Top spot for Wake Smith’s client service in regional survey

Wake Smith Solicitors has ranked in the top scoring firms in Yorkshire and The Humber region for client service.

The Legal 500 Client Service Survey is the largest and most comprehensive survey of client satisfaction ever conducted of the UK legal market.

Wake Smith was one of just 11 firms highlighted as exceptional after researchers contacted clients to access their views on the service they have received from around 1000 law firms. It is the only solely Sheffield based practice to be highlighted.

The firm, which has 40 fee earners, also saw its corporate and commercial team elevated in the Legal 500 rankings this year -  the legal sector's independent and authoritative directory of law firms.

The team, led by Duncan Shepherd, acts for an extensive roster of clients in the Yorkshire manufacturing sector, with further expertise in the IT, hospitality, automotive and healthcare industries.

Shepherd and John Baddeley handle the full range of transactions including management buyouts, sale and leasebacks and share acquisitions, as well as commercial contracting issues and licensing arrangements.

John Baddeley, Wake Smith chairman and director in the company commercial team, who was described as an outstanding lawyer and adviser in the Legal 500 2020, said:  "The Legal 500 guide directly relates to the views and experiences of our clients and referrers.

“Their positive feedback reflects our commitment to providing high quality advice and representation, and I am delighted to see the firm ranking so well, and read such positive comments about our solicitors.

“Although certain individuals are highlighted in the report, Wake Smith has an exceptional team.”

Work highlights for the Wake Smith’s company commercial team have included advising Red Industries on the acquisition of Environmental Resource Group; the management buyout team of Juratek on the company’s acquisition and the shareholders of Freight Despatch Worldwide on the disposal of share capital in the company.

Wake Smith features in nine practice areas for the Yorkshire and Humber region including corporate and commercial; dispute resolution - commercial litigation; banking and finance; human resources - employment; clinical negligence; personal tax, trusts and probate; commercial property, property litigation and family law.

Law firms only appear in The Legal 500 ranking tables and commentary on merit. It is purely based on whether The Legal 500 researchers believe the firm is good enough for inclusion.

The Legal 500 is based on feedback from 250,000 in-house peers and access to law firms' deals and confidential matters, which are independently assessed by researchers. The resulting tables rank the firms, and also provide commentary to help individuals judge which firm might be right for them.

Wake Smith is fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently recruiting in several key areas.