In recognition of their legal expertise and contribution to the practice’s success, Lauren Hall has been promoted to Partner within our clinical negligence department, while Tom Clarke has been made an Associate within our employment law team.

Lauren joined Hay & Kilner as a trainee 12 years ago and has developed her clinical negligence specialism as she worked her way up through the firm.

She has particular experience in managing inquests and regularly represents bereaved families where there are concerns in relation to the care they received.

Lauren is also chair of Hay & Kilner’s employee mental health and well-being committee.

A Newcastle University graduate, Tom qualified as a solicitor in 2018 after completing his training contract at Hay & Kilner and advises employer clients on a full range of HR and employment law matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, employment tribunals, strategic planning and employment documentation.

He also provides training to business owners and managers on topics including equal opportunities, conducting disciplinary processes and mental health in the workplace.

Tom is now part of the Hay & Kilner team that manages the firm’s graduate recruitment process and is also vice chair of the Newcastle Young Professionals’ Forum.

Lauren says: “Clinical negligence was always the area of law in which I wanted to work, and as a local firm with an excellent reputation in the field, Hay & Kilner was very much the practice I wanted to join when I started my career.

“The quality of the clinical negligence work we undertake has enabled me to gain a wide breadth of experience in many different areas, as well as to help people and families who’ve gone through extremely challenging situations get the outcomes they’re looking for.

“There’s a lot of encouragement from our senior team around developing each individual’s personal skills and career, and this support has been crucial in underpinning my journey from trainee to partner.”

Tom adds: “When I started my career, I wanted to find a firm that had a friendly and supportive environment, and Hay & Kilner has certainly lived up to that ambition.

“It’s especially encouraging to see how many of our partners started as trainees and have built successful careers with the firm, which is a path I’d like to follow.

“Taking on a more senior role gives me the chance to contribute more to the firm’s overall development, as well as having a growing number of clients who come to me as their first port of call for advice.”

Jonathan Waters, managing partner, says: “Lauren and Tom have proven themselves to be hugely impressive practitioners who deliver on their clients’ expectations time and time again.

“They are both very highly-regarded members of our team and thoroughly deserve the recognition that their promotions provide.”