Legal 500 2016: “One of the best local firms; solid and dependable, consistently achieving good results”

Leading independent guide to the legal profession, The Legal 500, released the results for 2016 on 14 September with increased rankings and continued praise for Leathes Prior.

The results show that the firm has three top tier practice areas with Fraud, Debt Recovery and Sport leading the way. A further 13 of the firm's areas of specialism feature in the second tier as Leathes Prior has once again proven itself to be one of East Anglia's leading full-service law firms.

In the elite guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide, nine of Leathes Prior's lawyers are listed as ‘leading individuals’ and 24 of the firm’s lawyers come recommended in the 2016 editorial. The firm's key highlights from the 2016 edition are outlined below.

The firm maintains a tier one ranking in Fraud with Partner Tim Cary noted as an elite ‘leading lawyer’ and clients praising Solicitor Tej Thakkar for his “precise and organised” style.

Tim and Tej are also praised for their work in licensing, health and safety, and criminal defence with “accurate and thoughtful advice”. Tim is noted as a “regulatory expert” who “achieves the best possible outcomes” and Tej attracts praise for his “understanding and authority”.

The firm’s top tier Sports Team, Full Contact, is described in the guide as “one of the region’s most active sports practices, which centres on the employment expertise of the no-nonsense and helpful Dan Chapman”. The team, including Barry Mears and former professional footballer Lee Payne, were described as leading on matters including motorsport, contracts, sponsorship and football agency matters.

The firm’s debtcollector service, managed by Dawn Lossau, also comes highly recommended, having maintained its excellent ranking at tier one.

The Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team were described in the guide as “solid and dependable, consistently achieving good results”. Partner and head of the team Mike Barlow “fights hard for his clients”. Partner David Richards “understands and argues positions well” and is also noted for his “excellent client care” within Personal Injury, as the specialism moves up a tier in the rankings for the firm this year.

The team’s Insolvency & Corporate Recovery offering, provided by Ina Beurich, was described as “an excellent and prompt service”.

The firm’s specialism in Education is highlighted with Associate Polly Langford, who advises universities and independent schools, described as “approachable and responds readily to clients’ requests with clear advice”. Tim Cary is described as a “boon to education clients” and Mike Barlow is also recommended.

The Corporate and Commercial Team is noted to have a strong reputation in Norfolk with Paul Warman and Peter Sheppard listed in the elite ‘Leading lawyers’ list and Richard Guthrie highly recommended. The guide describes the team as “extremely professional and easy to deal with” and team head Paul Warman “makes any transaction bearable”.

The firm’s Commercial Property Team comes highly ranked with Partners Rob Sibley, William Riley, David Clarke and Associate Paul Oldershaw all recommended as “respected figures”.

Clients are said to describe the firm’s Property Litigation Team, headed up by Partner Darren Bowen, as “one of the best local firms” in this area of work and notes that Sabina Haag is “readily available and always helpful”.

The firm’s Agricultural Team is ranked highly with ‘leading individuals’ William Riley, Darren Bowen and Mike Barlow all recommended.

The Intellectual Property offering at the firm was highlighted to include specialism in trade mark disputes, franchising, international business expansion and trade mark protection, with Mike Barlow and Jonathon Chadd recommended.

The growing Employment Team is described as “excellent in all respects – quick, practical advice and good value for money”. Head of the team Dan Chapman was noted as a ‘leading individual’ and praised by one client for being “the best employment lawyer I’ve worked with”. Associate Sarah Appleton is also recommended for her advice on all employment issues.

The firm’s Family Team is described to provide an “excellent service and thorough responses”. Partner and head of the team Alisdair Douglas is recommended as a ‘leading individual’ and is noted for his “good interpersonal skills and ability to point out the best way forward”. Associate Simon Willis is described as “a real people person” that “really cares about clients”.

The Wills, Estates & Powers of Attorney Team is highlighted in the guide with both William Riley and Tessa Bonser recommended. Darren Bowen and Sabina Haag are noted as specialists in contentious trusts and probate.

The firm’s Charities work was highlighted, with the team praised for its “competence, speed and understanding of clients’ needs”. ‘Trusts experts’ William Riley and Tessa Bonser, Head of Employment Dan Chapman, and Head of Corporate Paul Warman were all noted to give “sound advice” in this area.

The firm’s Transport expertise attracts praise for its “outstanding value for money” with “highly respected regulatory lawyer” Tim Cary and “rising star” Tej Thakkar recommended. The firm’s ‘Traffic Lawyers’ offering is noted as “an online service with a national client base”.

As 2016 sees Leathes Prior turn 140 years old, the firm is delighted with another year of continued growth and is delighted to see another set of excellent results from the leading independent guide to the legal profession.

For the full results see here.