Commenting on the results, CEO Jonathan Agar said: "Last year Legal 500 recognised Birketts as a legal heavyweight in the region. I’m delighted that once again our commitment to our national client base has been acknowledged as we continue to cement our reputation for undertaking quality work at competitive prices while providing exceptional client service."
Highlights from this year’s Legal 500 tier one rankings are below.
For further details of the firm's overall performance please visit www.legal500.com/firms/347/offices/1470.
Legal 500 2014 highlights
- Corporate and commercial - James Austin’s ‘excellent' team at Birketts LLP ‘provides prompt responses at sensible fees'.
- Banking and finance - Mark Henry’s ‘practical and commercial' team at Birketts LLP provides ‘the best combination of service and value'.
- Commercial litigation - Birketts LLP provides ‘a very prompt, efficient and reliable service'.
- Insolvency and corporate recovery - Laurence Weeks, who leads Birketts LLP’s ‘absolutely outstanding' team, advised McTear Williams & Wood on a sea vessel operator’s million-pound administration.
- Debt recovery - Robert Howard at Birketts LLP has ‘unparalleled knowledge of debt recovery'. His team is ‘miles ahead of other firms', advising regional and national companies in the transport, shipping, energy and agricultural sectors.
- Employment - Led by Jeanette Wheeler, Jolyon Berry and senior associate Abigail Trencher, Birketts LLP’s ‘impressive' and ‘pragmatic' team represents Bernard Matthews and Betfair. The ‘very experienced' Kevin Palmer leads Birketts LLP’s Chelmsford team, which is particularly experienced in TUPE matters.
- Health and safety - ‘Precise, pragmatic and risk-aware' barrister Laura Thomas at Birketts LLP is ‘knowledgeable in her craft', having previously worked for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). She advised St Edmundsbury Council on an investigation into a fatal accident at a country fair.
- Commercial property - Birketts LLP’s cross-office team is led by Ipswich-based Chris Schwer, who advised a housing sector client on acquisitions exceeding £41m. [It] has been increasingly active in strategic land development matters, advising on property investment and finance issues.
- Planning - Led by ‘tough litigator' Richard Eaton, Birketts LLP’s ‘highly recommended' practice includes the vast experience of Philip Kratz, who advised an energy company on solar farm developments. With in-depth environment and highways knowledge, senior associate Tom Newcombe regularly advises Hopkins Homes on planning matters.
- Property litigation - ‘Fast, targeted, accurate and efficient', Birketts LLP ‘provides City service'. The ‘outstanding' Richard Eaton settled a dispute for a retail park owner. ‘Experienced and skilful' John Scannell ‘combines commercial nous with impressive knowledge'. Simon Woodhead has ‘outstanding technical knowledge'.
- Agriculture and estates - Jack Royall’s ‘truly national practice' at Birketts LLP is one of the largest in the country, combining ‘huge depth of knowledge' with ‘the personal touch of a much smaller firm'.
- Charities and not-for-profit - Birketts LLP provides ‘timely, practical advice and great value'
- Personal tax, trusts and probate - Tim Galloway heads Birketts LLP’s practice, which is ‘excellent all round'. It regularly handles work with an international element, including advising on offshore trusts.
- Education - Erika Clarke’s Norwich team at Birketts LLP provides ‘exceptionally good service'
- Health - Richard Eaton’s team at Birketts LLP includes property experts Chris Barker and Robert Gibbs, projects specialist Erika Clarke, and employment partner Matthew Newnham. Senior associate Sara Sayer is praised for her ‘grasp of complex procurement issues'.
- Social housing - Peter Goddard at Birketts LLP, who has ‘excellent sector knowledge', advised Orbit Group on a partnership with Mid Suffolk District Council to regenerate local estates.
- Shipping - Nicholas Woo’s team at Birketts LLP has a global client base and recently advised enterprises in China, Korea, India and the Middle East. Highlights include advising charterers in a $60m dispute. Alex Davey and the ‘straightforward, proactive’ Henry Adams are highly recommended.
- Transport - Alex Davey’s ‘superb' multi-disciplinary team at Birketts LLP includes barrister and regulatory defence specialist Laura Thomas, transport regulation expert Richard Eaton and corporate partner Mark Gipson. Philippa Dyer has ‘very in-depth knowledge of industry issues'.
____________________________________________________