Northstar Ventures with will be the follow-up with in order to grow their businesses help from the team at Watson technology and IT companies and seize opportunities.

Burton. of all sizes. To me, innovation is about working together to The survey looked at how easily create a better environment for

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(left to right) Anthony Rance, Partner, Commercial Litigation Julie Farrell-Knowles, Partner, Real Estate Paul Wigham, Partner, Corporate

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Watson Burton announces the promotion to partner of Anthony Rance, Julie FarrellKnowles and Paul Wigham

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atson Burton is pleased to announce the promotion of Paul Wigham, (corporate) Julie Farrell-Knowles (property) and Anthony Rance, (commercial litigation).

Paul originally joined Watson Burton as a paralegal and undertook a graduate training contract with the firm, qualifying as a solicitor in 2008.

“the firm is committed to developing its people and supporting their career and personal growth.”

committed to developing its people and supporting their career and personal growth.”

distressed IT projects, financial services disputes and professional negligence claims.

“To be promoted to partner Julie, who works in the at Watson Burton is therefore Newcastle office alongside an exciting step for me and Wigham, specialises I’m looking forward to playing in negotiating property a major role in the continued transactions on behalf of growth and development of the investors, developers, education commercial litigation team and bodies and landlords and the firm generally,” he said. tenants.

She joined Watson Burton in 2003 as a solicitor and was promoted to associate in 2008. During 2016, she was recognised by the Legal 500 for her work in real estate.

“I am working in a business that recognises hard work and talent.”

Patrick Harwood, CEO, said this “It’s exciting to be taking another is an exciting time for Watson step forward in my career Burton and we’re delighted to with Watson Burton and to be be forging ahead with three able to help drive forward the new partners on board. The development of our real estate promotions demonstrate offering as part of my new role,” Watson Burton’s committment He became an associate she added. to business growth, expanding in 2011 and specialises in our market reach in key practice acquisitions and disposals, “My promotion reinforces my areas and enabling our talented advising on private equity belief that I am working in a team to flourish. investments and providing business that recognises hard funding and commercial advice. work and talent.”

“Paul, Julie and Anthony have all made a hugely important “It’s been thrilling to have made Anthony joined Watson contribution to Watson Burton’s the journey from graduate Burton from Pinsent Masons recent success and will continue trainee to partner at Watson in 2014 and has since to do so in their new positions,” Burton” he said. worked on a range of cases, including disputes arising “My recent promotion out of commercial contracts, demonstrates that the firm is

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

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ive university graduates will have the opportunity to are launching their legal work across Watson Burton’s careers with Watson Burton. key practice areas, including corporate and commercial, The graduates have joined real estate, construction and the firm’s graduate training engineering, professional programme, which provides indemnity insurance, high level training and a employment and commercial comprehensive introduction to litigation. law.

The programme will cover four six month rotations across “The new trainees Watson Burton’s national groups and each trainee will be all have a true supported by an experienced passion for mentor.

commercial law and it’s exciting to have them on board at Watson Burton.”

During the course of the twoyear programme, the trainees

Northumbria University graduates Olivia Coulson, from Durham and Francesca Hawker, from Scarborough, York University graduates Sarah Stubbs, from Lanchester and Jane Robertson, from Sunderland, and Leeds University graduate Katy Ames,

from Whitley Bay, have all been awarded training contracts.

Duncan Reid, partner and training principal at Watson Burton, said: “We’re looking forward to helping Olivia, Francesca, Sarah, Jane and Katy build their careers in law and seeing them play their part in delivering legal services to a wide array of clients.

“The new trainees all have a true passion for commercial law and it’s exciting to have them on board at Watson Burton.

“Our graduate training programme provides a fantastic opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to develop their careers and expertise, and gain ‘hands on’ experience of real client work.

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Need a safe pair of hands?

We can help Construction and Engineering

Employment

Contact: David Spires Email: david.spires@watsonburton.com Telephone: 0345 901 0923 | m: 07779 320118

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Christopher Graham christopher.graham@watsonburton.com 0345 901 2033 | m: 07980 731543

Contact: Sarah Wilson Email: sarah.wilson@watsonburton.com Telephone: 0345 901 0930 | m: 07813 886948

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Hazel Royle hazel.royle@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0964 | m: 07581 130070

Commercial Litigation

Professions and Insurance

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Gavin Winter gavin.winter@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0954| m: 07748 327717

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Richard Palmer richard.palmer@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0944 m: 07801 582092

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Anthony Rance anthony.rance@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0914 | m: 07581 383759

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Anne-Marie Knight anne-marie.knight@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0943 | m: 07791 701372

Corporate and Commercial

Real Estate

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Duncan Reid duncan.reid@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0954 | m: 07748 327717

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Libbie Henderson libbie.henderson@watsonburton.com 0345 901 2079 | m: 07791 702376

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Andrew Francey andrew.francey@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0958 | m: 07791 701303

Contact: Email: Telephone:

Julie Farrell-Knowles julie.farrell-knowles@watsonburton.com 0345 901 2065 | m: 07730 308962

Education

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Hazel Royle hazel.royle@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0964 | m: 07581 130070

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Anthony Rance anthony.rance@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0914 | m: 07581 383759

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Paul Wigham paul.wigham@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0960 | m: 07973 502809

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Paul Wigham paul.wigham@watsonburton.com 0345 901 0960 | m: 07973 502809

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