NEWCASTLE-based Mincoffs Solicitors is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and continues to attract top legal names.

Stewart Irvine joins the firm as partner and head of the Contentious Services department, having previously led a large dispute resolution team for a prominent North East law firm for over seven years.

With more than 16 years’ experience in the litigation field, Stewart has built a formidable reputation dealing with a broad range of complex, commercial disputes including partnership and shareholder disputes, professional negligence, intellectual property infringement and contentious insolvency.

Mr Irvine is delighted with his new role and the challenge ahead. “It was Mincoffs’ team-mentality and ambition that stood out for me,” he says. “What impressed me was the collegiate nature of the partnership. I could see their drive, determination and vision and I wanted to be a part of it.

This investment is part of an aggressive recruitment drive by Mincoffs, which has already benefitted from the addition of Lyn Rutherford and Emily Frankish to their Family Law team in September 2012 and Lynsey Dixon as Marketing Manager in January 2013.

Andy Woodhouse, chief executive added: “The recent appointments add a new dimension and fresh impetus to Mincoffs, while maintaining the character and personality of the firm. We have an extremely strong, talented team who can compete with the best and we strive to continue to provide a friendly, affordable service to our clients.”