Ashfords is "leading the way" says Legal 500 survey for 2006
Introduction
South West Law firm Ashfords has once again been acknowledged by the independent Legal 500 guide to the profession which says it is "leading the way" in a number of areas.
Described as a "regional heavyweight" across the wider region, the firm's expertise in a significant number of departments has been recognised by Legal 500 which states that the firm "can be particularly proud of its progress".
In the West Country, the survey says that Ashfords "stands out as a natural choice for the very largest corporate transactions," and Chairman and Head of Corporate Simon Rous is also listed as one of the region's "leading individuals".
The survey team add that Ashfords: "had the lead role on some 37 deals in the West Country in 2005, as well as travelling the world in the course of advice to major international clients such as Schlumberger, China Education Group, Actaris and Centrax. In one particular highlight, Simon Rous led the advice to a Gibraltar-based SPV on the £46million sale of Bank House Unit Trust to Canada Life."
Other legal areas to receive high praise include the firm's Commercial Litigation Department which was again ranked as number one in the region. One client told Legal 500, "Whereas most firms dabble in litigation, Ashfords does it properly."
Ashfords Construction Department received recognition too with departmental head John Birch also being acknowledged as a "leading individual" in the region, and whose team "is noted for its skills in adjudication".
According to the Legal 500, Ashfords Commercial Property Team "boasts considerable expertise in development work". It is the biggest commercial property team west of Bristol.
Similarly, Ashfords employment law team "headed by recommended partner Rhiain Lewis in Plymouth, Charles Pallot in Exeter and Michelle Bevan in Taunton" is also ranked at the top of the tree.
Ashfords' Chairman and Head of Corporate , Simon Rous, said, " This independent survey recognises Ashfords many core strengths in the region, plus our growing national and international reputation to deliver an unparalleled premium corporate and commercial law service. Ashfords can boast a total of 21 lawyers who are acknowledged by Legal 500 as experts in their field.
"As the top law firm in the West Country and the region's leading commercial dealmaker in 2005, w e are very proud of our position in the legal market. We will continue to invest in our people and our systems in order to ensure that we not only maintain the highest standards of client service, but also deliver practical and robust business solutions.
"The last year has been very exciting for us and we have experienced growth in virtually all areas of our legal work and in all locations, with a 10% increase in fee earners . For example, in Bristol, our expansion has been at such a rate that we have had to move to new, bigger offices in the city centre."
Other highlights from the Legal 500 survey include:
- Former national hunt jockey and Ashfords head of bloodstock Rory MacNeice is also singled out for praise for his work in horseracing, eventing, showing and other sporting areas.
- Bristol office head Garry Mackay is responsible for "a rapidly developing IT team at Ashfords which is winning work throughout the South as well as further afield", and is "recommended for his non-contentious skills" say Legal 500.
- Legal 500 says Mark Lomas, who heads up Ashfords four-lawyer intellectual property group in Exeter, is "highly recommended" and the group "is definitely a team to watch."
Legal 500 highlight and recommend the following 21 Ashfords lawyers:
- Angus Bauer – corporate tax
- Simon Rous – corporate & company commercial - Legal 500 "leading individual"
- John Smith – crime & family
- William Tate – crime
- Ian Daniells – commercial litigation
- Paul Caldicott – debt recovery
- Andrew Smith - banking
- Rhiain Lewis – employment
- Charles Pallot - employment
- Michelle Bevan - employment
- Christopher Palmer – personal injury
- Rory MacNeice – bloodstock and sport
- Geoff Trobridge – charities
- James Pettit – personal trusts, tax and probate
- Margaret Lang - personal trusts, tax and probate
- Ruth Murray – PFI/PPP
- John Birch – construction - Legal 500 "leading individual"
- Tim Howells – property litigation & agriculture
- Sian Gibbon - social housing
- Garry Mackay – information technology
- Mark Lomas – intellectual property
|
