Blake Morgan praised as South Coast leaders in legal directory

Blake Morgan’s teams and leading individuals in the South have been recognised for the strength and depth of their expertise in Chambers and Partners – the authoritative guide to the legal profession in the UK.

Chambers UK has listed 16 of the firm’s teams in the South in its 2018 edition, with five of those achieving the highest Band 1 ranking, nine at Band 2 and two in the third band.

It describes the firm, which has its South Coast offices in Southampton and Portsmouth, as “one of the leading full-service law firms, providing clients with access to a depth of legal skill and experience”.

It adds: “Clients have a deep reservoir of goodwill for the firm as a result of its ‘exemplary service’ code of practice, its heritage and the access it provides to expertise, resource and sector specialisms.”

Band 1 rankings were awarded for the firm’s Employment, Intellectual Property, Pensions, Crime and Professional Negligence teams in the south.

Blake Morgan’s Employment practice was given the accolade of being declared a top-tier National Leader outside London, with the directory observing the firm’s “attentiveness to requirements” in the south and its expertise in retail, charity and education and both public and private organisations.

The firm is also named as a National Leader outside London in its Band 2-ranked Banking and Finance, Information Technology, Litigation, Intellectual Property and Social Housing practices.

Blake Morgan is also celebrating success for its leading individuals on the south coast, with a total of 23 of its lawyers in the region listed in Chambers. Of those 9 achieved the highest Band 1 listing, with three in Band 2, two in Band 3, and 3 in Band 4.

The directory also looked at up-and-coming solicitors, with five of the firm’s south coast associates noted as “Associates to Watch” and one listed as a “Star Associate”.

Lawyers achieving the top Band 1 ranking were: Intellectual Property specialist Jill Bainbridge, who is “attentive and gets the job done”; Pensions specialist John Hamilton, noted as “thorough”; Licensing specialist Jon Wallsgrove, who has a “very straightforward and practical approach”; Banking specialist Kath Shimmin, described as a “good negotiator”; Employment specialist Max Craft, praised for being “knowledgeable and customer-focused”; Professional Negligence specialist Richard Portlock who offers “an impressive amount of experience”; Family law specialist Simon Burge who is “well-versed” in disputed child arrangements; Tax specialist Simon Court, praised for a “depth and breadth of knowledge”; and Litigation specialist Susie Dryden, described as an “excellent lawyer”.

Chambers UK also listed two teams at BL Claims Solicitors, Blake Morgan’s claims division, which has offices in Southampton and Portsmouth. The firm’s Clinical Negligence team achieved the top Band 1 ranking and its Personal Injury specialists were ranked in Band 2.

Chambers UK: A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession is compiled from research including interviews with clients and other law firms and is widely respected as the leading legal guide in the UK.

Sadak Miah, Regional Senior Partner at Blake Morgan, said: “We are proud to once again have an extremely strong showing for Blake Morgan in this directory. It’s been a great year on the South Coast having been named both Law Firm and Property Law Firm of the Year in the region by Business Magazine.

“However it’s our directory results, based on feedback from clients and peers, that really demonstrates the value of the expertise and knowledge of our leading teams across the full range of legal services, as well as the exemplary client service that we offer.”

Across Blake Morgan’s offices on the south coast and in the Thames Valley, London, and Cardiff, a total of 78 individuals were listed in the directory. Blake Morgan lawyers achieved an impressive 25 Band 1 rankings, with 16 listed in the second tier.