Legal 500 2016 results have just been announced and the number of recommended lawyers from Stephens Scown has increased by 12. Eighteen of the firm’s teams were also ranked, with three receiving Tier 1 status.
Stephens Scown now has 32 recommended lawyers in the guide. The lawyers who were highlighted for the first time include Davina Haydon and Toby Claridge, partners in the firm’s dispute resolution team. The team itself was one of three in the firm to be given Tier 1 status and praised as it “demonstrates a similar level of service and understanding as would be expected of a London firm”.
A recently promoted partner Charisse Crawford was also recognised as a recommended lawyer for the first time for her work in inheritance and trusts disputes. The team also received tier 1 ranking and was described as a “long-established … with a strong reputation” for agricultural estates and Inheritance Act disputes.
The firm’s family team also received tier 1 ranking for the ninth consecutive year, with Exeter-based partner Mark Smith receiving recommended status for the first time in recognition of his work in multi-jurisdictional child cases. The head of the team, Liz Allen was named on the elite leading lawyers list and was described as “an experienced and tough opponent”.
The firm’s planning team saw its ranking increase to Tier 2, and was praised for its “impressive knowledge and detailed, commercial advice”. Chris Tofts, the head of the team in Truro was recognised as “outstanding” for his work in the environment sector.
Three partners from the firm’s private client team were included as recommended lawyers for the first time, they were: Phil Reed, who is based in St Austell, Graham Murdoch from the Truro office.
The firm’s expertise in agriculture was also noted, with partner Susie Murray receiving recommended status for the first time. Michael Beadel, a partner in the firm’s Truro office was also highlighted as a recommended lawyer for his commercial property work for the first time this year.
Intellectual property is an increasing focus for Stephens Scown, and senior associate Neil Eagleton from the IP team, was another lawyer to receive recommended status for the first time in the 2016 guide.
Robert Camp, Stephens Scown’s managing partner, said: “Legal 500 is 100% independent so it is great to receive such fantastic results. I’m particularly pleased to see so many of our lawyers from right across the firm receive recommended status. It is a great endorsement of the strength and depth of expertise we have. Everyone in the entire firm works so hard to consistently deliver excellent client service, so this success is something that we will all share in.”