Legal 500 UK 2025

The firm’s main practice areas have once again been recognised in the latest edition of the Legal 500.

The commercial property team continues to excel, ranking in Tier 3 of the ‘Corporate Occupiers’ section alongside notable firms such as A&O Shearman and Addleshaw Goddard. The team is acclaimed for its ‘impressively unique practice’ with ‘unparalleled commercial knowledge’. Key lawyers within this team are Philip Shotter, Paul Jagger and John Barber who are regarded as ‘legends in the sector’.

The team also maintains its ranking in the ‘Hospitality and Leisure’ category and boasts a ‘level of expertise and client base in the hospitality sector that no other team possesses’. The team is led by the ‘outstanding’ commercial property expert Philip Shotter. Paul Jagger is described as ‘exceptional’, and Naana Binfoh and Jordan Cooper are highlighted as ‘associates to watch out for’.

The property finance team continue to receive excellent reviews for being, ’extremely professional, responsive, commercial and efficient’ and is described as ‘simply exceptional’. In addition, ‘the very strong team’ is ‘committed to providing exceptional service’. Their ability to ‘work together seamlessly to support their clients’ is highlighted and notably, clients enjoying working with John Mills.

The team is ‘led very well’ by partner, Darran Smith who is ‘a pleasure to deal with’ and ‘extremely responsive’. He is particularly recognised for being ‘the only lawyer in our panel who would get in touch and give us feedback if we are doing something inefficient or not in line with the rest of the market’.

The property litigation team led by Kenny Friday and Paul Dench, also continues to stand out, ranking alongside firms like Clifford Chance and Norton Rose Fulbright. Kenny Friday is commended for being ‘at the top of his game’ with clients describing him as ‘smart and on the ball - commercial and focused’. Paul Dench is noted as ‘a stand out partner, uniquely attentive and thoughtful’, with a talent for providing ‘superb analysis and solid commercial advice reflecting the business need and legal need at the same time’.

For more information, please contact Philip Shotter.