TSP’s Full Legal 500 Results 2019
The Legal 500 has once again recognised and confirmed Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) and its on-going commitment to client service and effective communication with continued recommendations in nine practice areas. The Legal 500 said the following about each of TSP's recommended practice areas and each of the lawyers highlighted in the text are individually recommended also:
Corporate and Commercial: 'Exceeding all expectations', Thompson Smith and Puxon's corporate and commercial team is adept at handling the full scope of corporate matters including M&A, disposals, and distribution agreements. Led by Mary Anne Fedeyko, who is noted for her 'very practical commercial approach', the practice group works seamlessly across practice groups and provides significant cross-border services to national and international clients across a broad range of sectors. Nick Mayles is 'excellent' and has experience with restructuring and reorganizations.
Solicitor Caroline Nicholls is also noted as a Rising Star.
Employment: Thompson Smith and Puxon has a wide breadth of expertise in employment law matters and covers all aspects of work including contracts, litigation, severance issues and tribunal proceedings. The 'outstanding' Richard Porter is particularly noted for his prowess on business re-organisations and termination of contracts. Clients from the agricultural and rural sector make up a sizeable portion of the firm's roster, in addition to some international clients. The team has been strengthened by the addition of heavyweight lawyer Jolyon Berry who joined from Birketts LLP.
Corporate and Commercial team leader, Mary Anne Fedeyko , Employment Law team leader Richard Porter, Employment Solicitor Jolyon Berry and Wills and Estates team leader Fiona Ashworth are all singled out as Leading Individuals in their guide to elite lawyers nationwide.
Commercial Property: The commercial property team at Thompson Smith and Puxon continues to reap in work from longstanding clients in the farming and agriculture sector and is proficient in handling high-value sales, acquisitions, and financing work. Practice head Stephen Firmin and Kerry Addison are both skilled in managing complex matters related to property disposals and development, displaying 'utmost professionalism and even going the extra mile'.
Dispute Resolution: Thompson Smith and Puxon is led by seasoned litigator Sharon Auton and focuses on private litigation matters including contract disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, construction claims, and contentious probate matters, the last of which is an especially strong generator of work. Judith Winward specialises in residential lease matters and commercial property disputes. Auton and Winward have recently been instructed on an international damages case which resulted in a favourable outcome for the client.
Four of our lawyers are noted as Rising Stars. Associate solicitors Aileen Hirst (Wills & Estates), Robert Ashworth (Wills & Estates), Sarah White (Wills & Estates), and Caroline Nicholls (Corporate & Commercial). Director Kerry Addison is noted as a Next Generation Partner.
Wills & Estates: Thompson Smith and Puxon's 'impressive' private client department is 'very well versed in dealing with complex matters' which include all aspects of wills, inheritance tax planning and the administration of estates. Led by standout practitioner Fiona Ashworth, who clients describe as a 'real asset to the firm', the team is proficient in handling high-value and often uniquely challenging transfers of inter-generational wealth. The agriculture sector has traditionally been a strong client focus of the firm. Aileen Hirst acts for high-net-worth clients and advises on trust planning and estates. Sarah White and Robert Ashworth are also recommended.
Agriculture & Estates: Thompson Smith and Puxon's agricultural team assists clients with property and commercial issues as well as estate planning, taxation and succession matters. With a strong relationship with the rural communities in Essex and neighbouring counties, the team specialises in commercial and agricultural land and property acquisitions, disposals and related development transactions, as well as in development and planning, promotion and option agreements and property portfolio management and refinancing. Stephen Firmin heads the practice. Kerry Addison is also recommended.
Family: The 'impressive' team at Thompson Smith and Puxon deals with all family law matters and is led by Clacton-based Marcus Price. The team undertakes a wide range of work spanning divorce proceedings, financial settlements, post-nuptial agreements, and private family law matters. Collaboratively trained solicitors Alison Cantor and Shelley Cumbers, who are based in Colchester, are core members of the team and handle high-value matters. Alongside family matters, Cumbers also manages related financial and property issues.
In addition to our four Leading Individuals, four Rising Stars and 1 Next Generation Partner a further 9 lawyers are also recommended by the Legal 500; 17 TSP lawyers in total are individually recommended.
Clinical Negligence: Thompson Smith and Puxon's clinical negligence department is 'a dedicated and courteous team' which handles a wide range of matters and is known for securing significant settlements and compensation for clients. 'Superb' practice head Steve Webb handles high-value brain injury cases and is also experienced in personal injury matters. 'Tenacious' Stacey Anderson is another core member of the team and is highlighted for her 'very good feel for settlement offers and parameters'.
Personal Injury: The 'great' personal injury department at Thompson Smith and Puxon handles an array of matters including accidents at work, road traffic accidents, and trips and slips. Led by Steve Webb, the team also has experience in medical negligence and covers hospital and dental mistakes and psychiatric shock.
Senior Partner, Mary Anne Fedeyko, says “In addition to our recommendations in Wills and Estates, the “dedicated and courteous” Clinical Negligence, “great” Personal Injury and “impressive” Family teams are also recommended. Our private client teams are knowledgeable and empathetic and it is pleasing that the Legal 500 continue to recognise not only their excellence in service delivery, but also the strength and depth of talented lawyers that we have at TSP.
Our business services team continues to flourish and perform strongly. We provide a holistic service for our business clients and work seamlessly across practice groups, priding ourselves on our responsive, problem-solving approach. We put understanding our clients’ needs, and how the legal advice we deliver to them fits the manner in which their businesses operate, at the heart of everything we do. "