Alex Craig, Partner – Commercial Team
I joined Muckle LLP (then Robert Muckle) in 1998 as a trainee after studying for the CPE and LPC at Northumbria University. Robert Muckle was my first choice as it had a reputation locally for being very focussed and determined and competing with some of the larger Northern commercial practices. I had no desire to go to London and wanted to remain in the region having only just returned from Aberdeen where I studied as an undergraduate. I was therefore delighted after several (challenging!) interviews to be offered a training contract.
During my training contract, the world moved into a whole new period of fast technological development and we saw the internet boom and the rise of the dot.com. The firm identified its opportunity to undertake work in the sector and I was lucky enough to be in a commercial seat at the time. I therefore began to work with Gill Hunter in developing this area together with one of the then partners. This was a great success and it soon became clear that the niche work that we were undertaking was becoming more in demand and impacting on transactions which were becoming more and more technology led. As the team expanded we also saw the opportunity to capture the more general commercial contract work, as often such contracts had a technology or intellectual property focus. This brings us to where we are today: a successful and expanding commercial team.
I don't think as a student I really had any concept of just how dedicated and committed you really had to be to be a lawyer and so I had a steep learning curve. However, the one thing that kept me going through all of that was the people that I worked with and that remains the case today: Muckle LLP has a great team of people.
Em Phillipson, Solicitor - Employment Service Group
I didn't always want to be a lawyer. I suspect I'm one of few solicitors who finished their law degree convinced that a career in law wasn't for them. I decided to seek non-law employment until I had figured out an alternative career path. Whilst I was in that employment, I was required to undertake additional training, which was provided by Muckle LLP. It was then that I discovered that practising law was completely different to my initial impression.
Muckle lawyers were unstuffy and passionate about delivering an excellent service to clients, focussed around commercial advice, uncluttered by legal jargon. Straight-talking, down-to-earth people with a genuine passion for what they do: I was inspired. I wanted to do law the Muckle way!
I had high expectations and I have not been disappointed. As a trainee, there is an opportunity to have real responsibility and gain a sense of ownership of the work you do. This is key to integrating yourself into the firm. There is no typical "trainee" work and you are encouraged to gain a broad range of experience and given the support to do so.
There is also emphasis on gaining an understanding of the context of the work you do. This involves exposure to all stages of a transaction or contentious matter. This allows trainees to fully understand life as a solicitor in that particular field and assists with the important decision of what area of practice you seek to build a career in. When I graduated from law school I was quite certain that a career in law wasn't for me. The fact that Muckle managed to inadvertently change my mind is testament to the infectious enthusiasm that Muckle lawyers have for the work they do.
Emma Foxley, Solicitor – Corporate Real Estate Team
I joined Muckle as a trainee in 2009 and have recently qualified into the Property Services Group. Muckle appealed to me due to the firm's enthusiasm for the work it does and its values, the high standards it maintains and its strong sense of team spirit. I was keen to have a very "hands on" training contract, which would challenge me and which would see me as a valued member of each department, and this has definitely been the case. Muckle trainees are encouraged to take ownership of their work in order to develop their skills and confidence, but support is always close by and questions are encouraged. I also had the opportunity to go on a six month secondment to Northern Rock for my penultimate seat, which was a fantastic learning opportunity, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone.
The work is varied and challenging and we have a wealth of experience in each team so there are plenty of opportunities to develop and learn. Whilst the Muckle team is committed to excelling in the legal services it provides clients, it is also fun, dynamic and energetic! Whether it's being involved on the social team, or attending the various events from nights out, to charity bike ride challenges, rounders and football games, or being involved in the community team and taking part in fundraising days and events, there is an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and enjoy themselves.
Jennifer Swansey, Associate Solicitor - Corporate Finance team
I joined Muckle LLP in 2004 as a trainee after studying law at Edinburgh University and then completing the CPE and LPC at Northumbria University. Muckle LLP really stood out to me for its friendly atmosphere, the quality of work it carries out and the commitment it has to support and develop its solicitors.
Whilst a trainee I gained valuable hands on experience of working within the different legal teams at Muckle LLP. I spent the final six months of my training contract in our Corporate Finance team and found that the work really appealed to me. I particularly enjoyed being part of a close team working on company acquisition and disposals. Having identified Corporate Finance as the area of law I wanted to practice, I was delighted to be offered a position there upon qualification.
Now that I have been with the team for a number of years, I have developed strong relationships with our clients who come to me for a wide range of company law advice. There is also the opportunity to work with a variety of people within the firm, particularly in property, banking and employment, when working on a sale or acquisition .
I also assist our Charities Team. I find that there are lots of similarities between company law and charity law, particularly when it comes to advising trustees of the different structures available on incorporation. Also, these days trustees are finding that they need to operate their charities as businesses in order to grow and attract funding. One project I have been involved in was the purchase of a pub by a local community who came together to form a co-operative.
I am impressed by Muckle LLP's commitment to carry on training their solicitors following qualification. The firm operates a broad training programme which encourages everyone, from trainees to senior partners to develop their skills and keep updated on the latest developments in their area of expertise.
Kevin Maloney, Associate solicitor - Banking Team
I studied law at Newcastle University and completed the LPC at the College of Law, York following a year out travelling after university. I worked as a paralegal at Pinsents in Leeds for a year before starting my training contract at Robert Muckle (as it was then) in 1998. After my year out, I had a much clearer idea of the type of firm I wanted to work at and I did a small number of applications which included Muckle: I was delighted to be offered a training contract! During the application process, I was really impressed with the friendliness of the trainees and the graduate recruitment team and I felt that it would be a firm that I would be comfortable and enjoy working at.
Following qualification, I started doing more banking work which I really enjoyed. When the investment property market was buoyant, I did a lot of property finance transactions but now I mainly do corporate banking work. I advise many different banks and funders as well as our borrower clients when they require funding.
Although I have been at the firm for a number of years, it doesn't seem that long! One of the reasons for this is ever since I joined, the firm has always been evolving and developing whether this be around service delivery, its brand, expansion into new sectors, converting to an LLP or moving offices. The firm has never stood still in my time here.
I lead the graduate recruitment team and a question I often get asked is what do you enjoy about working here. Two things stand out: firstly (and more importantly) the people and secondly the quality of the work. I've been really fortunate during my time here to work with some fantastic people. There is a real team ethos which makes being at work much more enjoyable. The teams work very hard here at Muckle (as the work and clients can be demanding!) but we also enjoy ourselves as well. I'm lucky to count colleagues and former colleagues as real friends. Secondly, we have a range of clients based regionally and nationally which means the quality and range of work is excellent. You get to work closely with many different colleagues and clients which keeps the work varied and refreshing.
Martin Wilson, Solicitor - Corporate Real Estate Team
I officially joined Muckle LLP as a trainee in 2006 having completed an exempting law degree at Northumbria University. My involvement with Muckle however started three years before that, once I had been offered a training contract. All of the future trainees were invited to regular events, such as the firm's Christmas and summer parties and I was pleasantly surprised at how welcome and included the team made me feel well before my first day. The aspect of the firm that initially drew me to join Muckle ahead of others was its underlying commitment to local business and the sense of a strong team environment throughout the firm. Although other firms quoted this on recruitment literature, Muckle really demonstrated this throughout the firm. I wanted to join a firm that was not just focused on winning work and making profit but also had an eye on giving back to the local community and helping local business to develop. This has certainly proved to be the case during my time at Muckle.
I was fortunate to start my training contract at a time of healthy growth in the business world and got involved in a whole array of deals, projects and developments. The work was challenging but I welcomed the level of responsibility that was afforded to the trainees. Muckle really do give trainees hands on experience but with access to a team offering support throughout the training contract. I was encouraged to get involved in social activities and events with clients and saw what it was really like to be a qualified solicitor at the firm. I particularly enjoyed the property and corporate work during my training contract and combined this by qualifying into the Corporate Real Estate Team in 2008. I now get involved in corporate mergers and acquisitions, sales and restructuring work and am focused on the property side of the deals.
Matt Walsh, Solicitor - Corporate Finance Team
I was fortunate to secure a work experience placement at the firm when I was still at school and the friendliness and approachability of everyone over the course of that week marked Muckle out as a business that valued its people and their input.
Having studied in Leeds, I was ready to return to the North East and the firm's ambition and culture meant that it ticked all the boxes. My first seat was in the Commercial Team and from the very beginning, I was involved in complex IP protection, trade mark protection for listed and international companies and patent licences. I was also given the opportunity to draft terms and conditions for a high profile competition and the online presence for a well-known sports brand.
My second seat in the Dispute Resolution Group gave me exposure to litigation for a listed company, IP infringement claims, insolvency litigation for individuals and high value property litigation for a London-based client. My third seat was with Corporate Finance and I've been involved from the outset on transactions and getting to grips with the due diligence process. Part of my final year will be spent on secondment at Northern Rock. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a different corporate environment and develop my own contacts.
The firm has a well deserved reputation for supporting local charities and causes and there is always an opportunity to contribute, even if it does involve getting soaked in a dragon boat on the Tyne! We are all encouraged to attend networking events: these give us an opportunity to get to know many of the firm's current or prospective clients and, in so doing, build up a network of our own.
Nicola Barnett, Solicitor - Commercial Team
Having studied in Newcastle and worked in the region for six years following graduation, I was keen to remain in the North East. In my previous role at One NorthEast as a specialist legal adviser, I had worked with all of the big North East firms and was impressed by Muckle LLP's breadth of knowledge, commitment to the region and commercially-focused, proactive approach. I had also worked with trainees from Muckle and found them to be knowledgeable, hard-working and keen to seek solutions.
I wanted to work for a firm that offered experience in a range of commercial services and opportunities to work with a range of clients from SMEs to global companies. Muckle LLP has enabled me to experience all of this and more. The firm is recognised as a major player in the market whilst retaining a regional community focus, enabling people at all levels to see the local end product of their efforts, which I find very rewarding.
Since joining Muckle LLP in September 2010, I have been given the opportunity to build on my previous experience by joining the Commercial Team. In my first seat I worked on a variety of matters including IP, commercial contracts (including distribution, agency and franchise agreements), data protection, FOI and public sector contracts. I have also supported the Corporate Finance Team where required. My second seat was in the Property Development Team where I mainly worked for one of the firm's largest property developers.
I have also been given the opportunity to join the Energy Group, which has been a completely new area of experience for me. I am enjoying the challenge of getting to grips with a new sector that will become increasingly crucial for the country going forward.