Scale is important;
it means we can always
draw on the right
specialist advice.
Legal 500 & Chambers
Legal 500 recognises Hewitsons as one of region's top firms
Hewitsons has been officially recognised as one of the region's top legal firms in the latest edition of The Legal 500.
The 2008 edition of the law industry's bible describes Hewitsons as one of five regional 'heavyweights' within East Anglia and a key force in Northampton.
It heaps special praise on Hewitsons' large private client department as well as its expertise in real estate, employment, disputes, technology, competition, planning and development.
Managing partner John Dix and senior partner Charles Hewitson joins Alan Brett, Clare Colacicchi, Dominic Hopkins, Richard Ingram, Deborah Sharples and Jason Williams on the list of leading individuals.
The charities teams in Cambridge and Northampton are both ranked in the top tier regionally. Clients particularly praised the depth of specialist advice, partner involvement and commercial awareness of the 'thriving' Cambridge team. Denise Wilkinson's 'meticulous approach' and 'ability to solve intractable problems' is also highlighted, along with the valuable collaborative skills and regulatory experience of barrister Chris Knight. In Northampton the high-quality advice provided to charity trustees by Clare Colacicchi, the head of Hewitsons' firm-wide private client group, is noted.
Top tier billing has also been achieved by both the Cambridge and Northampton personal tax, trusts and probate teams. Peter Ewart's Cambridge team was praised for its excellent response times, good back-up, and the depth and range of knowledge on offer. Meanwhile, Clare Colacicchi's Northampton team's strengths lie in advice to individuals and trustees on the establishment and administration of complex trusts and estate planning.
Completing a clean sweep of top tier placements in the private client practice area is the Cambridge agriculture and rural business team, with the 'outstanding' Denise Wilkinson singled out for special praise for her'sensible, problem-solving approach'. The strength of Gareth William's Northampton agriculture and rural business team is also widely recognised.
'Impeccable' service is the 'icing on the cake' for clients of the Cambridge commercial property team, which, along with the Northampton team, also achieved a top tier placing. Elizabeth Jones is 'tough without compromising on professionalism', and has 'in-depth knowledge and integrity'. One client described Alan Brett's ability to deliver real, pragmatic, technically correct advice as 'amazing'.
The Cambridge corporate and commercial team, which is again ranked in the top tier after handling 80 transactions totalling £300m in 2007, show 'responsiveness of the highest order' according to satisfied clients.
Hewitsons' M11 corridor group attracts major construction projects for Tim Richards and the 'easy to deal with' Colin Jones, who both 'understand how clients work'. Deborah Sharples has a stellar reputation as an environmental expert for issues relating to waste management, livestock units, nuisance and contaminated land. Her celebrated environmental practice is also earmarked for special praise.
According to clients, the Cambridge property litigation team 'always respond in good time' and have a proactive approach.
Legal 500 highlighted the successful rebuilding of the Cambridge employment team, which acts for high-profile clients such as Microsoft and Nike. Elizabeth Swinburn's pragmatic advice and Giles Betts' approachable and commercial style, stand out. Success in a large number of employment tribunal cases for household-name employers by Nick Hall's Northampton team is also noted.
The commercial litigation teams based in Cambridge and Northampton are described as 'responsive and commercially aware' by clients with Dominic Hopkins highlighted for special mention.
'Outstanding in every way' is how clients describe the Cambridge bioscience team which is ranked in the top tier regionally. Simon Portman leads the team which advises UK, European and US clients, with a diverse range of corporate, litigation and employment skills.
Bill Thatcher, the head of the IP/IT team 'approaches problems with a forensic and meticulous mind' according to satisfied clients. The Cambridge team of highly rated partners, including Mark Elmslie, Niel Ackermann and Luisa Leone, is praised by regional, national and international clients for fast responses to queries and excellent business acumen. Put simply by one client: 'Everyone knows their discipline inside out'.
Luisa Leone's in-house experience at Nike Europe gives Hewitsons' sport and EU and competition teams, both ranked in the top tier regionally, invaluable experience. In addition to Nike, other clients include sponsors of Premier League football clubs and international athletes.
The insolvency and corporate recovery team is led from the Northampton office where Dominic Hopkins regularly appears in contentious insolvency cases. Cambridge partners Simon Biggin and Jason Williams are also described as key local players.
According to Legal 500, Hewitsons' pensions practice is distinguished by its focus on the setting up of pension trusts and the correct documentation, through to implementation of amendments and scheme closures.
Significant local authority and public sector work, some of which is now based at the new office in Milton Keynes, included acting for English Partnerships in the acquisition of regional headquarters and advising in relation to public procurement, planning, TUPE and regulatory matters.
Hewitsons receives glowing report in Chambers 2008
Hewitsons has received a glowing report in this year's edition of respected legal directory Chambers, with the private client, real estate and charities teams all coming in for special mention.
The private client teams in both Cambridge and Northampton were applauded for attracting quality instructions from clients across the region with partners Clare Colacicchi and Peter Ewart named as leading individuals.
Chambers noted the Cambridge real estate team’s high profile in the region and praised partner Elizabeth Jones for her comprehensive understanding of client needs.
The Cambridge charities team was congratulated for its “diligent and quick service”, while partner Denise Wilkinson was described as “a real expert in her field who gives one a sense of security”.
Niel Ackermann and the Cambridge IP team were highlighted for a down to earth approach which makes a splash in the local market. Niel, who acts for Nike, was described as pragmatic, “coming up with ideas no-one else will think of”.
The Cambridge construction team, along with leading individuals Colin Jones and Tim Richards, were described by many as “the firm of choice”.
In corporate finance the Northampton team was acknowledged as “one of the main players”. Meanwhile, managing partner John Dix, was highlighted as a leading individual in the Cambridge team with “good client handling skills”.
Both the Northampton and Cambridge agriculture and rural affairs teams received mentions with Charles Hewitson praised for his “deep and extensive knowledge” and Denise Wilkinson for her “efficiency and zing”.
Dominic Hopkins who heads the Northampton dispute resolution team was described as “hard hitting” and someone who tackles problems head on.
Other teams to achieve a prominent mention included debt recovery in Northampton and the environment, planning and real estate litigation teams in Cambridge.
As a firm Hewitsons’ dynamic corporate management structure was highlighted as well as the high investment in senior personnel.
Commenting on Chambers 2008, Hewitsons’ managing partner John Dix, said: “The performance in this year’s edition of Chambers once again shows the firm’s strength in depth across a wide range of legal services. We are delighted as a firm to receive such a positive endorsement of the work we do day to day.”
To read the full rankings for Hewitsons click on the link below:
http://www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/rankings36.aspx?fid=191&solbar=1