The Legal 500, one of the UK’s leading legal directories, has announced its results for 2024. B P Collins is delighted to share that it has achieved top tier and recommended rankings in 11 practice areas, and its highest number of rankings for individual lawyers – an excellent result for the firm.
New lawyer rankings
Lucy Wood, private client partner and practice group leader, is now regarded as a ‘Leading Individual’ by The Legal 500. Naadim Shamji, who was promoted to senior associate earlier this year is now a ‘Key Lawyer,’ after one client says of Naadim and the team:
“[They give] prompt attention to matters. They have a good probate and trust team. We work closely with Naadim Shamji. It goes without saying that the technical quality of the team is high.”
Another client says of the ‘Tier 1’ ranked team, which also includes Dominic Ibbs and Sharon Heselton, that, “…they are personal, caring, and efficient when dealing with clients at a distressing time.”
Steven Smith is ranked in the Tier 1 commercial litigation team and is now listed as a ‘Key Lawyer’ with one client saying that, “…he provides excellent knowledge and experience, he displays a very high level of understanding.”
This brings the total number to five in the commercial litigation team, who have been recognised by the directory. The Legal 500 also reports that the practice, which includes practice head, Matthew Brandis, Craig Williams, Simon Carroll and Rajiv Malhotra, is, “a powerhouse of a regional firm, the results that they achieve are first-class, surpassing all expectations.”
Employment and business immigration
Employment partner, Kathryn Fielder has moved from being a ‘Rising Star’ to being a ‘Next Generation Partner,’ with one client reporting that she, “…shows superb qualities in her field of expertise. She is extremely sensitive to client needs and requirements, and is a really committed lawyer.” Greg Clark is now recognised as a ‘Key Lawyer’ on the team.
Kathryn and Greg are part of the ‘Tier 1’ ranked employment practice, led by Jo Davis, which is, “a tenacious and well serviced employment team, which works night and day to secure the best outcome that it can for its clients.”
Jo Davis is also the practice head of business immigration, which The Legal 500 reports is hugely beneficial to clients: “Lawyers at B P Collins are trained in both employment and immigration law, putting them in a unique position to provide advice to employers and employees dealing with issues which cross both areas.’ An additional mention is given to Greg Clark, on the immigration team who is, “…capable beyond his years of experience. He is knowledgeable, confident and reassuring for clients.”
Environment
Simon Carroll, a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in commercial litigation is recognised as a ‘Key Lawyer’ for the first time in the ‘Tier 1’ environment team led by partner, Alex Zachary. The Legal 500 reports that the lawyers in the team are, “… extremely knowledgeable within their sector and industry.”
Contentious probate
The Legal 500 has recognised contentious probate solicitor, Imogen Pike as a ‘Rising Star’. Imogen’s client says, “…while early in her career, [she] has a great path ahead of her – [and] is a great addition to the team.”
Family
Laura Mortimer, partner and Ella Moxey, solicitor, are both recognised as ‘Key Lawyers’ in the family team led by Sue Andrews. Rated highly by clients, one reports that, “B P Collins are brilliant. They have an incredible amount of experience in dealing with complex matters involving divorce. They handled my case with amazing professionalism and expertise.”
Property litigation
The Legal 500 also recognises the B P Collins’ property litigation team, which includes Elliott Brookes and Manjot Dhillon. One of their clients notes that they are a, “…fantastic team with a great range of expertise and skills. In my experience everyone I have dealt with has been very professional and knowledgeable.”
Criminal
Olivia Duncan, solicitor, is recognised as a ‘Key Lawyer’ in the criminal team which also includes, practice head, Jonothan Moss. The Legal 500 shares feedback from one of its interviewees: “They are my “go-to” criminal lawyers if, and when, my clients need criminal law advice. This is because their communication is exceptional. Their knowledge of their area of law is unrivalled and they have always helped to secure very good outcomes, sometimes against all the odds. Thoroughly recommended.”
Corporate and commercial
The corporate and commercial team, consisting of practice head, Alex Zachary, Simon Deans, David Smellie and Beth Miel, who are all ranked, has also been rated highly by a client, who says it offers a, “prompt understanding of our business needs and translation in legal terms.”
Property
The property team, which includes practice head, Alison Taylor, Maria Mowberry and Martina Razaq, has also received hugely positive feedback from clients with one saying, “…it is personable, professional, knowledgeable, and engaging. They are friendly, easy to access, and have a wide variety of skills.”
Simon Deans, B P Collins’ senior partner, comments on the results:
“Congratulations to everyone at the firm. To have so many lawyers ranked for their dedication, creativity and strategic approach is fantastic and a testament to all of the hard work of each and every lawyer, and the wider teams which support them.”
Full breakdown of rankings
The Legal 500 awarded “Top Tier” status to our commercial litigation; employment; private client; and environment and planning teams. Corporate and commercial, family, business immigration, contentious trusts and probate and commercial property teams retain their high status, alongside crime, fraud and licencing and property litigation.
Meanwhile, “Leading Individuals” for 2024 are Alex Zachary, corporate and commercial and environment; Sue Andrews, family; Simon Deans, corporate and commercial; Jo Davis, employment, Craig Williams in commercial litigation and contentious trusts and probate and Lucy Wood in the private client team.
The Legal 500 also announced that Maria Mowberry, commercial property partner retains her “Next Generation Partners” title; Kathryn Fielder, employment and business immigration; and Simon Carroll in commercial litigation.
Six lawyers are listed as “Rising Stars” in this latest edition. They are Rajiv Malhotra, commercial litigation; Kathryn Fielder, employment; Dominic Ibbs; Sharon Heselton in personal trust, tax and probate; Beth Miel in Corporate and Commercial and for the first time, Imogen Pike, in contentious trusts and probate.
The Legal 500’s “Key Lawyers” are Matthew Brandis and Imogen Pike, contentious trusts and probate; Simon Deans, corporate and commercial; David Smellie, environment and corporate and commercial; Beth Miel, corporate and commercial; Craig Williams, environment and commercial litigation; Alison Taylor, environment; Martina Razaq and Maria Mowberry, real estate; Manjot Dhillon and Elliott Brookes in property litigation; Kathryn Fielder and Greg Clark in business immigration and employment; Laura Mortimer and Ella Moxey in family, Sharon Heselton, Dominic Ibbs and Naadim Shamji, private client; Jonothan Moss, environment; Simon Carroll, commercial litigation and environment; Rajiv Malhotra, commercial litigation; Steven Smith, construction and Olivia Duncan, crime.
