‘TOP OF THEIR GAME’: HALL BROWN COMPLETES RANKINGS CLEAN SWEEP 

Published on 08 November, 2024 | Hall Brown Family Law

Hall Brown Family Law has described its latest clean sweep of all four of the annual legal rankings as testimony to its continued ability to recruit and develop some of the country’s top legal talent.

In repeating its success of last year, Hall Brown has become the only specialist family practice based in the North West to earn a place in the top tier of the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, eprivateclient and Times Best 250 Law firms classifications.

Managing Partner James Brown said that he and his colleagues were “proud and very flattered” to be considered the region’s top boutique firm.

He added that the results underlined the emphasis of hard work and staff well-being as being key components in delivering exceptional service to clients.

“Given the relatively small number of family law specialists across the country, we are genuinely delighted to be considered worthy of inclusion as one of the best.

“We know how very important it is to do our utmost to resolve the cases which we handle on behalf of our clients.

“That’s why we insist on only recruiting those individuals – both senior, experienced lawyers and new entrants to the legal profession alike – who fit with our approach.

“We also know, though, that it’s very necessary to provide for the well-being of those with that potential who do such incredible work.

“By doing that well, we are able to create an environment in which they can thrive and benefits clients too.”

Mr Brown’s comments follow Hall Brown’s placing in a list of the UK’s 250 best law firms working across 28 legal business, public and private client disciplines published by the Times newspaper.

Hall Brown is one of a handful of firms to have featured in the list every year since it was first compiled in 2018.

The Times’ listing comes just weeks after Hall Brown was described by one of the world’s most established industry rankings, Legal 500, as being “at the top of their game”.

In addition to being one of 10 firms in the top tier for the North West, Hall Brown had four partners – Mr Brown and his co-founder, Senior Partner, Sam Hall, together with Andrew Newbury and Beth Wilkins – in Legal 500’s list of leading partners across the region, more than any other firm.

Fellow partner Claire Reid was also singled out for “really good judgement” and “excellent tactical advice’, while Senior Associate Madelaine Hailey was identified as an “up-and-coming star”.

Hall Brown’s Sheffield office was described as a “powerhouse for all things family law” in claiming a berth among Legal 500’s top family practitioners in Yorkshire.

Alison Fernandes, who heads the firm’s Sheffield team, was named as a leading partner and saw consultants Martin Loxley and Zoe Round both earn a place in Legal 500’s Hall of Fame.

Legal 500 paid tribute to Hall Brown’s London office as being “highly effective”. Partner Izzy Walsh was said to be a “tour de force”, with consultant Catherine Bell being “an empathetic and pragmatic lawyer who is loved by her clients”

Despite only opening an office in Leeds two years ago, Hall Brown’s team in the city has also been recognised as a “firm to watch”, particularly for its “strength in mediation”.

Three of Hall Brown’s five offices make Chambers and Partners’ listing, with Manchester and Sheffield both being included in Band One.

Mr Brown, Mr Hall, Ms Fernandes and Mr Newbury all achieve individual top billing, while Ms Round is one of Chambers’ Senior Statespeople.

Ms Hailey is mentioned as an Associate to Watch and Emma Hubbard is ranked for her “invaluable” advice.

Hall Brown is also one of just five firms to be classed in Tier One firms listing of UK firms offering family law support.

All four rankings were drawn up after extensive research, whch included input from legal industry peers and clients.

Their publication comes after 12 months which have seen Hall Brown reveal that it is on course for new record turnover figures and moving to new, larger premises in Leeds.

The increase in workload across all five of its offices – Birmingham, Manchester, London, Sheffield and Leeds – has been complemented by a string of senior appointments and promotions within its legal and support teams. Hall Brown now employs a total of 69 people, 51 of whom are fee earners.