The Legal 500, one of the UK’s leading legal directories, has announced its much anticipated results for 2023. B P Collins is delighted to announce that it has achieved top tier and recommended rankings in 11 practice areas, and 34 rankings for individual lawyers across the firm – its best result to date.
New lawyer rankings
Beth Miel, a senior associate in the Tier 1 corporate and commercial practice, is now regarded as a “Rising Star,” by The Legal 500, with a client reporting that she, along with Alex Zachary, “…were very knowledgeable and considerate. I highly recommend them.”
The corporate and commercial team, consisting of Alex Zachary, Simon Deans and David Smellie, has also been rated highly by another client, who says, “…there is a wealth of knowledge within the team that we have been able to draw from. They have been able to address all our diverse requirements from IP, data protection, exclusivity and the sharing of propriety information.’
Meanwhile, the work of B P Collins’ commercial litigation team has been recognised, with Phil Hind now regarded as a “Key Lawyer” in the practice as he, “… is well versed in real estate litigation.” This brings the total number to four in the team, who’ve been recognised by directory.
The Legal 500 also reports that the Tier 1 commercial litigation practice, which includes Matthew Brandis, Craig Williams, Simon Carroll and Raj Malhotra, takes, “…a proactive approach to dispute resolution that promotes mediation and a real goal of finding solutions, unlike too many of their competitors who appear to have the elongation of the dispute as their prime goal.”
Business immigration solicitor Greg Clark is also noted as a “Key Lawyer,” for the first time. One client says he, “…is able to put nervous clients at ease whilst keeping on top of complex factual details and technical legal points, meaning he is well-liked by both lay clients and colleagues.”
Meanwhile the business immigration team, which includes partners, Chris Brazier and Kathryn Fielder, is reported by a client as, “…occup[ying] a unique place in the market due to the expectation that members of the team practice in both employment and immigration. This makes them well placed to represent both individuals and employers alike in matters where immigration and employment law overlap.”
Hannah Yellop, family solicitor, who is part of a “highly expert” team that “…are all committed to their clients and plainly dedicated in achieving the best outcome for them, is now regarded as a “Key Lawyer”. According to one client, the family team, led by partner, Sue Andrews, “…appears busy, energetic and competent, and runs cases efficiently and without unnecessary wastage of costs.”
The Legal 500 also recognises Manjot Dhillon, associate in the property litigation team, as a “Key Lawyer”, with one source stating that she, “…is a truly first-rate solicitor. She provides excellent legal advice to her clients, sometimes in very difficult circumstances, and has a superb manner. It is a delight to be instructed on matters where Manjot has been involved.”
Manjot is part of B P Collins’ larger property litigation team, which includes Phil Hind and Elliott Brookes. One of their clients noted that, “I feel that clients who are represented by B P Collins get properly ‘looked after’. Most law firms provide excellent legal advice, but I have a sense that BP Collins really care.”
Simon Deans, B P Collins’ senior partner, comments on the results:
“Congratulations to all the teams and lawyers, for achieving these excellent results. To have so many practices and lawyers recognised this year is an affirmation that we always put our clients first and are able to create great relationships built on trust.”
Full breakdown of rankings
The Legal 500 continues to award “Top Tier” status to our corporate and commercial; commercial litigation; employment; family; personal tax, trusts and probate; and environment and planning teams. Meanwhile, business immigration, contentious trusts and probate and commercial property retain their recommended status, alongside crime, fraud and licencing and property litigation.
Meanwhile, “Leading Individuals” from last year have all retained their status in the 2023 guide. They are Alex Zachary, corporate and commercial and environment; Sue Andrews, family; Simon Deans, corporate and commercial; Jo Davis, employment and Craig Williams in commercial litigation and contentious trusts and probate.
The Legal 500 also announced that Maria Mowberry, commercial property partner retains her “Next Generation Partners” title, alongside Chris Brazier, employment and business immigration; Kathryn Fielder, business immigration; Lucy Wood in private client 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; Phil Hind in property litigation and for the first time, Beth Miel in Corporate and Commercial.
The Legal 500’s “Key Lawyers” are Jonothan Moss, environment; Matthew Brandis, contentious trusts and probate; Simon Deans, corporate and commercial; David Smellie, environment and corporate and commercial; Beth Miel, corporate and commercial; Craig Williams, environment; Alison Taylor, for commercial property and environment; Manjot Dhillon and Elliott Brookes in property litigation; Martina Razaq in commercial property; Hannah Yellop in family; Greg Clark in business immigration and Phil Hind in commercial litigation.