The Legal 500

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

Stewarts Law LLP merged with four-partner banking litigation boutique Masseys in 2010, adding to the strength and depth of the team. The practice is focused on acting against the banks, advising on the full range of complex contentious issues arising out of the banking crisis. ‘Real go-getter’ Clive Zietman is ‘measured, realistic and tactical, and a very safe pair of hands’. Andrew Shaw and Keith Thomas are also very highly regarded.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Stewarts Law LLP acts against major UK banks, but also acts in commercial disputes, fraud, professional negligence, property, insolvency and international trade matters. It is appreciated for its ‘deep knowledge and expertise’. Clive Zietman heads the department; Sean Upson is ‘tremendously clever’; and Jane Colston is also highly recommended. Andrew Shaw is also a key contact. The firm recently acquired litigation law practice Masseys LLP.

Within Overview,

The market remains competitive and fluid. Halliwells’ collapse provided Clyde & Co LLP with the lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic, while Stephenson Harwood beefed up with Sean Jeffrey arriving from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Sara George from Allen & Overy LLP. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s former litigation chief Julian Randall exited for Taylor Wessing LLP. Others have been busy consolidating; in 2011, seven partners from Dawsons LLP, plus their assistants, joined Penningtons Solicitors LLP, while Stewarts Law LLP acquired litigation practice Masseys LLP.

Within Employment: employee/union firms, Stewarts Law LLP is a third tier firm,

Stewarts Law LLP’s new employment team is led by ‘first-class lawyer’ and former Lewis Silkin LLP partner Gareth Brahams, and provides a ‘genuinely bespoke, intelligent and effective service’ for claimants and employers. It includes the ‘excellent’ Tim Spillane, formerly of Simmons & Simmons.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Stewarts Law LLP is a second tier firm,

Stewarts Law LLP’s ‘simply excellent’ clinical negligence team is a ‘strong outfit’ with ‘some excellent individuals’ who are ‘innovative, dedicated and successful’. The firm focuses exclusively on catastrophic cases. Practice head Muiris Lyons is ‘conscientious and incisive’, and shows ‘good judgement’. Robert Dransfield and Nick Knowles are also recommended.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Stewarts Law LLP is a first tier firm,

Stewarts Law LLP receives exceptional feedback for its handling of cases, and is well known for its niche in high-value claims and for ‘attracting the best-quality work’. Clients feel that their concerns and views are considered. Practice head Paul Paxton is ‘exceptional in every respect’, ‘professional and compassionate’; Julian Chamberlayne is ‘technically one of the best personal injury lawyers in the country’; Clare Salmon has an ‘impressively detailed and thorough approach’; Charles Edwards ‘has amazing knowledge’; and Kevin Grealis is ‘friendly, helpful, and always listening and advising well’. Stuart Dench, John Cahill Andrew Dinsmore and Ben Rogers are also recommended.

Within Personal injury: defendant Leading individuals

Within Family, Stewarts Law LLP is a third tier firm,

Stewarts Law LLP continues to gain ground with instructions on a slew of complex, high-value cases. Stephen Foster heads an ‘exceptionally strong’ four-partner team which includes big hitters Emma Hatley (‘very pleasant with endless time for her clients’) and the ‘knowledgeable and proficient’ Debbie Chism. The team was boosted by the arrival of ‘star in the making’ Richard Hogwood from Speechly Bircham LLP.

Within Overview,

In terms of notable partner moves, star practitioner Rupert Ticehurst left Herbert Smith LLP for Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, beefing up the firm’s capacity to handle trust disputes; and Charles Russell LLP lost the head of its contentious trusts practice, Morven McMillan, who moved to Cayman Islands firm Mourant Ozannes. In the family sphere, Tom Amlot left Harbottle & Lewis LLP to join Alexiou Fisher Philipps; and Speechly Bircham LLP lost Richard Hogwood to Stewarts Law LLP and John Nicholson to Irwin Mitchell LLP.

Within Aviation,

Stewarts Law LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP have sterling track records in handling personal injury cases for claimants in the aviation field. For details on these practices, readers are referred to the Personal injury: claimant section, under Insurance.