Combination of professional photographs of the top five individuals ranked for Band 1 in the chambers and partners guide

We’re delighted to have produced another strong performance in the legal rankings this year, being praised in the Chambers & Partners’ UK 2022 guide for our expertise, experience and high level of client service.

In the latest edition of the independent guide to the legal profession, we confirmed our position as a regional heavyweight and have been recognised for providing excellent client service.

Our rankings in Chambers & Partners’ UK 2022 guide

The firm has ranked in 16 sections of the prestigious guide, with three teams and five of the firm’s lawyers receiving the highest Band 1 ranking, and several clients citing client service as one of Stephens Scown’s key strengths.

Our Managing Partner, Richard Baker, retains his standing as an Eminent Practitioner and “an expert in rural land and mineral rights matters.” While Corporate (M&A) lawyer, Giles Dunning, has once again been recognised as an Up and Coming individual for his: “…broad range of experience in corporate and M&A matters, notably in relation to transactions for IFA firms.”

28 of our lawyers are ranked individually in the guide, including new rankings for Laurie Trounce from the firm’s Corporate team for her work within the Charities sector and for Sean Jenner, who is ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ for his wide range of experience in both corporate and personal insolvency matters and for being “meticulous and thorough”.

Meanwhile, Chris Tofts, already ranked for his work in the mining industry, has received a new ranking in the Guide for planning, with a client stating “Chris Tofts is excellent – he’s responsive and he offers good-quality advice.”

Our Band 1 rankings this year

The firm’s Family, Rural and Corporate teams have once again topped the rankings, with the Family team being the only Band 1 firm ranked in both Devon and Cornwall.

One client testimonial praised the team for being “…organised, efficient and technologically aware and providing a high-level service.” Three of our Family lawyers – Liz Allen, Mark Chanter and Sarah Atkinson – have also retained their Band 1 individual rankings, while Jill Bruce, who joined the firm earlier this year, also enjoys Band 1 ranking in Chambers’ 2022 guide.

Specialist in agriculture law, Kate Theophilus, has also maintained her Band 1 ranking a specialist in rural land and agricultural tenancy matters, alongside property disputes specialist, Richard Bagwell. Chambers states that he “…continues to earn recognition and respect for his adept handling of complex contentious property matters for both public and private sector clients”. One client offers high praise: “I have nothing but the warmest praise for Richard’s client care, availability, expertise and confident guidance on litigation and property law-related matters.”

Ranked for excellent client service

Managing Partner, Richard Baker, says: “With a strong focus on delivering an outstanding client experience, it is wonderful to receive such high praise in the latest Chambers guide. Every ranking is testament to the hard work put in by all our teams, who go above and beyond to offer each of our clients with a personal and individual service tailored to their needs, helping them through the good and tough times.”

Stephens Scown has over 300 staff, including more than 50 partners, across the South West. We have been ranked for seven consecutive years in the Best Companies to Work For list (formerly Sunday Times 100 Best Companies) and are proud to enjoy top rankings in both the Legal 500 and Chambers independent guides to legal services.