Thompson Smith and Puxon recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2025 guide
Leading legal directory, The Legal 500 UK has once again recommended Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) in its 2025 guide.
The Legal 500 directory is widely respected in the legal field, with its rankings based on independent research involving law firms, their clients and key industry figures.
With strategically located offices in Colchester and Clacton, Thompson Smith and Puxon has been commended in nine practice areas across its two offices, with nine lawyers recognised as either ‘Leading Individuals’ or ‘Next Generation Partners’.
TSP’s ‘Next Generation Partners’ include Directors Kerry Addison (Commercial Property), Robert Ashworth (Wills & Estates) and Senior Associate Nicola Healy (Wills & Estates) with corporate powerhouse Director Caroline Nicholls (Corporate & Commercial) also joining this distinguished cohort.
In addition to this, TSP Directors Fiona Ashworth (Wills & Estates), Jolyon Berry (Employment), Mary Anne Fedeyko (Corporate & Commercial) and Stephen Firmin (Commercial Property) are all ranked as ‘Leading Partners’ in their respective practice areas for another consecutive year, with Louise Margiotta (Family) also making a well-deserved entry into the ‘Leading Partners’ category.
TSP’s Corporate and Commercial team, led by Mary Anne Fedeyko (noted for her handling of cross-border mandates), has upheld its excellent tier 2 ranking. With the team’s vast experience including in the healthcare sector credited, the team is known for its multifaceted practice and is “well-known for its strength in reorganisations and demergers, with a strong focus on issues surrounding distribution agreements, compliance, shareholder agreements and terms of sale and purchase”. Key lawyers also noted include Nick Mayles and Nicola Rout.
The firm’s Commercial Property department is renowned for its expertise in the agricultural field, offering support to clients in retail and finance sectors on the buying and selling of both freehold and leasehold properties, commercial loans and property financing solutions. Stephen Firmin, the practice's lead, has extensive experience in transactions involving rural land as well as renewable energy developments. Having sustained its admirable tier 2 ranking in the 2025 rankings, the team frequently works with housing developers, affordable housing organizations, farmers, and landowners. Joanne Kelly has recently joined as a Director, bringing a further wealth of commercial real estate expertise to the team.
“Outstanding family solicitor” Director Louise Margiotta leads TSP’s tier 4 Family department. Bringing nearly 30 years of experience to the role, Louise specialises in complex financial issues, particularly in relation to family businesses, trusts and children matters. This expertise, combined with her Resolution Together accreditation and mediation skills, have this year secured her a well-deserved position as a Legal 500 ‘Leading Partner’.
Commended for providing ‘practical, tailored advice’, Director Jolyon Berry retains his title as an Employment Law specialist in the 2025 rankings as a ‘Leading Partner’. Notable for representing clients at contested hearings and his expertise of ‘TUPE transfers’, Jolyon leads the practice from the Colchester office. Ranked tier 2, TSP’s Employment department is equipped to handle a full array of employment matters for corporates and individuals, managing a ‘broad client roster’ of companies across the construction, tech, and retail sectors. Key Lawyer Grace Smyth, is experienced with disability discrimination claims and delivering training to managers.
The Dispute Resolution department at TSP has maintained its tier 4 position in the Legal 500 2025. Led by “tactically astute litigator” Andrew Breckenridge ably supported by Senior Associate Katie Latham and Key Lawyer Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones, the department’s focus areas include commercial loan recovery, breach of commercial contract disputes, contentious probate and property related claims. Andrew is recommended for his expertise in banking disputes and commercial disputes including regulatory issues.
The ‘fantastic’, Clinical Negligence department at TSP have preserved their excellent tier 2 position, standing out once again in 2025 for its ‘compassionate’ nature. The team, led by Director Steve Webb, handle critical medical negligence cases. He is supported by Deputy Head and Director Hasina Choudhury, who is fluent in Bengali, Hindu and Urdu and deals with negligently performed surgery and various birth cases. Key Lawyer Stacey Anderson is also noted for her skills in dealing with gynaecological and obstetric cases. Other Key Lawyers include Kim Huggins.
With 'impressive strength and depth of experience and practice', Thompson Smith and Puxon‘s Personal Injury department, led by APIL accredited senior litigator Director Steve Webb, excels across claims involving road traffic accidents and accidents at work. Other key names include the 'superb' Hasina Choudhury. As a member of AvMA’s Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel and the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel, Hana specialises in high-value cases involving spinal injury, brain injury, wrongful birth and complex issues related to obstetrics and gynaecology.
Consisting of ‘a strong team of professionals’ TSP’s Agriculture & Estates practice has continued to demonstrate excellence with their robust tier 2 standing. With more than three decades of experience in the field, the team is led by Director Stephen Firmin, who preserves his role as Leading Individual for 2025. Advising on diversification opportunities, rural property sales and estate planning work, Fiona Ashworth is recommended for matters relating to succession planning, taxation and trusts, whilst Key Lawyer Kriti Sherchan regularly assists the team with rural site acquisitions and land development schemes.
The Tax, Trusts & Probate team, led by ‘Next Generation Partner’ Robert Ashworth since January of this year, have delivered a commendable tier 2 performance in the 2025 rankings. The team advise business owners, families and high-net-worth clients on a full range of matters involving wills and powers of attorney including estate administration and issues involving the preservation of assets. Robert and his predecessor, former Head Fiona Ashworth, are both key contacts for agricultural contacts in a team already held in high regard for its agricultural sector expertise. Associate Chartered Legal Executive Carlie Brown and Senior Associate Ann Coutts have also recently joined the team.
The results are released in the wake of a huge period of growth for the firm, as CEO Sean Stuttaford explains. “With ten new additions to the firm in the last month alone that have seen our lawyer numbers boosted by 20%, we have significantly increased our presence in the local market, positioning ourselves as a modern and commercially-focused legal firm. As we continue to set the foundations for the next five years, these strong rankings are a reminder that we remain on course for success.”
Senior Partner, Mary Anne Fedeyko, comments, “We are delighted that The Legal 500 continues to acknowledge not only the quality of our service, but also the breadth and depth of talent within the firm. Our business services offering remains strong, providing a comprehensive and holistic approach to client needs. Indeed, the firm's performance reflects sustained improvement across key areas.
Maintaining its rankings across the board is a testament to the firm's technical excellence and consistency. In sectors like Agriculture, where the firm competes against much larger players, the firm punches well above its weight, drawing recognition across wider regions. The number of ranked ‘Leading Individuals’ across just five disciplines also speaks to the firm’s influence and the high calibre of its legal professionals. Understanding the unique needs of each client and aligning our legal advice with their business operations is fundamental to our approach and to our success. By seamlessly integrating expertise across multiple practice areas, we ensure our clients receive tailored, practical solutions."
Find out more about the Legal 500 rankings, here.
Thompson Smith and Puxon can be contacted on 01206 574431 or at enquiries@tsplegal.com. To find out more about the legal services we provide, visit tsplegal.com