Success in the South West following top band rankings in Legal 500

HCR is celebrating eight top band rankings in the new 2023 edition of the Legal 500 for the South West region.

Head of the firm’s Education and Charities sector and Head of the Cheltenham office, Kristine Scott is ranked as a leading individual for the sector and received high praise, as she ‘leads a multi-talented, adept, informed and engaged team of lawyers.’ Their advice is ‘accurate, timely and pragmatic’ and lawyers are ‘knowledgeable and responsive’. Rachel Parkin is also noted for her sector expertise.

The rankings for this region are awash with HCR experts in Cheltenham – the ‘very impressive, high quality’ Employment team is led by Rachel Roberts and noted for its complex range of cases and ‘particular expertise’. Jenny Raymond is described as ‘thoroughly professional and a pleasure to deal with’ whilst Adam Finch is ‘very measured and honest’ for Commercial Litigation. Emme Raynsford is ‘particularly impressive’ in the Commercial Property team and for Property Litigation both Kate Hallifax and Andrew Walker are deservedly recognised as ‘top drawer’ and ‘exceptional.’

The long list of mentions continues – Tom Murphy-Kirkhope and Phillipa Bruce-Kerr are both noted for their competency and depth of knowledge in Private Client, and Carolyn Green is recommended as the ‘most experienced family finance solicitor in Cheltenham and Gloucester’. The Family team is also noted as a ‘firm to watch’ in other regions. Derek Callanan stands out in the Corporate and Commercial team because ‘he is not afraid to challenge to make the right decisions.’ For R&I Robin Koolhoven is ‘very professional’ and Deanne Hamilton ‘stands out because she is one of those people that always gives 110%!’

Overall, HCR received rankings in 44 top bands – 12 in band one, 19 in band two and 13 in band three. 135 individual lawyers have been named in this year’s edition including 28 leading individuals, 13 next generation partners and 10 rising stars.