Sparke Helmore’s Newcastle office has a new managing partner following the retirement of Jann Gardner.

Workplace lawyer Catherine Wilkinson will now lead the office, which boasts 10 partners. Wilkinson has more than 18 years litigation experience and specialises in providing strategic advice on OH&S , discrimination, unfair dismissal, bullying, grievance procedures, sexual harassment and contractual issues.

Gardner was also the head of the Sparke Helmore’s CTP practice group in NSW and the ACT. Last year she was named as one of the 70 women to be chosen for a federal government board diversity scholarship program, which is aimed at giving women the skills they need to become company directors.