Chambers & Partners, one of the leading legal directories, today published its guide to the leading UK law firms. Fox & Partners is recognised as a leading firm for both partnership and employment work in both contentious and non-contentious spheres. Partners Caroline Field and Catriona Watt are listed as ‘ranked’ individuals, along with Associate Neena Patel, and founder Ronnie Fox is named as a ‘Senior Stateman’ of the legal industry.

The guide cites clients’ praise for Fox’s ‘common-sense approach’, ‘strategic analysis’ and ‘outstanding’ advice, and recognises its expertise in a number of core sectors including professional services and financial services, including private equity firms, hedge funds and venture capital funds.

The guide’s profile for Fox & Partners says:

Employment – Senior Executive

What the team is known for

Boutique employment law firm offering expert advice to senior executives, with noted work on restrictive covenants and boardroom disputes. Regularly instructed by high-profile individuals from the financial and professional services sectors. Also capable of advising employer clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

 

Strengths

“I found their ability to explain things in easy to understand language helpful,” says a client, adding: “They have a very common-sense approach and I would recommend them.”

Another client lauds the team’s “speed of response, personal attention and quality of outcome.”

 

Notable practitioners

Ronnie Fox is “very easy to work with and always accessible while being sensible and realistic,” according to clients. He has a wealth of experience advising senior employees on a full range of issues and is praised for “knowing his subject backwards.”

 

Partnership

What the team is known for

Respected employment and partnership law boutique with a long history in the market. Advises both partnerships and individual partners, often on complex and highly contentious issues such as exits and partnership dissolutions. Regularly acts for traditional professional services partnerships and continues to develop its presence in the financial services sector, including in relation to private equity firms, hedge funds and venture capital funds. Additional areas of expertise include LLP formation and discrimination claims.

 

Strengths

One client says: “Not only did I find the firm’s legal advice outstanding, but what particularly impressed me was their strategic analysis of the situation and their constant strategising of the process, keeping in mind the other side’s considerations.”

Another client notes: “They were practical, hands-on and experienced,” adding: “They had a clear vision of how things would develop.”

 

Notable practitioners

“Amazing lawyer” and ‘Senior Statesman’ Ronnie Fox is a renowned partnership expert with a strong track record representing clients in sensitive partnership disputes. Now a consultant at the firm, he continues to offer the benefit of his many years’ experience to clients, who praise his “strategic vision.”

Caroline Field has considerable experience advising on partnership disputes, particularly in the financial services sector. She regularly advises on matters involving partner exits and restrictive covenants. Clients note: “Her attention to detail is outstanding.”

Catriona Watt assists clients with a wide range of contentious matters, with particular expertise in partner exits and team moves. She has notable experience in matters concerning partnerships and LLPs in the financial services sector. Clients praise her as a “very experienced lawyer who is able to provide deep insight into matters.”

Senior associate Neena Patel provides expert advice on partner appointments and departures as well as the drafting of partnership agreements. She advises partnerships, LLPs and individual partners.