Waterfront firm has hired Jeremy Hawthorn, a senior solicitor and criminal defence expert, and Peter Haney, who is an accredited police station representative. Tony McDonough reports

A boutique law firm that launched in Liverpool earlier this year has added to its team with the hiring of two legal professionals.

Astraea Legal was established by directors Nama Zarroug and Matt Reynolds and has set up home in Avenue HQ at Mann Island on the city’s waterfront. It provides legal advice and services to high net worth individuals as well as consulting for other law firms.

It has now hired Jeremy Hawthorn, a senior solicitor and High Court advocate who will bolster the firms criminal defence expertise, and Peter Haney, who is an accredited police station representative.

Hawthorn, who has extensive experience in criminal defence, has previously held positions with Kirwans, David Taylor and Malcolm Gregg.

Astraea director Nama Zarroug said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the launch. It has far surpassed our expectations. Welcoming Jeremy and Peter to the team means we’re able to keep up our phenomenal growth for the rest of the year.”

Ms Zarroug specialises in criminal defence and regulatory litigation, and was previously partner and head of criminal law at Kirwans, and Mr Reynolds headed up the Just Motor Law team group.

He is an expert road traffic lawyer who previously caused a national uproar with his discovery that numbers on electronic speed signs on English motorways were the wrong shape resulting in motorists convictions being overturned.