Law firms recognised in latest Chambers rankings

James Brown and Sam Hall

Manchester-based Hall Brown Family Law has retained its place in the top tier of three of the legal industry’s most prestigious rankings.

Just weeks after being included as a Tier One in the Legal 500 standings, Hall Brown has secured similar placings in classifications compiled by both Chambers and Partners and eprivateclient.

The firm said it has had more of its lawyers named in the top individual categories than any other in the North West.

Three of its partners – managing partner James Brown, senior partner Sam Hall and Andrew Newbury – feature among Chambers and Partners’ notable North West practitioners.

All three were also singled out as Leading Individuals by Legal 500 along with partner Beth Wilkins.

They have been joined in Legal 500’s top group of family lawyers by Alison Fernandes and Martin Loxley – partners in Hall Brown’s Sheffield office.

Mr Brown said: “This recognition is tribute to the exceptional hard work and talent shown by everyone within the firm.

“Both our lawyers and our administrative staff live up to very exacting standards on a daily basis.

“That is why almost all of our client work stems from word of mouth reference and, in the current tight labour market, shows why we continue to attract so many very capable fee earners.

“What is particularly pleasing about these rankings is the praise given to so many of our lawyers who are not partners, something which I think illustrates the great strength in depth which we possess.”

Having been dubbed “the premier firm” in the North West by Legal 500, Hall Brown has now been referred as “incredible” by Chambers and Partners.

Between both rankings, staff in all four of its offices have been identified as among the very best in their profession. In addition to her Tier One placing in Legal 500, partner Alison Fernandes, head of Hall Brown’s office in Sheffield, is one of only two top-ranked lawyers in the area in Chambers’ list. The other is Zoe Round, who joined the firm as a consultant in July.

Partner Laura Guillon, in charge of Hall Brown’s Leeds operations, is included in Legal 500 as one of its Rising Stars, while her fellow partner Izzy Walsh is listed by Chambers and Partners as one of its ‘Up and Coming’ family lawyers, having been recommended by Legal 500 along with her fellow London team member, Catherine Bell.

Chambers and Partners has described senior associate Madelaine Hailey as “a star in the making” and there are also Legal 500 mentions for Sarah Hewitt and her fellow associate Alice Rogers.

Legal 500 also names Katie Welton-Dillon, head of Hall Brown’s specialist children’s law unit, as one of its key personnel.

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With six of its specialists listed in Chambers UK 2023, Manchester-based law firm Slater Heelis has received industry recognition for a 12th consecutive year.

It’s the second time in two months the firm has received national acknowledgement within the legal sector, coming on the back of recent success in the Legal 500 rankings, which saw 16 of the firm’s solicitors listed. Together, the Legal 500 and Chambers UK are the legal industry’s most prestigious honours.

Marking a hugely successful year, Simon Wallwork, partner at Slater Heelis, receives his first ever Band 1 ranking in Chambers UK.

This recognition is the highest standard of excellence for the legal sector, demonstrating Simon’s accomplishments as one of the foremost lawyers in the country.

The family team at Slater Heelis received a prestigious Band 2 ranking for the fifth year running, with lawyers Kim Aucott, Mark Heptinstall, Phillip Rhodes, and Patricia Robinson all receiving individual recognition.

Chris Bishop

Consultant Ken Salmon continues to be acknowledged for his significant expertise and skill in the field of construction law. He received the ‘Senior Statesperson’ accolade for the eighth year in a row this year, reflecting his success as one of the top lawyers in the North West.

Chambers and Partners ranks solicitors and law firms across the United Kingdom based on their accomplishments over the previous 12 months, including standout work, strategic growth, and excellence in client service – 200 analysts conduct the annual study, gathering tens of thousands of responses from clients through in-depth interviews.

Chris Bishop, managing partner of Slater Heelis, said: “We are pleased that, for the 12th year in a row, the performance and expertise of our solicitors and departments have been recognised in the Chambers Rankings. It is a significant accomplishment that gives our clients assurance they’re in the best hands, and solidifies our standing as one of the North West’s top legal experts.

“We strongly believe in continuous improvement, so it is incredibly satisfying to see the Chambers Rankings reflect this. Simon’s achievements in the last 12 months are an example to us all.”

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Express Solicitors has been ranked in Chambers & Partners for Clinical Negligence in Band 3, alongside other leading and national firms.

In Personal Injury, Richard Lowery, partner and head of employers’ liability, has been ranked in Band 2 as a Leading Individual in this field. He said: “I am delighted to be ranked in Band 2 by Chambers and Partners which I hope demonstrates the effort I have expended trying to help injured clients over the last 25 years.“

Richard Lowery

In relation to the firm’s position, Chambers UK states: “Express Solicitors has an accomplished practice with a growing reputation in clinical negligence. The firm is frequently involved in negligent surgeries and delay in diagnosis claims. The team is particularly adept at assisting claimants with cases involving brain and birth injuries, including cerebral palsy cases, as well as misdiagnosis of cancer claims. It is additionally experienced in fatal incidents.”

A testimonial from both a Barrister and a client of Express Solicitors was featured: “The team has complete mastery of the clinical subject matter,” and “The team is thorough and methodical and answers any questions in a timely and professional manner.”

Managing partner, James Maxey, said: “We are working hard to develop our departments with technical legal experts to deliver the best service for our clients. We have aspirations to be ranked even higher and have more Leading Individuals ranked in the next Chambers & Partners within the fields of Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence.”

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TLT has continued the growth of its Chambers and Partners rankings in the North West, with nine practice areas ranked in the 2023 edition.

The 2023 rankings saw the firm ranked in nine practice areas in the region, showcasing TLT’s expertise in banking and finance, corporate/M&A, employment, information technology, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, real estate litigation and restructuring/insolvency.

A total of 15 lawyers from TLT’s North West office are featured in the directory, with Julien Luke (litigation) entering the rankings for the first time, and David Gardner (information technology), Graeme Orchison (intellectual property) and Sean McCay (construction) all ranked Band 1.

Alastair Lomax (restructuring and insolvency), Damien Garrould (pensions), Debbie Reynolds (planning), Ed Cotton (employment), Emma Flower (litigation), John Hyde (real estate), Jon Hainey (litigation), Mark Traynor (corporate/M&A: lower mid-market), Matthew Forrest (real estate litigation), Paul Crighton (banking and finance) and Stuart Campbell (information technology) were also included in the rankings.

Graeme Orchison

Graeme Orchison, partner and location head for TLT in Manchester, said: “The Chambers rankings is a reflection of the commitment of the team in Manchester to provide a best-in-class legal service to our clients.

“It’s been a substantial year of growth for TLT in the North West during which we’ve significantly grown our resources and worked on some of the highest profile deals in the region. Most recently, the team’s hard work and dedication was recognised in the Manchester Legal Awards where we won law firm of the year. Congratulations to all individuals ranked in this year’s rankings.”

TLT is ranked in 42 submission areas across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the 2023 edition of Chambers, with a range of practice areas rising up the rankings, two submissions newly ranked across the UK and one entering the rankings for the first time in Northern Ireland.

The firm counts 85 individual lawyer rankings with 13 lawyers joining for the first time and 10 rising up the rankings from last year.

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The Manchester office of national law firm Clarke Willmott has once again been recognised in the annual Chambers and Partners Guide.

The office has retained its Band 1 ranking for its intellectual property offering, and Band 3 for social housing.

Partner Roy Crozier retains his Band 1 ranking in the individual rankings, while corporate partner Ed Foulkes and housing management partner, Lindsey Felstead, retain their Band 2 status.

Roy Crozier

Family law partner Chris Longbottom receives a Band 4 ranking, while employment partner Emma Hamnett and construction solicitor James Driver, both retain their Band 4.

Housing management associate Natalie Pickford retains her ‘associate to watch’ status, while intellectual property partner Andrew Stone retains his ‘up and coming’ ranking.

Hailed ‘associate to watch’ for the first time is divorce and family law associate Emily Finn.

Roy Crozier, head of the Manchester office, said: “It was great to see that we continue to be recognised for both our specialist practice areas and for individual lawyers. It is an indication of the quality of our work and the services we provide.

“The recognition reflects the time we invest in developing relationships with our clients, our high level of service and our great people.”

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WHN Solicitors, which has eight offices across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, has been praised in the latest guide. The firm has bolstered its presence in the rankings after achieving a higher tier in the North West Real Estate Litigation category, just one year after securing a ranking at the first attempt.

WHN is the only firm outside of the North West’s major cities to achieve ranking for real estate litigation. The team has been particularly praised for delivering ‘solid, no-nonsense advice and guidance, providing good support in all areas with a well-skilled team.’

Elsewhere, director Daniel Long, who also heads up WHN’s commercial department, has been singled out personally, achieving a highly-coveted place as an individual in the Real Estate Litigation category.

Daniel Long

Daniel, who became the firm’s youngest ever partner seven years ago at the age of 28, has been applauded by Chambers and Partners for always providing ‘timely, commercially astute advice, offering creative solutions as well as staying on top of procedural elements of all matters.’

He said: “It’s fantastic to see our firm improve its ranking in Chambers and Partners, and for me to have been personally ranked as an individual, too.

“The rankings set a high bar and showcase the very best in a given area of specialism, which makes our accomplishment of rising a place just one year after first being ranked in the guide even more significant. Well done to our team of people for their unwavering commitment to delivering excellent advice and service to our clients.”

Michael Shroot, CEO at WHN Solicitors, said: “We’re incredibly proud that our expertise has been recognised in such a highly esteemed guide. The firm has ranked alongside predominantly Manchester city centre firms, which is a huge achievement and true testament to the strength and depth of our team’s knowledge in what is an incredibly complex area of law.”

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