Thrings News

Thrings wins at inaugural entrepreneur awards event in Bristol

Thrings’ efforts to support fledgling businesses and start-ups across the South West has been recognised at the first-ever EntreConf Awards.

The awards event, which was held at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Thursday, 28 September, is a celebration of entrepreneurialism in the region, recognising the biggest success stories across a range of categories. A brand-new event, the awards support the long-running conference of the same name.

Picking up the award for Best Legal Advisor, Thrings was well represented on the night with Partners Kate Westbrook and Mike Tomlin joined by fellow lawyers from the Corporate and Commercial team Joe Watkins and Georgina James.

In recognising Thrings as the winner, the judges’ feedback highlighted the firm’s long-standing role in bringing entrepreneurs and funders together, helping to broker successful business relationships on behalf of their clients.

Kate Westbrook, Head of Commercial, who accepted the award on behalf of the firm, said: “It is an absolute privilege to have won the first EntreConf legal award and to have shared the stage with some very worthy winners on what was a fantastic night.

“Lawyers are really just the supporting act for entrepreneurs, helping them to take the necessary risks that lead to their success and it is always a delight to see our clients go on to achieve their goals. This award is very much the icing on the cake!”

The Thrings Business Growth, Corporate and Commercial lawyers are specialists in helping businesses from start-ups to multinational firms thrive by getting to know your business and your goals, providing practical business advice tailored to your circumstances. To find out how they can help you, get in contact today.

 

Thrings Family team shines as firm maintains recognition in Times Top 250 law firms

Thrings has been ranked by The Times as one of the best law firms in the country for the second consecutive year.

The Times Top 250 Law Firms surveys those in the legal industry to recognise the most highly regarded organisations in the field, with the firm’s Family lawyers being specifically commended – also for the second year in a row.

Thrings’ inclusion in the 2024 list of the top 250 firms across England and Wales also recognises the firm’s work in international litigation, Agriculture, Banking and Finance, Development of Land and Private Client work.

As part of the survey, which is now in its fifth year, solicitors and barristers from across England and Wales were asked by international market research firm Statista to recommend the best law firms in 28 categories.

The recognition by the Times follows the recent announcement that Thrings maintained its high standings in the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 rankings with a combined 60 ranking places secured by individual lawyers and a further 29 places by practice areas across the firm.

Simon Holdsworth, Managing Partner at Thrings, said: “It is fantastic to once again feature in the Times Best Law Firms list, demonstrating the consistent approach we take to supporting our clients, and the impression this has left on the rest of the legal community.

“Our Family team is a credit to the whole firm and having them once again commended in the rankings is testament to this and I want to congratulate them on their continued recognition.”

 

Thrings maintains high standards across Chambers and Partners rankings

Thrings’ outstanding work in Agriculture and Family law are among the many areas being recognised as the firm retains its prominent presence in the Chambers and Partners directory.

In total, 11 practice areas from across Thrings have earned places in the 2024 edition of the prestigious rankings. A further 19 ranking places have also been awarded to individual lawyers.

Ranking highly are the Bath-based Agriculture team and both Corporate teams based in the Swindon and Bristol offices recognised for their “broad spread of speciality”.

Other service areas securing places in the rankings from the firm’s teams across the South West were the Employment, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Planning and Environment, Real Estate and Restructuring and Insolvency teams

Reflecting the firm’s outstanding reputation for supporting the rural sector, three of Thrings’ Agriculture specialists have been ranked individually in Band 1.

Cited by the rankings as “one of the big players in agricultural litigation” Russell Reeves is described as “extremely conscientious, meticulous” and “extremely calm in pressured situations”. Meanwhile, Romsey-based Mark Charter is described as “first class” and an “excellent lawyer” in this year’s directory.

The third Band 1 Agriculture team member is property specialist Neil Barbour, who is praised in the rankings for his “unique ability to deal with all transactions puts him” and that he is “above the grade from so many other lawyers”.

Also ranked from the Thrings Agriculture team are Head of Agriculture Duncan Sigournay and  Robert James also referred to as “one of the most savvy proprietary estoppel lawyers around”.

Two members of the Thrings Planning and Environment team feature in this year’s planning rankings, Partners Alex Madden, who is also ranked under Environment, is recognised as “an excellent professional with a strong knowledge base. Meanwhile, Ros Trotman is referred to as a “go-to contact” with “fantastic knowledge and practical advice”.

In the Corporate and Commercial teams, John Davies maintains his Band 1 ranking, with testimonials highlighting clients firmly believe he “understands” their business. Also included in the directory are the “excellent” Simon Hore and the “fantastic” Elaine Meyrick who is described as both “hands on” and “assertive with good economic understanding”.

Ranked under Intellectual Property, Megan Jefferies is praised for being “superb in providing commercially appropriate advice” whilst Head of Employment Kerrie Hunt receives recognition for her ability to “provide pragmatic and sound counsel”.

Head of Restructuring and Insolvency Mark Cullingford retains his place in the rankings this year, described as “highly sensible and good to work with” with recognition that he “gets the job done”. Meanwhile, ranked in Litigation, Alastair Govier is recognised as being a “very safe pair of hands” and in Real Estate, Rob Barnes is listed as “Up and Coming”.

The listings in Chambers and Partners - recognised as a leading source of legal market intelligence for more than 30 years – come shortly after Thrings’ featured prominently in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500.

Simon Holdsworth, Thrings Managing Partner, said: “To be featured in the prestigious Chambers and Partners rankings is a high honour in the legal world and I am delighted so many colleagues and teams from across the firm have secured a place this year.

“These rankings showcase wide ranging offering of services we offer as a firm, but more importantly I am proud that it demonstrates the trusted status we continue to cultivate with our clients across so many areas of law.”