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Region’s law firms record outstanding achievements
Paris Smith highly ranked in Chambers
Paris Smith has been recognised again as a major regional force in this year’s edition of the Chambers Directory, with 14 partners and one associate ranked in their respective fields.
The firm’s commercial teams are praised for their work with Southampton Football Club and Hampshire County Cricket Club while the insolvency team is referred to as ’a major player in the region’. The intellectual property team boasts expertise in data protection and e-commerce. The planning team comprises specialist lawyers who have been involved with planning projects in Southampton and beyond, while the commercial property team acts for a number of high street names. The dedicated dispute resolution team lends itself to work in health and safety, business defence and debt recovery.
As well as having a professional and approachable commercial team, the firm is proud of its private client teams, including tax and estate planning, recognised as leaders in their field. The family department includes trained mediators and collaborative lawyers, and the employment team has a strong reputation for its work with both employers and employees. Both charities and education teams go from strength to strength; the charities team will launch a charity forum soon.
Chambers’ latest edition emphasises that Paris Smith, ’based in the thriving city of Southampton’, represents not only major regional businesses, but also well known national plcs.
Senior partner, Nick Vaughan, commented: “We are delighted with what amounts to an outstanding assessment of all that we offer by what many will say is one of the most respected and independent guides. It reflects well across all sectors, and I must congratulate all staff, not just those who have been singled out.“
Following its research the directory has singled out the following teams and individuals for their particular expertise:
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• Corporate: Sean Davies • Banking and finance: James McNeil
• Dispute resolution: Clive Thomson
• Tax and estate planning: David Bird, Crispin Jameson
• Commercial property: Mark Howarth, Tom Georgiou, Mark Withers
• Employment: Clive Dobbin, David Roath
• Family: Huw Miles, Frank Prior, Neil Davies
• Insolvency: Mike Pavitt • Crime: Sarah Wheadon
Warner Goodman achieves top accolade
In a further legal triumph, Hampshire-based law firm Warner Goodman has secured the national Law Society’s top accolade, the law management quality mark, Lexcel.
Lexcel is an optional accreditation scheme developed specifically for law firms and in-house legal departments, giving recognition and assurance that the practice meets high client care and business management standards. In order to gain accreditation, the firm has undergone a rigorous initial application and assessment process, and it will continue to do this on an annual basis to prove these high standards are being maintained.
Managing partner, Ian Curtis, said: “Our clients are the main beneficiaries. They come to us during what is likely to be a stressful time in their lives, and they can be confident that the way we manage the practice is both efficient and has their interests at heart.
“There is a lot of choice in the legal services market and this will only continue to grow in the coming years, but being Lexcel accredited demonstrates our commitment to client care and best practice.“
Added Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, president of the Law Society of England and Wales: “A commitment to customer service in today’s market is vital. The scheme is a beacon of quality to clients and potential clients alike.“
Warner Goodman employs more than 100 people with offices at Fareham and in Portsmouth and Southampton.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – DECEMBER 12/JANUARY 13
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