Clarkslegal is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners have once again recognised us as a leading firm in the following practice areas: Employment, Litigation, Real Estate, and Construction.
Chambers and Partners is an independent professional legal research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers.
Along with the recognition of our practice areas, the directory has highly recommended eight of our outstanding lawyers: Ashan Arif, Antony Morris, Chris Tayton, Emma Butcher, Helen Beech, Monica Atwal, Simon Ralphs and Stephen James.
Highly complementary client and peer feedback further endorse the strong rankings. Please see below extracts from the editorial:
Corporate/M&A
Ashan Arif – Band 3
Ashan Arif acts as the head of Clarkslegal’s corporate and M&A team. He has a wealth of corporate expertise that covers everything from private equity investments through to business restructures.
“Ashan is receptive, knowledgeable and very professional, meeting deadlines and following up on matters where required.”
Employment
Clarkslegal advises on the full range of issues affecting employers and employees, with notable strength in restructures, TUPE transfers and senior executive matters. It also handles large-scale litigation, tribunals and problems with regard to industrial relations. The team acts for a range of clients from small businesses to large employers in the automotive, technology, pharmaceutical and gambling sectors.
“Clarkslegal provides strong advice in difficult employment matters. They offer pragmatic solutions.”
“The Clarkslegal team will go the extra mile to seek out the right advice.”
“The team are highly efficient, pragmatic and effective in finding solutions for complex issues.”
“The team at Clarkslegal understand the business very well. They offer solutions and use their knowledge of the law to explain the legal issue, and try to meet the best outcome for the company.”
“The Clarkslegal team respond well and provide sound advice. They always take things away to consider the right approach for us and how we prefer to respond to matters, which is very helpful.”
Monica Atwal – Eminent Practitioners
Monica Atwal is the managing partner of Clarkslegal. She has considerable employment expertise, including in GDPR and gender pay gap matters. She is experienced in advising clients on sexual harassment allegations and TUPE issues, and is particularly adept at assisting clients with immigration matters.
“She understood the personal emotions involved and is an excellent sounding board and communicator.”
“She was both encouraging but sensible in her views and communicated superbly on my behalf.”
“She also tends to test our own risk appetite as a company and tailors her advice accordingly.”
“She was both encouraging but sensible in her views and communicated superbly on my behalf. She understood the personal emotions involved and is an excellent sounding board and communicator.”
“Monica is a delight to work with – she is hard-working, committed and gives us sound advice. She also tends to test our own risk appetite as a company and tailors her advice accordingly.”
“Monica is straight-talking, clear and focused on taking action. She is commercially aware and very responsive.”
Helen Beech – Band 1
Helen Beech maintains an extensive practice encompassing industrial relations and discrimination claims. She frequently advises her clients on HR issues, including disability grievances and restructuring matters.
“She is strong commercially and will deliver the news in the right manner.”
“Helen is very responsive and very adaptable.”
“She explains technical issues very well and is always looking for solutions to make situations work for the situation.”
“Helen is very responsive and very adaptable. She is strong commercially and will deliver the news in the right manner.”
“Helen has a lot of experience and knowledge. She explains technical issues very well and is always looking for solutions to make situations work for the situation.”
“Helen is great technically and brilliant in a crisis. She is a knowledgeable person in a really complex area.”
“Helen is excellent to work with; she is helpful and responsive.”
Litigation
Clarkslegal is regularly involved in high-profile disputes on behalf of clients in a variety of sectors, including the energy and automotive industries. The team’s expertise covers a wide range of commercial and corporate disputes, including contractual terminations, unfair prejudice petitions and breaches of directors’ duties.
“Their engagement has been excellent, providing detail every step of the way and understanding the detail of the challenges we have faced and continue to face.”
“The firm takes on matters that clients would usually go to magic circle firms for. The team’s experience, dedication and efficiency of work makes them able to punch above their weight.”
“We have worked with a number of colleagues in Clarkslegal and have found them all to be well informed and able to provide good advice. Queries are always responded to quickly.”
“We felt we were getting really good-quality advice and priority attention from the firm.”
Antony Morris – Band 1
Antony Morris heads the dispute resolution department at Clarkslegal. He is a highly regarded practitioner active on a range of litigation including contractual cases and disputes concerning directors’ duties.
“Antony is an excellent litigator who provided solid advice on tactics and approach.”
Chris Tayton – Band 2
Christopher Tayton is experienced in a wide range of commercial and contractual disputes, including procurement cases. He has particular expertise handling data protection and product defect-related disputes.
“Christopher has an amazing ability to grasp complex issues.”
“He has been excellent from the outset.”
“I have high confidence in him and I would rate him very highly.”
“Christopher is definitely an expert in the area, very familiar with procurement litigation and very client-oriented.”
“His advice is always timely and measured and he is able to support with a wide range of educational matters.”
“I find Chris extremely good to work with.”
“We have very high praise for him.”
“Chris was exceptionally good on my matter – his client service is excellent and he never loses sight of the big picture, always pushing the commercial aspect.”
Emma Butcher – Up and Coming
Emma Butcher is a partner at Clarkslegal in Reading. She represents corporate clients in contract, public procurement and product liability disputes.
“Her client skills are exceptional and she’s had regular calls with them throughout the case.”
“She’s demonstrated exceptional commitment to the case.”
“She is very versatile and very capable of handling any general commercial dispute.”
“She’s highly capable, competent and astute.”
“She’s really good, I value her insights.”
“I am very impressed with how well she’s attuned to the client’s commercial interests.”
Commercial Real Estate
Clarkslegal advises on major commercial and residential property transactions and development projects. The firm is also equipped to assist with complex investment and portfolio management matters. It regularly handles public sector work, including assisting education and healthcare clients. Its strong client base consists of notable regional and national organisations. The team has further strength in advising clients in the hotel and leisure sector.
“I see the firm as very knowledgeable and up to date on most matters in commerce.”
“Clarkslegal always gives good advice that is very commercially aware and deal-focused.”
“The team are very responsive and communicative.”
“Clarkslegal constantly gave excellent practical advice, based on their experience, as to how to conduct negotiations in a way that didn’t antagonise the other side.”
Simon Ralphs – Band 2
Simon Ralphs is head of the Clarkslegal real estate team and splits his time between the firm’s London and Reading offices. His practice sees him acting for clients within the retail and hospitality sectors, and he has significant experience in development and investment work.
“Simon has a good knowledge of our business and requirements, and he provides good, pragmatic advice that is appropriate for our needs.”
“He has fantastic knowledge and is a pleasure to deal with.”
“Simon Ralphs gives very straightforward, practical advice based on his commercial judgement, as opposed to strictly legal advice.”
Construction
Clarkslegal has an accomplished team with the experience to handle an array of local, national and international matters. The firm advises a range of industry players, including contractors, developers and purchasers of construction services. The team provides significant expertise in procurement and contract matters for major development projects, while additionally representing clients in disputes, including arbitrations and adjudications.
“Clarkslegal provides clear advice and gives robust responses. Its recommendations are pragmatic.”
“Clarkslegal’s responses to questions and availability are quick. The level of service we receive is first-class.”
“Clarkslegal sets clear expectations and milestones, and delivers to them. It keeps us abreast with its progress.”
Stephen James – Band 1
Stephen James acts on both contentious and non-contentious mandates for a range of developers, architects, contractors and employers. He is able to handle the full range of transactional contractual matters, alongside professional appointments and amendments. He is equally adroit at handling complex construction disputes, with a focus on back-end matters such as final account claims and defect issues.
“I would happily call upon Stephen’s advice, support and guidance again on legal matters.”
“He is a pleasure to work with.”
“Stephen’s communication is great.”
You can view Clarkslegal’s rankings on the Chambers and Partners website.
