Winchester and Southampton: Paris Smith ranked highly by Chambers and Partners

Chambers and Partners has reinforced the position of Paris Smith, based in Winchester and Southampton, as one of the leading law firms in the south.

The firm's family department has again been recognised with a top-tier ranking in the directory, with Frank Prior, Neil Davies and Huw Miles all receiving the highest praise, and newly-promoted partner Rachel Osgood also being recommended for the first time this year.

The firm's employment team has again achieved a wonderful result with both Clive Dobbin and David Roath being recommended and graded as "Band-1" ranked lawyers in Chambers, making Paris Smith for the second year running the only firm in the south to have more than one lawyer with this accolade.

The firm's dispute resolution department continues to enjoy strong rankings, too, with recognition for head of department David Eminton and managing partner Peter Taylor.  The corporate restructuring and insolvency team are also celebrated, with Mike Pavitt applauded for restructuring and insolvency work and still the only lawyer in the region specifically ranked by Chambers under the category “personal insolvency: UK-wide”. 

In banking and finance, James McNeil received praise. In the corporate team Sean Davies, Michael Moore and Jonathon Roy have all been recognised as ranked lawyers once again, and joining them this year is Richard Atcherley, who has been noted as "one to watch" by Chambers.

The firm also received very pleasing rankings and feedback for the work of its largest department, real estate, in which Tom Georgiou, Mark Howarth and Mark Withers are all recognised.

Peter Taylor, managing partner, commented on the results: "While it is always pleasing to achieve independent recognition and encouraging comments for our skills and efforts on behalf of our clients, the most rewarding aspects of our entries this year are that each of our core areas of service has been recognised and that some of our younger partners and associates are now receiving the plaudits they so richly deserve.

"It is also particularly pleasing to see that a number of the individuals highlighted by the researchers are those who have been working hard to make a success of our 'new' Winchester office, which has really begun to hit its stride during 2016. "

The full reports can be found on the Chambers and Partners websites here.