Promotions announced at BHP Law including new Partner

BHP Law, the region’s oldest law firm with roots dating back to the 1800s, is continuing its strategy of continuous growth by investing in talent.

Latest promotions include Natalie Bell becoming a Partner in the Commercial and Agricultural Property team.

Natalie, who hails from Weardale, joined BHP Law three years ago as an Associate in Commercial Property, before stepping up to become Senior Associate and Team Leader in 2022.

She said: “I am extremely proud to have been made a Partner in such a well-established law firm, which recognises traditional values alongside fresh approaches to the business. BHP Law is somewhere I feel I can grow and be part of a continuing success story.”

Natalie is a graduate of the University of Northumbria and has a decade of experience specialising in Commercial Property.

Senior Partner Peter Blackett with new Partner Natalie Bell (Image: Peter Barron)

She paid tribute to the support she has had from the firm, particularly Senior Partner Peter Blackett, who has practised for more than 50 years in County Durham and North Yorkshire.

“I’m lucky to have a talented ‘work family’ and the aim is to expand the team, with the emphasis on building close relationships, so we can help businesses to achieve their goals,” added Natalie.

BHP Law, a full-service law firm with offices in Darlington, Durham, Stockton, Newcastle, and Tynemouth, has also announced several other promotions to strengthen its team:

• Lisa Cairns, who joined BHP Law as a Human Resources Assistant 19 years ago, has been promoted from People Services Manager to Head of People Services.
• Michelle Coulson has been made a Senior Associate in the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, having joined as a Solicitor four years ago.
• Laura Vipond, who has been with the firm for 26 years, has become an Associate in the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team..
• Lucy Watson has also risen through the ranks to become an Associate in the Wills, Trusts, and Probate team, based in Durham, a year after joining as a Solicitor.
• Gillian Mitchell has been promoted to Associate in the Family Law team, four years after becoming part of the business.
• Rachel Alder is now an Associate in the Disputes team, two-and-a-half years after joining as a Solicitor.
• Yasir Hussain has completed his training as a Solicitor, having started on work experience with BHP Law five years ago, and becoming a Paralegal in 2021.

Lisa Cairns said: “We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly firm, and a lot of staff members have been with us for a long time. We place great importance on progressing staff internally, supporting them with training, and this series of promotions is another example of that philosophy.”