Irwin Mitchell Continues To Deliver Expert Legal Help For Clients Across The North East As It Eyes Continued Expansion in 2022

The Irwin Mitchell medical negligence team in Newcastle is enjoying a period of expansion, with six new team members, including a lawyer from East Boldon returning to her roots.

The specialist team which offers expert legal help and support to people affected by medical treatment and care issues across the North East has welcomed a number of new members as it eyes continued expansion in 2022.

Megan Walker is among those to join. She has spent the last three years at Irwin Mitchell’s London office.

Originally from East Boldon, Megan attended St Joseph’s in Hebburn, before studying law at The University of Leeds. Megan returned to the North East working as a paralegal for 18 months, before undertaking her legal practice course at Northumbria University.

Upon qualification, Megan, 29 headed for the bright lights of the capital and took up a position in the medical negligence team in the Irwin Mitchell London office. Three years on, Megan is now one of several colleagues coming back to their roots and set up home again in the region.

The medical negligence team has been further strengthened in recent weeks with the arrival of Rowen Cobb and Hannah Nagle  as paralegals; Peter Turner and Summer Hope as litigation assistants, plus new trainee, Hannah Williamson and a further Associate solicitor appointment has been made with Lauren Bullock joining the team in March 2022.

The return to a new normal post-lockdown has seen the Newcastle office continue to bring in new team members, through both hiring new staff but also in colleagues from the region like Megan, opting to take the opportunity afforded by flexible working to return home.

Speaking about her new move, Megan said: “It has been a great adventure to live in various parts of the UK during my legal career and while I have really enjoyed the last three years in London, now feels like the right time to move back home.

“I always knew I wouldn’t live in London forever. After the last 18 months in the pandemic as well as my best friends starting to have children, I decided it was time to move back home to be closer to family and friends.

“I’ve always loved Newcastle and always knew I’d move back at some point. I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting new clients who need our support and old friends.”

Sarah Coles, partner and specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell is heading up the team in Newcastle together with senior associate solicitor Samuel Hill.

Expert Opinion

“We have a flourishing medical negligence team in Newcastle and it’s a pleasure to welcome seven new faces, including highly experienced lawyers like Samuel, Megan and Lauren and further recruitment is in progress to continue our Newcastle expansion.

“Despite being a law firm with offices nationwide we pride ourselves in supporting the communities in which we are based. A lot of our clients have gone through terribly upsetting and emotional experiences and we’re here to offer people the local support they need on their doorstep. We pride ourselves on offering this personal service and the human touch many are looking for when in need of help and advice.

“The lockdowns have had an impact on recruitment for many businesses, but we have an advantage in being able to recruit internally to bring in colleagues like Megan, Lauren and Samuel with a lot of experience under their belts, but also local knowledge that can be so important to our clients.

“This process is just the beginning and we will be continuing to strengthen the team in the form of new hires and colleagues like Megan in the weeks and months ahead.” Sarah Coles - Partner