TLT Solicitors continues to go from strength to strength. The winner of the 2004 Legal Business 'Regional Law Firm of the Year' award has re-elected sound strategist David Pester for a second three-year term, and over the past year has attracted good lateral hires to the Bristol office. The firm's status as Bristol's third corporate finance practice remains unchallenged, and its 'pub-co' practice has been a phenomenal success. The acquisition of a London office, through its merger with 11-partner firm Lawrence Jones is a bold move, though not one that has bet the bank. The merger has added to TLT Solicitors' strength in depth for finance, shipping, corporate and pensions work.
Veale Wasbrough Lawyers is a full-service firm whose business plan is wedded to its commitment to its South West commercial clients. The firm can also point to a truly national independent schools practice, and a good reputation for projects work and litigation. Managing partner Simon Pizzey offers able and focused leadership for the firm.
Bevan Ashford in late 2004 formally demerged what were already separate profit centres, to become Bevan Brittan LLP and Ashfords. The Bevan Brittan LLP element grew its reputation on a thriving public sector practice, acting for the sponsor on numerous PFI projects, and acting as a full-service provider for the complex needs of health trusts. But its client base is now broader than ever, and many of its projects-related practices now act for a higher proportion of private sector contractors. The demerger was judged to be a smooth one, with only one Bristol partner opting to join Ashfords. Ashfords has now opened a Bristol office, though it remains to be seen how heavy an investment the Exeter-based firm is prepared to make.
Clarke Willmott can look back at its decision to open in Bristol with some satisfaction. The firm has placed its Bristol office at the centre of its business-focused growth plans - plans that have seen it outgrow two offices in five years. Particular areas of excellence include the firm's sports and property practices, and some excellent litigation work, including fraud and asset tracing cases. Its partners describe the Bristol office as serving mostly 'institutions' and the Taunton office, with its conveyancing and personal injury practices, as serving 'people'. Its family law department is also excellent.
The work of Beachcroft Wansbroughs' Bristol office has been an important part of the firm's stated intention of building outwards from its traditional focus on the insurance industry. In PFI/PPP, TMT, property, environmental and planning, the firm's actual instructions are well ahead of its market reputation.
In the recent past Laytons has lost a number of well-regarded partners to other Bristol firms and retirement. Managing partner Louise Brown joined Clarke Willmott, Perran Jervis and three assistants joined TLT Solicitors, Anita Coaster is now a consultant, with two other well-regarded partners leaving in the preceding few years. Clearly the firm needs to recruit to maintain a viable presence in the city. In that task, highly experienced managing partner Tony Harris will be helped by a statement by the national Laytons partnership that it will maintain and invest in the Bristol office, and by the store of goodwill the firm has built up among a good and historically loyal client base. Even during this period of uncertainty, the firm can point to client wins.
Good niche outfits in Bristol include medical negligence and personal injury firm Barcan Woodward, personal injury firm Burroughs Day, criminal law specialists Bobbetts Mackan, unions firms Russell Jones & Walker and Thompsons, and Bevans, which has established a good practice acting for senior management and advising on claims against clients of the financial services industry.
For legal jobs in Bristol visit:
(C)Legal 500
No comments:
Post a Comment