Collingwood Legal solicitors in Newcastle have added to their team in order to meet increasing demand for their specialist employment services.
Sarah Fitzpatrick has joined the firm as an associate solicitor and will be working with lawyers Liane Atkin, Jane Sinnamon and practice founder Paul McGowan.
Fitzpatrick is originally from Northern Ireland and first came to the North East in 1994 to study. She graduated with first class honours from Northumbria University.
After completing her training year in 2000, she specialised in employment law and worked with a large commercial practice in Newcastle for five years.
She then returned to Northumbria University and worked as a principal lecturer in the law faculty where she lectured in employment law on postgraduate courses. During her time there she also researched and published numerous articles which focused on employment tribunal practice and procedure.
She has acted for both public and private sector clients on a range of employment-related issues and has advised on proceedings at the High Court, Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
Sarah said: “Collingwood’s approach to its clients, the supportive working environment and the quality of the work that it delivers all combined to make this a very attractive move for me.
“Paul and the team have built a strong client base and are all extremely impressive practitioners, and I’m now looking forward to contributing to the continued development and rapid growth of the firm.”
Collingwood Legal was established in 2010 and is a relationship-based practice that specialises in employment law. They have worked with many well-known public and private sector organizations throughout the North East and wider afield.
McGowan said: “Sarah’s legal skills are truly excellent, and her enthusiasm and commitment to delivering the best client service fit very well with the ethos of our firm.
“Adding another senior solicitor to our team of specialist employment lawyers makes even more top-level expertise available to our clients, and will make a tangible difference to the firm’s continuing commercial development.”