Safety first for Ward Hadaway | 10 December 08
A NEW recruit at leading North law firm Ward Hadaway is doubly qualified to keep companies on the right side of the law.
For James Thompson (above) not only has years of experience in dealing with licensing and regulatory bodies, he is also a Special Constable with Northumbria Police.
James will be representing clients facing a whole range of regulatory investigations and prosecutions in areas such as health and safety, environmental and Trading Standards.
James is also qualified to represent clients in Crown Court and has done so on several occasions, being only one of a small number of solicitors allowed to do so.
The Northumberland-born solicitor joins Ward Hadaway as a partner in the firm’s respected licensing and regulatory team, which represents companies and individuals in a range of regulatory and criminal law matters.
James has a number of years’ experience in this area, having specialised in the field since qualifying as a solicitor working in-house at a FTSE 100 company.
He has worked at Eversheds LLP in Newcastle and at Hammonds LLP in Leeds before joining Ward Hadaway.
James will be representing clients across the country in his new post.
He said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Ward Hadaway. It is a firm with an excellent reputation and I hope that my skills and experience will further enhance our service to clients.”
James has also been a Special Constable with Northumbria Police for the past 18 years.
He said: “I’ve worked in a variety of different locations and environments and it has given me a real insight into how the law is applied from both sides.”
In addition to his other legal qualifications, James is currently to qualify to allow him to practice in Scotland as well.
Stephen Graham, partner and head of licensing and regulation at Ward Hadaway, said: “James is an outstanding addition to our team.
“His broad range of skills and qualifications means that we are able to offer clients an even wider spectrum of services and even greater continuity when it comes to handling their cases.”
* For more details on how Ward Hadaway can help on health and safety issues, please click here.