Ashfords wins national praise for firm's legal expertise
Introduction
The latest guide to the UK legal profession has just been published and, once again, the considerable heavyweight expertise of West Country-based solicitors Ashfords is highlighted for praise.
The latest Chambers UK legal directory reveals that a number of legal specialists at the firm are recognised as experts in their field of the law.
Chambers findings are based on market research that includes interviews with over 12,000 solicitors, barristers and clients.
Ashfords has had a year of tremendous change and growth, and is ranked by Chambers as one of the region's top performing practices.
The firm is ranked top in Devon and Cornwall for its corporate finance work its planning work and for its litigation and dispute resolution. It is also named as the number one regional legal practice for work in horse racing and equestrian matters.
Individuals who come in for praise include the following:
First Tier
- Simon Rous – Corporate Finance: Devon & Cornwall
- Tim Howells – Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Litigation
- Garry Mackay – Information Technology
- Mark Lomas – Information Technology
- Ian Daniells – Litigation / Dispute Resolution
- John Bosworth – Planning
- Rory Mac Neice – Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian
Second Tier
- John Birch – Construction
- William Tate – Crime
- Rhiain Lewis – Employment
- Mark Lomas – Intellectual Property
- Rory Mac Neice – Litigation / Dispute Resolution
- Andrew Rothwell – Real Estate
- Sian Gibbon – Real Estate Litigation
Third Tier
- Stephen Homer – Construction
- Rhodri Davey – Employment
- Liz Gibson – Environment
- Tim Howells – Agriculture & Rural Affairs
- Garry Mackay – Intellectual Property
Fourth Tier
- George Wilkinson – Corporate Finance: Bristol
- Brian Hegarty – Real Estate
- David Pomeroy – Restructuring / Insolvency
The guide says Ashfords has seen a significant increase in deal flow in the last year and singles out Chairman Simon Rous for praise saying he: " heads the company commercial team and boasts a wealth of experience in public company flotation, MBOs and M&A work, frequently on behalf of City clients. He offered advice in relation to the £51 million sale of real estate investment company Princes House. Clients also include Bank of Scotland, Centrax and Schlumberger."
Chambers says of the firm as a whole: "Exeter is a stronghold of corporate work for this national player. It has strong connections with the firm's wider network, drawing on expertise in London and Bristol and allowing the team to service substantial clients in the most complex of deals. One of its more complex recent transactions involved the refinancing and sale of Bank House Unit Trust to Canada Life."
Partner John Bosworth is described as "universally well-regarded" while, of the firm's Chief Executive overall head of litigation Ian Daniells, Chambers says: "Peers value him as a sensible opponent who "doesn't take unnecessary points," while clients find him "extremely helpful, professional and commercial - he will always achieve the stated objective and keep to timetables."
Partner Rory MacNeice focuses on sports law, specifically cases connected with horseracing, but also represents football and rugby clubs. His familiarity with regulatory matters has led to an advisory role in OFT dawn raids and commercial fraud and product liability matters.
Simon Rous, Ashfords' Chairman, commented: "We have had a very busy and successful year and it is always good to find out that clients and our peers appreciate the work we do. Our expansion will continue with the recruitment of new partners and the move into new offices in Bristol which will enable us to offer a more complete service to our clients."
Ian Daniells, Ashfords' Chief Executive, commented: "The Chambers Directory once again recognises Ashfords as the leading law firm west of Bristol and confirms our unrivalled strength in Corporate, Commercial, Public Sector and Private Client work. We are very proud of the quality of our legal staff; reflected in the large number of national and international clients we advise from our South West offices. We continue to actively develop our first class legal service to all of our clients from private individuals to large corporates.
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