Leading Dorset law firm Steele Raymond LLP has appointed a highly experienced Commercial Partner to its expanding Company and Commercial Team.
Commercial lawyer Paula Eckton joins the Top-Tier Company and Commercial Team as Partner, bringing with her over 17 years’ experience advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions.
Paula is based in the firms’ Bournemouth office where she joins a team of Commercial Partners led by Tim Stone. Paula’s arrival brings the number of partners in the Company and Commercial Team to five and the 14th Partner across the firm.
Southampton-born Paula has considerable experience advising on complex corporate and commercial transactions for a wide range of businesses from start-ups to multi-nationals. Throughout her career she has developed specialist sector experience in IT and communications, fleet and logistics as well as extensive experience in commercial contracts and mergers and acquisitions.
Commenting on her appointment, Paula said: “Steele Raymond is a law firm that I have admired for a long time and I’m very excited to have joined such a strong team, both in Bournemouth and across the South Coast, with a first-class reputation for high-quality company and commercial work.”
“You can’t help but notice the tremendous growth that Steele Raymond has achieved over the last five years alone and this is a true reflection of the ambition and vision of the firm – a key factor in attracting me to the firm.”
Tim Stone, Chairman and Head of the Steele Raymond’s Company and Commercial Team, said: “Paula is a fantastic addition to Steele Raymond’s Company and Commercial Team, bringing skills and expertise that our clients, both in the UK and further afield demand.”
“Paula has long been extremely well-regarded amongst clients and commercial lawyers across the region. Paula’s extensive professional expertise adds further depth and experience to the range of commercial legal services offered to businesses of all sizes. She complements our existing team perfectly.”
“This is another appointment that demonstrates once again our commitment to investing in our legal teams and ensuring that we continue to provide the very best advice and service to our clients.”
The Steele Raymond Company and Commercial team already has an excellent reputation across Dorset and the South Coast having acted in some of the region’s largest transactions including the sales of Sunseeker, BOFA International and Bath Travel.
The Company and Commercial Team advises on a wide range of business matters including buying and selling businesses, commercial contracts, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate structures.
Paula continued: “The business environment is becoming increasingly dynamic and it is critical that business owners take proactive steps to focus on the bigger picture, protect the business and deal with the things that really matter.”
Steele Raymond has been recognised as one of Dorset and the South West’s leading law firms in the latest edition of the leading independent guide to the UK legal profession, The Legal 500, for the 13th consecutive year.
The firm has been awarded the highest ‘Top Tier’ ranking that the guide awards in core practice areas of Company and Commercial, Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution and Employment Law.
