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In 2010, the team at DWF LLP won a reported Court of Appeal case concerning personal liability for a £3m personal injury award. Other work included three cases with net onshore and offshore assets of over £100m. David Pickering is ‘an excellent tactician and lawyer and maintains a refreshing commercial reality’; and Lesley Smythe is ‘sharp, focused and pragmatic’.

The team at Mills & Reeve LLP is still relatively new to the region, but is described by one client as ‘Manchester’s best-kept secret’. Nigel Shepherd is acting on a case involving business and personal assets worth between £50m and £90m, as well as a number of international cases. Alison Bull and Sue Brookes are also recommended.

The large team at Pannone LLP advises on a broad range of work, often involving international elements. Beth Wilkins and Fiona Wood are both ‘thorough and organised, confident in their ability, and unwavering in their support’.

Notable work for the team at Weightmans LLP included advising on complex company law and trust structures in a number of ancillary relief and Schedule 1 Children Act cases, with assets ranging between £20m to £50m. Carole Atkinson, also a Deputy District Judge, is recommended.

Helen Marriott is ‘superb in the field of ancillary relief’’, and heads up the family team at Brabners Chaffe Street LLP, whose clients include a number of high-profile sports clients.

Elizabeth Hassall at Gateley wins high praise from clients for her unwavering dedication to their cause; she is ‘undoubtedly one of the leading matrimonial lawyers in the area of complex and high-value divorce, pre-nuptial and cohabitation work’.

Hill Dickinson LLP provides advice to individuals referred by the firm’s corporate and commercial, sports and private client teams. Paula Milburn has ‘integrity and professionalism far beyond her years’.

Although smaller than other teams, Laytons represents many high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Christine Barker is ‘a consummate performer in this field’, and for some ‘the best ancillary relief solicitor in Manchester’.

Linder Myers LLP acts on high-net-worth ancillary relief cases; and also has experience in acting on complex children law matters with international elements. Colin Davies heads the department.

Stephensons Solicitors LLP has expanded to handle privately funded work for high-net-worth individuals, and has also boosted its capabilities in unmarried couple advice and collaborative law services. The well-respected Mike Devlin leads the team.

Stowe Family Law LLP is one of the largest specialist family law practices in the UK, led by the well-known and highly respected Marilyn Stowe, who is based in Harrogate. Robin Charrot recently left for George Davies Solicitors LLP.

Aaron & Partners LLP delivers a ‘fantastic level of service’. New head of department Richard Barge, who arrived from West Midlands firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, is ‘very cool and calm under stressful situations’.

David Parkinson and Dawn Baker at Forbes are both acting on a number of high-asset divorces, and also advise on complex children law issues.

Robin Charrot arrived from Stowe Family Law LLP to lead the team at George Davies Solicitors LLP, contributing significantly to the firm’s increased workload on domestic and international matters.

Elizabeth Tait is the only partner in Irwin Mitchell LLP’s team in Manchester, and continues to advise on large volumes of high-quality work.

Morecrofts LLP has a sizeable team in the region covering all aspects of family law, from divorce through to adoption. Managing partner Helen Broughton also specialises in family law.

Russell Jones & Walker inherited a 15-strong family team from Gorvins in 2010, headed by Amanda McAlister, who specialises in complex divorce and ancillary relief matters. She and Sarah Thompson are both recommended.

The experienced team at SAS Daniels LLP includes Shelley Hesford, who is ‘pragmatic and forthright’; and Liz Bottrill, who is ‘supportive, innovative and straightforward’. Recent work includes acting in an international divorce and financial settlement.

There is a substantial amount of experience within the small team at Cullimore Dutton, led by Diana Williams.

Gorvins lost most of its family team to the Manchester city practice of Russell Jones & Walker. The remaining team is led by Sally Leaman.

Beverley McCluskey leads the team at Hague Lambert.

JMW Solicitors LLP saw the arrival of the experienced Patricia Cottrell from Halliwells.

James Maguire at James Maguire & Co is a ‘perfectionist, with warmth, intellectuality, perception and verve’. He acts for medium to high-net-worth individuals, and specialises in cases with an international dimension.

Nick Lewis heads the team at KBL.

The practice at Slater Heelis includes a collaborative law service. Head of department Mike Hamlin is also a Deputy District Judge.

Angela Woods at Walker Smith Way sits as a Deputy District Judge and a Specialist Judge in private family law cases.

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