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Regional review

The South West region comprises Bristol; Dorset and South Wiltshire; the M4 corridor and Gloucestershire; and the West Country.

After a challenging 2009, 2010 was a less turbulent year for many firms in the South West, and there are positive signs for 2011; certainly the region continues to benefit from the willingness of clients to move work out of the City as value for money remains a key driver in choosing legal services.

Education has been a strong growth area for many firms, with conversions to academy status being a substantial source of work; debt recovery work has also been on the increase, as the consequences of the economic downturn continue to make themselves felt; renewable energy projects are an important area of work for agriculture and estates teams, as landowners realise the potential of turning land over for development; pensions remains a live area against a background of public sector cuts; and professional negligence claims are on the rise.

While the region is less reliant on the public sector than some other areas of the UK, coping with large-scale public sector cuts has proved difficult for many specialist practices as clients increasingly scrutinise the cost/performance ratio, and fund increasingly skilled in-house departments.

Burges Salmon LLP maintains its place as one of the two leading heavyweights in the region, and cemented its success with its move to a high-profile new office complex in 2010. It has wide-ranging corporate practice, and an outstanding reputation in the energy and nuclear fields. Notable clients include the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Eurostar, and the Discovery Channel.

Osborne Clarke remains the fellow leading firm in the South West, and acts for a host of high-profile clients including Dell, Carphone Warehouse, Cable & Wireless UK, and Mulberry. Areas of strength include TMT – it has excellent IP/IT and media capabilities – and energy, where clients include British Gas.

TLT LLP has gained further ground in the market, with many noting its strong performance at a time when other firms have been struggling. It maintains an excellent practice in areas such as IP/IT, pensions, employment, licensing, and debt recovery.

Ashfords LLP is a growing force in Bristol, while its Exeter base has strength across a wide range of corporate and private client matters; Beachcroft’s expertise in personal injury and other areas ensures that it remains a force to be reckoned with in the region; and Bond Pearce LLP has leading expertise in areas such as licensing and planning.

Clarke Willmott LLP had an uncertain and troubled year, but is notable for its strength in agriculture and estates, family and other private client matters.

Other notable firms in Bristol include Thrings LLP and Veale Wasbrough Vizards, the latter with key expertise in the education sector.

Other heavyweight presences in the region include West Country firms Foot Anstey; Lester Aldridge LLP, which remains a market leader in Dorset; Michelmores LLP; and Stephens Scown LLP.

Also of note are Wilsons in Salisbury, known for its strength in private client in particular; Charles Russell LLP and Rickerbys LLP in Cheltenham; and Withy King LLP and Stone King LLP in Bath.

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