Top tier rankings for Debenhams Ottaway in The Legal 500 UK 2023

The Legal 500 UK, one of the leading legal directories, has published its latest results that celebrate the leading law firms and lawyers in the UK. Debenhams Ottaway is recognised in nine practice areas, two of which are top tier, and 16 lawyers are recommended, including four leading individuals. A highlight this year is the insolvency and business restructuring team, part of the wider commercial litigation team, being recognised for the first time.

The new ranking for the insolvency team, led by partner Alexander Neale, celebrates their dedication to helping businesses in distress, providing a “practical, commercial and user friendly approach combined with expertise in the law, practice and procedure of contentious insolvency”. They are often preferred over larger City firms as they offer the same quality expertise (most of the team is ex-city) at a more competitive rate. “Debenhams Ottaway’s insolvency team is exposed to more complex, higher value disputes, than you would normally expect of firms in this category. I frequently refer work to the firm where my firm are conflicted and have had only positive feedback.”

Debenhams Ottaway continues to be top tier for divorce and family law receiving outstanding client acclamation. “It is hard to find people who work as hard, deploy so much experience and have such a good knowledge of the law and tactics for the fees that they charge.” Partner Helen Young is a popular professional, whose successes are driven by the fact that “her clients soon come to trust her implicitly ….she always fights hard for her clients whilst giving realistic advice that allows them to choose a path in keeping with their own formulation of risk”. Also ranked in the team is rising star Natalie Lester who is recognised for doing “sterling work on some difficult and demanding cases.”

The firm also keeps its top tier ranking for Wills, personal tax, trusts and probate. They are known for having an exceptional team and being a “regional business but with a London-style focus on clients”. The team has an extensive and loyal client base and stands out as “very responsive, client focused and professional.” Managing partner Susan Glenholme is recognised as a leading individual who “has a great ability to put the client at ease, offers a friendly approach, knowledgeable and cares enough to go the extra mile.” They are supported by a contentious trusts and probate team, recognised for their “excellent subject knowledge and an ability to answer questions that the client didn’t even know they needed an answer to” that “makes the client feel secure and cared for”.

Debenhams Ottaway’s long and successful history as a leading private wealth adviser is now matched by a reputation for helping medium-sized businesses, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s corporate and commercial, commercial litigation, commercial property and employment teams and lawyers all continue to be ranked in The Legal 500 UK.

These teams continue to impress their clients with their industry knowledge and commercial expertise that rival London law firms and prices. Their client centred approach makes them highly personable, refreshingly easy to deal with, and they frequently exceed client expectations.

“They are all hard-working, commercial and pragmatic lawyers who go the extra mile for clients. The firm has a good collegiate culture and a modern settlement-focused approach to litigation.” Commercial litigation

“Always excellent response times, industry knowledge, appropriateness of advice, strength-in-depth of team, and value for money are what makes this practice unique.” Commercial property

“Debenhams Ottaway took the time to fully understand our business and build (a) relationship which is now evident in the support and quality of service we receive.” Employment

“(They) are able to deliver a client experience that I have not come across in other law firms. Professional, knowledgeable and likeable” Corporate and commercial

The Legal 500 UK is one of the leading legal directories. It benchmarks UK law firms and individual lawyers based on independent research and recommendations by fellow professionals and clients. You can find a full list of their rankings on The Legal 500 UK website.