Several Cornish law firms feature in the latest edition of the annual guide to the legal profession – the Legal 500.
Stephens Scown, which has offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell, has risen up the rankings in Corporate (second tier) and Commercial Property (second tier) since 2009. Property litigation (Mark Richardson) and social housing (Keith Wright) are two sectors where Stephens Scown has been listed for the first time.
The family law team is described as providing “sensible and objective” advice and “personal care and attention”, while team leader Liz Allen is singled out as a ‘leading individual’ in the south west.
Corporate and commercial has moved up the rankings and James Keliher, who heads the four partner practice, has been described as ‘very professional’, while Truro-based Anthony Welford is also recommended.
Commercial property has also moved up a tier – the ten partner practice is described as ‘excellent’. Robert Camp and Jonathan Hoggett are recommended, along with team leader Michael Northcott.
A decade’s expertise in renewable energy sees recognition for Murrell Ashworth. The Truro partnership, created by lawyers Katie Ashworth and Hugh Murrell, has also received praise for its corporate and commercial work. They are declared a “dynamic and responsible commercial team”, both “knowledgeable” and “responsive”, having advised, among others, Endless Summer Media on acquiring surf magazine Wavelength from Cornwall & Devon Media.
Truro-based Follett Stock also receives several mentions in the Legal 500. Penny Paddle is included for her work heading up the corporate team, while the commercial litigation side, led by managing partner Chris Lingard, is highly rated for its “accuracy, acumen, assiduity, expertise and efficiency ”.
Other Follett Stock mentions include “very good” associate Verity Slater, who heads the employment team, while Lucy Morgan is recommended for her Intellectual Property (IP) work.
Mark Chanter at regional law firm Foot Anstey’s Truro office is recognised for his “excellent people skills” in personal injury matters, while Toby Claridge, who heads up a five-strong commercial litigation team in Cornwall, is also named in the Legal 500.
John Boyle Solicitors in Truro and Redruth, is recognised for its work in juvenile and motor crime.
