The Legal 500 is widely recognised as a respected and comprehensive review of the capabilities of law firms in 150 jurisdictions across the globe. It highlights those firms, teams and individuals that have delivered consistently high-quality services in their respective specialisms.
The rankings are based on a series of criteria, including the feedback of 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and advice from an experienced team of legal researchers.
All of which feeds into a detailed ranking system, arranged in tiers, that is used mainly by large global corporate entities, public sector organisations and even governments to choose the legal advisers they may want to work with.
A profile to be proud of
Operating from offices in Luton, St Albans and Harpenden, Taylor Walton has built a reputation for developing and investing in home-grown talent, with an exceptionally high staff retention rate and an average length of service unrivalled within the region.
This approach brings with it many inherent benefits for the firm’s clients, including a continuity and depth of knowledge and expertise that is hard to replicate, while ensuring clients return for other services at different stages of life.
A client-centred approach to legal support has resulted in steady organic growth over recent years. The firm boasts a number of longstanding clients and referrers for whom Taylor Walton is the first choice for a range of needs, from everyday business support to resolving impenetrable legal issues.
Some of the firm’s teams were singled out for praise, with a few notable individuals mentioned in despatches, but whatever your challenge, personal or commercial, Taylor Walton is a firm renowned for pragmatic advice, delivered by approachable lawyers, with your best interests at heart.
Private Client
The Taylor Walton Private Client department is recognised in the top tier for its work advising business owners, landed families, farmers and individuals on both local and multi-jurisdictional matters relating to wills, estate planning, probate, trusts and powers of attorney.
Practice heads Alex Drake and Alison Voyce were specifically mentioned for their quality advice and handling of complex and high-profile cases, while Partner Steven Hamilton, was praised for giving ‘sensible, intelligible and practical advice’.
Corporate & Commercial
Another department highlighted in this year’s list was the Corporate & Commercial team, reflecting the growing number of international transactions and advice for both regional and international clients across multiple jurisdictions, notably in the
United States.
Team Head, Jeremy Brockis, received special mention for his merger and acquisition work, joint ventures and shareholder agreements; with Partner Mike Pettit’s experience in corporate recovery and finance also recognised.
Family Law
Taylor Walton’s Family Law team was recognised for its strong reputation for helping clients reach out-of-court settlements, leveraging experience in alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation.
Singled out for praise were department head Ben Twitchen and Partner & Arbitrator, Olive McCarthy, who lead a family law department with the experience needed to advise high-net-worth families and assist with family disputes and child law.
Commercial Litigation
Taylor Walton is well placed to provide litigation services for companies and individuals in the South East and London, with department head James Carpenter leading a team specialising in litigation and mediation in relation to professional negligence claims, intellectual property, defamation, civil fraud and contract disputes.
The Legal 500 named commercial litigator Saljuq Haider, as a Next Generation Partner, for his high-quality work and extensive experience across a wide range of commercial litigation matters.
Employment Law
The Employment Law team, led by Partner Alec Colson, was recognised for its work with employment matters ranging from outsourcing and TUPE work, discriminatory issues, and employment tribunal work, with associate Nicola Smyrl being recommended.
Testimonies from clients given to researchers for The Legal 500 refer to the Employment Team’s ‘professionalism and personal attention… working towards the company’s best interests’. One client noted that it had ‘learnt a great deal from Taylor Walton’s constant, immediate, speedy and effective support’.
Commercial Property
Taylor Walton is renowned for its work in the commercial property sector and specialises in landlord and tenant work, overage agreements and acting for lenders offering mezzanine finance.
In the Legal 500, Practice head, Angela Thomas has been recognised for her expertise in property finance, real estate acquisitions and disposals and development works, with the firm’s Managing Partner, Dermot Carey also receiving a special mention.
Putting The Legal 500 in context
Despite the global pandemic, Taylor Walton remained busy across the broad range of services it provides to address the challenges faced by businesses, individuals and families across the region.
Some consider the listings merely a guide for the largest corporations to choose their next panel of legal advisers, but they run much deeper than that and offer an insight into regional powerhouse law firms like Taylor Walton.
For local businesses, The Legal 500 provides a measure of the talent within the firm and confidence that the quality of advice they are likely to receive will be the equal of that expected from City law firms, but at a significantly lower cost, to ensure real value for money.
Families benefit from the same insight and same cost-effective solutions to their problems, safe in the knowledge Taylor Walton offers a comprehensive range of services for every stage of life, delivered by highly experienced solicitors, with a reputation for providing clear and concise advice.
Contact Taylor Walton on 01582 731161or visit www.taylorwalton.com
