Chambers & Partners’ UK 2021

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve received top ranking in the latest edition of the Legal 500, an independent guide to the legal profession.

Recognised as one of the South West’s leading law firms, we have received the highest ranking in four sections of the 2020 Legal 500 guide. In addition to receiving 18 rankings overall, 11 of the firm’s lawyers have also been singled out for individual praise, with eight being included for the first time. The firm’s top rankings came for the corporate, family, employment and commercial litigation teams.

Liz Allen, who is a leading partner in our family team, has once again received the accolade of being named in the Legal 500 ‘Hall of Fame’. Liz is described as “… possibly the best known and most experienced financial remedy solicitor in the South West. Whatever the problem she will have seen it before and will know how to deal with it.”

Thea Bennun, Ian Thomas and Tim Lane have also been included in the honours as among the legal profession’s ‘Rising Stars’, while Richard Slater, Sarah Atkinson and Ellie Hibberd have been highlighted as ‘Next Generation Partners’. In addition, Hilary Pitts, Christian Wilson, Terry Falcao and Richard Bagwell have been identified as ‘Leading Individuals’.

Richard Baker, our managing partner said: “Everyone at the firm, whether they are mentioned by name in the guide or not, puts in an exceptional effort to ensure our clients receive the highest level of service.

“We share a desire to fight for the very best outcome for our clients, many of whom come to us at some of the most pivotal, and often stressful, periods of their lives. It is great to have that effort recognised with this independent endorsement, the rankings of which are based solely on feedback from clients and other professionals.”

One of the testimonials in the Legal 500 cited the firm as: “The strongest team of solicitors I work with. Excellent working practices headed by very experienced and knowledgeable partners with a great team of associates, paralegals and trainees. The best in the South West in my opinion.”

With over 300 employees including more than 50 partners across the South West, Stephens Scown was the first law firm to become employee-owned in 2016. The move has clearly been a resounding success, as we have also been ranked for six consecutive years in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.