Attwaters celebrates continued success in the Legal 500 2027 rankings

We’re delighted to announce our strong results in the 2027 edition of The Legal 500, with several of our departments and lawyers recognised for their expertise, client service and commitment to achieving excellent outcomes.

Founded in 1987, The Legal 500 is one of the world’s leading independent legal directories. Its rankings are based on extensive research, including feedback from clients, legal professionals and in-house counsel. Widely regarded as a trusted benchmark of excellence within the legal sector, The Legal 500 highlights both outstanding law firms and individual lawyers across a wide range of practice areas.

Our Family Law team retained its Tier 3 ranking in Essex, recognised for its expertise in handling complex financial remedy matters and private children disputes involving substantial assets, business interests and cross-border property issues. Led by Partner Belinda Strange, the team was praised for its work on contested financial proceedings and sensitive Children Act matters involving allegations of abuse and disputed contact arrangements.

Our Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate department once again achieved a Tier 3 ranking in Essex, with Lesley-Ann Mayhew recognised as a Leading Partner. The team was commended for advising on complex estate administrations, inheritance tax matters and estate planning, while Andrew Flannagan was noted for his expertise in settlement agreements, HMRC corrective accounts and inheritance tax clearance matters. Client feedback praised the team’s personal approach, with one testimonial noting the firm’s “personal service and lawyers who care about their clients and their community.”

Our Court of Protection team also retained its impressive Tier 3 national ranking. Led by Lesley-Ann Mayhew, who was once again recognised as a Leading Partner, the department was highlighted for its expertise in both Property & Affairs and Health & Welfare matters. The Legal 500 recognised Lesley-Ann’s work on high-value medical negligence awards, statutory will applications and complex capacity issues, with clients describing her as “one of the best in the industry.”

Within Environment and Planning, Partner Salvatore Amico was once again recognised as a Leading Partner, with the department maintaining its Tier 3 ranking in the South East. The team was praised for advising private clients and developers on complex planning matters, including green belt land issues, planning objections, enforcement actions and Section 106 agreements connected to major residential and commercial developments. Independent testimonials highlighted the team’s responsiveness and practical expertise, noting that Attwaters consistently provides “excellent and timely advice.”

Our Commercial Litigation team was ranked Tier 4 in Essex, with the department recognised for advising on a broad range of disputes, including service charge and right-to-manage matters, partnership disputes, unpaid fees and commercial property issues. Led by Leanne Philp, the team combines practical commercial insight with robust dispute resolution expertise. The Legal 500 also highlighted the work of Prabhi Ghura, who advises on trademark disputes, lease terminations and dilapidations claims.

We are also pleased to announce an improved ranking for our Clinical Negligence team, which achieved Tier 3 status in the South East. Led by Joanne Westbrook, the team handles a wide range of complex claimant matters, including delayed cancer diagnosis claims, failures in informed consent, birth injury cases and negligent obstetric care. The department was also recognised for its expertise in surgical error claims and cases involving mental health care failings, demonstrating its commitment to securing justice for those affected by medical negligence.

Commenting on the firm’s success in this year’s rankings, our Managing Partner, Sheri-Anne Mizon, said:

“We are extremely proud of our Legal 500 results for 2027. Maintaining and improving rankings across several key practice areas is a reflection of the dedication, expertise and hard work of our teams. It is particularly pleasing to see individual lawyers recognised for the outstanding service they provide to our clients every day. These results reinforce our commitment to delivering exceptional legal advice while maintaining the personal, client-focused approach that sits at the heart of our firm.”