BHP Law has hired a local politician to join the firm's expanding business and company law team.
Ben Houchen represents Yarm and Kirklevington on Stockton Borough Council and stood in the Middlesbrough Parliamentary by-election in 2012.
He also stood for the North East seat in the recent European Parliamentary elections.
He said: "I felt immediately comfortable at the firm as it’s the kind of environment I wanted to work in and with the chance to do the kind of work I want to do, in particular in the IT, digital and tech sector."
As part of BHP's business and company law division, Houchen will advise on mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, commercial agreements and partnerships and contracts.
"I speak to a lot of business owners both through my work and in politics and there is certainly a sense of growing optimism," Houchen added.
"In the legal sector more firms are starting to offer training contracts, which is a positive sign of growth, and we are seeing a lot of inward investment elsewhere led by the local enterprise partnership."
As well as his role at BHP Law, Houchen will continue his political career, including being part of the 'Yarm for Yorkshire' steering group.
BHP Law has operations in Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Teesside, York, Halifax, North Shields and Newton Aycliffe.