Square One Law celebrates first year in Leeds with new appointments

Commercial law firm Square One Law is delighted to mark the first anniversary of its Leeds office with new appointments to its property team.

Kate Johnson joins as a partner, Merissa Galley and Richard Barrett join as associates; all having worked at Shulmans – more recently Knights.

Matt Thompson, Leeds office partner said: “I have worked with Kate, Merissa and Richard and know how talented they are, so I’m delighted that we have attracted experienced lawyers of their calibre to expand our team and grow our Leeds presence.”

Johnson said: “I was attracted to Square One Law because of its unequivocal commitment to client service and the way it places clients at the heart of everything it does.

“Everyone is committed to the ‘one firm, one culture’ approach, which I can see creates an energising and motivating environment in which to work. Everyone I’ve spoken to has described Square One Law as a firm going places, so I am excited about helping to build the Leeds office from the strong platform which Matt Thompson has created over the last 12 months.”

Senior partner, Ian Gilthorpe said: “People thought we were mad to open a new office in Leeds at the start of the pandemic, but it was always part of our growth strategy and we didn’t want to put it on hold. We have always had an entrepreneurial approach and when we started the firm ten years ago in 2011, it was another uncertain time as the country was in a deep recession due to the severe banking crisis.

“However, we saw an opportunity to develop a leaner, more agile type of law firm and have developed a niche firm by recruiting experienced, specialist lawyers in each of our areas of property, corporate, commercial, employment and litigation.

“Clients want to deal with senior people who invest time to understand their business and sector and we want to build long-term trusted relationships, so the client pays for talent not overhead.”

Adrian Hill, head of property said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kate to the team as we worked together when we were both at Eversheds, several years ago. The property team is currently working on a range of high-profile regional and national projects, including advising Marrico, which has been appointed as preferred developer of the former Leeds International pool site, a £270 million redevelopment of the 2.8-acre site on Lisbon Street and Able UK, which has won Government support for the development of a world-class facility for the offshore wind sector on the south bank of the Humber.

“Able Marine Energy Park has been selected for support under the Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme, a c.£500m investment, providing 1,349m of new deep-water quays on the Humber and a land area designated for offshore wind of c 217 ha (536 acres).”
Gilthorpe concludes: “Able UK is a long-term client, and the Able Marine Energy Park is of national importance as it represents a unique opportunity for the UK to establish a world scale industrial cluster for offshore wind and enable the UK to maximise the economic development potential provided by the rapidly expanding offshore wind market. It has the very real potential to transform the local economy, providing up to 3,000 new jobs, and putting the Humber at the very heart of the sector.”