Back to News >

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has welcomed the announcement that seven local and specialist law firms have committed to help boost the region after signing up to support our young people, communities and businesses.

Stockton-based Endeavour Partnership and Jacksons Law have been appointed alongside Addleshaw Goddard, Geldards, Muckle LLP, Pinsent Masons and Womble Bond Dickinson to provide services for all the organisations as part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, including at the Teesworks site and Teesside International Airport, and help them deliver on their ambitious projects.

As part of the four-year deal, each of the law firms will be required to offer a range of services and initiatives for the wider good of the Tees Valley.

These include mentoring programmes, volunteering their services on a pro bono basis, offering careers advice and engaging with schools, colleges and universities and much more to help young people, businesses and charities across the region.

Many members of the legal panel have previously worked with the Mayor and Combined Authority to advise on a number of projects and this appointment gives them the opportunity to continue working to drive economic growth in the region.

Mayor Houchen said:

“We’ve signed up two fantastic local law firms and five others that are nationally renowned and have the specialisms we need to deliver on the game-changing projects we’re delivering across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, including Teesworks, the Teesside Freeport, our airport and much more.

“They will not only help support us with their expert advice, but they’re going further to make sure local people across the region feel the benefit, by offering things such as local business support, skills workshops and interview training, and careers guidance, as well as committing to traineeships and apprenticeships and work experience to help inspire the next generation of would-be lawyers.

“Our law firms are part of our brilliant professional services sector, which is continuing to grow and offer good-quality, well-paid jobs for local people. Thanks to projects like the Darlington Economic Campus, bringing with it 1,500 civil service roles, opportunities in the sector are only increasing.

“Following the announcement that the Treasury and other major government departments are coming to Darlington we’ve seen a raft of new companies looking to setup in the region. Our growing professional services sector means our young people can see that they can stay local and go far. There’s no need to go to a big city for a rewarding career, these are available right here, right now.”

Deborah Kirtley, a partner at The Endeavour Partnership and part of the core delivery team said:

“We are proud of the work we have completed for the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and so to be re-appointed is an honour and testament to the hard work of our entire team. The contract operates across all departments of the firm and takes advantage of our joined-up offer and clear desire to provide the best quality commercial advice available.

“This partnership shows that we continually strive to deliver the best services possible and look at different ways to do this for the benefit of clients and the Tees Valley region.”

Tony Wentworth, managing partner of Jacksons Law Firm, added:

“The Mayor and Combined Authority will be at the heart of what is going to be an age of ambitious development and growth for Tees Valley. We are delighted to have retained our appointment as legal advisor and we look forward to playing our part in the rejuvenation of the region in which we live and work and of which we are, rightfully, proud.

“We are also pleased to be able to support the Mayor and Authority in carrying into effect their social value initiatives. Adding value to our community and, in particular, supporting our younger generations, is a cause for which we have, for many years, held a passion of our own.”