Recommendations

There are two independent guides to the legal profession in the UK which research and produce directories about the UK legal profession.  The only way a law firm or individual lawyer can get into either of these directories is on merit alone:  if their researchers think they are good enough for inclusion.

As a result, their listings are highly sought after and represent a true accolade to the firms, teams and individuals who receive a rating and a mention. The two bodies are Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

Trethowans recommendations in Chambers and Partners 2013

• Agriculture & Rural Affairs

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 2)
  Marcus Thorpe (Band 2)
  
  This four-strong agriculture and rural property team advises a sizeable share of the region's farming community. It advises clients on a mix of matters such as rural property purchases and sales, farming tenancies, agriculture-related secured lending and renewables developments. The group also has litigation capabilities, and acts for clients in equine and other farming disputes. Clients include farmers, estates and rural businesses such as Nyetimber and W H Bond & Sons. A source values the team for being "highly efficient and very professional."
  
  Key individuals: Marcus Thorpe leads the team and has honed an impressively diverse practice. "He is incredibly calm under pressure and is very level-headed," sources note.

• Banking & Finance

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 3)
  Nicholas Gent (Up and coming)
  
  This group is well versed in traditional banking and finance work such as secured lending and acquisition finance, but is also recognised for its expertise in banking litigation and agricultural finance matters. The practice wins praise for its diligence and responsiveness and is particularly recognised for its transactional advice, as well as counsel on enforcement and recovery, and debt and equity documentation. Its client base comprises investors, lenders and borrowers including Clydesdale Bank, Santander and Lloyds TSB.
  
  Key individuals: Nicholas Gent is adept across a broad range of corporate finance work and is particularly known for his expertise in transactional matters. Gent receives praise for his commercial awareness and is also singled out for his "breadth and depth of experience with shareholder agreements."

• Banking Litigation

  Jon Kelly (Band 1)
  
  Chambers do not rank firms for this area, only lawyers.
  
  Key individuals: Jon Kelly recently moved from Lester Aldridge to Trethowans LLP. He attracts praise from a range of sources, including clients, peers and barristers. He is "completely on the ball on technical issues" and has a "particularly sound instinct for a practical commercial approach."

• Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 2)
  Chris Whiteley (Band 1)
  Clare Carter (Band 2)
  
  This team has offices in Salisbury and Southampton, and handles cases ranging from multimillion-pound claims to lower-value matters. Its main strengths are in birth trauma, cerebral palsy and catastrophic injury cases. The team also represents claimants in cases involving misdiagnosis, surgery and negligent treatment.
  
  Key individuals: Chris Whiteley Chris Whiteley is head of the firm's litigation services team. He specialises in catastrophic injury and high-value cases, including failure to diagnose claims. Within this field of expertise, he handles birth injury and spinal injury cases, and has experience of claims involving complex care issues.
  
  Clare Carter is head of the personal injury claimant department. She represents claimants in cases spanning a range of medical areas, including birth injury, delayed diagnosis of cancer and amputation. She also acts on cerebral palsy cases, and has experience of multimillion-pound claims.

• Corporate/M&A

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 3)
  Catherine MacRae (Band 2)
  Nicholas Gent (Band 3)
  Paula Eckton (Band 4)
  Mike Watson (Band 4)
  
  The team at Trethowans has "big deal experience, combined with an intimate service which is second to none." In particular, the team has sector expertise in healthcare and betting and gaming, and continues to advise Ladbrokes on various commercial contract instructions. Other clients include Bacardi Martini Group, 4Com Group and Mail Solutions Group.
  
  Key individuals: Catherine MacRae is a "good robust negotiator, keeps her cool and is good to work with," according to clients, who commend her for being "meticulous" and a "very experienced solicitor."
  
  "Extremely commercial" Nicholas Gent is a "good guy, easy to work with and has a good breadth and depth of experience." He specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and company law.
  
  New addition Paula Eckton specialises in commercial contracts, including those related to IT/IP and supply agreements.
  
  The "very good" Michael Watson specialises in mergers, acquisitions and disposals, structured finance, joint ventures, commercial agreements and group reorganisations.

• Dispute Resolution

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 3)
  Richard Cook (Band 3)
  
  This firm impresses clients with the capacity and breadth of its dispute resolution team. The firm can capably handle a diverse range of matters, including professional negligence, IP, insolvency, contractual, partnership and shareholder disputes. Its client roster boasts Bacardi, Toys R Us and Ladbrokes.
  
  Key individuals: Richard Cook heads the firm's dispute resolution team. Clients say: "From within the fogginess of contract litigation, Richard provided clarity and focus to allow the creation of a resolution strategy." Market sources say he is "rigorous and intelligent," as well as "customer-focused, diligent and effective," and praise him for "his skills in understanding what the problem is quickly." He is remarked upon in particular both for his knowledge of the hotels industry and his confident and reassuring approach with clients.

• Employment

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 1)
  Simon Rhodes (Band 1)
  Jon Loney (Band 2)
  Holly Cudbill (Associate to watch)
  Ian Grimshaw (Associate to watch)
  
  The lawyers at Trethowans are "down to earth, they understand everything about our business and the communication we receive from them is fantastic," commends one source. The firm's employment team is adept at delivering advice on a range of issues in a flexible and commercial manner. Whilst it is recognised for the broad nature of its client base, the team carves out particular expertise and strength in the representation of media and healthcare organisations. Bacardi-Martini and Garmin (Europe) form part of an enviable range of nationally recognised clients and it has recently advised Associated Newspapers on a discrimination claim brought against the Mail Online. Sources say the team gives "authoritative and practical advice in a friendly but professional manner."
  
  Key individuals: Simon Rhodes "is like an extension to our business," in the view of one client. He is considered to be a "good provider of clear, concise legal advice." Simon represents a raft of NHS clients and has strength in the healthcare sector.
  
  Jon Loney develops "fantastic relationships" with clients and "gives first-class practical advice." He is a specialist in the media sector and represents newspaper publishers, digital media companies and consumer brands including Wrigley.
  
  Holly Cudbill has been acting for Associated Newspapers in the successful defence of a disability discrimination tribunal claim brought against the Mail Online. Clients praise her understanding of their business requirements and her balanced provision of services.
  
  The "personable" Ian Grimshaw is widely praised by sources for his level of knowledge and comprehensive advice. He is particularly versed on TUPE, discrimination, redundancy and dismissal matters.

• Family/Matrimonial

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 2)
  Andrew Mercer (Band 4)
  
  Trethowans' Southampton office handles all manner of family matters, including divorce proceedings, pre and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and children matters.
  
  Key individuals: Andrew Mercer brings a wealth of experience in family law matters including ancillary relief cases, children law cases, cohabitation and matters concerning same-sex relationships.

• Licensing

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 1)
  Caroline Matthews (Band 2)
  
  This firm provides a comprehensive licensing service to its clients, which includes applying for new licences, managing licensing portfolios, carrying out advocacy at contested hearings and providing strategic advice in matters as diverse as alcohol, entertainment, late-night refreshment and gaming licensing. The firm's clients include Ladbrokes, Nandos Chickenland, Pizza Hut and Chelsea FC. Client sources describe the firm's solicitors as a "very reliable and qualified team of people who can be counted on."
  
  Key individuals Caroline Matthews is the firm's head of licensing. Recent work includes assisting Nandos with its expansion across the UK and in the last year she has applied for in excess of 20 new premises licences for the company. Additionally she deals with more esoteric applications for the group, including obtaining a temporary event notice for a branch of Nandos on Portland Street, London, to host a launch party for boy-band JLS’s new album. Sources praise her "very good, friendly approach" and one noted that she is "not condescending, which sometimes lawyers can be."

• Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 1)
  Chris Whiteley (Band 2)
  Clare Carter (Band 2)
  Gavin Lane (Band 2)
  
  This compact team operates out of Salisbury and Southampton and is focused on complex brain and spinal injury claims resulting from both personal injury and clinical negligence incidents. The group's workload features claims for occupational accidents, public liability and fatalities.
  
  Key individuals: Gavin Lane is a key partner in the Southampton office. His caseload includes claims for severe head and spinal injuries, orthopaedic injuries and employers' liability cases involving asbestos-related diseases.
  
  Recently promoted partner Clare Carter leads the claimant personal injury team and is also highly respected for her clinical negligence practice. She handles a range of catastrophic injury cases, often valued in seven figures.
  
  Chris Whiteley heads the litigation services group and predominantly handles maximum severity head and spinal injury claims.

• Personal Injury: Mainly Defendant

  Kelvin Farmaner (Band 4) heads the Trethowans LLP personal injury team from its Southampton office. He advises in a range of RTA cases, including complex insurance matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

• Private Client

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 2)
   Elizabeth Webbe (Band 1)
  
  This team is enjoying an expanding profile for dealing with estate administration, tax planning and trust formation. It is also carving out a specialism in acting for clients who lack capacity and require financial provision to secure their future. Interviewees characterise the private client department as "very professional, extremely high quality and providing a great service."
  
  Key individuals: Elizabeth Webbe handles the full spectrum of wealth management matters and is especially adept at advising UK and international clients on tax matters. She also acts for vulnerable individuals on care provisions. "She is so proactive and technically aware," notes a market commentator.

• Real Estate

  Southampton & Surrounds (Band 3)
  Garry Treagust (Band 2)
  Paul Longman (Band 3)
  Caroline Probert (Band 3)
  Jenny Rogerson (Up and coming)
  
  Sources value this commercial property team's ''responsiveness and level of detail,'' while also highlighting the ''commercial nous'' of its lawyers. The firm has significant expertise in the pension property sector, and key clients include Santander, Rowanmoor Trustees and Ladbrokes.
  
  Key individuals: Paul Longman, who heads the department, is praised by sources for his willingness to ''go beyond the normal call of duty.'' He handles a range of investments, property finance and landlord and tenant matters.
  
  Jennifer Rogerson has a "wealth of knowledge and a very pragmatic, problem-solving focus,'' according to client sources. She focuses on landlord and tenant matters, acting primarily for tenants in the retail and leisure sectors.
  
  Garry Treagust is well regarded in the local market, and interviewees highlight his ''very high standard of knowledge'' in this practice area.
  
  Caroline Probert leads the team in the Salisbury office. She is especially experienced in purchases of public houses and hotels, secured lending and pension property work.

Trethowans recommendations in Legal 500 2012

• Corporate and commercial

  Within Corporate and commercial: Hampshire, Trethowans LLP is a second tier firm. 2011 saw Trethowans LLP recruit the ‘responsive and hardworking’ Paula Eckton from Lamport Bassitt, who joins a team that includes Mike Watson. Clients include Ladbrokes and Bacardi-Martini.

• Crime, fraud and licensing

  Within Licensing, Trethowans LLP is a second tier firm. Trethowans LLP acted for Nando’s in obtaining a temporary event licence relating to a performance by pop band JLS at one of its branches. It continues to act for longstanding client Ladbrokes in betting office applications, contested hearings and appeals. Caroline Matthews heads the team.

• Dispute resolution

  Within Commercial litigation: Hampshire, Trethowans LLP is a second tier firm. Trethowans LLP acts for clients such as Bacardi, Ladbrokes and Novatech. Practice head Richard Cook is ‘a very safe pair of hands’, and Jon Kelly is recommended for his niche expertise in banking and insolvency litigation.

  Within Debt recovery, Trethowans LLP is a fourth tier firm. Louise Boyle’s team at Trethowans LLP acts primarily for public sector clients, including nine NHS trusts.

• Finance

  Within Banking and finance, Trethowans LLP is a  fourth tier firm.

• Human resources

  Within Employment: Hampshire, Trethowans LLP is a second tier firm. Trethowans LLP’s clients include Barcardi-Martini, Associated Newspapers and The Wrigley Company. Jon Loney and Simon Rhodes are recommended.

• Insurance

  Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Trethowans LLP is a third tier firm. Trethowans LLP’s department head Clare Carter - is ‘always sympathetic and patient, extremely professional and thoroughly efficient’. The team handles claims ranging in value from a few thousand to several million pounds.

  Within Personal injury: claimant, Trethowans LLP is a second tier firm in Southampton and a third tier firm in Salisbury. Trethowans LLP’s team acts in serious and fatal road traffic accident claims. Recent work includes securing interim payments at the High Court for the long-term care of a woman seriously injured in an accident as a teenager. Clare Carter now leads Trethowans LLP’s practice, which concentrates on head and spinal injury cases and fatal accidents.

  Within Personal injury: defendant Trethowans LLP is a fourth tier firm.

• Private client

  Within Agriculture and estates, Trethowans LLP is a third tier firm. Marcus Thorpe heads the practice at Trethowans LLP, which acts for Clydesdale Bank, Cornish Mutual Assurance and James Hay Pension Trustees.

  Within Family, Trethowans LLP is a third tier firm in Salisbury and a second tier firm in Southampton. Andrew Mercer at Trethowans LLP is ‘extremely experienced, calm and efficient.’

  Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Trethowans LLP is a fourth tier firm. Trethowans LLP advises individuals and businesses on succession and tax planning. Department head Elizabeth Webbe is particularly good.

• Real estate

  Within Commercial property: Dorset and South Wiltshire, Trethowans LLP is a first tier firm, and within Commercial property: Hampshire, Trethowans LLP is a third tier firm.

  About the Salisbury team: Trethowans LLP’s ‘extremely good’ two-partner team acts for clients including Legal and General Assurance Society, and has a niche in the pension fund property sector. Garry Treagust is ‘personable, efficient, and helpful’, and gives ‘technically sound’ advice. Caroline Probert is also recommended.

  About the Southampton team: Paul Longman leads the commercial property team at Trethowans LLP, which acts for Ladbrokes, Lloyds TSB and Santander UK. Jennifer Rogerson is also recommended for her expertise in landlord and tenant matters, as well as property-based funding. Chris Twaits recently left for Bournemouth-based firm Steele Raymond LLP.