Lincolnshire’s largest law firm, Wilkin Chapman LLP, has continued to build on previous years’ successes in the 2013 edition of Legal 500 - a leading legal directory which provides information on the legal services sector.
The solicitors’ firm has received a general recommendation in the East Midlands regional listing, where it has been recognised as a ‘wide ranging practice.’ The firm has also increased its profile for its family, debt recovery and commercial property teams, which are now recognised as being ‘top tier’ practice areas.
The firm’s recent addition of a construction department has also been singled out as a notable development and, as well as recognition in the regional listing, this year the firm has also been ranked in 13 specific practice areas with a new recommendation for construction It has maintained rankings in the following practice areas: corporate and commercial, crime, dispute resolution, employment, personal injury/clinical negligence, agriculture; wills and probate, public law and social housing. It has also achieved a new listing in the Yorkshire and Humber regional publication for its wills, trusts and probate department
A number of the firm’s departments have been singled out for praise too, with the Grimsby-based commercial property department being recognised as a ‘top notch team’ which ‘would not be out of place in the London arena.’ The agricultural department is noted as being ‘first port of call’ and the debt recovery team as providing ‘a fantastic level of service at competitive prices.’ The public law team has also been recognised for being ‘always thorough and precise’ and the corporate and commercial team has also been recognised for its expertise in matters involving anaerobic digesters – a sign of the growing importance of the renewable sector.
In addition to departmental praise, a large number of the firm’s partners and solicitors have also been recognised for the individual contributions they make to their practice areas. Lincoln-based partner, Nigel Burn’s, criminal team was mentioned as being well known for complex, high-value fraud cases with Nigel being singled out as being ‘very competent in all respects.’
Partner and head of commercial property, Ruth Brewin, has been singled out as ‘an exceptional lawyer with great clarity of mind’ and Paul Tollerton, partner, has been recognised for his ‘diligent, client-focused approach.’ Jonathan Goolden, partner and head of public law, is highlighted as having ‘very practical but comprehensive knowledge, obtained through his legal background and “hands-on” local government experience.’
The firm’s specialist clinical negligence senior solicitor, Brenda Gilligan, was noted as having a growing medical negligence practice and partner, Tean Butcher, was also recognised for his niche in claims against the Ministry of Defence. Both Lisa-Jane Howes, partner, and Michael Squirrel, senior solicitor, were highlighted for having a ‘refreshing approach’ and Lisa Boileau, partner and head of the family department, and her team were recognised as handling a varying workload that includes sophisticated financial remedy matters.
Katie Davies, partner, was recognised as providing ‘pragmatic advice’ for employment law and Lincoln-based James Lloyd, partner, and Catherine Harris, senior solicitor, in the agriculture department were also praised.
The directory’s East Midlands region stretches from Lincolnshire to Northamptonshire and brings together law firms which serve widely different client bases.
Julia Whittaker, chief executive of Wilkin Chapman LLP, said: “This year’s rankings continue to demonstrate the breadth of expertise and specialist skills we have within the firm. Our growth in new practice areas such as construction and renewable energy, coupled with our continued focus on providing quality services for our clients has been rewarded by these independent endorsements.”
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For further information, please contact: Susan McKeon at Wilkin Chapman LLP on 01472 262626 or email smckeon@wilkinchapman.co.uk
