Entering a new era on Teesside

19th May 2009

BHP Law?s new Stockton office is officially opened by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Teesside Graham Henderson, and BHP senior partner Peter Blackett

A LEADING law firm yesterday marked its expansion on Teesside with the official opening of brand new offices.

University of Teesside vice-chancellor Graham Henderson was invited to perform the honours at Kingfisher House, Preston Farm, Stockton, the new home of BHP Law (Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP).

The regional law firm had a base in Thornaby, near Stockton, after merging with local practice James & Baker Solicitors in July last year.

Now, all the staff based on Teesside, including partners Andrew James,Richard Baker and Helen Wood, have relocated to Kingfisher House.

BHP has 250 staff and 32 partners with offices also in Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and Halifax. It is the seventh largest law firm in the North-East and is reputed to be the leading multi-disciplinary practice in the region.

BHP Senior Partner Peter Blackett said: “In the current climate we are still planning for future growth, particularly on Teesside, and the opening of these new offices demonstrates our commitment to the TeesValley.”

Mr Henderson added: “I absolutely love the North-East and the TeesValley so to see a business doing well is terrific. I hope this expansion is a signal of what is happening in the TeesValley and wish BHP all the best.

“I was in Westminster recently and was told that the North-East economy is propping up the UK at the moment.

“The university is also in the process of spreading across the region and has plans for centres in each of the five boroughs – and I think it is a great strategy.”

As well as Andrew James and Richard Baker, key figures in the Stockton office include company lawyer and partner David Lucas, team leader of commercial property, partner Simon Robinson, and commercial property lawyer Nagina Hussain, who is from Stockton, and graduated from Teesside University.

The three-storey 7,500sq ft office was built by Tolent Construction for Banks Developments and will house 80 staff.