Experienced lawyer strengthens commercial team at Square One Law
Helen Brain, partner, Michael Stevens, consultant and Ian Gilthorpe, senior partner.
Square One Law is pleased to announce that Michael Stevens, a seasoned business services lawyer, has joined the firm as a consultant to help commercial partner, Helen Brain, develop its commercial team. He has over 20 years’ extensive experience supporting Executive Boards and Operational Teams; at listed companies, equity and venture capital houses, private companies and partnerships.
Michael was formerly a partner in Walker Morris LLP, a Top 50 UK Law Firm, and was independently ranked in both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. He has an in depth and comprehensive understanding of structuring commercial transactions and drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and has acted for clients in a diverse range of sectors, including FMCG; Financial and Business Support Services; Food and Drink; Retail and Engineering and Manufacturing.
Senior Partner, Ian Gilthorpe said: “Michael has great experience in giving strategic and operational commercial legal advice to national and international clients and is a great addition to our commercial team. Helen joined us last year as a partner and has been busy advising our clients with negotiating and drafting a variety of commercial agreements, including international distribution agreements, manufacturing, consultancy, procurement contracts, IT-related contracts and intellectual property licences and related matters.
“One of the areas Helen has been focussing on is advising businesses on important changes to data protection legislation in the UK and across Europe and navigating changes in intellectual property rights protection in light of Brexit.
Helen Brain said: “The North East has a vibrant and growing local economy, including thriving manufacturing, engineering and specialist technology sectors and an internationally recognised pharmaceuticals industry. Many of our clients are becoming increasingly sophisticated buyers of commercial legal services including IP/IT and I believe that Michael and I have unrivalled knowledge of advising clients in these areas. We bring another dimension to our commercial offering, which is good news for our clients.”
Michael Stevens said: “it’s a real privilege to be involved with such a dynamic and radically different law firm; which puts clients first and at the heart of what it does. Square One Law is passionate about supporting its clients and developing its services and Helen and her growing team have the skills, commitment and drive to offer the highest quality commercial legal services to new and existing clients. I’m relishing the opportunity to contribute to the development of the team and to being involved in what will be an exciting new phase for the firm.”
