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Burton Copeland LLP has one of the largest criminal law teams in the region. Senior principal Michael Mackey has significant experience in serious and organised crime matters; Louise Straw manages the magistrates’ and police station department; Gillian Crossley leads the advocacy team; and Mike Rainford heads the fraud unit. The firm represented the juror prosecuted in the highly publicised Facebook contempt case.

Richard Smyth heads the fraud practice at DLA Piper UK LLP, where recent work includes complex VAT and money laundering cases and also international trade control cases. The team was bolstered by the arrival of John Gollaglee from Pannone LLP.

Anthony Barnfather leads the regulatory and corporate crime team at Pannone LLP. It is handling major SFO, HMRC and FSA investigations, and has an increasing number of international clients. Highlights included successfully representing former Detective Chief Inspector Graham Mouncher in the Lynette White police corruption investigation.

Tuckers Solicitors is a full-service criminal defence firm, and retains a sizeable team in the region. Its expertise includes Magistrates Court, Crown Court, road traffic and regulatory matters. Senior partner Franklin Sinclair is recommended.

Hill Dickinson LLP has strengthened its criminal offering through the hire of Philip Moy from Canter Levin & Berg and Lachlan Nisbet from Walker Smith Way. The practice recently acted in a well-publicised murder case and in high-value money laundering cases. Kirsty Ruddin is the firm’s legal aid contract supervisor.

Irwin Mitchell’s serious fraud and regulatory team is jointly led by Dan Stowers, who is ‘highly experienced in all aspects of fraud work and is head and shoulders above his peers’, and Paul Haycock, who is ‘thorough, hardworking and utterly determined’.

Matthew Claughton heads the team at Olliers, which specialises in fraud, serious crime and motoring offences. Highlights included acting in R v Baxter, a bribery and corruption case which involved a major supplier to the Sainsbury’s group. Richard Holliday supervises the fraud team.

Stephensons Solicitors LLP’s cross-office team handles a variety of private and publicly funded criminal matters, and has seen a significant increase in regulatory work. Martin Jones and Sean Joyce are both recommended. Mike Pemberton was promoted to partner.

The team at ABR Solicitors (previously known as Clarion Advocates) is headed by Tony Murphy, who is a leading figure in serious crime matters.

Draycott Browne Solicitors is recommended for general criminal law work in the region. Shaun Draycott leads the team.

Farleys Solicitors LLP has a substantial general crime team led by Andrew Church-Taylor, and a fraud team led by Paul Schofield.

Forbes has a large team in the region, led by Daniel King. It covers all types of criminal work.

Garstangs Burrows Bussin LLP acts in large and complex carousel fraud cases. Lesley Burrows and Wendi Bussin are recommended.

Peter Grogan is head of business crime and regulation at JMW Solicitors LLP, which focuses on privately funded work. Evan Wright joined from Draycott Browne Solicitors.

An ‘expert operator in its field’, Lewis Hymanson Small LLP is the sole appointed legal representative for the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales. Ian Lewis is a ‘superb strategist and tactician’, and Deirdré Scott is also recommended.

Robert Lizar handles the full range of criminal defence work. Senior partner Robert Lizar is recommended.

Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers’ ‘excellent’ team is valued for its first-rate client care’. Nick Holroyd is ‘highly experienced’ and ‘proactive’. The ‘professional, straight-talking’ Craig McAdam was promoted to partner in 2011.

Stephen Lickrish & Associates Ltd is recommended for its fraud and business crime practice.

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