Press Release – December 2025
Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison has officially launched its new Middlesbrough office with an event hosted by solicitor and former Apprentice contestant, Sarah Magson.
The celebration marked the firm’s arrival in Teesside and Sarah’s move to the business as partner and branch manager. The event attracted strong interest with more than 70 representatives from the local community present.
The launch marks the opening of the firm’s 24th office and represents a significant step in its expansion across the North East. The new base is located at the Cleveland Business Centre, a prominent legal hub beside the Crown Court and close to local barristers’ chambers.
The Middlesbrough office strengthens Ison Harrison’s specialist inquest, personal injury, and civil liberties offering, building on a period of sustained growth for the employee-owned firm.
Sarah joins Ison Harrison following many successful years at Watson Woodhouse Solicitors. She is widely recognised across the region for her work in inquest law, civil claims against public authorities and personal injury, and has acted for clients in complex and sensitive cases involving state agencies. Her work has earned national recognition, including Lawyer of the Year at the Northern Law Awards and Inspirational Female Business Leader at the National Business Hero Awards. Sarah came sixth on the 2018 series of The Apprentice, surviving 10 weeks in the process.
Speaking at the launch, Sarah said:
“Opening our 24th branch is a testament to the firm’s commitment to continuous growth and to expanding our reach into North Yorkshire. With the firm’s vision, drive and shared values we have created a strong foundation for success. I’m looking forward to working with our growing team of specialist lawyers to support and represent the people of Teesside.
During my time on The Apprentice, Lord Sugar commented when he fired me that I should continue building my career as a solicitor and work towards becoming a partner, with the ambition of running my own office one day. Well, here I am. Thank you, Lord Sugar… I’m hired!”
The new office has already attracted a team of experienced lawyers who have joined Sarah to launch the branch. Together they form one of the most capable inquest and civil liberties teams in the region, working with families, vulnerable individuals and people seeking justice in cases involving state bodies, mental health trusts and other public authorities. With a recently secured Legal Aid contract, the office will provide representation across Teesside and the wider North East, alongside a range of funding options for personal injury and civil litigation work.
Gareth Naylor, director and head of personal injury and inquests at Ison Harrison, said:
“The Middlesbrough office reflects the momentum we have built across the firm. Sarah and her team bring an exceptional level of experience and a deep commitment to the communities they serve. Our move into Teesside strengthens our presence in the North and reinforces our focus on specialist practice areas that make a meaningful difference for clients.”
The opening follows a period of strong performance for Ison Harrison, which became a fully employee-owned business in 2022 and has since grown its regional network, increased turnover and invested in new offices, including recent additions in Brighouse and Skipton. The Middlesbrough branch forms part of the firm’s ongoing plan to develop accessible, community-based offices supported by a full-service network across Yorkshire and the North.
Ison Harrison now employs more than 400 staff, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region. The firm holds over 13 Law Society accreditations, including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality, and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.
