Squire Sanders has expanded its construction team with the appointment of partner Sean McCay, who joins the firm with an associate from Pannone. Mr. McCay was head of Pannone’s construction and engineering group and corporate services division. With more than 20 years’ contentious construction and engineering experience, he is recognised as one of the region’s leading lawyers in this field. Ranked in band 1 by Chambers UK in its 2014 client guide to the UK legal market, Mr. McCay is noted for his “extensive knowledge and experience of contractual issues” and as a “superb strategist who is able to quickly spot the strengths and weaknesses of a case.”

Mr. McCay has considerable experience of all forms of dispute management and resolution including mediation, conciliation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. His clients span the private and public sectors in the energy, utilities, waste management and engineering industries, and he has a particular expertise in advising on nuclear decommissioning and large infrastructure projects and regeneration schemes.

Also joining Squire Sanders in Manchester is associate Jody Kite, a specialist in contentious construction with more than ten years’ experience.

Mr. McCay’s appointment marks his return to the Manchester office of Squire Sanders. A former trainee, he spent 16 years at the firm, serving as a partner for seven years.

“We are pleased to welcome Sean and Jody to the firm,” said Rob Elvin, managing partner of Squire Sanders in Manchester. “They are very experienced and capable lawyers, well-known and respected in the North West. Sean has been involved in some of the region’s most significant projects and we know his clients and practice well; he is a fantastic strategic fit for the firm.

“As the economy recovers there are a number of major infrastructure projects such as the development of Airport City at Manchester Airport and the High Speed Rail project moving forward in the North West and we see considerable opportunities for our expanded team in the future.”

Mr. McCay and Mr. Kite are the latest senior lawyers to join Squire Sanders’ global construction and engineering practice. In 2012, the firm appointed a seven-strong team of lawyers from DLA Piper and has since made further appointments, making the UK construction team one of the largest in the country, comprising seven partners and 21 lawyers.

“Sean’s appointment is another step in the growth and further development of our construction practice,” noted Graeme Bradley, global leader of construction at Squire Sanders. “We have been looking to grow our contentious infrastructure and projects capability and Sean’s wide-ranging experience and client base fit well with our existing practice.”