The Legal 500, one of the UK’s leading legal directories, has announced its results for 2025.
B P Collins is delighted to share that it has achieved top tier and recommended rankings in several practice areas and has a high number of rankings for individual lawyers – a significant result for the firm.
New rankings
Insolvency and corporate recovery
B P Collins is ranked for the first time in insolvency and corporate recovery after its expertise has been recognised in handling complex corporate recovery claims and a range of contentious insolvency matters for clients with one appreciating partner Simon Carroll, for, ‘… overseeing my case, [who] feels very aligned with my own values. I trust his judgement, I appreciate his candour, and I know (whether I think it at the time or not) he is correct in the advice and recommendations he provides to me.’
Employment and business immigration
Jo Davis, partner and employment practice group leader, continues to be regarded as a ‘Leading Partner.’ She is described in the directory, ‘as utterly tigerish in defence of her client’s position. She combines charm and tenacity.”
Meanwhile employment and business immigration partner, Kathryn Fielder retains her title of ‘Next Generation Partner,’ with one client reporting that she is, ‘…outstanding in her professionalism, politeness and empathy towards me and she, in my opinion, went above and beyond to help me.’
‘Key Lawyers,’ Greg Clark and Alix Beese, are also part of the ‘Tier 1’ ranked employment practice, which, according to the directory, provides, ‘a city-level service outside of central London. The partners and associates work efficiently as a team and commit fully to each individual case. Clients feel valued and counsel feel supported.’
Private client
Dominic Ibbs and Sharon Heselton, principal lawyers from the top ranked private client team have been recognised as ‘Leading Associates’ for the first time.
Clients believe the team, which also includes practice group leader and partner, Lucy Wood and Naadim Shamji, senior associate has, ‘…strength and depth…It seems that it does not matter which individual you refer to or who picks up a case, the outcome and quality of the work is consistently high. You get the real feel of a team working together for the best interest of the clients rather than a group of individuals.’
Commercial litigation
Simon Carroll, partner, is ranked in the Tier 1 commercial litigation team and is now listed as a ‘Leading Partner,’ with Rajiv Malhotra, partner, also ranked as ‘Leading.’ The team, led by partner, Matthew Brandis is rated highly by clients with one saying, ‘it has an impregnable reputation for fine quality commercial work in its region, [with] staggeringly good local market knowledge.’
Environment
Alex Zachary, corporate and commercial and environment partner, continues to retain his title as a ‘Leading Individual’. The Legal 500 reports that, ‘the practice is well integrated with excellent communication. They draw upon the knowledge of the whole network, which is needed in environmental matters that span so many disciplines.’
Contentious probate
The Legal 500 has recognised contentious trusts and probate solicitor, Imogen Pike, as a ‘Leading Associate’ for the first time. Imogen’s client believes that she, ‘is a future star. I can see her being a market-leading lawyer in years to come – seriously impressive.’
Meanwhile Craig Williams, contentious trusts and probate partner, retains his ‘Leading Partner’ recognition with one client reporting, he, ‘… is the star of the show. A formidable negotiator equally at ease with lay clients, mediators and opponents. He has an excellent grasp of the law and the practicalities of contentious matters and possesses an instinctive feel for the pinch points of a case.’
Family
The family team retains its high ranking with one client saying that, ‘B P Collins is the leading firm in the area for family law. Clients flock there for the combination of top level expertise combined with a realistic approach. The firm regularly competes with central London firms in cases.’
‘Key Lawyers,’ Laura Mortimer, practice group head, Emma Leavesley, partner and James Carter, associate are described as, ‘…doing an excellent job of leading the firm and represent the future of family law in this area. They are highly regarded by clients and opponents alike.’
Corporate and commercial
Beth Miel from the corporate and commercial team is now a ‘Leading Associate’, with Alex Zachary and Simon Deans retaining their ‘Leading Partner’ rankings. Clients rate them highly, believing they, ‘…are proactive and extremely responsive in their advice. They provided a first class service throughout all the team involved.’
Commercial Property
The property team, which includes practice head, Alison Taylor, Maria Mowberry, who has retained her ‘Next Generation Partner’ ranking, Emily Halley and Simone Ganley who are recognised as a ‘Key Lawyers’ for the first time, has also received hugely positive feedback from clients with one saying, ‘the team are great communicators and manage the purchase and sales process efficiently, they are proactive and chase the other side regularly. They are able to ensure that at every step of the process we are fully informed and always respond swiftly to any queries.’
Property litigation
The Legal 500 describes the property litigation team, which includes ‘Key Lawyers’ Elliott Brookes, Thames Valley Young Property Professional of the Year and practice group head and Manjot Dhillon, senior associate as, ‘…approachable and friendly. They provide timely, detailed, and clear advice. The firm always has its client’s best interest at the forefront of advice and the teams work really well together.’
Simon Deans, B P Collins’ senior partner, comments on the results:
‘Huge congratulations to everyone at the firm. Having so many of our lawyers and teams acknowledged for their dedication, and strategic approach to their work with our clients is an incredible achievement. This recognition reflects the tireless efforts of not just our talented lawyers, but also the wider teams that work alongside them. It’s a true testament to the hard work, collaboration, and commitment that drives our clients’ success every day. Well done to all for making this recognition possible.”
Full breakdown of rankings
The Legal 500 awarded “Top Tier” status to our commercial litigation; employment and private client. Corporate and commercial, environment and planning, family, business immigration, contentious trusts and probate, commercial property and property litigation teams retain their high status with insolvency and corporate recovery being ranked for the first time.
Alex Zachary, corporate and commercial and environment; 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 continue to be ‘Leading Partners’ for 2025.
The Legal 500 also announced that Maria Mowberry, commercial property partner retains her ‘Next Generation Partners’ title alongside Kathryn Fielder, employment and business immigration partner and Simon Carroll, a partner in commercial litigation for the first time.
Rajiv Malholtra, commercial litigation becomes a ‘Leading Associate’ for the first time, as do Dominic Ibbs and Sharon Heselton, principal lawyers in the private client team; Imogen Pike, in contentious probate and Beth Miel in the corporate and commercial team.
The Legal 500’s ‘Key Lawyers’ are Matthew Brandis commercial litigation and contentious trusts and probate; Imogen Pike, contentious trusts and probate, Alex Zachary, corporate and commercial and environment; Simon Deans, corporate and commercial; David Smellie, environment and corporate and commercial; Beth Miel, corporate and commercial; Craig Williams, contentious probate, environment, commercial litigation and insolvency and corporate recovery; Alison Taylor, environment; Maria Mowberry, Emily Halley and Simone Ganley in commercial property; Manjot Dhillon and Elliott Brookes in property litigation; Kathryn Fielder in business immigration and employment; Alix Beese and Greg Clark in employment; Laura Mortimer, Emma Leavesley, James Carter in family, Sharon Heselton, Dominic Ibbs and Naadim Shamji, private client; Jonothan Moss, environment; Simon Carroll, commercial litigation, environment and insolvency and corporate recovery and Rajiv Malhotra, commercial litigation.
