Qualified Lawyers

As leading specialists in shipping and international trade law, we recognise that our people are our primary asset and that careful selection, recruitment and training are of paramount importance to the firm’s future success.

Background of our existing team
We welcome diversity. Our existing team have brought a wide range of backgrounds, knowledge and skills to the firm, joining us from a number of different London shipping firms and from non-shipping firms in the North East and further afield.

Work quality
We engage in high quality work for a range of clients internationally, nationally and locally. We are recommended by Chambers and Legal 500, and are regularly instructed by most P&I Clubs on behalf of their members, as well as directly by shipowners, charterers, and traders.

Why Newcastle?
We are located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, an attractive and vibrant city on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful countryside and coastlines in the UK. Our spacious newly refurbished offices are in a listed Edwardian building erected by a leading Newcastle shipowner in 1905.

The quality and diversity of our work and opportunities for foreign travel are as rewarding as those in London firms. Working in Newcastle, however, offers greater quality of life, bringing the advantages of a city but on a smaller more accessible scale. With our lower operating costs, and in turn charge out rates, we can offer something different with an ethos where quality of work ranks ahead of financial targets.

Recruitment Strategy
Whilst we are always interested in hearing from well-qualified lawyers at all levels of experience, our recent recruits have fallen into two principal categories. Firstly, partners and senior assistants with shipping experience who choose Mills & Co over their existing firms. Secondly, recently qualified lawyers who learn of the opportunities in shipping law after qualifying in other areas (usually, but not exclusively, commercial or insurance litigation, finance, or personal injury). Former mariners who have re-qualified as lawyers are always of interest, as are those who speak additional languages.

Salary levels and partnership prospects
Our salary levels for qualified lawyers are comparable with the leading Newcastle commercial firms, and opportunities for partnership are unrestricted.

How to apply
Almost all of our partners and solicitors applied to the firm direct, and we would encourage all applicants for a post as a qualified lawyer to do so. To apply in confidence, please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@mills-co.com , or call the recruitment partner, Guy Mills, or any other existing contact you have in Mills & Co, to discuss matters direct.

Qualified lawyer recruitment
We are not currently actively recruiting but we always welcome applications from experienced shipping lawyers.