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Muckle LLP's litigation team expands with new appointment

17th Mar 2020
Muckle LLP's litigation team expands with new appointment

We're delighted to welcome solicitor Ailsa Charlton to our 12-strong dispute resolution team. Ailsa will be supporting all aspects of the team’s work, from construction industry disputes to contractual disagreements.

Before deciding on a career in law, Ailsa spent four years on a graduate programme at a national retailer after graduating from Durham University. Ailsa then went on to train and qualify as a lawyer in the North East.

Top team and tech

Ailsa said: “I am thrilled to have joined Muckle LLP’s top ranked dispute resolution team at a very exciting time for the firm.  I love the challenge and variety that dispute resolution work offers, alongside the scale and scope of cases Muckle is engaged with.

“I was particularly attracted by the firm’s fresh approach to client relationships, its readiness to embrace cutting edge technology and the supportive team environment.”

Legal 500 UK ranks us in the top tier for commercial litigation in the North and lists several of the team as ‘leading individuals’.

Our dispute resolution team is also renowned for being one of the first legal teams outside London to use artificial intelligence technology to speed up the typically manual and time consuming document disclosure process on multimillion pound claims.

Mentored by some of the best

Susan Howe, partner and head of the dispute resolution team, said: “Ailsa is a fantastic addition to our team and has seamlessly settled into the firm. With her background in the retail sector, she brings practical business experience and a commercial perspective that is invaluable to clients, as well as being a very talented litigation lawyer.

“Ailsa is now working alongside specialist commercial litigators, handpicked from national and London law firms, and is being mentored by some of the best lawyers in the business.Investing in new technology and techniques

“Our team is regularly engaged in complex, multi-million pound, heavyweight disputes on a regional, national and international level. Muckle is also always looking to invest in new technology and techniques to continue to innovate and improve experiences for our clients and our people, so it is a really exciting time to be part of our team.”

Ailsa joins partners George Festing – who, as well as commercial litigation, specialises in intellectual property, IT, media and entertainment disputes -  and Leah Heatley - who has a particular reputation in procurement disputes. As well as advising on all types of commercial litigation, associate Alex Blenkinsopp also specialises in inheritance disputes and contentious trusts and probate.

Handling a wide range of disputes

Led by Susan Howe, the team handles a wide range of disputes including commercial, construction, real estate, intellectual property, technology and professional indemnity claims, as well as providing alternative dispute resolution, emergency applications and advice on regulatory authorities.

As well as local businesses, the team advise clients as diverse as the Caribbean Premier League (a global cricket tournament), members of Duran Duran , PLCs  like Persimmon Homes and leading engineering business NG Bailey.

For more information on how we can help your business, please contact Susan Howe on 0191 211 7920.

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