Hill Dickinson adds marine team to its expanded Newcastle offering

Full service international commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has announced the addition of a new marine team to join its growing Newcastle office.

The Newcastle office, which has experienced steady growth since its launch in 2022, welcomes a six-strong marine team, led by shipping partner Stephen Mackin, who will help strengthen the firm’s marine offering across the UK. 

Mackin is joined by Sophie Pollard as legal director and senior associate, Amy Cope. Associate Charlotte Padgett, trainee solicitor Gabriella Matthews and PA Lisa Richardson will also join the team from Clyde & Co’s Newcastle office.

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 North East and the longstanding relationships, both locally and internationally, that the new team adds.  

With over 30 years’ experience at both Clyde & Co and Eversheds Sutherland, Mackin brings a wealth of expertise in all aspects of shipping issues arising from the carriage of liquid cargoes by sea. As a former seafarer, he also brings considerable practical experience including the operation of VLCCs, product tankers, LNG tankers and bulk carriers. 

Tony Goldsmith, head of the Marine and 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.

“Increased regulation around the safe and sustainable carriage of goods by sea is seeing continued demand for legal services globally. Having expanded in Hong Kong, Singapore, Piraeus and now Newcastle, with additional associations in Limassol and Geneva, our existing international network continues to work collaboratively to meet this demand and provide a seamless service to our clients.”

Stephen Mackin, partner and head of Hill Dickinson’s Newcastle marine team, said: “Hill Dickinson has a strong heritage and reputation when it comes to its marine services, and 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. I look forward to working together with Sophie to grow the team.” 

Andrea Proudlock, partner and head of Hill Dickinson’s Newcastle office, added: “The Newcastle office of Hill Dickinson has expanded rapidly since we opened in 2022 following significant client demand for advice from our specialist health team. The addition of Stephen’s respected marine team to our office is a real coup and a demonstration of the firm’s commitment to investing in, and growing, its presence in the North East. It is wonderful to be able to offer these additional legal services from our Newcastle office, especially given the region’s strong maritime heritage. We are all very much looking forward to working with the new team and no doubt there will be exciting times ahead!”

Since launching in 2022, Hill Dickinson’s Newcastle office has grown to a team of 16, including the new marine team. These latest appointments are also part of the firm’s wider UK growth strategy, with the recent opening of its first Midlands office in Birmingham, along with the expansion of its Leeds office.  

Hill Dickinson’s Newcastle office will relocate from Rotterdam House to larger premises at Portland House, NE1 8AP, on Monday 13 May 2024.