Shakespeare Martineau gets keys to Lincoln hub and announces office head

National law firm Shakespeare Martineau has signed on the dotted line for its new office hub to be located in Lincoln city centre’s Cornhill Quarter.

Heading up the hub will be Lincoln-based partner Michael Squirrell.

Following a full refurbishment, the hub will host meeting and office space, as well as informal working spaces for visitors and collaboration areas.

The full-service law firm launched in Lincolnshire in January 2021 with the appointment of corporate partner Michael Squirrell and litigation partner Jonathan Stork, who were joined that year by employment partner Helen Molloy and agriculture partner Amy Cowdell. The firm has since been on the lookout for a permanent space to accommodate its growing team and expanding client base.

Fit-out works at 12-14 St Mary’s Street are expected to complete in late summer/autumn 2023.

Michael Squirrell, head of Lincoln and Lincolnshire at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We absolutely love this building and know it will look fantastic after the work is completed. It’s been worth the wait to find the right space for our people and clients that offers us room to grow further.”

Located directly opposite Lincoln train station, next to Lincoln Central Bus Station and within a minute’s walk of Lincoln Central Car Park, the new building is well suited for commuting and client visits.

With sustainability in mind, the building refurbishment will follow the same principles as the rest of the group’s refurbishment programme, with a target of 80% of the furnishings being upcycled, reused or sustainably sourced wherever possible.

Amy Cowdell, agriculture partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “As an accredited B-Corporation it was important to us to be located near public transport links to give our people and clients the option to use these services.

“What makes us different is our national backing, with more than 1,000 legal and business experts across the UK. Our clients are able to tap into the niche specialisms and wide-ranging experience we have across the firm, while also benefitting from our growing Lincoln team’s extensive knowledge of the local market.”

Michael added: “Lincoln is a fantastic place to live and work, with the city being home to a vast range of businesses from all manner of sectors – from start-ups to multinationals. The legal market has long suffered from losing talented people to the draw of national firms in larger cities, so the opportunity to set up as a leading national practice fully committed to supporting local businesses and private clients gives us the best of both worlds for our clients and our people.”

Shakespeare Martineau is looking for like-minded teams and individuals to join the firm.