Leading Exeter law firm increases rankings in legal guide

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Friday, November 3, 2017 - 1:25pm

A leading Exeter law firm has increased its rankings in Chambers UK, the independent guide to law firms that has just released its 2018 edition.

Stephens Scown LLP has retained its Band 1 ranking for its family and corporate teams.

The firm has also seen its rankings increase for four further teams, with its social housing team gaining Band 2 ranking, the dispute resolution and employment teams increasing to Band 3 and a new entry to the guide for the firm’s energy team, which is listed as a noted firm in the UK-wide energy category.

Three of Stephens Scown’s Exeter-based lawyers have retained their Band 1 Chambers rankings. Susie Murray, a partner in the firm’s rural team, head of the firm’s family team Liz Allen and corporate partner James Keliher all have top ranking in the guide.

Rankings have also increased for Exeter-based Catherine Mathews who is head of the firm’s dispute resolution team, construction specialist Jim Gorrod, as well as partners in the family team Andrew Barton and Bill Wilkins. Sonya Bedford, head of the firm’s energy team is also listed for the first time in the guide as a recognised practitioner.

Stephens Scown’s managing partner Robert Camp said: “Chambers UK does thorough research with our clients, so to see our rankings improving is a great endorsement that our efforts to improve client engagement are working.”

Client comments in the guide include this one from a client of the firm’s family team, who said: "I personally could not imagine any improvement necessary: the team is thorough, informed and excellent."

A client of the dispute resolution team says: "They respond to enquiries far quicker than other firms I have used."

The social housing team is also praised, with a client saying: "What they do particularly well is simplify the whole process. Time isn't wasted and they produce concise and easy-to-read documents."

Stephens Scown has over 290 staff, including more than 50 partners, across its offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell. It was named UK Law Firm of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2016. For more information visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk

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