Member Article

Bond Dickinson appointed to WYLAW local authority legal framework

National law firm Bond Dickinson, which has a large presence in Leeds, has been appointed to the West Yorkshire Legal Framework, WYLAW, for the next three years. The framework covers Leeds City Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Wakefield Council, the City of York Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Following a competitive tendering process, Bond Dickinson was appointed to the panel to provide legal expertise across six Lots covering General Litigation; Property; Contracts, Commercial and IT; Highways and Environments (including Planning); Major or Complex Procurements and Employment and Pensions.

Jackie Gray, Partner and Head of the Local Government Group in Leeds said: “The WYLAW legal framework is a strategically important appointment for the firm and for our Leeds office as we look to grow our footprint of local government work. We are therefore delighted to be appointed by WYLAW and look forward to working with the member authorities, some of whom are new clients for Bond Dickinson.

“To support this ambition, we’ve grown our Leeds based local government team with the recent appointment of Andrew Hirst, Managing Associate, who joined the firm from Eversheds Sutherland. Andrew comes with a wealth of legal expertise in projects and procurement across the education, energy and waste, health, leisure and transport sectors.

“Having a dedicated local government team means that together with our Property, Planning, Employment, Pensions, Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Teams in Leeds we have a local responsive team of lawyers who can advise members of WYLAW every step of the way.”

Mark Owen, Partner and Head of Bond Dickinson’s Leeds office, added: “Being appointed to the WYLAW legal framework is fantastic news for the firm and highlights our strong track record advising in the local government sector.

“Since opening in 2012, our Leeds office has grown from strength to strength and our appointment furthers our objective to deliver heavyweight legal expertise, broad sector experience and excellent service to clients across Yorkshire.”

In Leeds, the firm employs more than 80 staff and acts for a number of private and public sector clients involved in the regeneration of the Yorkshire region.

The firm announced its plan to become Womble Bond Dickinson recently as it will complete a transatlantic combination with US law firm Womble Carlyle.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Womble Bond Dickinson LLP .