The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Clarion provides ‘excellent value for money’, and has acted on several high-value deals recently, including advising the executors of the late Jimi Heselden OBE and his various companies, including Hesco Bastion. Practice head Richard Moran has ‘excellent all-round knowledge, and takes a good commercial approach to situations’. Christian Hunt is also recommended.

Within Crime, ABR Solicitors is a first tier firm,

At ABR Solicitors (previously known as Clarion Advocates), Rob Rode is the driving force in the fraud team, which also includes recommended practitioner Steve Milner. The group has played an important role in major cases relating to SIPPs and large-scale mortgage fraud. It also has experience in significant drug crime cases, and in inadequacy applications to the High Court.

Within Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Clarion’s team has ‘vast experience of high-value and complex claims’, and is ‘more than a match for firms in London’. It is advising Grattan and Freemans in a number of commercial disputes, and is acting for the estate of the late Jimi Heselden OBE and Hesco Bastion in relation to some high-value claims. Practice head Simon Young is ‘able to demystify the law and the litigation process’.

Within Debt recovery, tier 4

Clarion represents owner-managed businesses, SMEs and large corporations including Asics, and is regularly instructed by commercial landlords. Andrew Howard heads the practice.

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

Led by Christian Hunt, Clarion ‘gives solid advice’ to clients such as HSBC and The Co-Operative Bank.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Clarion ‘stands out in its peer group’; its ‘presence in the restructuring market is significant’. Recent instructions include acting for O’Hara and Co as administrators of Rugby League club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Practice head Ryan Millmore, and Roger Hutton are recommended; their ‘professionalism allows for complete confidence in client situations’. David Arundel recently left for Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors.

Within Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire

Within Regional review,

Dickinson Dees LLP made the decision to move its York practice to Leeds, relocating in 2012 amid plans for substantial growth. Whether the move will pay off remains to be seen, but it was not the only firm attracted to the city; Birmingham firm Gateley also opened a new office there in 2012. William Ballmann was recruited to oversee the new venture; his former firm, Cobbetts LLP, had an unsettled year, but remains a key national player. Ward Hadaway had a busy year of recruitment, increasing its headcount substantially as part of its strategy to become a major name in the region. Other Leeds players to note include Clarion; DAC Beachcroft LLP; DWF LLP; Gordons LLP; and Schofield Sweeney, which also has a Bradford office. Brooke North LLP closed its doors, with key figures moving to Ward Hadaway, Schofield Sweeney and Lupton Fawcett LLP.

Within Family: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Clarion’s ‘depth of quality’ enables it to handle children cases and financial disputes in a ‘caring and considered manner’, and it has a ‘strong reputation’ for divorce settlements and ancillary relief proceedings. The ‘empathetic’ and ‘motivated’ Justine Osmotherley gives ‘fair and measured advice’, and ‘makes clients feel well supported’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Clarion’s ‘professional and trustworthy’ team advises on wills, potential tax liabilities, and subsequent mitigation. Sara Rogers has a ‘genuine concern for clients’ welfare’.

Within Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Clarion is a third tier firm,

Martin Grange heads the team at Clarion, which gained Persimmon Homes and Lazarus Properties as new clients. Other clients include Urban Splash. It is currently advising a major regional property investor on the refinancing and debt restructuring of a £7m commercial property portfolio.

Within Property litigation Property litigation

Within Intellectual property, Clarion is a second tier firm,

Clarion’s key strengths are in trade mark portfolio management and international brand development. Team head Leigh Martin recently defended a software client in a copyright infringement claim. The group was appointed to Communisis’ panel.

Within IT and telecoms, Clarion is a second tier firm,

Clarion handles second generation outsourcing, software disputes, and other commercial IT matters. New client Communisis sought the group’s advice on procurement, while Callcredit instructed it in relation to a co-location agreement. ‘Pragmatic’ practice head Matthew Hattersley is the ‘star player’.

Within Media and entertainment, Clarion is a first tier firm,

Leigh Martin heads the team at Clarion, which represents commercial media bodies, famous personalities and music publishers on reputation management, defamation, and database infringement claims. Music Sales Limited and GMG Radio are key clients.

Within Sport, Clarion is a second tier firm,

IP specialist Leigh Martin is the key contact at Clarion, which provides ‘outstanding’ levels of service, and ‘great value for money’. It acts for national sports associations on copyright infringement matters, and for regional clubs on stadium moves. The ‘extremely pragmatic’ team ‘delivers results efficiently’.