Blake Morgan’s Thames Valley teams celebrate top rankings in Chambers & Partners Guide 2023

Thames Valley lawyers from Blake Morgan are celebrating success in the 2023 edition of the prestigious Chambers & Partners Guide, which recognises and recommends the best-performing lawyers and legal firms across the UK. Ten of the firm’s teams based in the Thames Valley were selected for praise in the Guide, along with 20 individual lawyers – showcasing the firm’s wide range of specialisms and excellent client service.

Practices areas granted the highest ranking, Band 1, included Construction, Litigation, and Planning – with the Litigation team described as delivering ‘an absolutely excellent service’. Teams securing a Band 2 ranking included Banking & Finance, Employment, Family/Matrimonial, Real Estate, Restructuring/Insolvency, and Social Housing. Clients were full of praise for the teams, highlighting that Blake Morgan’s Banking & Finance lawyers bring ‘an excellent level of breadth and depth in experience to all areas of work’.

The Chambers and Partners Guide also recognises lawyers who are leaders in their fields of expertise. Of the 20 lawyers from across the Thames Valley team ranked this year, six were ranked as either Band 1 or Band 2. Two of the firm’s Thames Valley lawyers were awarded the prestigious ‘Senior Statespeople’ status, with family and matrimonial lawyer, Christine Plews being described by a client as ‘very experienced’ and able to ‘command the room in mediation.’

The Band 1 ranking of the construction team’s Richard Wade was supported by client praise for being ‘incredibly knowledgeable and a delight to work with’. Zoe Wright and healthcare expert Bruce Potter were also ranked as Band 1. Real estate litigator Zoe was lauded for her ‘absolutely excellent’ understanding of legislature, while one client said, ‘Bruce lives and breathes healthcare law’.

The next generation of lawyers within Blake Morgan were also highlighted – with the Guide shining a spotlight on three ‘Associates to Watch’: Including the ‘top class’ Madeleine Mould from the region’s employment team, and real estate’s Rachel Sales, who was singled out for her teamwork. The Guide also recognised two of the Thames Valley team as ‘Up & Coming, including the ‘meticulous’ family and matrimonial lawyer Catherine Morgan.

Across Blake Morgan’s five UK offices, the Guide ranked 33 teams as Band 1 or 2, while 60 individual lawyers were ranked – seven of whom were named as ‘Senior Statespeople’.  These rankings highlight the strength and depth of the talent across the firm.

Mike Wilson, Managing Partner at Blake Morgan, said: