Browne Jacobson LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

• The team (Bettina Rigg, Kate Gallagher, and Ben Greene) has a strong focus on client service and is very keen to understand and deliver against client priorities, both through fee-earning work and through value-added activities. They are careful in their work and transparent about fees.
• Ben Greene is very diligent and sensible. He has a good manner with clients, and his advocacy is excellent (for example, at preliminary hearings). Bettina Rigg is intelligent and gives good strategic direction. She has a good sense of when to become involved and when to trust her junior colleagues to ensure matters are handled efficiently and effectively. Kate Gallagher brings a wealth of experience in the higher education sector and an understanding of how to translate black letter law into pragmatic and workable solutions.
• Dai provides a great partner relationship link, but we have access to Philip Wood on safeguarding and governance matters, Helen Cairns regarding corporate law and school transfers, Phillip Pugh regarding taxation and deal structuring law, Phil Grey and Peter Jackson on land law, Polly and Beth on HR matters to name a few. These lawyers are the best in their field, and they provide timely advice that I can rely upon to advise the Board and Executive team.
• The team is headed up by Dai Durbridge, and it has great access to lawyers who know the field of education very well. The team can cover all the bases, from safeguarding through to complex land transactions and everything in between. They are prompt at providing advice and action; the advice is considered and robust. The team is good at framing an argument but also challenging on outcomes that would not be in the best interests of the Trust.
• From my experience as a client, this practice stands out because it combines strong specialist expertise with a straightforward, organized way of working that makes even complex legal matters manageable; communication is consistent and clear, the team explains options without jargon, and work is handled efficiently without unnecessary delays. Potential clients would want to know that the advice is practical, realistic, and grounded in a solid understanding of the relevant processes, and that the team remains calm and solutions-focused even when issues are time-sensitive or high-pressure. Compared with larger firms, the service feels more consistent and personal, without losing the depth of knowledge you’d expect, and compared with smaller firms, there is a clear advantage in their specialist capability and procedural awareness. The practice also brings in sensible innovations, transparent and predictable fee structures, effective use of technology for document sharing and communication, and a collaborative, inclusive working style that supports both efficiency and a positive client experience.
• The individuals I’ve worked with stand out for their calm, competent, and thoroughly prepared approach, which is noticeably different from competitors who can feel either overstretched or inconsistent. What I’ve valued most is their ability to balance technical expertise with clear, grounded communication; there’s no jargon, no ambiguity, and no sense of being rushed. They take ownership of their work, follow through on commitments, and stay composed even when matters become complex or time-sensitive. The partners and associates I’ve dealt with have shown a rare combination of reliability, attention to detail, and genuine respect for the client’s time and priorities, which has made the overall experience markedly smoother and more reassuring than with other firms.

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Dai Durbridge