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The East Midlands takes in large cities such as Nottingham and Leicester, which are now approximately equal in terms of economic output, and smaller business centres such as Northampton, Derby, and Lincoln.

The region’s larger firms combine the provision of local services with national and international work. The corporate, property and construction sectors remained sluggish in 2011, though there were signs of a fledgling recovery at the beginning of 2012. Major insolvency work was rare, but the employment sector saw an increase in tribunal proceedings. Many firms see a window of opportunity in the education sector, in areas such as academy conversions.

Browne Jacobson LLP is the pre-eminent firm in the region, with strength not just in core practice areas such as corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, and commercial property, but also in the public sector; it is known, in particular, for its vibrant healthcare and education departments. The firm moved to new offices in 2012.

Eversheds LLP enjoys a national reach. It has been particularly active on the corporate front, atttacting a flow of high-value deals, and is also at the cutting edge in IT procurement.

Freeth Cartwright LLP’s property and corporate departments are particularly well regarded, and the firm is currently focused on developing its public sector, technology, and charities offerings. It merged with Milton Keynes firm Kimbells LLP in November 2011.

Gateley is a ‘quality firm with strength in depth across all disciplines’. It has an impressive bank panel presence, and has seen a significant influx of talent; arrivals included Keith Gilbert, in corporate; Lisa Logan, in IP and media; and Adam Youatt, in real estate.

Geldards LLP ‘came into its own during the downturn’. It is expanding in the education sphere, with public sector specialist Christopher Whittington appointed in November 2011.

At Shoosmiths, the ‘quality of knowledge is very good, with appropriate gradation at different levels within the organisation’. The firm has offices in Nottingham and Northampton, and, in addition to its mainstream corporate work, provides an ‘access legal’ service aimed at individuals.

In a significant move, Harvey Ingram LLP has recently announced the completion of its merger negotiations with the rapidly expanding Shakespeares, with the tie-up set to take effect on 1 September 2012. The combined enterprise will initially trade as Harvey Ingram Shakespeares in Leicester, but elsewhere in its network of offices (across the Midlands and South East) as Shakespeares.

Noted for its ‘breadth of experience and skill’, Howes Percival LLP has momentum in IP, where it hired Scott Farnsworth, and has a thriving corporate department. Private client remains an area of growth for the firm.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited has impressive capacity across the region, and has seen growth in areas such as professional negligence and property litigation.

Wilkin Chapman LLP has strength in complex corporate and probate work, and over the past years the firm has extended its reach beyond Grimsby into other Midlands towns such as Alford, Sutton-on-Sea, and Mablethorpe, following a series of mergers.

Hires for Spearing Waite LLP included Michael Lawrence on the property litigation side. Ashwin Mody undertakes cutting-edge High Court litigation in the firm’s insolvency department.

Other firms of note include Actons, which is ahead of the curve on technology aspects of family law, and also has a core strength in property; Chattertons, ‘an exceptional firm’ which has strength in probate and family matters and is forging new terrain in the immigration and gambling spheres; Flint Bishop LLP, which has strength in litigation and property; Fraser Brown, which has core strength in property and is also very well regarded for licensing work; Hewitsons LLP, which stands out in agriculture and private client, and also has expertise in complex pension problems; Langleys Solicitors LLP, the predominant full-service firm in Lincoln; Rothera Dowson, whose core strength is its transport practice; Roythornes LLP, which provides a full corporate service for its core agricultural client base; Smith Partnership, which has seen an increase in corporate healthcare instruction; Tollers LLP, which has strength in complex litigation and insolvency; and Weightmans LLP, which expanded its core employment strength through its merger with Mace and Jones.

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