Legal directories rank Semple Fraser's top lawyers
The Legal 500 and Chambers, which review the practices of the UK’s leading law firms, once again show Semple Fraser is storming ahead in it’s focus areas.
Semple Fraser’s “diligent and responsive” Banking & Finance Group, who have a proven track record in advising banks and borrowers on a broad range of banking law and practice, is said to “understand that deadlines are absolutely fixed.” Head of the Finance Group, Alex Innes, is described by commentators as “dedicated, personable and refreshingly direct.”
The construction team are immersed in the unique complexities of the construction industry on a day-to-day basis advising a diverse range of clients from sub-contractors to property developers. Head of the Construction Team, Stuart Macfarlane’s “extremely pragmatic approach is mirrored by the rest of the team,” say satisfied clients.
Clients praised Semple Fraser’s corporate team, with “its ability to understand our ultimate aims and priorities, and stick to the points that are relevant and important.” Another admitted: “They were worth every penny!”
Market sources deemed new ‘front man’ Gordon Hollerin’s move to Semple Fraser a huge benefit for the firm. Gordon joined Semple Fraser in April to lead the firm’s specialist Insolvency & Corporate Recovery group. He is described as “a safe pair of hands and trusted adviser for all matters from the very large to the smallest.”
Once again Semple Fraser’s renowned Environment team were ranked top in both the Legal 500 and Chambers for Scotland, and also moved up the rankings in the overall UK marketplace. This “proactive and fantastically responsive team” is praised for advising large industrial clients on the application of EU and UK waste law. “The team always delivers work on time and to outstanding levels of quality,” state sources, who also emphasise the practice’s excellent understanding of pollution law. The “exceptionally clever” Vincent Brown, Head of the Environment & Pollution Group, is said to have employed his “strong commercial acumen” on the OSS case. Barry Love, Vincent’s partner, was also described as a “delight to work with,” according to sources.
Sources were keen to praise Semple Fraser’s planning team’s “high-quality lawyers and high-profile workload”. Peers consider Ken Carruthers “a really strong practitioner.” They also note that the “immensely focused and praiseworthy” head of department June Gilles is particularly renowned for her expertise in non-contentious issues, including wind farm developments.
Semple Fraser’s commercial property team was highly recommended once again, ranking top in the Legal 500. Their “consistent, hands-on and pragmatic approach never fails to impress,” clients report. A number of Semple Fraser’s property Partners were recommended as leaders in their field by the directories – Colin Keenan is described by clients as “great at getting to the point and finding solutions.”; head of the Group, Elspeth Carson is highlighted as being “extremely diligent”; according to clients, Paul Haniford can “always be relied on to produce top-quality work”; Simon Etchells is described as "one of the best lawyers in Scotland"; and Managing Partner Alister Fraser is also complimented by sources for his “measured approach in negotiations”.
The litigation team is said to have the ability to make clients “quickly feel comfortable when out of one’s comfort zone” in arduous litigation. “Formidable” Alison Gow is regarded as a “relentless litigator who will go to the ends of the earth for her clients.” Clients enthuse that she is “extremely passionate about her work.”
Chambers ranked 13 of Semple Fraser’s Partners as Leaders in their Fields demonstrating that the firm’s principle of sticking to what they do best and concentrating solely on providing specialist advice in the key areas of most importance to their clients, is at the core of their success.
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