The 2023 edition of Chambers & Partners UK was released on Thursday 20 October, ranking the teams at Greene & Greene as experts within their fields as well as highlighting individual talent across the practice areas. Feedback from clients interviewed by Chambers include ‘Greene & Greene has always approached and managed complex matters with skill, agility and ease,’ and ‘They have an experienced team with wide knowledge and their response is timely and thorough.’
Corporate and Commercial
Recognised for its range of corporate entities including regional and national businesses, plcs and private investors, the team have strong experience in acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations.
Andrew Cooper joins the rankings for the first time moving up from Up and Coming to band 3. His clients describe him as ‘a very conscientious and robust lawyer who understands our commercial needs and provides good, practical advice.’
Mark Whittaker also joins the rankings having joined Greene & Greene in 2020. His clients describe him as ‘a very pragmatic operator and a strong communicator who is always attentive.’
Managing Partner, Simon Ratcliffe and Neil Walmsley both maintain their band 2 rankings, whilst Mark Daly is ranked and noted for his ‘good reputation, is very well respected and is just very competent.’
Commercial Litigation
Ranked as band 2, Chambers note the team are widely recognised for expertise in an array of commercial disputes. The team frequently represent SMEs and individual clients, including businesspeople and company directors. The lawyers also act on professional negligence claims and cases concerning alleged fraud and breaches of fiduciary duties.
Rob Adam heads the dispute resolution team and is noted for being ‘one of the best regional dispute resolution lawyers. He is extremely good with clients, writes excellent and succinct letters, and is a very talented negotiator, particularly in mediations.’
Vastly experienced Michael Batty, Senior Partner, is ranked band 2 with clients commenting he ‘is a very experienced and sensible commercial litigator who can handle trials at the highest level.’
Employment
Our band 2 ranked employment team are noted for advising individuals and businesses across a wide spectrum of employment matters. Employers utilise the firm for its ability to advise on matters including restructurings, TUPE transfers and the defence of tribunal proceedings. Client testimonials include: ‘Greene & Greene understand our business and have the foresight to see upcoming challenges.’
Head of Department and band 2 ranked lawyer, Selene Holden, advises employers on a broad range of work including investigation, grievance procedures and senior exits. She is described by clients as being ‘entirely capable of dealing with the most complex matters without any difficulty whatsoever,’ and ‘Selene inspires confidence – she understands our business including the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.’
Ranked lawyer Greg Jones frequently advises clients in the technology and manufacturing sectors on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including investigations, senior exits and TUPE issues. ‘He understands our business and delivers appropriate advice.’ Associate to watch, Angharad Ellis Owen is recommended for her experience of employment disputes. Aside from litigation, she is equally capable assisting clients with areas such as contract negotiations and TUPE. Clients comment ‘Angharad is an experienced practitioner who provides pragmatic and sensible advice to clients.’
Commercial Property
The firm’s commercial property team is noted for its experience in covering a broad range of real estate services, with one client commenting: ‘They are well placed to handle complex matters and have a strong team with good knowledge.’
Property Litigation
The firm provides a wide range of services including advice on planning disputes, restrictive covenants, adverse possession and forfeiture. Michael Batty, Senior Partner, is noted for being ‘a very reasonable and effective lawyer.’
Construction
Ranked band 2 for the second year in a row, the practice led by Sarah Western has gained a strong client base with one commenting ‘Greene & Greene has gained a very strong technical understanding of our work and provided excellent services guiding us through some very complex contractual issues. ‘
Sarah Western is again ranked with clients commenting on her excellent client service. ‘Sarah Western provides an excellent, timely service and is always on hand regarding any queries.’ ‘Sarah has proved an excellent ally and guided us through some very complicated technical and commercial issues.’
Family and Matrimonial
Our family team are once again ranked band 1 in the region. Chambers comment that the team fields a first-class practice in both financial and Children Act proceedings, regularly handling complex cases involving land and property as well as businesses. The firm’s clients include high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs. Feedback includes ’The team aren’t fazed by even the most unique and complex matters – they’re a truly reliable source of expertise.’
Head of Department, Stuart Hughes, is ranked as a band 1 lawyer again with his clients commenting, ‘He’s very straightforward to deal with and his clients completely trust him, as he says practically what needs to be done and how,’ and ‘Stuart is an exceptional operator who offers an unrivalled level of service, whilst offering his breadth of expertise and experience.’
Melanie Pilmer is also ranked and regularly assists with a breadth of matrimonial finance cases, especially those involving business and farming assets. Her clients say, ‘she’s very experienced and willing to look at matters from a new angle.’
Agriculture and Rural Affairs
The team regularly act for agricultural and business property owners on rural transactions, agricultural tenancies, trust and taxation issues and succession planning matters. It represents land agents, developers and other rural professionals. The team are known for being an ‘experienced team with wide knowledge and their response is timely and thorough.’
The team of specialist lawyers are led by ranked Lawyer Jonathan Mathers, whose clients state he is ‘always available and attentive to client needs.’
For a full list of rankings and client testimonials, please visit Greene & Greene’s Chambers & Partners firm profile.