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In Wales, the large commercial firms are located along the M4 corridor, from Newport in the east to Swansea in the west, with Cardiff as the commercial hub. Due to poor transport links, Cardiff is often not convenient for clients in Mid and North Wales; clients unable to source help from local firms in these regions tend to instruct firms in England.

Law firms in Wales have traditionally undertaken a large amount of public sector work, and this remains the case, despite the budget cuts. The Welsh government has reviewed its legal panel, and once again favoured the regional heavyweight firms. The local authorities of Wales have formed two consortia in respect of legal services – the North Wales Consortium, and the South West Wales Consortium – and each has appointed a limited selection of firms as ‘partners’ in the provision of legal serices; the list of general legal providers is more comprehensive. The NHS in Wales has named Morgan Cole as its chosen ‘partner’ in six out of seven disciplines.

The recession has prompted law firms dependent on the private sector in Wales to take stock, consolidate, and hone in on sectors in which they can offer particular expertise; healthcare, renewables, technology and agriculture remain buoyant sources of work.

Transactional work has been sluggish; deals that have got off the mark generally involve more innovative funding structures, or rely partially on government funding schemes, such as Finance Wales. Most law firms have managed to stay static, in terms of fee-earner numbers; where growth has occurred, it is generally in firms which attract work from outside of the region. The ecomomic climate has certainly afforded opportunities to regional commercial firms, in terms of attracting work away from the City.

Real estate remains depressed, particularly in development and housebuilding, although many feel that the tide is, very slowly, turning. Strong public sector firms, and those that have picked up private sector work from outside of the region, have fared the best.

Wales has a relatively high demand for IP services; it is home to many tech-based companies, and an increasingly strong media sector, which will benefit from the newly developed Media Capital Village in Cardiff Bay.

A national and international practice, Eversheds LLP is a pre-eminent force in the region, and is particularly highly rated for its banking, employment and pensions teams. In its chosen sectors, such as renewables, it is able to compete with top City firms, handling large-scale projects which dwarf those of its regional counterparts.

Geldards LLP had a particularly strong year on the public sector side. It fields an experienced team of administrative lawyers, and is a key adviser to the Welsh government, as well as to local authorities in the region. On the private sector side, it has strength in depth in property, charities and IP/commercial contract work.

Hugh James’ technology-focused solutions saw particular success in 2011, attracting volume work for financial institutions in the areas of secured lending and wills. The firm is also strong in social housing, construction and corporate. It has lost three key personal injury partners to NewLaw Solicitors.

Morgan Cole enjoyed great success in the panel review by NHS Wales, winning a ‘partner’ position in six out of seven contracts. The firm has a strong property practice advising the public and private sectors, and its health and social care team is unrivalled in the region.

M & A Solicitors rebranded, and launched Acuity Legal Limited, a niche practice focusing on high-value business support. The firm punches well above its weight, and receives very positive feedback from clients.

Berry Smith is a very popular, partner-led regional firm; traditionally property focused, it also has some robust litigators and commercial support advisers.

Capital Law LLP enjoys a strong profile. In recent years it has focused on brand protection and media work, and is also notable for its employment practice.

Darwin Gray celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2012. A good all-round commercial practice, it provides excellent value for money, and has proven itself able to win work away from the City as a result.

JCP Solicitors is Swansea is very popular with local clients. It has reacted to the sluggish mortgage market by cutting down on volume work and focusing on key areas such as healthcare, sport and agriculture.

Also in Swansea, Morgan LaRoche Limited acts for a geographically diverse client base, and is noted for its partner-led service. It punches above its weight in commercial matters, as well as being strong in areas such as planning and agriculture.

Whilst Cardiff firms have sought to take advantage of the lacuna in terms of commercial firms in North Wales, it remains the case that a significant flow of private sector work goes across the border to firms in Liverpool, Manchester and Chester. Aaron & Partners LLP and, more recently, Hillyer McKeown are picking up an increasing amount of work, and Hillyer McKeown has recently opened an office in Wrexham.

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