5th October 2023 ❘

Burnetts ranks highly in this year’s Legal 500

We’re proud to announce that we have once again been highly rated in the Legal 500 UK Solicitors 2024 rankings – the leading guide to law firms and solicitors in the UK. We achieved a total of ten recommended practice areas, eight lawyers listed as Leading Individuals, two as Next Generation Partners and four as Rising Stars, making a total of fourteen ranked lawyers.

The Legal 500 rankings reflect the result of months of extensive analysis by Legal 500’s research team, which conducts thousands of interviews with law firms and considers tens of thousands of submissions in order to select the very best lawyers and law firms in the UK.

Five of our departments achieved Top Tier rankings in the guide: Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Medical Negligence and Serious Injury, Agribusiness and Commercial Property.

Our Corporate team was again ranked Tier 1 and is praised for having “knowledge of complex areas which we find many legal firms don’t have”. Our Head of Corporate Michael Walby retains his status as the only Corporate lawyer in Cumbria recognised as a Leading Individual and is described as having “commerciality on deals that is second to none”. New Corporate Partners Paul Bell and Peter Robinson are also recognised in the guide and have added strength and depth to the team.

Our Dispute Resolution team is described as being “a regional heavyweight, able to deliver a service which is on a par with larger practices in the major city centres.” Leading Individual James Johnston, Head of our Dispute Resolution department, is described as being “astute and very capable. He brings a wealth of experience.” Consultant Sally Johnson is also recognised for her role in the team, and Georgina Nicholls is yet again commended as a Rising Star. Johnny Coulthard is said to be “thorough, methodical and sympathetic to our specific requirements which led to a successful outcome,” as well as being “an excellent solicitor when helping with a dispute.” Associate Grace Wren is recognised for her leading role in claims brought in relation to Trust matters.

Our Commercial Property Team jointly led by Helen Hayward and Robbie Mather also achieves a Tier 1 ranking. “Stand-out” Helen Hayward, is ranked as a Leading Individual and is described as “extremely conscientious.” The team is also praised for providing “a very professional and personal service with ready access to all fee earners and partners.” Rebecca Davidson is singled out as a Rising Star; with Ben Crystal and Sophi Al-Tikriti adding to the depth of support in the team.

In our Medical Negligence and Serious Injury Team, Spencer Knaggs and Michelle Armstrong are named as Leading Individuals and the team is described as being “approachable, knowledgeable and efficient”. Paul Brown is the key partner for serious and brain injury claims. Lynne Hall and Jayne McCluskey are described as being “extremely pleasant to work with, and assiduous in preparing cases and following up on advice.” Legal director Lynne Hall leads our misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of cancer sub-team. Legal director Mick Laffey bolstered the strength of the team further, joining in January 2023.

Our Agribusiness Team is again ranked as Tier 1, with Joanne McKenzie and Richard Miller both being named as Leading Individuals, whilst Diane Barnes receives further recognition as a Rising Star.

In our Employment team, clients “feel safe and confident” with the advice and guidance of Head of Department David Gibson. David, Anna Lovett, and Sarah Devennie advise companies on all aspects of the employment implications of company transactions, expansions and changes.

Our Banking team has been hailed for its “excellent speed of response and depth of knowledge of the bank’s requirements.” Rebecca Joy is named as a Next Generation Partner in this “efficient, approachable and proactive” team.

Emma Armstrong and Vikki Porthouse have also been labelled as key lawyers from our Family team.

Nick Gutteridge, our Managing Partner, said:

“We are again extremely proud of this year’s Legal 500 rankings. Burnetts continues to go from strength to strength, and these excellent results validate the efforts put in by all at the firm over the last 12 months. We empower our people to thrive, and that gives us a unique culture as a law firm. With further expansion planned for Cumbria and Newcastle over the next year, we are very excited for the next chapter of growth at Burnetts”.

“Appreciative thanks once again must go to our clients, and intermediaries that we work with for providing feedback for this year’s edition of Legal 500”.