Region’s position as an SME stronghold bolsters commercial sectors

THE Big Six law firms dominating the lists in a “highly competitive” market but there other law firms showed their specialist credentials across the sectors.

Transport is a key issue across Yorkshire, whilst Leeds continues to be considered the “epicentre” of the Yorkshire commercial professional services market, as, despite the lack of FTSE companies, the region is an SME stronghold.

Other regional cities showed a diverse range of successful law firms, from Harrogate and York to Hull, Bradford and Sheffield, with differing specialities.

Corporate/Commercial

DLA Piper topped both the Sheffield and Leeds lists in the first tier. The Legal 500 said the firm “stands out for its multi-jurisdictional expertise” and under Jonathan Procter and Wendy Harrison, the firm helped complete the sale of a stake in Victoria Plumb.

Not too much movement at the top of the commercial and corporate sector, with Addleshaw Goddard under practice lead Yunas Seedat, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Squire Patton Boggs and Walker Morris, who have acted for private equity firm Endless, retaining their leadership in the sector.

In the second tier, DWF, and Gordons remain steady, but Bond Dickinson has been moved down the third tier with Clarion, Irwin Mitchell, who also made the list in Sheffield, as well as Lupton Fawcett Denison Till and Schofield Sweeney.

Shulmans and Ward Hadaway moved up in the Legal 500 corporate and commercial breakdown.

3evolution, Gateley and the Needle Partnership retain their positions in the fifth tier.

Last but not least, Blacks Solicitors, hlw Keeble Hawson, Harrogate-based McCormicks, Ramsdens, Raworths and Watson Burton come in 6th tier.

Hempsons and Levi Solicitors were omitted from the list this year, and Hill Dickinson missed out on making the list for the South Yorkshire region.

In Hull and the East Riding, the trio of solicitors accredited in the Legal 500 for the area remained the same: Gosschalks, Rollits and Andrew Jackson.

Commercial Litigation

The biggest mover in this sector was Pinsent Masons who moved down the rankings to tier two, due to restructuring following the departure of Damian Crosse to the firm’s Dubai office, and the movement of William Broughton in-house.

This knocked Irwin Mitchell down to tier three, as well as DAC Beachcroft and Harrowells Solicitors of York which were each moved down a tier.

Metis Law was the only addition to the listings, and The Legal 500 said that the Clarion team was “significantly boosted” by the appointment of Dominic Higham from DLA Piper.

Sheffield firms stayed largely static, but with tier three firms from 2014 all being moved to tier two.

Banking/finance

Walker Morris moved down in the Legal 500 rankings this year, as did Nabarro and Clarion, whilst Hill Dickinson lost their place completely.

Ward Hadaway moved up as did Bond Dickinson to the third tier, alongside DWF, Gordons and Irwin Mitchell. They have undertaken work for the Duke of Northumberland under practice head John Connor.

The Needle Partnership was a new addition to the list, after an expansion programme was pushed by entrepreneur Sharon Needle, which saw the firm recently move into the Malaysian market.

Insolvency and corporate recovery

Taylor & Emmet and Ford & Warren (now Weightmans) lost their places in favour of Milner Solicitors and Rollits, but the Big Six again dominated the first tiers.

EU and competition
Addleshaw Goddard has moved down to the third tier in the EU and competition sector, after the departure of Legal 500 top regional lawyer Adam Aldred, who is now a barrister for Kings Chambers in Leeds.

DWF went up in the rankings, reaching the first tier after the appointment of partner and head of EU and competition, Jonathan Branton, to the leading individuals list.

Transport

Addleshaw Goddard made the Transport sector list this year after Paul Hirst joined from DLA Piper.

Weightmans, formerly Ford & Warren moved down the rankings, whilst Plexus Law, which was incorporated into Parabis Law, has moved up the list to the first tier of transport.