Experienced corporate lawyer Sean Jackson has joined Hay & Kilner as a Partner, bringing extensive experience and established relationships across Teesside as the North East law firm strengthens its presence in the region with the opening of a new Stockton-on-Tees office.
Sean joins from another North East firm, where he was a Partner, and has spent his career advising businesses across Teesside and the wider North East on a broad range of corporate matters.
His experience includes advising SMEs, ownermanaged businesses, investors and start-ups through acquisitions, disposals, investments and other significant corporate transactions, supporting clients through key stages of their growth and development.
His appointment is the first of a number of dedicated colleagues who will be based at Hay & Kilner’s new office at Preston Farm, Stockton-on-Tees. The office forms part of the firm’s plans to establish a permanent presence in the Tees Valley and strengthen its ability to support businesses across Teesside, South Durham and North Yorkshire.
For Sean, the opportunity to combine his knowledge of the local business community with the chance to help establish and grow a new operation was a key factor in his decision to join the firm.
Sean Jackson, Partner at Hay & Kilner, said: “I’ve spent my entire career working with and for businesses primarily based in Teesside and the wider North East, supporting them through growth journeys, acquisitions, disposals, investments and other corporate events.
“The opportunity to be involved in establishing and growing a new office in Teesside was therefore a really exciting one. Hay & Kilner has a strong reputation, a great culture and ambitious plans for the region, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and relationships to the firm and supporting businesses across Teesside.”
The appointment comes at an important time for Hay & Kilner, as the Newcastleheadquartered firm continues its wider growth strategy while celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026.
The decision to establish a dedicated Stockton base reflects the firm’s commitment to building stronger relationships across Teesside and developing a team with genuine local knowledge and experience.
Jonathan Waters, Managing Partner at Hay & Kilner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sean to Hay & Kilner and particularly pleased that someone of his calibre and experience will be based in our new Stockton office.
“Sean has an excellent understanding of the Teesside business community and a wealth of experience supporting businesses through key stages of their growth. That local knowledge and expertise will be hugely valuable as we build our presence in the region.
“Sean is the first of our dedicated colleagues to join the new office, marking an important step in our plans for Teesside. We’re looking forward to building a strong team around him and further strengthening the support we can provide to businesses across the region.”
For businesses across Teesside, Sean’s arrival provides a further local point of contact with a firm offering a broad range of legal expertise and a long-established reputation in the North East.
Corporate transactions can represent significant milestones for businesses, whether that involves an acquisition, disposal, investment or the next stage of a company’s growth. Sean’s experience of working closely with businesses and their owners across the region positions him well to understand the commercial considerations behind those decisions.
His appointment also provides a strong foundation for Hay & Kilner as it develops its Stockton operation and looks to build a wider team around him.
With the new office now established and Sean leading the firm’s corporate offering in Teesside, Hay & Kilner is signalling its ambition to become an increasingly active part of the region’s business community.
For a firm celebrating eight decades of growth, the Stockton expansion represents both a continuation of its North East heritage and a significant investment in its future.
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