Four companies win UK gold in law league tables

Sep 16 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

FOUR Liverpool law firms are listed in a gold standard run-down of the UK’s top companies.

Hill Dickinson, DLA Piper, Halliwells and DWF are listed in the top tier of the Legal 500, published last week.

Weightmans are listed in the second tier of top North West firms.

The Legal 500 is a comprehensive annual review covering each of the different legal disciplines and categorising the best firms into three tiers.

The guide’s North West editor, Mary-Carmel Barbour, told LDP Legal the office moves and expanding premises in Liverpool show its legal sector was in rude health.

Hill Dickinson and DWF have both moved to bespoke offices, and DLA Piper are expanding their India Buildings offices.

Ms Barbour said: “My impression was it was a good legal market. Some law firms were either moving or expanding which is a good sign things are going well.

“And the region is competitive. They are very capable lawyers.

“The impact of the credit crunch in the North West does not seem to be immediate, however this could change in the coming months as banks struggle to finance deals.”

In the run-down of top individuals, 17 Liverpool lawyers are listed, six from Brabners Chaffe Street in Exchange Flags. DLA Piper was listed in the top tier of 14 practice areas.

Ms Barbour said DLA Piper’s corporate banking departments “continue to dominate in the region as is shown by the sheer size and complexity of the deals it has been involved in.”

The listing also singles out a number of practice areas where DLA Piper Liverpool excels, including pensions and commercial litigation”

Philip Rooney, managing partner of the firm’s Liverpool office, said: “We are firing on all cylinders and are delighted that, once again, Legal 500 has acknowledged the outstanding performance of the team.”

Peter Jackson, Managing Partner at Hill Dickinson, said: “We’re delighted the Legal 500 has confirmed our position as a commercial heavyweight among the leading national law firms.”

Jonathan Brown, head of Halliwells’ Liverpool office, said: “The Capital of Culture has boosted the profile of the city and Liverpool firms are acting for market leading clients on a local level and throughout the country.”

Patrick Gaul, managing partner at Weightmans, added: “All our practice areas are in good shape and our growth strategy continues to be underpinned by home-grown talent and a number of high profile appointments.”

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