Legal 500: Frettens recommended again in top legal guide

Frettens recognised again as one of region’s leading firms

The team at Frettens are delighted to once again be recognised as one of the region’s leading firms.

The Legal 500 is an independently researched guide to law firms in the UK. It is generally recognised as the largest and most in-depth survey of the UK legal market and is compiled based on client feedback and the complexity of cases handled.

As well as being recommended as a firm, six of the teams were highlighted in the annual independent guide.

• Commercial Property
• Corporate & Commercial
• Commercial Dispute
• Human Resources
• Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate
• Contentious Trusts & Probate

Backing Dorset Business

All of the firm’s eligible commercial teams were recognised, with the guide picking out and highlighting feedback from several of the firm’s clients in this area.

I have worked with Matthew Fretten and his team for many years. Throughout that time I have received practical, pragmatic, honest, relevant and value for money advice on every occasion. The team is friendly, approachable and obviously close knit.

There are no egos, just a commitment to excellent client service and to each other.

Frettens commercial client quoted in the Legal 500 Guide.

Frettens’ new insolvency & restructuring team, headed up by partner and insolvency guru Malcolm Niekirk, was set up after the qualifying window for submissions was closed, as was their specialist social housing team.

The firm expects to see these teams listed alongside it’s other commercial teams in coming editions.

Matthew Fretten on the Firm being recommended once again

“While we have been recognised as one of the region’s leading firms in the Legal 500 guide for many years now, it is always nice when the guide is published and we get to see our bright lawyers rewarded for the exceptional work they do and service they offer to our clients.

It is fantastic that, once again, all of our eligible commercial teams were recommended, and I look forward to hopefully seeing our new specialist Insolvency and Social Housing teams added to the list in coming years.

All of our lawyers have been working exceptionally hard in a rapidly-changing environment recently. I have been amazed by how well they have all adapted to the ‘new normal’, and their ability to offer our clients a seamless service in challenging times.

While the qualifying period for the assessment was pre-COVID, this recognition of their abilities will serve well to remind them how fantastic they are. I am extremely proud of everyone involved.”

Recommended lawyers in Dorset 

A total of 13 of Frettens’ lawyers were also personally commended in this year’s Legal 500.

All six of the firm’s partners were once again recommended in their specialist fields. Matthew Fretten, Oonagh McKinney, Lee Young, Michelle Hayter and Clare Hallett retained their status as recommended lawyers in the Dorset, Devon & Cornwall region.

Michelle Hayter was commended for her work in two separate specialisms, both commercial litigation and contentious trusts & probate, for the second consecutive year.

Leading corporate & commercial solicitors

Rising Star

For the second year running, Associate Karen Edwards was highlighted as a ‘rising star’ in her field, one of only five lawyers in the region.

Wayne Spolander, another associate in the corporate and commercial team was also listed for the first time.

Commercial property & Social Housing

Ben Cobb was recommended as a commercial property solicitor in the guide. His specialism in property acquisitions for registered social landlords was recognised once again, a skill that has led Frettens to launch its specialist social housing team, which he now heads up.

Employment & HR

Frettens’ expanding employment & HR team were recognised as leaders in their field, with Head of the team Paul Burton personally recommended once again.

The guide praised their work within the care and education sectors, as well as their handling of employment tribunal cases.

Personal tax, trusts and probate

Lee Young and Heather Varley were both praised for their work on retirement and succession planning with business owners and high-value estates was highlighted.