Promotions at fast growing Square One Law

Commercial law firm, Square One Law celebrates the first of its internal promotions as it reaches its second anniversary.  The ten  partner firm has come a long way in the last two years and its blue chip client base includes clients such as Able, Aker, Esso, Lanchester Wines, Miller, Shepherd Offshore and Tharsus as well as AIM listed PLCs, regionally based entrepreneurs and high net worth clients. 

The four new appointments are Gillian Hulls, promoted to partner in the litigation team; Satpal Pandal, promoted to senior associate in the property team; Heather Moore, promoted to Director of Finance and Ian Jackson, transfers from his initial consultancy role to Director of Operations.

Gillian Hulls and Ian Gilthorpe seated. Standing, L-R, Ian Jackson, Heather Moore and Satpal Pandal

Senior partner, Ian Gilthorpe said, “In creating Square One Law we have attracted highly talented lawyers with a depth of experience of working, not only with regionally based businesses, but also international and national clients.

“These promotions are really important to us as they demonstrate that people who perform outstandingly in our business and as part of our team have real opportunities in building their careers with us.  In the appointment of Ian Jackson and Heather Moore we are also now consolidating our base and management structures to enable us to maintain competitive advantage as we manage growth and continue to focus on developing smarter systems and processes.”

Square One Law, started in 2011 by Ian Gilthorpe and Alan Fletcher, has grown from a start up business to now employing 42 people.  It also has access to an extensive network of specialist legal and sector consultants who work as an integral part of the firm’s client teams.

Ian Gilthorpe continued: “Each of these promotions is well deserved and demonstrates great commitment.  Gillian Hulls joined us in June of last year.  Along with Robin Winskell, Gillian oversees the broad spectrum of contractual and other disputes handled by the firm’s growing litigation team.  Gillian’s background is a combination of private practice and in-house experience and brings a real focus on providing highly commercial, value for money and legal advice aimed at resolving disputes.”

Gillian’s successes to date include the preservation of significant millions in value for a landowner client after a lengthy contested hearing against a developer.  The client was delighted with Gillian and her team, and the way they performed against a large team from a national law firm.

Gillian is also a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and currently acts for over 100 high net worth individuals. She has been successful in establishing groups which are pursuing claims for some £25m arising out of mis-sold investments.

“Satpal Pandal joined the firm that summer as an associate in the property team.  Over the year he has demonstrated drive and commitment and has a very good working relationship with all of his clients who include organisations as diverse as County Durham PCT and Mandale,” explained Ian Gilthorpe.

“Ian Jackson built his career with national law firm Hammonds now Squire Sanders (UK) LLP where he was IT Director at Hammonds Direct and where he won a national award of Legal Sector IT Director of the Year.  I recruited Ian to Muckle LLP as Director of Operations and he has been providing consultancy advice to Square One Law since the outset.”

Ian Jackson said: “It has been a very interesting project to help establish Square One Law as an entrepreneurial start up business.  Having worked for Hammonds Direct and Muckle LLP, I fully understand the traditional law firm model, but Ian and Alan could see the competitive advantage of investing in new technology that is now far more client focused and which has utilised the benefits of cloud computing.

“It has not been without its challenges and a freak lightning strike on the building last summer, on the day when Newcastle was badly flooded, demonstrated to us all how beneficial cloud computing is.   With all of our systems and information hosted off site coupled with the use of smart phones, iPads and laptops, we were able to maintain service to our clients without any noticeable interruptions.

“I am delighted to take on this new role as director of operations, it is an excellent challenge as we develop the business further and to continue to improve our processes and focus on service quality.”

Ian Gilthorpe continues: “Ian Jackson’s role is also to help with the smooth running of the business so Alan and myself as well as other partners can focus more on our clients and developing our talented teams”

Ian concludes: “We have grown much faster than we anticipated and that growth has been due to two main factors – the first is winning great clients and the second is  attracting experienced lawyers who want to work in a different type of law firm that has a very different culture.  I believe these new promotions will send a very strong message to lawyers wanting to develop their careers because our culture is all about rewarding people who work hard and get results for their clients and the firm.”