The eagerly awaited Legal 500, the leading guide to law firms in the UK, has published its law rankings and recommendations in their The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2019 edition.
Clapham & Collinge Solicitors are delighted to be recognised in 11 practice areas, with 1 elite 'leading individual', 18 lawyers recommended and client praise including 'the service is very good, the advice is sound and the lawyers know what they are doing' and 'Instructing the firm is a "no-brainer" because it is undoubtedly the best firm in Norwich for family work'.
"With our ambitious plans for growth, it has been a busy year for the teams at Clapham & Collinge with the move to our new North Walsham office, the recruitment of specialist lawyers and two new service areas. I am delighted that their hard work and commitment has been recognised within The Legal 500'', said Andrea Smith, Marketing Executive. "We thank our clients, contacts and the Legal 500 research team for the feedback they have given and they can be assured that we are committed to providing the highest level of client care, with client satisfaction at the forefront of the business.''
Lin Whitehead, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate said: "This is a great result! We strive for excellence at Clapham & Collinge, so we are delighted to be ranked among the top law firms in the UK. As we continue to grow all areas of the business, we remain committed to being the very best law firm for people in Norfolk.''
Clapham & Collinge corporate and commercial team in Norwich has a growing client base of business owners, in which solicitor Jade Tinney is highly recommended for company acquisitions and disposals, management buy outs, shareholders' and partnership agreements, corporate restructuring and lending, contract reviews and terms and conditions. Highlights include advising a company in a multimillion-pound share buy-back transaction, and acting for private partnership in its acquisition of a newly incorporated company. Legal executive Jack Shreeve who 'plays a key role in the practice' and former senior partner Hugh Berridge are also recommended.
The team receives further recommendation for their commercial property work, Jade Tinney plays a key role in the practice, which is supported by legal executive Jack Shreeve who 'works efficiently'. One client remarks that 'he will go far'. Hugh Berridge continues to work with the team as a Consultant.
The Legal 500 recommended work practices for the commercial litigation, property litigation and debt recovery teams, Norwich is the main hub though the practice serves clients through all of the firm's offices in East Anglia. 'the service is very good, the advice is sound and the lawyers know what they are doing'. Mark Kermez leads the litigation team and handles a broad range of complex matters including tax disputes, commercial disputes, consumer rights cases and trustee litigation. 'Very professional and enthusiastic' consultant Philip Lumb is 'very supportive, clear about the options and which path we clients can follow; he is prompt, fair and honest'. 'His guidance was exemplary and he is so obviously a person with competence in legal matters', says a client of the 'courteous and punctual' Michael Olmer.
Our Employment team, which lead by Legal executive Nicola Strefford is known for 'an exceptional level of service, as well as detailed, timely, accurate, clear advice and excellent value for money' and 'has a great depth of expertise around employment law and she had great understanding of the situation clients are in, so she provides solid options to reduce the risk'. The team works closely with barrister Neil Ashley of Octagon Chambers on contentious matters.
The Wills, trusts and probate team in Norwich and across East Anglia is recognised as 'first-class team that always seems to go that extra mile in customer service' and has a 'very capable and professional team that is friendly, approachable and happy to deal with all sizes of client'. The team have continued to grow across North Norfolk with the hiring of 'kind and understanding' Laura van Ree to lead the team in North Walsham. Clients describe her as 'empathetic, patient and extremely professional without being remote; she is proactive with her advice whilst maintaining her kind and sensitive approach'. Gaynor Smith, Susan Dawe and Chris King are also recommended, with the firm is highly regarded for work with elderly clients.
Not to be outdone, the Norwich team gains praise as 'the best solicitors I have worked with – always very efficient, professional and friendly, and always willing to go that extra mile'. Leading light and head of one of Norfolk's largest private client departments Lin Whitehead 'takes good care of her clients and has a first-class team'. Recommended members of the Norwich office include Ben Lowe who has 'a good knowledge of trusts and tax law, particularly in relation to agricultural property, and has a very deft touch with clients' and talented solicitors Lauren Abbs and Jennifer Nash.
Praise continues across our private client teams with mentions to Tammy Parnell, partner and head of contentious trusts and probate as 'efficient, professional and knowledgeable' who has been handling litigation and family law for 15 years and has more recently become an associate member of ACTAPS. Recommended lawyer mentions also go to consultant solicitor Michael Olmer and partner Phillip Lumb who recently advised the beneficiary of a contested will on their entitlement, including the occupation of a property.
The family team receive high praise 'all members of the family team go out of their way to make clients feel comfortable; the lawyers are welcoming, practical and positive, with a real commitment to getting the best outcome for all parties'. The 'very friendly and approachable lawyers are keen to provide advice in a non-technical way, so that the lay client has a full understanding of how the law applies to their situation'. 'Instructing the firm is a "no-brainer" because it is undoubtedly the best firm in Norwich for family work'. 'Knowledgeable and kind' practice head Neale Grearson, who is a collaborative lawyer, Resolution member and founding member of the Good Divorce Group, is 'a great listener and genuinely cares about his clients, going out of his way to support them through every stage of the process; he advocates a non-confrontational approach'. Solicitor Caroline Eaton is 'respectful, understanding, hardworking and enthusiastic'. Partner Tammy Parnell is also recommended.
Finally in Charity Law , Neale Grearson heads the team, who calls on specialist commercial and property lawyers including Hugh Berridge, Jade Tinney and Michael Olmer. Among its clients are The Benjamin Foundation, Christian Endeavour Holiday Centres, Julian Support and Samaritans.
*Extracts taken from The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2019 edition.
If you have a legal query and would like to speak to a member of the Clapham & Collinge team, please contact our Client Relations Team on 01603 693500 for appointments at our Norwich, North Walsham and Sheringham offices.
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