The Legal 500, the leading guide of the best law firms and solicitors in the UK, has published its rankings in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2022 edition. These rankings reflect the results of detailed analysis of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews conducted by the Legal 500 research team. Here at Clapham & Collinge LLP, we are thrilled to be recognised in 12 practice areas, with 2 elite 'leading individuals', 2 'rising stars', 14 recommended lawyers and testimonials including:
'This is a great local firm with various regional offices. They have a loyal local following and a sense of helping their local community.'
'They were efficient and helpful at all times, from initial contact via telephone to conclusion. Availability, reassurance and courtesy was key in our dealings with them.'
'Clapham & Collinge acted in a professional and courteous manner throughout a complex and demanding case. Billing was open and transparent. All staff acted in a polite, professional manner, and I cannot speak highly enough of those who dealt with our case.'
Associate and Marketing Manager Louis Hilldrup-Boorman said ''Client feedback is a powerful way to gain insight into our service delivery, as well as benchmark our performance against our peers. We strive for excellence in client satisfaction at Clapham & Collinge LLP, so we are delighted to have received some excellent testimonials from clients in this year's Legal 500 rankings. These testimonials reflect the hard work, dedication and resilience of our lawyers, especially after a long period of challenging trading conditions. A fantastic result for the Clapham & Collinge team!''
Our Legal 500 2022 Highlights:
Commercial Litigation: Elsewhere in East Anglia
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors has a network of offices across North Norfolk and in its North Walsham office Philip Lumb is a multi-talented litigator who leads a 'professional and courteous' team handling a range of dispute for business and individuals. He is known for his work in shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence claims, debt recovery and property litigation.
Commercial Litigation: Norwich
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors has a core litigation team in Norwich and two other offices in North Norfolk, providing advice on commercial disputes, debt recovery, property litigation and insolvency. Head of litigation Mark Kermez has more than 16 years' experience and key partner Philip Lumb more than 20, and consultant Michael Olmer more than 40; this hugely experienced trio are supported by 'outstanding' legal executive Kate Smith. Litigation executive Shaun Taylor also plays a key role in the practice.
Clients praise the 'sheer commitment and attention to detail' of Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in Norwich. The firm acts for individual landlords, tenants and property owners in Norfolk on a broad range of contentious property matters. Managing partner Mark Kermez oversees the practice, in which litigation executives Shaun Taylor, who devotes 90% of his time to property litigation, and Kate Smith are key practitioners. Litigation partner Philip Lumb and consultant Michael Olmer are also involved in the practice.
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in Norwich frequently acts for companies in Norfolk in the recovery of their debts thanks to the in-depth experience of its litigation practice. Managing partner Mark Kermez leads the debt recovery group, in which litigator Philip Lumb and legal executive Kate Smith play key roles. 'She totally knew her subject and I felt confident trusting her advice', says a client of Smith.
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in Norwich has a small team handling a broad range of matters, from contentious cases for claimants to advisory work for employers across Norfolk. 'Determined, calm and totally professional' associate Nicola Strefford is head of the employment group, which is 'very understanding and devoted to sorting things out in everyone's best interests'. Strefford and 'clear, succinct, direct' solicitor Natalie Smith work closely with the commercial team on TUPE matters and the employment aspects of M&A deals.
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence: Claimant
'Not only does the team make things easier to understand, all information was communicated in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate way', says a client of Clapham & Collinge Solicitors. Philip Lumb in Norwich is a litigator with extensive experience in PI and clinical negligence cases, particularly those related to industrial diseases, asbestos claims, serious injuries, accidents at work and RTAs. He is supported by legal executive Kate Smith who has notable experience in personal injury matters.
Professional Negligence
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors, which has offices in Norwich, North Walsham and Sheringham, frequently handles claims against solicitors, barristers, accountants, financial advisers and insurance brokers. Philip Lumb in the North Walsham office leads the practice, bringing to bear 17 years' experience in professional negligence, personal injury and clinical negligence matters. Legal executive Kate Smith and litigation executive Shaun Taylor play key roles in the practice.
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors handles a range of real estate matters including buying and selling business premises, landlord and tenant issues, property finance matters and development work. The firm is 'efficient and helpful at all times' and clients praise the 'reliable and approachable team'. Legal executive Sarah Garlish leads the commercial property practice and has more than 15 years' experience in the area. Solicitor Molly Byrne 'deals with all matters efficiently and quickly'.
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in Norwich launched its charities practice in 2016 and has since grown it client base to include charities based both in Norfolk and further afield in East Anglia. Clients describe a 'very approachable and friendly firm that is very proactive and works well collaboratively'. Neale Grearson leads the multi-disciplinary practice that includes litigator Philip Lumb and head of employment Nicola Strefford. The firm's work encompasses the full range of issues from the formation of charities to advice on property transactions.
Contentious Trusts and Probate
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors has a practice based in Norwich and North Walsham and also delivers services through its Sheringham office. Head of litigation Philip Lumb, who took over as head of the practice in late 2020, is supported by consultant Michael Olmer on high-value contentious probate matters including claims under the Inheritance Act 1975, acting for a growing client base in North Norfolk.
Praised as 'a great local firm with a loyal local following and a wealth of knowledge', Clapham & Collinge Solicitors supports clients across North Norfolk through its offices in Norwich, North Walsham and Sheringham, providing advice on the full range of family law matters. Neale Grearson, who leads the practice from Norwich, provides 'superlative, personal client care and gives really clear advice so clients have their expectations set at a realistic level'. The firm also has strong a associate in Caroline Eaton, who is 'very user-friendly and pragmatic'.
Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate: Norwich
The private client practice at Clapham & Collinge Solicitors is ''totally professional, able to anticipate problems and address them before they turn into issues'. The firm has a broad practice but is particularly skilled in dealing with elderly clients and all members of its team are trained Dementia Friends. Practice head Lin Whitehead specialises in Court of Protection matters; she has 'in-depth knowledge of this area of law, showing immense empathy, not only to her clients but to their extended family'. Associate Lauren Abbs is 'particularly impressive with a very kind and gentle approach'.
*Extracts taken from The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2022 edition.
If you have a legal query and would like to speak to a member of the Clapham & Collinge team, please contact our dedicated Client Relations Team on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an Enquiry' online form on our website.
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