The Legal 500 2022 guide has been released today and we are delighted to be recommended as a Leading Firm once again.  Accolades include Rising Stars for Miranda Mulligan and Nat Young, Next Generation Partner for John Wagstaffe, and Recommended for Richard Gvero, Richard Horwood, Alastair Liddiard, Michael Budd, Rina Sond, John Wiblin, Lauren Mackenzie, Rachael Spalton, Tracey Dargan and Kerrie Hall.

The Employment and Private Client teams achieve Tier 2 rankings again.  The Family team re-enters the guide with a notable Tier 3 ranking alongside Company Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Commercial Property.

Chris Pease, Joint Senior Partner, commented “Our teams are dedicated to looking after our clients so we are very proud to have so many of our solicitors and partners recognised by The Legal 500. Their expertise and effort across the firm have been rewarded with our best ever rankings in the guide”. 

Here is what The Legal 500 2022 guide says about our teams and solicitors.

Employment: Tier 2

The guide says: “Longmores Solicitors LLP handles a range of employment matters including reorganisations and redundancies, complex disciplinary and grievance concerns, discrimination issues, TUPE as well as the employment aspects of commercial transactions. The team advises companies and high-net-worth clients, and has particular expertise in the recruitment and education sectors. Practice leader Richard Gvero has experience in employee competition disputes, injunction proceedings and restrictive covenant matters. Miranda Mulligan advises on contracts of employment, consultancy agreements and settlement agreements, as well as defending employment tribunal proceedings including whistleblowing complaints”.

• Miranda Mulligan: Rising Star
• Richard Gvero: Recommended

Testimonials 

An exceptional team lead by Richard Gvero, known for their work in the recruitment sector in particular. The team is very knowledgeable on employment law issues and in tune with their client’s needs and the industries in which their clients operate.’

‘Richard Gvero has been outstanding in his professionalism, ethics, and his invaluable combination of smart, open, ethical, caring approach to his clients and their cases, but also firm and pragmatic in his practice.’

‘The team are extremely knowledgable, with access to a strong network of experts such as actuaries and specialist barristers when needed.’

‘Miranda Mulligan has been energetic, ethical, focused, committed and thorough, producing a true sense of confidence and assurance that my case is at safe hands.’

‘Richard Gvero is indomitable; a creative legal thinker and committed to getting the best results for his clients. Richard had particular expertise over the past year in guiding a wide range of clients through the perils of the furlough scheme and in responding quickly and decisively to the pressures the pandemic has placed on clients.’

‘Miranda Mulligan is completely dedicated to her clients, whilst delivering realistic and commercial advice.’

‘Richard Gvero really couldn’t have been more helpful during any engagement. Always seeming to have time for our matters and we have complete trust in his judgement.’

‘Miranda Mulligan deals with all our queries and she has excellent knowledge and experience in all HR related matters. In addition, Richard Gvero has also been excellent when his expertise has been called up on.’

Private Client: Tier 2

The guide says: “Based in Hertford, the private client team at Longmores Solicitors LLP focuses on strategic planning work for rural and farming families, advising on matters pertaining to the preparation of wills and trusts, inheritance tax planning issues and the administration of trusts and estates. Practice leader Richard Horwood specialises in high-value estate administrations and tax planning issues, and also undertakes Court of Protection work. Newly promoted partner Alastair Liddiard is noted for his work on complex estates, often involving foreign assets, and trusts”.

• Richard Horwood: Recommended
• Alastair Liddiard: Recommended

Testimonials 

‘The team has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and service, despite the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. They are efficient and communicate quickly and effectively.’ 

‘Richard Horwood leads the private client team and provides personal, tailored advice in a form that is clear and concise. Clients benefit from Richard’s wide experience.’ 

‘The private client team works well together; they are knowledgeable, personable and provide a high level of service. This has been a difficult year due to lockdown and working from home but it is noticeable that Longmores’ communication and service levels have not reduced over the period.’

‘Friendly and very professional.’ 

‘Richard Horwood – no nonsense, plain speaking clarity to challenges that clients have that require solutions. Obviously a specialist who does not need to seek answers to everything from colleagues. Supported by Alastair Liddiard who clearly understands trusts.’

Dispute Resolution: Tier 3

The guide says: “Longmores Solicitors LLP offers ‘high quality service‘, with expertise in the recruitment and property management sectors, as well as acting for waste management companies on commercial disputes. Based in Hertford, practice leader John Wiblin handles shareholder and partnership disputes, and has experience in advising clients in the recruitment sector. John Wagstaffe specialises in property litigation matters. ‘Tremendous litigator‘ Nathanael Young has particular expertise in insolvency issues, intellectual property and defamation law, while Lauren Mackenzie splits her time between commercial litigation and contentious probate”.

• Nat Young: Rising Star
• John Wagstaffe: Next Generation Partner
• John Wiblin: Recommended
• Lauren Mackenzie: Recommended

Testimonials 

‘Nathanael Young is a tremendous litigator. You always know that he has thoroughly taken a grip of the case and the lay clients are in very safe hands.’

‘The firm offers strong legal analysis for a regional firm and high quality service.’

‘John Wiblin is very knowledgeable about the law and procedure. He is always thinking about tactics, outcomes and what happens next.’

Commercial Property: Tier 3

The guide says: “Based in Hertford, the property team at Longmores Solicitors LLP is split into two departments dealing with commercial and residential property matters. Practice leader Rachael Spalton advises both developer and landowner clients on development and strategic land transactions, as well as handling promotion, option and overage agreements. The practice benefits from the support of John Wagstaffe, who heads up the property disputes team”.

• Rachael Spalton: Recommended
• John Wagstaffe: Recommended

Testimonials 

‘The team work well together and have very good communication skills, which is vital in ensuring the smoothest conveyancing process.’ 

Company Commercial: Tier 3

The guide says: “Located in Hertford, Longmores Solicitors LLP advises clients on commercial matters relating to IP, technology and data protection, as well as corporate deals including private M&A, restructuring and shareholder agreements. Practice leader Michael Budd handles early-stage fundraisings and investments, management buy-outs and buy-ins, and group reorganisations and restructuring. Rina Sond focuses on commercial contracts and intellectual property matters.

• Michael Budd: Recommended
• Rina Sond: Recommended

Testimonials 

‘I have used Longmores for various things over the last 10 years, from commercial contracts to debt recovery, and have found each department very helpful and professional. Each time I have found the team to understand my particular problem and deal with my needs to a high standard.’

Family: Tier 3

The guide says: “At Longmores Solicitors LLP in Hertford, divorce and family law head Tracey Dargan primarily advises on the complex financial fallout from divorce, as well as prenuptial agreements, often working with high-profile clients – she is described as ‘up there with the very best‘ in her line of work. She is supported by ‘empathetic and understanding‘ senior solicitor Kerrie Hall, who also handles high value financial cases, as well as complex Children Act matters”.

• Tracey Dargan: Recommended
• Kerrie Hall: Recommended

Testimonials 

‘The team at Longmores is professional yet approachable and user-friendly. The firm is welcoming and do a great job for their clients.’

‘Kerrie Hall is pragmatic, sensible and gives sound, realistic advice.’

‘Tracey Dargan is very thorough and diligent and is always thinking strategically in terms of the best interests of her client. She is an absolute pleasure to work with.’

‘Kerrie Hall is a fantastic solicitor. She provides a highly personal level of service whilst fighting her clients’ cases with tenacity and determination.’

‘Tracey Dargan – in the words of my ex-husband, she is a class act. Professional, human, steadfast in her resolve and unwavering. She is inspiring and has clear goals, communicates effectively and takes you on the journey with her. At a time in my life when I was the most vulnerable, the fact she listened, advised, consulted and didn’t have her own agenda – just mine – stood out a mile.’

‘Tracey Dargan is thoughtful and considered in her approach, with a clear focus on getting the best outcome for the client.’

‘Kerrie Hall is an empathetic and understanding family lawyer. She is also quite feisty and strong and works well to ensure you have a successful outcome. To be honest, she is the type of person, if she were not my lawyer I would like to befriend.’

‘Tracey Dargan is up there with the very best. Always easy to communicate with, offering prompt replies to issues raised and despite these restricting times it feels as if we have been in actual one to one meetings rather than the reality of the no contact meetings we have to put up with at the moment.’