Swindon-based Withy King Solicitors has been ranked in the top-tier of employment lawyers in the region for the second consecutive year by Legal 500 – the legal industry’s bible which has just published its 2007 edition.

According to the national rankings guide, “Withy King’s head of department, Malcolm Gregory, specialises in advising HR professionals and business owners in companies ranging from SMEs to international plcs. Gregory has expertise in employment tribunal litigation and conducts his own advocacy. The HR training unit is led by Tony Brown.”

Withy King’s specialist Racing and Bloodstock team also achieved top ranking, remaining on its own in the top tier.

The guide said: “Withy King is an important national player in this practice area, with Richard Brooks and Andrew Chalk the key figures in a multi-disciplinary racing and bloodstock sector group that provides a comprehensive service – covering employment, family and probate, corporate and property law – to the firm’s racing clients.”

With King was also praised for the quality of its commercial and private client work, with its commercial property, construction, personal injury, family and clinical negligence teams all ranked in the second tier. Led by Paul Daniels, the firm’s commercial property team was noted in the guide for its instructions from large regional clients including The Boston Tea Party and developers such as BS Property Development and Westleigh Property Developments. Highlights of 2006 included advising Wiltshire Leisure Village Limited on the development of 44 holiday lodges. According to the Legal 550, “Clients appreciate the team’s one-stop-shop service”. The team was also praised for the work of its specialist care sector team.

A total of 16 commercial and private client practice areas at Withy King have been ranked in the Legal 500.

“Our continued focus on developing key markets in the West and along the M4 corridor is fuelling the firm’s long-term growth,” said Chris Kane, partner and head of business development at Withy King.

“Our latest rankings in Legal 500 are a reflection of our investment in developing not only key practice areas, but also our vertical sector strengths, such as racing and bloodstock, construction and care homes. The reputation of our PI and clinical negligence teams is constantly growing and they are recognised for their specialist skills in birth injury claims, catastrophic injuries and occupational disease claims. Increasingly we represent a real alternative to the Bristol ‘heavyweights’.”

Withy King employs 200 people at its offices in Swindon, Marlborough, Bath, Trowbridge and London.

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