8th November, 2017

Chester and Shrewsbury law firm strengthens leading industry guide rankings

Overall, 31 individuals from Aaron & Partners were named in the listing, including a ‘leading individual’ ranking for Partner Stuart Scott-Goldstone

A partner at Chester legal practice Aaron & Partners LLP has been awarded the elite ‘leading individual’ status reserved for the country’s top lawyers in an annual report by the industry’s leading guide, The Legal 500.

Stuart Scott-Goldstone, who leads the “exceptional” Corporate and Commercial team, heads a list of 31 individuals at the firm to be recognised by the independent guide, an increase from the already-significant individual recommendations received in the 2016 rankings.

Corporate and Commercial Senior Associate Jamie Hawley, as well as newly appointed Partner David Mann, from the Dispute Resolution and Insolvency team, were also listed as leading ‘Next Generation Lawyers.’

The list includes solicitor Katie Dyson, from the Employment team, who, was singled out for her quality of service and at just 25 years old, is the youngest Aaron & Partners employee ever to be recognised by Legal 500.

Aaron & Partners received 16 team rankings in total – an increase from 2016 – and was given coveted ‘top tier’ status in three areas: Corporate and Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Private Client – Agriculture and Estates.

Senior Partner Simon Edwards said: “The Legal 500 is a hugely respected guide in the legal industry and so to increase both the number of individual recommendations and the listings in practice and sector areas is very pleasing and something we’re very proud of. The work we have been doing to attract and retain the best solicitors to provide outstanding advice to our clients is paying off.”

“It’s fantastic to see Stuart Scott-Goldstone awarded ‘leading individual’ status and to have retained our top tier status in three areas that are very important to the growth of the business. As a firm, we are continuing to build on our success year-on-year and these latest rankings are testament to the quality of work being carried out across all of our teams.”

Aaron & Partners’ Corporate and Commercial team was given high praise in the guide, being described as ‘exceptional’ for its work with investment mandates, corporate finance transactions, restructurings and sales and acquisitions.

Partner Hugh Strickland, who leads the Banking and Finance team, was hailed for his work in the area of corporate finance and described as ‘pragmatic and commercial.’

Partner David Harries, who leads the Planning, Environment and Energy team, was described as an energy specialist who ‘leads with great style, and has the experience to match.’’

Headed by the ‘vastly knowledgeable and experienced’ Helen Watson, Aaron & Partners’ Employment team was praised for its ‘no-nonsense approach’, while Claire Brook attracted praise for providing advice that was ‘tailored to clients’ needs.’ The guide said Aaron & Partners’ Shrewsbury-based Employment team was ‘a lot more personable than other providers’ and rated its ‘invaluable support’ highly.

Ben Mason – a new entrant on the list – was praised for his work with a large amusement arcade supplier.

And the Wills, Trusts & Tax team was recognised for its ‘excellent service with very quick turnaround times and clear advice.’ Partner Clive Pointon, who leads the team, was hailed as ‘clear, incisive, realistic, good-humoured and patient’ while Partner James Wallace was recommended for his work on probate disputes involving wills, trusts and estates. The team also appeared on the guide’s West Midlands ranking list for the first time in 2017, joining its already-listed Banking and Finance and Employment teams. Senior associate Lynda Richards, who heads the Wills Trust and Tax team in the Shrewsbury office, was rated for her ‘outstanding knowledge’ and hailed for being ‘both punctual in correspondence and appointments’.

Sandy Edwards, who leads the Family team in the Shrewsbury office, was also praised for being a pragmatist who searches for and achieves resolution for her clients. Lorraine Saunders from the same team was also recommended.

Legal 500 Individual Rankings

Aaron & Partners has received 49 recommendations for 31 individuals in the latest edition compared to the 28 rankings for 22 individuals in the 2016 edition.

1 lawyer is listed in elite “Leading lawyers” list. The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide – Stuart Scott-Goldstone