The Wilkes Partnership > Birmingham, England > Firm Profile

‘Sian Kenkre is a special solicitor who has a very calm, sensitive approach to her cases. Clients have a real sense that their solicitor is in control and will always focus on their well-being. There is an inner steel and a determination to achieve the outcome whilst remaining balanced and easy to work with’.

‘I am always pleased to receive briefs from the firm, because I know that I will receive detailed instructions which helps me to do the best job I can to represent their clients in court’.

‘All of the team work exceptionally hard to deliver first-rate client care. The team is always available via phone and email, and keep counsel abreast of updates between hearings. Jackie Lee and Sian Kenkre in particular are assets to the team; their knowledge of the law is fantastic and clients are given realistic and sensible advice’.

‘Aaron Keene very personable’.

‘The Wilkes Partnership boasts a small team of very capable family specialists, committed to offering the best possible service to, and delivering the best possible results for their clients. Aaron Keene is a local hero, liked and respected by his peers. Sian Kenre is also very highly recommended’.

‘Sian Kenkre – She is first class. Straightforward, intelligent and great client care skills’.

‘The firm has worked with us for over seven years and is our go to for advice and guidance outside the day-to-day transactional processing. Always willing to explain matters in simple, easy to understand terms to ensure that key risks are adequately assessed.’

‘The insolvency team are a dynamic bunch who always offer solutions to situations encountered.’

‘John Cooper and Andrew Garland are very active in insolvency matters and represent clients very well in mediation. They are both very tuned in to their clients’ needs and very effective in finding settlements.’

‘Andrew Garland is exceptional at keeping matters moving, always on the mark with his advice, though through in all aspects.

‘David Cleary is the leader who provides the commercial experience to consistently deliver the right solution and who is ably supported by John Cooper as the go-to insolvency legal genius in the team for those awkward technical issues.’

‘The practice were approachable and knowledgeable on the often complex and specialist area of insolvency and tax avoidance schemes. Working on an extremely tight timescale they managed they managed to review and process vast amounts of information in a very short period of time. The whole process far exceeded our expectations’

‘Andrew Garland and his team stood out given their knowledge of law and practical implications of the complex issues in hand.’

‘David Cleary – an unflappable leader and a far better lawyer than he would ever admit to being.’

John Cooper – commercial and down-to-earth litigator. He really understands how insolvency judges think.’

‘Wilkes is a strong central Birmingham firm, which again has the benefit of a very strong private client team. As a result estates where there are potentially difficult tax issues are in safe hands because of the breadth of knowledge. Also, the team is particularly strong in property law which gives the contentious trusts and probate team an extra dimension in cases involving a technical property element. In conducting litigation they are very constructive and keep the clients very well informed and engaged at each stage of the litigation’.

‘Kevin Lynch is very affable which he combines with a sharp intellect which makes him very persuasive when dealing with opponents. “Beguiling” might be a good word to use of him. Moreover, he is able to recognise what matters and does not matter, so is very good a focusing on the true issues, without getting side-tracked by irrelevant detail’.

‘Jack Ackrill is very approachable and affable and  is able to see how a piece of litigation is unfolding and prepare accordingly. Kevin Lynch and Jack Ackrill are both able to see things several moves ahead. Jack is exceptionally methodical in his approach and likewise unflappable. They are both very good to work with and deliver excellent client care’.

‘The team is growing on account of the reputation it has built in a relatively short period of time. Even a couple of years ago, it was essentially a two-person operation. Under the dynamic leadership of Kevin Lynch, its offering in this specialist work is clearly going from strength to strength. Kevin Lynch – savvy and insightful. He has a real sense of strategy‘.

‘I was lucky to be introduced to Philip Harrison, whom I cannot praise enough for his outstanding work. On a personal level he is a pleasure to work with: any e-mail is answered the same day and any information is summarised in writing; on a professional level he is very impressive: precise in his analyses with a broad knowledge of the law. I can say from experience, Philip Harrison is an outstanding professional in his field’.

‘Sophie Fenn explained, jargon free, what needed to happen and why, associated costs, timelines etc., Always responding very quickly to emails/telephone calls etc..  Everything was dealt with so professionally and sensitively. If you will excuse the oxymoron, the whole bad experience was made good by working with her and her team, it was worth every penny’.

‘It has an honest and genuine personal approach. The lawyers listen. They do not just see a financial transaction – they  believe in the person first and what is best for them’.

‘I like Ann-Marie Aston – her approach to clients really is empowering and understanding. And I note clients return the compliment, only ever wishing sometimes to deal with her.  She works in collaboration and partnership with the client, never putting profit over that of what they need. The advice is professional, and knowledge base is outstanding’.

‘I have worked on two Court of Protection matters for the firm. I have limited knowledge of the firm, but my experience on these occasions was very positive. The cases were well prepared and my instructions covered the important aspects of the case, which was helpful for my own preparation‘.

‘Ann-Marie Aston was very pragmatic and realistic in handling the case and seeking to achieve the best result for her client in difficult circumstances. It was evident that client’s expectations had been well managed and my difficult advice was not a surprise. The case preparation had been very good, which made by task easier’.

‘A strong team with wide ranging experience of local, national and International commercial disputes.’

‘Gavin Evans is very hard working, pragmatic and sensible, negotiates a good deal.’

‘Nigel Wood is hugely experienced and authoritative’

‘Strong client base in the Midlands area, good legal knowledge and commercial nous. They think in practical, problem-solving ways at all times.’

‘I have always found the Wilkes Partnership team to be effective communicators, highly skilled in their areas of expertise and thoroughly decent colleagues to work with. They are collaborative’.

‘James Leo is an excellent communicator who manages his clients’ expectations extremely well. He has a strong understanding of complex legal matters and to me and many of his clients, is considered a safe pair of hands. Whilst James offers a robust and pragmatic approach to claims, he also ensures that he brings a rounded and robust view of the material considerations to any legal issue. I find his appreciation of commercial, reputational and emotional matters to be amongst the best I have come across and I can rely upon him to reach a sensible, measured and effective conclusion’.

‘Very proactive. Friendly and approachable. Gets the job done. James Leo is dynamic, is at the top of his game and helpful’.

‘James Leo, is one of the most approachable solicitors I have worked with, I cannot rate him highly enough and have recommended his and The Wilkes Partnership’s service on numerous occasions’.

‘Pam Sidhu has been friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and efficient throughout all contacts. Although I have only spoken to Pam for a handful of HR issues, I genuinely feel I am speaking with an expert friend, whom I really respect. This instils a strong feeling of trust, contentment and satisfaction’.

‘Always proactively responds in due time. Very efficient feedback according to client’s needs. Ms Pam Sidhu provides excellent advice and recommendations tailored to client’s inquiries’.

‘The lawyers are all great but what makes them different is that they all genuinely care about your business, rather than treating you as simply another billable client’.

‘ I really appreciated Jaspaul Dubb’s sincerity and his personal support, the fact that he tried to keep costs down and agreed to oversee my termination agreement on a small budget. I would recommend him to anyone in need of an employment lawyer’.

‘Wilkes have taken care of us for many years and provide a friendly and straightforward approach with good response times and high quality advice. They communicate well and without using technical jargon and I feel their aim is always to get the best outcome for us. Their fees are transparent and reasonable.’

‘Very proactive in attending to commercial issues. Bryan Poultney is excellent in progressing matters.’

‘Approachable, knowledgeable and efficient and professional in their advice.’

‘Mark Hodgson gives a personal service, he takes time to consider your views and concerns and applies his knowledge to ensure the optimum outcome all within a reasonable cost.’

‘Extremely professional, reliable and attentive to our every need.’

‘Always friendly, approachable, helpful and considered.’

‘I have had dealings with Wilkes Partnership for a long period of time and cannot recommend them highly enough. They offer a very high quality of service, good communications, are transparent with fees and the process involved and what is necessary to achieve the desired outcome. You never feel in the dark throughout. They act with full integrity and in the client’s best interest.’

‘Outstanding in their knowledge. Leenamarie Aantaa-Collier is excellent, and unsurprisingly successful in winning my case. I cannot recommend them highly enough.’

‘Leenamari Aantaa-Collier has an exceptional knowledge and an unrivalled understanding of planning law, with particular expertise in the mitigation of major residential development impacts on healthcare provision.’

‘This is a professional and responsive team in whom I have confidence. As a client, I know that the team has worked hard to develop a comprehensive understanding of our business and its needs and, subsequently adapted its approaches to our circumstances.’

‘Flexibility, responsiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to service our needs.’

‘The firm has built-up a loyal client base of land owners and developers and is a strong choice in the region for commercial property litigation.’

‘Kevin Lynch is a savvy litigator. Quick at grasping the commercial realities of a dispute, which helps to achieve excellent settlement outcomes for his clients.’

‘A tight knit well organised team providing an individual service.’

‘Kevin Lynch is the epitome of the approachable solicitor; engaging and excellent with clients.’

‘A very well-respected team in the region, often punching above their weight, and with a superb track record of being trusted advisers for multiple long-standing clients.’