SINTONS - Key Persons
Adrian is a Partner and Head of the Corporate department. Adrian advises a range of clients from owner managed businesses to large corporate clients on corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, management buy outs and other corporate finance transactions.
Adrian advises both investors and investee companies on a range of private equity transactions and fund raising.
Adrian also advises clients on restructuring and has experience in corporate recovery and distressed business transactions.
Experience:
Some of Adrian's recent transaction experience includes:
Job Titles:
- Keith Land Partner
- Partner & Head of NHS Healthcare
- Trustee of TyneGateway Trust
Amanda is nationally recognised as a leading healthcare lawyer. She works regularly with Chief Executives, Heads of Departments and the Boards of major NHS Trusts. Amanda is also highly respected for her knowledge of Primary Care, where her advice is sought-after by GPs and dentists across the country.
Experience:
She advises NHS organisations on the legal aspects of the key strategic issues they currently face including new models of care structures, as well as underlying governance, structural, commercial and charitable issues;
Amanda provides training to Trust Boards on governance issues and is often asked to sit on steering groups for large scale projects within NHS Trusts;
Amanda is a regular speaker at national healthcare conferences and leads seminars and workshops. She has also written numerous articles published in healthcare industry publications;
She is a former Chair (2012-14) of the Association of Specialist Providers to Dentists (ASPD) and currently is Secretary of the National Association of Specialist Solicitors Advising Doctors (NASSAD);
Amanda also has a speciality in charitable matters where she advises both independent health related charities (and those linked to NHS Trusts. Amanda's ability to forge long term relationships with NHS clients and build their trust is testament to her years of experience and her approachable and caring personality;
Elsewhere, Amanda is a trustee of TyneGateway Trust, a charity that facilitates entrepreneurship to help families escape from poverty and winner of The Times New Charity of the Year 2014;
Amanda has been listed as a "leading individual" for Healthcare by the Legal 500 since 2015, the Healthcare team was described as being "a true leader in the healthcare field." The guide says "Amanda Maskery is at the top of her field in the GP and Dental sectors."
Angus is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution department.
He advises on a broad range of disputes for businesses and individuals, he also assists the debt collection team with high value complex litigation matters that arise during the course of volume collections.
Anisoara joined Sintons in September 2021. She is a Romanian speaking paralegal and works in the personal injury department.
Experience:
Anisoara graduated from the University of Bucharest in 1998 where she studied law and international relations
She subsequently qualified as a lawyer in Romania and is a member of the Lawyers' Bars Association
She has experience in both civil and criminal law which Anisoara believes gives her a wider legal perspective
Anisoara feels that working in the legal sector is an honour and a privilege, where she is proud to offer clients access to justice.
Outside of work, Anisoara enjoys the outdoors, long walks with her husband and socialising with friends. She also likes travelling and experiencing different cuisines.
Anisoara is committed to supporting people affected by dementia and is a registered foster parent with Northumberland County Council.
Whilst living in Romaina, she used to rescue and foster animals in need.
Anna is a partner in the Personal & Family Department and heads up the Residential Conveyancing Team.
Experience:
Anna studied Law at the University of Northumbria and has spent her whole career working in Newcastle.
She has many years of experience representing private individuals and property investors both regionally and nationwide.
She specialises in high value property matters and has built a client base on recommendations from her existing clients as well as those recommended by agents in Newcastle and London.
Anna's team has won awards for their excellence in recent years, including:
Northern Conveyancing Firm of the Year in 2016
Residential Property Team of the Year in 2018
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Business, Construction & Engineering
Charles joined Sintons in September 2022 as a trainee solicitor in the Construction and Engineering department.
Experience:
Charles studied Linguistics and Spanish for his undergraduate degree and has a Masters' degree in Professional Translation of European Languages from Newcastle University
He then completed the GDL and LPC at Northumbria University
Charles undertook several professional roles using skills gained from his degrees whilst studying at University
Outside of work, Charles spends his free time playing sports- namely tennis and football. He has also recently began learning to play golf.
Christopher is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial Department. He is an experienced commercial lawyer who advises on a full range of commercial and corporate transactions. Chris was appointed managing partner in August 2020.
Experience:
He deals with corporate acquisitions and disposals as well as corporate finance transactions
Christopher has a particular expertise in the Healthcare and Leisure Sectors
He also deals with complex tax-driven corporate restructurings usually involving substantial value trading groups often allied to refinancing transactions
Christopher is the firm's representative of International Jurists - a global network of commercial lawyers
Job Titles:
- Business, Real Estate
- Paralegal
Debbie joined Sintons in January as a Paralegal in the Real Estate department.
She has worked in the legal industry for 37 years and in Real Estate for the past 20 years, dealing with many of the major housebuilder clients.
Experience
Plot sales
Emily joined Sintons in December 2022 as a solicitor in our neurotrauma team.
Experience:
Emily studied Law at Northumbria University
She went on to complete the Legal Practice Course together with a Masters in Law and achieved a Distinction
Emily has multiple years experience of working with clients who have suffered serious brain injuries due to road traffic accidents or accidents at work
Outside of work, Emily loves to spend time with her young son, socialising with family and friends and visiting her family in Switzerland. She also attends the gym regularly to keep fit.
Solicitor, Hannah Mitchell from our Court of Protection team and Solicitor, Ifi Archibong from the Family team at Sintons recently recorded a podcast, concentrating on ‘Capacity in family proceedings'. Please
Iain joined Sintons as a paralegal in our Personal Injury department in February 2023.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor in the Family Team
Ifi is a solicitor in the Family team at Sintons.
Experience:
Ifi has multiple years experience working within Family Law in the North East
She joined Sintons in September 2022 after completing her training contract to become a solicitor
Ifi prides herself on providing a tailor made service to her clients with a down to earth and thorough approach
She has considerable experience dealing with divorce, domestic violence issues and private children law matters
Ifi also has extensive experience in international Family Law, advising clients on child abduction and general family law which has an international dimension
Outside work Ifi is a keen netball player and is Chair of the North East steering committee of national human rights charity ‘Journey to Justice'.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal in the Licensing and Gambling Team
Jackie is a paralegal in the Licensing and Gambling team at Sintons.
Experience:
Jackie has worked in the legal profession for over 30 years
She has over 17 years' of experience working as a paralegal specifically in licensing and gambling law
Jackie deals with all standard applications on behalf of our leisure clients, including those for transfer of premises licences, variation of designated premises supervisors, personal licences, temporary event notices and gaming machine permits
She also deals with applications for pavement café licences, sexual entertainment venue licences and marriage & civil partnership premises licences
Outside of work Jackie enjoys spending time with her family, socialising and keeping fit.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Senior Associate
- Banking, Business, Corporate Finance, Education
- Head of Our Banking Team
Jane Meikle is head of our Banking Team. Jane advises on all aspects of banking related matters, acting for banks, other financial institutions and corporate borrowers.
Her main practice areas include acquisition finance and real estate finance. Over a 16 year period, Jane has advised on a wide range of banking issues which allows her to identify any potential issues that can then be resolved in an efficient manner.
Experience:
Advising on bilateral and syndicated facilities;
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Business, Construction, Real Estate
Jay joined Sintons in September 2018 and is a solicitor in the Construction Department.
Experience:
Jay completed his LLB at Newcastle University in 2016 and the LPC course at Northumbria University in 2018
Jay is a qualified snowboarding instructor
Job Titles:
- Litigation Support Assistant
Karen is a Partner and Head of the Commercial department.
Experience:
She advises clients on a range of commercial projects and transactions with particular expertise in advising on bespoke contracts in the energy, waste and natural resources sector
Karen is also Head of our Sports Team
Client/professional quotes:
Karen has been listed as a ‘leading individual‘ by the Legal 500 every year since 2015 where she is described as being "not only methodical but always remains calm during pressured situations." The 2023 guide added "Karen Simms has been my point of contact and she has been fantastic throughout the process. She has fantastic communication and organisational skills which assures me that my part of the process is being dealt with correctly and in an efficient manner. E-mails are replied to promptly with good solutions to any issues. I would not hesitate to recommend Karen."
The 2022 guide stated "we would mention Karen Simms at Sintons in particular. Karen is extremely friendly, helpful and rigorous. She has responded to our enquiries speedily and effectively and introduced additional expertise from as necessary."
Kathryn is a Partner at Sintons and specialises in Healthcare and Faith Based Institution law. She has been practising as a solicitor for over 25 years.
Kathryn advises NHS Trusts on all aspects of medical law and ethics arising from patient care. She represents NHS Trust's and their employees at Inquests, and in Court of Protection and Inherent Jurisdiction proceedings.
Experience:
Advising on the application of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) in clinical and community settings including capacity assessments, ‘best interests' disputes, use of restraint, LPAs, deputyship, advance decisions, DoLS authorisations and the interface between the Mental Capacity Mental Health legislation.
The Legal 500 2023 & 2024 Guides listed Kathryn as a key individual. The 2024 Guide added "Kathryn Riddell is a first-rate lawyer. She is knowledgeable and has outstanding judgment. She is a first rate forensic thinker, addressing the immediate issues and the issues and evidence that might be required down the line. She is client focused not just in the sense of ensuring the best case is argued, but conscious of reputational issues and the impact on the individuals who work in any organisation. Above all is her judgment which is remarkably accurate and sound."
The Healthcare team was heralded by the Legal 500 as having "excellent knowledge of the healthcare sector, particularly dentists and GPs - it is considered one of the most knowledgeable firms in this sector in the North East"
The Healthcare team also won praise from the guide, being hailed as "a true leader in the healthcare field".
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Keith Land Partner
- Member of the Employment Lawyers Association and Is a School Governor
Keith qualified as a solicitor in January 1999. He is a partner and the Head of the Employment Team and is the lead in the management and delivery of HR and employment law advice at Sintons.
Experience:
He has 19 years PQE and widely recognised as an expert in his field, being ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners and being described by one source as "by far the best employment law specialist I have worked with in my career
He provides excellent advice, is incredibly knowledgeable, and solutions-orientated"
Keith acts for clients in and out of the Employment Tribunal and within the public and private sectors, including the NHS, transport, retail, education, manufacturing and construction
Within the Employment Tribunal Keith is an exceptional and highly experienced litigator with a great eye for detail and a natural ability to weigh up the strategic and cost considerations for clients and has represented hundreds of clients in the Tribunal
He handles the most complex matters on behalf of clients and recent matters include:
successfully defending multiple unfair dismissal claims following the transfer of health services between two NHS providers;
defending a claim of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination arising from the dismissal of an employee by reason of his conduct and the guidance of employers through performance management matters &
the successful defence of subsequent claims for disability discrimination arising from the actions taken
Keith is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and is a school governor at secondary school in Stockton
Keith has been singled out for praise by The Legal 500 since 2017, who hail him as being "extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic".
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Business, Energy, Real Estate
Mark is a Partner and heads up our Real Estate department. He has extensive experience acting as lead lawyer for developers, investors and financial institutions on a wide range of complex transactions.
Experience:
Advising on large scale developments including those within the energy waste and natural resources sectors;
Acting for residential developers in connection with land acquisition involving complex site assembly, joint venture arrangements, conditional contracts, options, pre-emptions development agreements and infrastructure agreements;
Development agreements and easement arrangements in relation to industrial land development. Mark has particular expertise in connection with the complex land arrangements in the Tees Valley particularly with regard to land used for chemical and logistics purposes;
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Managing Partner of Sintons, Announced the Firm 's Expansion, Saying
Mark Quigley, managing partner of Sintons, announced the firm's expansion, saying: "Having worked nationally from our single site for over 120 years, we felt the time was right to look at opening another base so we could be more accessible to clients who have to travel some distance to our Newcastle headquarters. York, as well as being a very desirable location, has superb transport links and is very conveniently situated for our growing client base across Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Mark has worked with those who have suffered injuries, often significant and life-changing, for over 25 years.
He has extensive experience in all aspects of personal injury work, particularly serious head and spinal cord injuries.
Mark was Head of Claimant Personal Injury until 2017 when he became Managing Partner. During his term of office, he devised and implemented the firm's strategic plan - Aiming for Growth - which led to the firm securing several awards at the Northern Law Awards 2019, including Firm of the Year.
At the time he stepped down from the role of Head of Personal Injury, Mark was ranked as a leading individual in the field of personal injury in Legal 500, was accredited as a Senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and was a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel.
Mark stepped down as Managing Partner in 2020 and, having been instrumental in the establishment of the Neurotrauma Team, joined the Team and once again became Head of Personal Injury.
Mark takes pride in working with those who have sustained serious injuries and is committed to placing clients at the heart of everything he does. He strives to secure funding at the earliest possible stage so that rehabilitation needs can be fully and properly met which in turn ensures that suitable provision is made to meet these needs for as long as required.
The Team works alongside many organisations which support those who are coming to terms with serious, life-changing injuries - such as Headway, the Spinal Injuries Association, the Child Brain Injury Trust and Day One- and Mark plays a full and active role in developing relationships with such organisations.
In 2010 Mark was awarded a Distinction when completing a Masters Degree in Environmental Law. This led him to develop a Regulatory practice, advising a range of organisations and individuals on compliance with their legal obligations across a wide range of sectors. He has particular expertise in the fields of health and safety law, environmental law and health and social care Regulations and regularly provides advice and representation in Courts and Tribunals when enforcement action is taken by regulators.
Mark is an experienced trainer, both within the firm and externally, particularly in relation to workplace health and safety law and health and social care legislation.
Outside of work, Mark does his best thinking whilst walking, enjoys reading and endured (pre-Covid) football at St James' Park.
Matt Collen is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial Department specialising in a broad range of company and commercial work.
Experience:
Advising on mergers and acquisitions for SMEs and larger corporates, and overseas clients
Job Titles:
- Partner and Head of Agriculture & Estates