Adept at handling large-scale commercial litigation involving complex technical angles, the dispute resolution practice at Paris Smith LLP is highly sought-after by leading regional clients. Helen Brown is a ‘formidable’ litigator, acting particularly for property and manufacturing sector clients on commercial contract litigation, shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims. Brown took charge of the team in April 2025, replacing seasoned commercial, property, and insolvency litigator David Eminton. The ’highly experienced’ Christopher Holliss is ‘always alive to practical and commercial realities’, focusing his practice on debt collection, asset recovery, and commercial and contractual disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Savvy, smart, and a well-run ship. An excellent firm with oodles of experience and bright lawyers.’
‘The team deals adeptly with large commercial disputes involving technical angles such as manufacturing, technology, construction and telecommunications.’
- ‘Broad breath of skills and areas of expertise.’
- ‘Down to earth and on your level, yet professional and credible.’
‘Helen Brown is a formidable yet friendly partner with excellent client management skills.'
‘Christopher Holliss is a highly experienced commercial litigation and debt recovery specialist. He is able to absorb technical and contractual issues quickly in order to distil the important issues and has a magic touch in handling clients. He is always alive to practical and commercial realities.'
‘Excellent attentive response time by the team has always been appreciated. A strong working team with excellent collaboration and attention to detail.'
'The team has attracted a large client-base covering most of the major companies and individuals in the Southern region. My experience is that they deal adeptly with large commercial disputes involving technical angles such as manufacturing, technology, construction and telecommunications. Being a full-service law firm, they are also able to offer advice where matters cross over into property or insolvency matters.'
'Working in particular with Chris Holliss, we have been able to achieve settlements on a number of large matters before the clients have had to incur the expense and stress of issuing or defending proceedings in court. Those matters that have reached court, are conducted effectively and always with regard to providing the best value for the client’s fees.'
‘Helen Brown worked with us on a dispute resolution case. She was very attentive and patient. Guidance was good and her ability to break down the problem. Good judge of the situation. Excellent service.'
Key clients
- Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery
- Gattaca PLC
- Redwood Global Limited
- Corrotherm International Limited
- AFC Bournemouth Limited
- 2CL Communications Limited
- Wessex Cardiac Trust
- Cherry Godfrey Finance (Isle of Wight) Limited
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Christopher Holliss
Practice head
Helen Brown
Other key lawyers
Christopher Holliss; David Eminton