Lodders keeps top spot in guide to UK’s best law firms

Lodders’ real estate, family law, agriculture, and private client teams have each taken the top spot in the latest edition of The Legal 500 – the leading guide to law firms and solicitors in the UK.

The guide also names the firm’s Dan McLeod – senior associate in the real estate practice – and Jennifer Russell – associate in the private client team – as its ‘Rising Stars’, and head of the real estate team Mark Miller, head of family law Beverley Morris, and the firm’s charity law expert Mark Lewis as the Guide’s ‘Leading Individuals’ this year.

“Across the board, this year’s rankings are fantastic,” says Lodders’ managing partner, Paul Mourton. “We’re delighted to have retained our tier 1 spot in several areas, as well as have more people named as leading individuals, rising stars, and next-generation partners, and receive some outstanding comments and feedback from so many clients contacted by the Legal 500.”

Published last week the Legal 500 UK describes Lodders’ real estate practice as providing ‘excellent service and out-of-the-box thinking’ when it comes to land development projects for landowners, landed estates, investment acquisitions and disposals. The 32-strong team is one of the largest in the West Midlands, and includes experts in planning and highway issues, renewable energy and environmental issues, and incorporates a dedicated town and country homes service headed by partner Caroline Nemecek. Earlier this year, the team retained the title of Law Firm of the Year in the Midlands Residential Property Awards.

Top-flight performers

Lodders’ family law team is described as providing an ‘excellent service’ with ‘top-flight performers’ by the Guide, which also recognises the team for consistently seeking ‘a personal touch with clients’ and ‘to reassure where considerable doubt and concern may exist on the journey ahead‘, and team head Beverley Morris for her ‘strength in financial remedy work’.

Also retaining tier 1 ranking is Lodders’ private client team, which Legal 500 says has a ‘wealth of experience across a wide spectrum of private client matters’. It describes Martin Green as ‘an experienced trustee’, and highlights John Rouse’s work with business owners, farmers and high-net-worth individuals, and recognises Ian Flavell for his niche experience in heritage property.

Lodders has been actively involved in the agriculture sector throughout its 230 year history, and head of its Agricultural and Landed Estates James Spreckley is handed several plaudits for his work with farming and landowning clients on property and partnership matters, with further praise for John Rouse and Caroline Nemecek.

Client-focused

The Legal 500 also recognises Lodders’ Charity/not for profit practice, and Corporate and Commercial team, with both scoring highly for their quality client-focused work.

The Legal 500 analyses the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme that brings vision of the global legal market, and assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions.