North East law firms and individuals highlighted in new Legal 500 rankings

The successes and achievements of North East legal firms and solicitors have been highlighted in an annual, internationally-renowned sector guide.

The latest Legal 500 United Kingdom 2020 rankings, released yesterday (Thursday, September 27), lists companies’ and individuals’ achievements over the past 12 months.

Used as a reference guide by millions of people each year, the Legal 500 provides up-to-date information on law firms and solicitors from across the UK.

Based upon detailed analysis of submissions and thousands of interviews with general counsels and private practice lawyers, it covers a number of sectors including corporate and commercial; crime fraud and licensing; dispute resolution; finance; human resources; insurance; private client; projects, energy and natural resources; public sector; real estate; technology and transport.

Almost 50 North East firms appear on this year’s list, as do scores of individuals, with a number inducted into the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame.

They include Muckle’s Andrew Davison, Ward Hadaway’s Colin Hewitt and Womble Bond Dickinson’s Jamie Pass and Robert Phillips, who are all commended for their corporate and commercial work across Newcastle, Cumbria and the North.

Ward Hadaway’s Richard Arnot is highlighted for his work across licensing, with Glenn Calvert’s work on employment at Womble Bond Dickinson also celebrated.

Additionally, John Ralph, of Womble Bond Dickinson, is praised for his work on commercial property in Newcastle, with Womble Bond Dickinson colleague David Rewcastle and Guy Mills, of Mills & Co, hailed for their services around transport and shipping.

Martin Soloman, of Hay & Kilner, is included for his work on commercial litigation in Newcastle, as is Sintons’ John Davis for his claimant personal injury work.

Georgina Stanley, The Legal 500 UK Solicitors editor, said: “These rankings reflect detailed analysis of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews with GCs and private practice lawyers, conducted by our team of experienced researchers in accordance with our guidelines.

“In addition to ranking law firms and listing leading individuals by location and practice area to help in-house counsel make an informed choice, the guide also allows law firms to benchmark their own performance against their peers.

“Every firm ranked – and individual mentioned – in the UK Legal 500 UK Solicitors guide is ‘recommended.’”

• North East Times is producing a special, regionally focused Legal 500 review, which will highlight the successes of firms and individuals. It will be distributed alongside the November issue of North East Times