We are delighted to have once again been recognised in the Legal 500 UK 2025 and ranked in the top tier for:
Individuals have been recognised in the following categories:
Leading partner
Andrew Holden (litigation)
Andrew Holden (rural)
Jamie Allison
John Whittingslow
Jon Esner
Keith Melling
Kieran Donovan
Martin Beardsworth
Leading associate
James Stocker
Stephanie Gray
Next generation partner
David Carr
Our Liverpool office is continuing to be recognised with the corporate and commercial team recognised for its ‘excellent communication’ and ‘knowledgeable’ team, while partner and head of Liverpool, Keiran Donovan, was praised by clients as being: ’highly experienced and understands the local landscape very well.
The commercial litigation team, led by David Bailey, was noted for its ‘communication and reliability’, and recognised for its expertise in commercial contracts, construction, professional negligence and contested probate litigation.
Partner John Whittingslow is described as a ‘very savvy and experienced litigator, while Andrew Holden is noted for the range of matters he works on.
The licensing team of Gill Sherratt and Suzanne Marchese also received praise for the range of licensing support it offers clients.
Elsewhere, the Liverpool office’s commercial litigation team were noted for being ‘client-focused, with James Stephenson praised for being an ‘excellent lawyer’.
The rural team are praised by clients for its ‘agricultural knowledge, empathy with clients and a proactive approach’, ably led by Andrew Holden, with James Stocker noted as a ‘key practitioner’ in the rural team.
Jamie Allison was noted for leading the commercial property team, with Martin Beardsworth ‘well-equipped to handle development and acquisition work’, while Stephen Bell and Marc Appleton were also noted.
David Hill was recognised for his property leisure work, Nicola Ciraolo for her portfolio management, while in Southport both Tony Coates and Stephanie Gray were recognised for their ‘expertise in finance, acquisition and disposal work’.
In Kendal Yasmin Blamire was noted as ‘a key figure within the team’, while Paul Hardy was recognised for his ‘deep knowledge of healthcare-related landlord and tenant, and residential development matters’.
For corporate and commercial, the team was praised as ‘responsive, proactive and practical’ and a one-stop shop’, with head Keith Melling recommended for his ‘experience acting for clients in a host of transactions’.
Jon Esner was noted for his commercial agreement work, with Richard Robinson ‘a key port of call for private equity-backed and owner-managed businesses, banks and financial institutions and individual shareholders’, and Robert Dobson for leading on ‘complex corporate transactions, lending, and reorganisations’.
Client testimonials were glowing across the board, encapsulated by praise received for the agriculture and estates team:
‘Their communication and efficient manner far surpasses others and we now recommend them both personally and professionally.
‘Flexible and all staff were responsive and knowledgeable.’
