A Year In The Life Of Mark Hipkin (Interview)

What did you set out to achieve this year?

I set out to give my clients the best service possible in complex injury claim cases mainly for motorcyclists, scooter riders and cyclists; grow our business and make more clients, old and new, aware of what we can offer and enjoy more time out on one of my bikes.

Has everything gone according to plan?

Yes and no. I thought the first two years following Covid in March 2020 were busy but 2022 has been even busier than that! This has been the same for most professional people in my experience, both inside and outside of the law. I always think that service to your clients and raising the firm’s profile are cultural/ second nature characteristics rather than being intentionally or consciously striven for. Getting on my bike however has very much taken, “a back seat” (sorry!) although I did have some life affirming runouts especially to the Scottish Borders several times this year, sometimes when it was even too hot to get on the bike. Can you remember that time?!

How has the ongoing Covid crisis affected your business and how have you mitigated this?

When you look back at those awful times from March 2020, no one really knew what the outcome was going to be. Most professional people adapt to any changes in society/the law and Solicitors are no different. The current uncertainty, nationally and internationally, is always seen by the media as a worry but our day jobs still need to be done to the best of our ability. During Covid there were many challenges in terms of accessibility to the courts and in being able to process cases but I found that mostly settlement agreements were better able to be negotiated if everyone was realistic. After everything has returned “to normal”, there have been different problems in everyone trying to catch up with delays in court and expert’s availability but I what do know is that we have never been busier!

What are you most proud of this year?

Bringing two of the most complex, challenging and seemingly insoluble cases to a head, through patience and perseverance. One particular biker case involved four different court jurisdictions. My client’s comment to me after having settled the case, two days before Trial, that he could “hold his head high”, made it all worthwhile.


What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?

“Stick to your principles” and “Never give up”.


What have you learnt about yourself this year?

An ability to balance the bigger picture with the detail needed to get there.

What has been the most enjoyable business social event you have attended?

A Law Society Dinner at the Savoy in London when I was The Newcastle Law Society President. The Speaker was Clive Anderson. A hoot!

Describe 2022 in three words…

Intense. Insightful. Successful.

What does the remainder of the year hold?

That depends. Lawyers’ answer! I can have the most well thought out plans for a case or project which could be changed next time I receive a letter, call or email. Hopefully no such “challenges” and then a restful Christmas & New Year with my family.

Mary was born and has lived all her life in the North East of England. Her first interest was science and she originally studied Biomedical Science at Northumbria and worked in the scientific research field and the NHS, before studying part time, again at Northumbria University, to obtain her degree in Law. Since then she has enjoyed a varied career covering many different areas of law, before specialising in Children Law, which she has done almost exclusively for the past 5 years.

Mary loves reading and history and at a weekend can often be found at one of the many historical sites the North East has to offer and has even been known to play video games when she can find the time.

Chris was originally a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives from 1997 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.

He has over 25 years experience in private client work comprising Wills, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney and other Court of Protection Work such as Deputyship applications. Chris has been a Partner in several firms in the North East, being Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate.

He brings a wealth of experience to his role and works closely with clients, providing them with a service tailored to their needs

Susan was born and bred in the North East, spending all of her working life in Blyth. She qualified in 1981 and, after some years at Alderson Law, began to specialise in family law, covering both private and legal aid. Susan was a member of the Law Society Family Panel and an accredited Resolution specialist, specialising particularly in private children law and domestic violence.

Susan took part-retirement in December 2018 but still works as a Solicitor here at Alderson Law. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, walking, reading, and spending time with her family. She has also been a Brownie leader for over 40 years.

Originally from East Yorkshire, Jasmine moved to the North East in 2012 to study at Northumbria University undertaking the M Law Exempting (BPTC) course (the only undergraduate course in England and Wales which incorporates the Bar Professional Training Course), graduating in 2016 with a First Class Honours and a Very Competent in the Bar Professional Training Course. Prior to joining Alderson Law Jasmine specialised in RTA Fraud in a Personal Injury firm, before moving to another firm to work as a Family Law Paralegal.

In 2018 she joined our team as a Family Law Paralegal and before qualifying as a Solicitor within the Family Law Department based at our Morpeth office. Jasmine represents clients in a wide range of matters including; divorce and matrimonial finance, disputes regarding the arrangements for children as well as parents who are subject to Local Authority involvement both before and during Court proceedings.

In her spare time Jasmine likes visiting the beach, going to the gym, watching live music and looking after her pet rabbit.

Julie is a highly experienced property solicitor. She studied Law at Northumbria University and, after qualifying in 2000, went on to work at national and international firms prior to joining the team at Alderson Law in 2017. She works alongside her clients, advising on residential and commercial property development, property investment, portfolio management, property finance, landlord and tenant, easements and restrictive covenants.

Fiona is a specialist private client lawyer providing advice and assistance with wills, trusts, tax planning, probate & estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection and elderly client work. Having previously worked with a number of Newcastle-based firms listed in The Legal 500, Fiona brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. She is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the association for specialists in family inheritance and succession planning.

Fiona grew up in Northern Ireland and studied law at Durham University, and has remained in the North East ever since. She enjoys spending time with her family at their cottage in Northumberland.

Mark Hipkin, partner at Alderson Law LLP, has been advising businesses and claimants since he qualified as a solicitor in 1982.

Mark’s passion is for representing claimants on two wheels in complex, serious and catastrophic motorcycle, scooter and cycle injuries, but he also has extensive experience of acting for claimants in many other personal injury areas including occupiers and public liability work and accidents at work. He specialises in challenging and complex cases. Mark always puts the client first, looking from the first day of instruction to obtain the best and fairest outcome for a claimant, no matter how long a case may take. He is a fan of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and early neutral valuation as alternatives to litigation. Sometimes, however, litigation is the best option, together with the necessary drive to see every matter through to a fair conclusion.

Mark also, having started his own business, advises business clients, often with motorcycle-, scooter- or cycle-related businesses and also deals with complex commercial disputes, professional negligence cases, and general civil litigation.

Mark likes to spend what free time he has with his family and practising Tai Chi and Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate – in which he is a second Dan).

Having worked in family law for over 25 years, Julie is a highly accomplished specialist in her field. She has a vast body of experience in dealing with family law, from divorce and related financial issues to complex child-related cases. Julie was the first person in North Tyneside to achieve the status of an accredited advanced family law specialist, and is a member of the Law Society Advanced Family Panel, which demonstrates her experience in complex contested family cases and other subject-specific matters.

Though multi-talented and highly experienced, Julie’s particular speciality is in complex ancillary relief (financial settlement) claims and complex residence and contact disputes.

In her spare time Julie enjoys relaxing and spending time with her family and three grandchildren. She attends clients at our Whitley Bay and Blyth offices.

Tracey is one of our Partners and qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Throughout her career she has had a varied caseload undertaking matters in most areas of civil and private client law. Tracey can assist clients in a wide range of matters including: Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Debt Recovery, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing as well as Licensing and Landlord and Tenant matters.

Tracey is one of our most senior practitioners with over 20 years of local experience, having graduated from both Newcastle University and Northumbria University. When not in the office she enjoys walking, cycling, and cooking with her family.