Legal 500

Druces is recognised as a leading law firm in the latest edition of Legal 500, the respected international directory, and ranked in many of its practice areas.

The 2021 edition highlights our Equity Capital Markets and Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency practices for the first time, whilst the Mining & Minerals and Commercial Litigation teams are promoted.  Other areas of our business – across Private Client, Real Estate and Corporate  – continue their run of success in the new edition.

Druces teams in Legal 500

Legal 500 highlights a number of areas for particular praise, including:

• Druces’ M&A team are ‘The team operate collaboratively with the client’s advisor team and work to find practical and effective solutions. They deliver to a high standard and provide excellent client care.’
• Mining and minerals – a promotion for 2021 – ‘They have strong industry knowledge and experience with the impression of having acted within the industry, not advising from outside.’
• Equity and Capital Markets – a newcomer in 2021’s edition – ‘Druces as a whole in the Equity Capital Markets team are consistently one of the most reliable in the market place. They offer an output that you would usually expect of one of the larger firms while being able to maintain a personal touch of a mid tier on an ongoing basis.’
• Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency – another newcomer this year – ‘a no-nonsense team, they deliver what you need, when you need it, in a cost-efficient fashion.’
• Druces’ Private Client team is ‘very friendly, approachable and capable. Having worked with senior associates and partners in the team, I have always felt there is a willingness to do the best job possible and collaborating on these cases has always been very easy’;
• Commercial Property: Corporate Occupiers – ‘Pragmatic, experienced and market-facing advice.’;
• Druces’ Commercial Litigation team – another 2021 promotion – are ‘a team that you can really trust the judgment of. They are also always a pleasure to work with. With Druces, you can trust that your case is in safe hands. Their thorough approach to every case they deal with is distinctive and this, coupled with their dedication to defend the best interest of their clients, makes them an excellent team to work with.’ 
• Real Estate Finance – ‘‘The team are commercial, knowledgeable and approachable.’
• Islamic Finance in which ‘The feedback has been good and highlighted a “positive” outlook to getting deals done.’

Druces lawyers in Legal 500

Druces’ lawyers recognised by Legal 500 include:

Charles Avens ‘is very approachable and professional’;

Christopher Axford ‘the willingness to work collaboratively and to tight timescales sets the team apart – Christopher Axford in particular shows great commercial awareness and client focus.’

Nicholas Brent ‘breaks down complicated issues into easy to understand segments. He always finds a solution and does so with good humour.’

Adrian Footer is ‘a highly focused lawyer, who understands what our goals are and how to achieve them. He takes a no-nonsense approach with other solicitors, sets realistic expectations, makes a conscious effort to manage fees and – importantly – is readily accessible and easy to speak to.’

Helen Freely ‘is an excellent solicitor. She is always available, efficient, knowledgeable and wise in her dealings with me as a client‘;

Paul Levy – a rising star in this year’s edition is ‘very knowledgeable in all areas of private client law. Furthermore, Paul has always had a willingness to get things done with the minimum of fuss and without coming across as pushy at what is usually a difficult time for the client.’

Suzanne Middleton-Lindsley ‘is a superb lawyer, very approachable and very knowledgeable. A pleasure to work with.’

Dominic Traynor  is ‘an exceptional legal adviser – his depth of experience in industry matters and general commerciality provides insight well beyond that expected of a legal adviser.’

Ben Lomer is ‘a very capable lawyer, offering pragmatic and commercial advice to clients.’

Caroline Cropley is ‘exactly what you’d hope a senior associate would be. She ‘owns’ the account, she knows what needs to happen, when it needs to happen and how to get it done.’