A LEADING North East law firm has announced two solicitor appointments to bolster the offering in key teams.

Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors has welcomed Danial Shafe to its corporate team and Sarah Johnston to its employment department.

Prior to joining the firm, Danial trained and qualified at a legal consultancy which provided outsourced contract management for banks, asset managers and hedge funds.

During this time Danial, who also has a master’s degree in banking and finance, advised on a wide range of financial derivatives and led support to a FTSE 100 company. In his new role at Mincoffs, he will support the team on a wide range of corporate transactions.

“I am delighted to have joined the corporate team at Mincoffs. The firm has an impressive presence in the North East and renowned expertise in the corporate sector that goes beyond the region, and I am incredibly excited to be a part of it.

“I look forward to continuing to develop my skills within the team and learning from some of the best in the business!”

Originally from East Sussex, Sarah trained and qualified at the Newcastle office of a transatlantic firm, where she gained valuable experience across a range of complex legal disciplines.

Joining Mincoffs as a solicitor in the employment team, she will work closely with partner Nick Smith and associate solicitor Laura Liddle to advise clients on the full spectrum of employment matters, including employment tribunal disputes, employment contracts and policies, redundancies and restructures, and disciplinary issues.

“I am incredibly pleased to have joined the employment team at Mincoffs. The firm holds a strong reputation across the North East and I am looking forward to being a part of that established presence.

“Since joining everyone has been extremely welcoming and integrating into the firm has been a smooth process.

“With the recent shake up to UK employment law, it is a great time to be joining the department. I am keen to get stuck in, develop my skills and support the team’s ongoing growth.”

The new starters are the latest in a string of new appointments across the firm over the last 12 months, including dispute resolution solicitor Jade Kennedy, corporate solicitor Charlotte Smyth, family solicitor Georgia Meyer, head of culture and people Aoife Owens, and commercial associate solicitor Chris Bowen.

Paul Hughes, senior partner at the firm and head of the corporate team, said: “We are delighted to grow the team at Mincoffs and welcome Danial and Sarah to the firm.

“While early on in their legal careers, both Danial and Sarah have gained valuable experience and insight which will provide a strong foundation as they move into the corporate and employment teams at Mincoffs.

“I have no doubt they will be an asset to their departments and we wish both of them every success in their new roles.”

Mincoffs Solicitors has provided expert legal services and advice across the North East and beyond for more than 75 years.

Alongside corporate and commercial services, the firm’s offering includes real estate, dispute resolution, employment law, licensing and gaming, residential conveyancing, family law and wills, probate and trusts.

For more information visit www.mincoffs.co.uk