Napthens are pleased to have strengthened their position in the latest Legal 500 UK rankings, with four practice areas achieving Top Tier status and a number of lawyers receiving individual recognition.
Legal 500 is one of the UK’s leading independent legal directories. Rankings are based on extensive research, including client feedback and interviews with legal professionals across the sector.
Four Top Tier rankings
This year, Napthens maintained three Tier 1 rankings and achieved a new Top Tier ranking for commercial litigation: north west.
The firm’s Top Tier practice areas are:
- Commercial litigation: north west
- Agriculture and estates
- Corporate and commercial: north west
- Commercial property: north west
We’re also pleased to be recognised in:
Additionally, we’re delighted to have been named a ‘Firm to Watch’ in:
Both Firm to Watch rankings follow the teams’ first submissions in these categories and reflect the continued growth and reputation of the practices.
Individual recognition
A number of Napthens’ colleagues were recognised individually for their expertise and contribution to clients.
Leading Partners
- Andrew Holden (agriculture and estates)
- Andrew Holden (commercial litigation)
- John Whittingslow
- Robert Dobson
- Jon Esner
- Keith Melling
- Jamie Allison
- Martin Beardsworth
- David Hill
- Kieran Donovan
Leading Associates
- James Stocker
- Craig Whittingham
- Yasmin Blamire
- Stephanie Marshall
Highlights from this year’s rankings
The latest rankings highlight the breadth of expertise across Napthens, with teams recognised for their work across a wide range of sectors and legal disciplines. Here are some of the standout achievements and client endorsements from this year’s guide.
Corporate and commercial: Liverpool
Our Liverpool corporate and commercial team is recognised for advising ‘owner-managed businesses, family companies and corporates on complex national and cross-border corporate transactions’, including M&A, buy-and-build strategies, business and share disposals and succession planning.
Kieran Donovan was highlighted for his experience across corporate transactions, as well as advising management teams and institutional investors in venture capital and private equity transactions.
The ranking also recognises Gareth McIntegart and David Carr, both of whom bring experience across a wide range of corporate transactions.
Corporate and commercial: north west
The team, led by Keith Melling, Richard Robinson and Jon Esner, advises ‘individual entrepreneurs and owner-managers to established family businesses, private equity-backed companies and international corporates’ across all aspects of corporate, commercial and company law.
Keith Melling and Richard Robinson were recognised for leading high-profile transactions, while Jon Esner was highlighted for his expertise in commercial agreements, particularly across the travel, tourism, transport and retail sectors. Robert Dobson and Craig Whittingham were also recognised for their work with owner-managed businesses and on national and cross-border transactions.
Testimonials included praise for Keith Melling, who was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’, while the team was recognised as an ‘absolutely brilliant team.’
Commercial litigation: north west
The ‘absolutely brilliant disputes team’, led by David Bailey, acts for regional, national and international clients on complex corporate litigation matters, including shareholder disputes, investment disputes, fraud and misrepresentation claims and earn-out disputes.
John Whittingslow was recognised for his work on corporate disputes, while Andrew Holden was highlighted for his commercial disputes expertise and contentious insolvency work.
Testimonials included praise for John, who was described as ‘a practical opponent who fights tooth and claw for his client, but with pragmatism’ and ‘a very able lawyer’. Clients also commented: ‘We highly value [Andrew Holden’s] expertise and advice.’
Commercial property: north west
The team, led by Jamie Allison, was recognised for handling ‘a range of high-profile real estate matters in the north west’ for clients including regional developers, property investors and listed companies.
Jamie Allison was highlighted for his expertise in commercial property and rural matters, while Martin Beardsworth was recognised for his transactional expertise. Paul Hardy, Yasmin Blamire, Stephanie Marshall and David Hill were also noted by the directory.
Testimonials praised the team for providing ‘practical, useful and timely advice in a professional manner’, with clients commenting that ‘Napthens excels in their advisory capacity.’
Agriculture and estates
The team, led by Andrew Holden, is recognised for advising on ‘a wide range of matters, including AHA and FBT mandates, high-value estate restructurings and strategic development and land advice.’
Andrew Holden was highlighted for his expertise in land and agricultural property transactions, while Kate Seymour, Diane France and James Stocker were also recognised by the directory.
Testimonials praised Andrew’s ‘sensitive, diplomatic, professional and skillful manner’, while another client commented that they received ‘excellent service’ from the head of the rural property team.
Family
The Family team was recognised as a Firm to Watch, reflecting the continued growth of the practice across the north west. Legal 500 highlighted the team’s presence across the region, with Matthew Taylor leading the Liverpool team, Shakeela Bi strengthening the Blackburn offering and Helen Lucking leading the Preston team.
Personal tax, trusts and probate
The team, led by Farida Isaji, was recognised as a Firm to Watch, with Legal 500 highlighting its expertise across tax planning, wills, trusts, probate and business succession, alongside its specialist knowledge of agricultural and shariah-compliant estates.
Testimonials praised both Farida Isaji and Victoria Cross for interacting with clients and advisers ‘with confidence and ease’ and providing pragmatic advice on complex matters. Victoria Cross was also recognised for her ability to explain complex technical issues clearly and accessibly.
A reflection of client trust
The latest Legal 500 results recognise the expertise and commitment of teams across Napthens, as well as the strong relationships the firm continues to build with clients across the north west and beyond.
The firm would like to thank everyone involved in the research process and the clients who took the time to provide feedback.
Stephen Faulkner | Managing Director
Stephen Faulkner is Napthens' managing director, based in the firm's Preston office.
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