A FIRM has promoted four lawyers in its North-East team.

Muckle, in Newcastle, has made Philip Clare a partner in its corporate team.

The company has also promoted employment team members Frances Barker and Amy Sergison to associate solicitor level, with Kelly Jordan, from the banking and restructuring team, making the same move.

Mr Clare started work with Muckle as a trainee in 2003 and joined the firm's corporate team when he qualified as a solicitor.

Working in the corporate team for more than eight years, he advises clients on buying and selling businesses, as well as company law and corporate governance issues.

Ms Barker specialises in advising on high-value and complicated executive appointments and terminations, with Ms Sergison focusing on immigration law and advice on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law.

Ms Jordan has experience in all aspects of insolvency work, supporting a number of major UK clearing banks, insolvency practitioners and corporate entities.

Hugh Welch, senior partner, said: “These promotions are well deserved and reflect their hard work, expertise and enthusiasm.

“They clearly really enjoy what they do and it's great to see them develop professionally.”