TSP’s Strengths and Expertise Highlighted in the 2023 Legal 500 Results
In the newly released 2023 Legal 500 results, we were delighted to be ranked across 7 practice areas with 18 of our lawyers highlighted for their standout contribution to their respective practices.
Once again, directors Mary Anne Fedeyko, Fiona Ashworth and Jolyon Berry are ranked as Leading Individuals whilst Kerry Addison, Robert Ashworth and Nicola Healy are all signposted as a Next Generation Partner. A further twelve lawyers are recommended in their respective practice areas.
TSP’s Corporate and Commercial team’s ‘complex reorganisation work’ is highlighted, with practice leader and Leading Individual Mary Anne Fedeyko being recognised for her twenty years’ experience in the field. The team’s in depth knowledge of a number of sectors is emphasised where the team continue to ‘assist both domestic and international clients.’ In the healthcare space, the team is ‘well-regarded where it handles the purchase and sale of dental practices, leveraging Nick Mayles‘ specialty working with dental practices and Claire Powell‘s experience advising GP practices.’ More generally, a client testimonial noted, ‘Having worked with the corporate team on a recent transaction that was very complex, I was highly impressed with the level of senior led service the practice provided which was fundamental in getting the deal over the line.’
Jolyon Berry continues to be a standout employment specialist who ‘explores options available, whilst advising on any potential risks.’ Jolyon’s Top Tier Employment team delivers the full range of employment advice to corporate clients, providing solution-based corporate advice, enabling the team to ‘understand the commercial and operational implications of clients’ legal issues.' Jolyon is ably supported by experienced litigator Sam Welham, whose areas of expertise include work-related stress claims and disability discrimination proceedings. Solicitor, Grace Smyth, joined the team in September 2022, further strengthening the team’s Top Tier offering.
Led by ‘property specialist’ Stephen Firmin, the Agriculture and Estates team ‘handles estate and succession planning, agricultural acquisitions and disposals for clients across the South East’. Next Generation Partner Kerry Addison handles development and planning and is praised for her ‘deep agricultural knowledge’ with a client commenting ‘our contact Kerry Addison was a pleasure to deal with, very efficient and made the whole process very smooth from start to finish’. Both Kerry and Stephen are also recommended for their Commercial Property work which dovetails perfectly into the Agriculture sector. Wills and Estates team leader, Fiona Ashworth, is ‘a force of nature’ working closely with the team dealing primarily with succession planning and administration of estates.
The Commercial Property team are recognised for their ‘steady recent increase in workload, particularly in complex and high-value work, acting for landowners in strategic land planning and development matters’ evidenced by the team ‘advising on strategic land projects with end development values over £100m.’ Practice head Stephen Firmin is praised as ‘an excellent commercial lawyer‘, with Kerry Addison similarly praised for her work in developments and rural property issues ‘Kerry Addison stands out. She creates a calm and competent environment with an excellent understanding of her client’s requirements. She produces results.’
The Wills and Estates team is recognised for their ‘long-standing and strong relationships with the regional rural community’ and ‘substantial portfolio of agricultural clients’. Team leader Fiona Ashworth is highlighted as a Leading Individual being praised for her ‘strong expertise in lifetime and succession planning work’. Clients describe Next Generation Partner Robert Ashworth as ‘excellent, patient and thorough’, with one client commenting ‘Robert Ashworth has helped us navigate through a challenging scenario.’ Senior associate Nicola Healy joined the team in 2022 and has been highlighted as a Next Generation Partner.
TSP’s Dispute Resolution team ‘continued to add to its client base and assisted with a range of cases concerning a number of commercial and civil litigation issues’ being led by ‘experienced litigator’ Sharon Auton. Associate Solicitor and trained Mediator, Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones, continues to work with ‘property litigation and professional negligence disputes’ with a client noting ‘Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones really understood my priorities due to her very high level of people skills and with her considerable experience.’ The team continues to strengthen its offering with the addition of Andrew Breckenridge, the former head of dispute resolution at Gotelee Solicitors, joining the firm as a director in April 2022.
Also highlighted for their work is the TSP Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team, led by Steve Webb an APIL senior litigator and a Law Society-accredited PI specialist who is praised for his ‘dedication to his client’s best interests combined with practical good sense’. He is supported by chartered legal executive Stacey Anderson, who has ‘the right mix of empathy, tactical guile and meticulousness in thought and preparation.’ Solicitor Sam Welham is also recommended. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of clinical negligence senior associate Hasina Choudhury in late 2021.