Bristol’s largest legal firms and top lawyers have been praised by The Legal 500, the respected independent guide to the sector.
The annual report traditionally focuses on the duopoly of the city’s two largest firms – Burges Salmon and Osborne Clarke – both of which have maintained their strong growth. TLT, which has maintained third place for several years, has also grown strongly and this year is placed alongside its two larger rivals as a top-tier firm for its corporate and commercial work.
It points out that the majority of Bristol-based law firms handle work nationally as well as deals within the region, and have similarly strong reputations across the UK to boot.
The guide says that Burges Salmon ‘hands-down beats the offerings of the big City firms’, according to many of its clients, and has appointed five new partners across key growth areas including real estate, environment, pensions and banking.
Osborne Clarke is ‘a real Premier League outfit’, with particular strength in corporate and commercial, energy and litigation.
TLT continues to be a key regional player, with a national reputation for financial services litigation.
Other national firms with strong regional offerings include ‘public-sector powerhouse’ Bevan Brittan, rail and transport specialists Bond Dickinson; and DAC Beachcroft, which is ‘an excellent insurance and healthcare outfit’.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a key name in the education and charity space. Clarke Willmott is recommended for real estate, commercial litigation and private client work while Thrings handles a wide range of matters.
