The region's top lawyers: Newcastle

Sep 29 2006

By The Journal

Newcastle: By far the largest firm in the North East, Dickinson Dees has expertise across the spectrum, from corporate to private client. The firm has not confined its attentions to the region, and has forged an excellent national reputation with clients throughout the UK. A strong client list includes national businesses such as Diageo, Kwik-Fit and Kleinwort Benson as well as a bedrock of other plcs, both national and from the North-East. The firm maintains its commitment to local business, including SMEs and owner-managed companies. In one typical client comment, the firm is described as offering "a flexible and consistently very good service". --------------------------------------------------------- Eversheds LLP benefits from its strong national brand and comprehensive network of offices. The Newcastle office offers clients expertise across the board in areas such as corporate and commercial, shipping, commercial litigation, clinical negligence and employment, drawing on its resources elsewhere as necessary. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT --------------------------------------------------------- Ward Hadaway is a solid full-service firm whose core areas of focus include corporate and commercial, disputes, commercial property, employment, construction and private client. While firmly based in the region, the firm has its share of national clients. Significant client wins in 2005 included Ultimate Leisure. --------------------------------------------------------- Robert Muckle LLP is a smaller, partner-led firm with a dedicated ethos of client care, and judging by the feedback it seems to be working. Clients speak of the firm in glowing terms; `it is difficult to fault them as an organisation, we are proud to work with them,' says one. `They offer an excellent, warm and friendly service which never fails to be fast, effective and professional; the service is second to none,' says another. Praise is also given to the firm's commitment to the community; it is known for its pro bono work. With a core client base of SMEs and owner-managed businesses, the anticipated move into new premises indicates the firm's commitment to growth. --------------------------------------------------------- Watson Burton LLP has made tremendous headway through its ambitious move into the Leeds market in 2005. The strategy has generated work for its Newcastle base, increasing turnover to unprecedented levels. Quality partner hires include Dr John McMullen from Pinsent Masons to head the employment practice, and Lyn Ayrton from Gordons to the family team, showing the firm's drive to grow its practice across the board. The firm is, in the words of one client, `excellent; very proactive, more responsive and personable than some of their competitors'. --------------------------------------------------------- Hay & Kilner has a well-earned reputation for insurance, healthcare and litigation. The client profile tends to be owner-managed businesses located in the region. The firm merged with Wallers in 2003, which focuses on volume operations, but the decision was made to keep the branding separate. Clients rate the firm highly for its response times and "quick grasp of commercial issues". --------------------------------------------------------- Crutes Law Firm has a strong insurance litigation practice and is also known for its work for a raft of local authorities. Clients report that the firm is "a leader in complex areas of litigation" and that "the teams are well supervised and have strong coverage". The firm has offices in Newcastle, Carlisle and Stockton-on-Tees; it closed the Middlesbrough outpost it gained through its 2004 merger with Doberman Horsman, with staff moving to the Stockton-on-Tees office. In 2005, dispute resolution head Helen Ager took over the mantle of managing partner from Stephen Crute, while litigator David Drewe took over as chairman from Tim Wallis. --------------------------------------------------------- Mincoffs Solicitors LLP scored a coup in 2005 with the recruitment of licensing expert Richard Arnot from Dickinson Dees, greatly enhancing its licensing expertise - a busy area in 2005 due to the new licensing laws. Another notable hire was Henry Cave from the same firm, who boosts an already strong commercial property team. Other practice areas forging ahead are corporate and commercial, clinical negligence and personal injury. Howard Gold heads the practice. --------------------------------------------------------- Sintons LLP has built up a solid reputation for personal injury, acting for both claimants and defendants in industrial tribunals. Licensing is a thriving area, led by the experienced Lucy Winskell (ex-Eversheds LLP) and Sarah Smith (ex-Mincoffs Solicitors LLP). The firm also has sound capability in property, family and corporate. Clients confirm that the firm is "very capable" and "good value for money". --------------------------------------------------------- Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP has good coverage of the entire region with offices in Newcastle, Darlington and Durham. The firm provides a strong service in the core fields of corporate, dispute resolution and commercial property. --------------------------------------------------------- Browell Smith & Co is a leading trade union firm with a dedicated focus on claimant personal injury work, as well as providing specialist advice on asbestos-related and occupational diseases. The firm also has a growing reputation in employment and immigration. --------------------------------------------------------- Irwin Mitchell is a relatively new entrant to the Newcastle market, having established an office in the city in 2002. The firm has an excellent name for claimant personal injury and clinical negligence, and is regularly instructed on high-value and complex claims. --------------------------------------------------------- In April 2005, Samuel Phillips Law Firm merged with Pybus & Co, which specialised in commercial and residential property and trusts and probate. The firm is well known for its strength in clinical negligence, family and employment. Senior partner Barry Speker has a strong reputation and is a prominent figure in the local community. --------------------------------------------------------- Short Richardson & Forth has an established name for employment work. Its leading employment practitioner, Michael Short, is now a consultant to the practice, while the able Sharon Langridge has left to set up her own practice. --------------------------------------------------------- David Gray Solicitors is the largest single-site practice specialising in publicly funded law. The firm has a strong track record in criminal, immigration and family law. --------------------------------------------------------- Specialist insurance firm Thompsons has carved an excellent reputation for claimant insurance and employment work for its core trade union client base.

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The Legal 500 Another outstanding year Sep 26 2003 The gap between Dickinson Dees and the chasing pack shows few signs of narrowing and the firm remains the region's clear market leader, dominating every market sector bar insurance as it expands its national client base. more The clients' guide to the UK legal profession Sep 26 2003 Few would have imagined back in 1988 just how The Legal 500 would develop. more Ward Hadaway's exceptional year Sep 26 2003 After an exceptional year, Ward Hadaway continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK's leading law firms. more Growing momentum at Watson Burton Sep 26 2003 Watson Burton has been highlighted as a regional law firm going from "strength to strength" by Legal 500. more Dickinson Dees returns to table with continued national presence growth Sep 26 2003 Dickinson Dees returns to the table, having dropped out in 2002. Despite no London office, the firm continues to develop a national presence in a range of practice areas. more Success stories of leading firm Sep 26 2003 Robert Muckle has consolidated its position as one of the leading commercial law firms, and now works for some of the most successful organisations across the region. more Building strong reputation in field of construction law Sep 26 2003 For construction law, the clear market leader in the North of England is Watson Burton. more Corporate staff to build on success Sep 26 2003 Following a period of considered refocusing, Eversheds' North-East operation continues to work with some of the region's best companies and organisations. more High-quality practitioners lead Sep 26 2003 Dickinson Dees remains Newcastle's corporate firm par excellence, due to its range of high-quality practitioners and breadth of practice. more Top team accolade Sep 26 2003 The 'absolutely first-class' Guy Harvey leads Dickinson Dees' `thorough' six-partner team together with highly-rated John Marshall. more Click here for more Legal 500

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