Blake Morgan’s Wales teams celebrate top rankings in Chambers & Partners Guide 2023

Lawyers from Blake Morgan in Wales are celebrating success in the 2023 edition of the prestigious Chambers & Partners Guide, which recognises and recommends the best-performing lawyers and legal firms across the UK. Eleven of the firm’s teams based in Cardiff were selected for praise in the Guide, along with 19 individual lawyers – showcasing the firm’s wide range of specialisms and excellent client service.

Practice areas granted the highest ranking, Band 1, included the “approachable and pragmatic” Corporate M&A team, as well as the Construction, Employment, Restructuring/Insolvency, Litigation and Real Estate teams – with the Real Estate team described as delivering “excellent advice on complex land and property matters”. Real Estate Litigation, Social Housing and Administration and Public Law also secured a Band 1 ranking, with the latter praised by clients for their “ability to handle complex matters in an efficient and professional manner”.

Other teams securing rankings include Intellectual Property, and Banking and Finance. Clients were full of praise for the teams, highlighting that Blake Morgan’s Intellectual Property lawyers are “easy to reach and offer swift response times”.

The Chambers and Partners Guide also recognises lawyers who are leaders in their fields of expertise. Of the 19 lawyers from across the Wales team ranked this year, 12 were ranked as either Band 1 or Band 2, and both litigation specialist Allan Wilson and Real Estate lawyer Geoff Reed were awarded the prestigious ‘Senior Spokespeople’ status. A client described Geoff Reed as “one of the best”. In addition, Cardiff-based Head of Property Services, Phil Jardine, was recognised by Chambers as an ‘Eminent practitioner’.

The Band 1 ranking of the Employment team’s Joanne Davies was supported by client praise for her “impressive commerciality and work ethic”. Lee Fisher, Matthew Smith, Paul Caldicott and Siân Jones were also ranked as Band 1. Employment and education specialist Matthew Smith was described as “responsive, professional” and providing a “high level of assurance and diplomacy”, while dispute resolution lawyer Siân Jones was praised for her “consistently high-quality legal advice and support”.

The next generation of legal talent within Blake Morgan was also highlighted – with the Guide shining a spotlight on Blake Morgan’s most recently promoted Partner, Banking and Finance lawyer Paul Duggan. The Guide also recognises the “exceptionally strong” Real Estate Partner Daniela Smith as ‘Up & Coming’.

Across Blake Morgan’s five UK offices, the Guide ranked 33 teams as Band 1 or 2, while 60 individual lawyers were ranked – seven of whom were named ‘Senior Statespeople’. These rankings highlight the strength and depth of the talent across the firm.

Eve Piffaretti, Head of Office (Wales) at Blake Morgan, said:

“It is always a delight to see so many colleagues and teams in Wales recognised for their hard work and success in Wales and beyond. From new rankings of up-and-coming talent to the achievements of senior team members, the Guide clearly showcases the breadth and depth of expertise on offer across Blake Morgan’s team. This is a testament to the tireless work of our best-in-class lawyers and the trust and praise they have consistently earned from clients.”