Our Interview with the North East JLD: Newcastle's Evolving Legal Landscape

Sacco Mann is celebrating one year since our relaunch in the North East, and what a year it’s been! To mark the occasion, we sat down with Jess Nicholson, JLD Social Secretary and Family Solicitor at Mincoffs, to explore the evolving Newcastle legal market.

Shaped by emerging opportunities, shifting priorities, and the ambitions of its next generation of lawyers, Newcastle’s legal landscape is constantly changing. In this blog, we share our conversation with Jess about the key challenges, trends, and opportunities facing junior lawyers in the region.  From career progression to workplace culture and market stability, this discussion highlights what matters most to those at the start of their legal careers.

Read our interview with Jess below:

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in law and how has your career evolved so far?

"Practicing law was not something that I properly considered until I was out of school, but once I decided that it was what I wanted to do, I never looked back! My uncle is a lawyer, and so I was initially inspired by him to consider the profession, but whereas he specialised in corporate recovery and insolvency law, I have found my passion in family law.  I have always had a desire to make a difference, and practicing family law allows me to represent and advise those going through what is often an extremely difficult and highly emotional time and help them to navigate through this and look to the future. Family law is a very ‘people-centred’ area of law which I absolutely love.

I started my legal journey as a conveyancing administrator when I was 18. This was my first real taste of the legal world and I loved the fast-paced nature of the work. While I was at University studying law I went back to the same firm during the summer months to pick up the role again. I then started my training contract at a firm in York in September 2020, and undertook seats in Private Client, Family and Commercial and Property Litigation. I qualified into family in September 2022 and moved back up to the North East and joined Mincoffs in June 2023."

2. What advantages do you think the North East legal market has over other cities?

"There are so many advantages to working in the legal profession in the North East. We have a tight-knit community here which is great as it allows us to work collaboratively with other members of the profession to achieve the best results for our clients. Being a member of groups like the Junior Lawyers Division really helps with that too. There are also many opportunities to expand our network and make connections with professionals outside of the legal sphere. You never know when you might need to pick the brains of an accountant or financial advisor for example, and the North East network and social atmosphere encourages such relationships and collaboration. Although the North East is its own community, we are strategically placed to access so many parts of the country and so we are able to offer our services beyond the North East too which is another key advantage." 

3. How do you think the Newcastle legal market can attract more junior lawyers?

"I honestly think that if more people knew about the city’s advantages it would attract more junior lawyers. Not only is there a massive sense of community in the North East, there is also good quality work in abundance. 

The University attracts people from all over the country, and indeed the world, and so I think having a presence at the local Universities is so important in order to attract junior or aspiring lawyers to stay in the North East. It goes without saying that Newcastle is a vibrant city, which is attractive in itself, but I think that if firms are able to showcase the quality of working within the North East legal profession to those just starting out it will attract more people to want to work here. Law fairs and University events can be a really useful way of showing students what local firms have to offer." 

4. What advice would you give other junior lawyers looking to grow their careers in this region?

"As difficult as it can be sometimes, I think putting yourself out there is invaluable. A number of firms in the North East host open days / evenings to aspiring lawyers to give them an insight into working at their particular firm and I would strongly encourage aspiring lawyers to attend as much as they can. It is all about finding a firm that is a good fit for you.

For those already in the profession who are looking to grow their careers, I would adopt the same approach. You never know what doors may open by attending a Junior Lawyers Division or other young professional event. You might meet someone from a firm that can provide you with some advice, or it could even lead to job opportunities in the future."

5. What do you love most about working in Newcastle?

"I love the sense of community in Newcastle. It is such a sociable city and the vast majority of people adopt an attitude of collaboration rather than competition which I think is really rare and should be celebrated. Not only is the work in the North East exciting and of good quality, the city itself has so much to offer. I knew quite quickly when I first moved to Newcastle that it was the kind of place I wanted to be long term."

6. How has being part of the JLD helped you in your career?

"The JLD is a great community for junior lawyers. One of the biggest impacts that it has had on my career is giving me the opportunity to build relationships with other lawyers.  It is widely misconstrued that the legal profession has to be competitive, particularly for juniors starting out and wanting to ‘get ahead’, but building relationships with others in the profession is so important. It is of great value being able to pick up the phone to the other side and knowing the person at the end of the call, and working together to find the right outcome. The JLD encourages such relationships.

The JLD also offers lots of opportunities for professional development, for example by putting on training sessions and talks which I also think are really helpful as a junior."

7. What impact do you think the JLD has on the legal community in Newcastle and the North East?

"The JLD hosts numerous events throughout the year, which allows members to connect with other lawyers. As mentioned above, building relationships with others in the profession can lead to collaborations or even referrals in the future. 

Working in law can be challenging sometimes, and having a community of like-minded people is invaluable."

8. What plans have the JLD got coming up over the next year?

"It is an exciting time to join the JLD! We are busy planning events for 2025 as we speak so keep an eye out. Plans in the pipeline at the moment include wine tasting, pottery making and puppy yoga. We had a very successful summer ball last year, so we hope that we can do something similar in 2025 too."

9. How do you feel Sacco Mann can best support junior lawyers in the North East?

"I think it is all about taking the time to get to know the individual and giving personalised guidance to suit that particular person. We are all different and have different wants and needs, and so I think it is so important for each individual to feel heard when they are looking for a role.

I think it’s also about being there to advise junior lawyers about the current market, even if they are not actively looking for a role and perhaps pointing juniors towards networking opportunities so that they can get to know the legal market themselves too."

The Junior Lawyers Division in the North East supports trainee solicitors, paralegals, and junior Solicitors by providing networking opportunities, training, and career guidance. They organise events, workshops, and mentoring schemes to help junior lawyers develop their skills and connect with the local legal market. The JLD also promotes well-being and represents the interests of junior lawyers, advocating for better working conditions and career opportunities.

Over the past year, we’ve strengthened our relationship with the North East JLD and proudly sponsored some fantastic events. The JLD plays a vital role in shaping the junior legal market, bringing together solicitors, trainees, and paralegals from firms across the region.

As we celebrate a year since our relaunch in the North East, it’s clear that Newcastle’s legal market is thriving, with a strong sense of community and exciting opportunities for junior lawyers. Our conversation with Jess Nicholson has highlighted the importance of collaboration, networking, and local engagement in shaping successful legal careers.

At Sacco Mann, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of legal professionals, whether through market insights, career advice, or our ongoing partnership with the North East JLD. We look forward to another year of fostering connections, championing junior lawyers, and continuing to strengthen our presence in the region.

For more information on career opportunities or to discuss your next move, get in touch with our North East consultants, Chloe Murphy and Helen Mauborgne.