Time for Yorkshire legal sector to "step up to the plate" with Northern Powerhouse

THE impact of the Northern Powerhouse on the legal profession will be put in the spotlight at this year’s Yorkshire Legal Conference.

Organiser Marek Handzel said that the “Northern Powerhouse always crops up” and is a massive topic that the legal sector needs to get to grips with.

“Manchester might be bigger in terms of firms and lawyer numbers, but the whole legal community in Yorkshire is massive and generates the most in legal fees. We have massive names here: DLA Piper; Eversheds; Squire Patton Boggs; Gateley – the list goes on.”

He said the idea of the Northern Powerhouse, and now the Brexit, could provide big opportunities for the region.

“It’s exciting times and the legal community is at the hub of these things. The focus has been on regeneration, need commercial property lawyers to do this, who help facilitate jobs and M&A activity.

“The main issues are infrastructure, regeneration, transport, investment from abroad and financial services work – we need to see what we can do around those areas as a community.

“The Brexit means even more work for lawyers and more opportunities for us to make our mark. We’re eager to make sure lawyers are at the front of the work that could come with the Northern Powerhouse.

“The Yorkshire Legal Conference is about bringing people together and concentrating minds – that’s how deals are done. It’s all about networking and meeting people, and it’s about time Yorkshire stepped up to the plate.”

The event at the University of Leeds on 28 September being hosted by Harrogate’s Barker Brooks.