Chambers & Partners, one of the leading legal directories, today published its 2021 guide to the UK’s top law firms. Fox & Partners has maintained its rankings and 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, and founder Ronnie Fox is named as a ‘Senior Statesman’ of the legal industry. Partner Ivor Adair has also been ‘ranked’ for the first time, reflecting the strength in depth of the team.
The guide recognises the strengths of the firm’s whole team, saying “[the lawayers] are a pleasure to work with and their actions are always commercially focused.” “Their technical strength is accompanied by a practical approach and realistic view of what is possible, and their client care is also second to none.”
The guide’s full profile for Fox & Partners says:
Employment, Senior Execs:
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
Sources remark that the lawyers
“are a pleasure to work with and their actions are always commercially focused.“
Others notes that
“their drafting and presentation is really excellent and they’re great to work with.“
Notable practitioners
Caroline Field is recognised for her work representing employees in employment disputes before the Employment Tribunal and High Court. Restrictive covenants are a notable area of strength.
“She provides amazing service and is a really excellent lawyer.
Catriona Watt is noted for her astute advice to senior executives. She regularly advises clients on cases involving discrimination, whistle-blowing and restrictive covenants.
“She has very good strategic acumen – she is responsive and manages the team very effectively to get results, sometimes in a very fast-moving situation.“
“She is a superb lawyer.“
Ivor Adair is an experienced litigator who is comfortable before the Employment Tribunal and the High Court. He regularly assists clients with whistle-blowing, discrimination and TUPE matters.
“He is extremely thorough and highly effective.“
“He has lots of energy and does great work.“
“He is highly intelligent and thoughtful about his litigation.“
Partnership:
What the team is known for
Respected employment and partnership law boutique well known for its focus on contentious partnership matters. Advises partnerships and individual partners, often on complex and highly sensitive issues such as allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination claims and expulsions. Regularly acts for traditional professional services partnerships as well as those in the financial services sector, including private equity firms.
Strengths
A client says:
“I feel very supported and have been very impressed by the responsiveness of the lawyers, especially when under time pressure. Their technical strength is accompanied by a practical approach and realistic view of what is possible, and their client care is also second to none.”
Notable practitioners
Caroline Field is well known for her contentious partnership expertise, particularly in cases where there is crossover with employment law and issues of professional negligence.
“She is strategically astute and does not neglect any aspect of the case before her,” says a client, adding: “She is also very supportive and empathetic, making her an ideal legal adviser to navigate uniquely complex legal situations.”
Catriona Watt wins praise from sources as a:
“very dynamic, client-focused and astute” solicitor who is “sensible, pragmatic and focused on the objectives and outcome of a case.”
She handles a broad range of highly sensitive and contentious partnership matters, including compulsory retirements, partner exits and sexual harassment allegations.
Ronnie Fox provides clients with the benefit of his extensive experience and deep knowledge of a wide range of contentious partnership matters. A source reports:
“Ronnie is an excellent, experienced adviser in this niche area and was able to offer me very sound advice at a particularly stressful time.”
