Oxfordshire - Local legal partner named in industry Hall of Fame

27 of Gardner Leader’s team receive individual recognition in the 2027 Legal 500

1 October 2026, Oxfordshire: Dispute resolution lawyer, Michelle Di Gioia, partner at leading regional law firm Gardner Leader, with an office in Oxford, has been named in the ‘Hall of Fame’ in this year’s prestigious Legal 500 Guide - the industry’s directory of the best lawyers and law firms in the country.

Michelle is highlighted as ‘a superb litigator’, ‘hands-on, experienced and strategic’ with a ‘quiet determination to get the best for her clients’. She is recognised for her expertise in property and commercial litigation and health and safety.

The Hall of Fame is reserved for lawyers who are at the very top of the legal profession and recognised by ‘clients and peers for consistent excellence and longstanding involvement in market-leading work’. Consistently featured in the guide, Michelle was also recognised last year as a top partner and recommended lawyer.

The 130-year-old firm, which has tripled in size over the last decade, now has offices across the Thames Valley, including Oxford, Newbury, Thatcham and Maidenhead, as well as Swindon and London. Its highly experienced team of legal professionals work across nine specialist teams, each dedicated to providing specific services to businesses and individuals.

For 35 years, the Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the UK, as well as rating and recommending the best performing across different practice areas. Gardner Leader received special mentions for its ‘real commitment to delivering for their clients’ and ‘having their client’s interests front and centre in what they do’.

Twenty-four solicitors from the firm’s business law, employment, disputes, property, family, private client and estate planning and trusts teams were individually recognised as key lawyers, with two solicitors also named as leading partners. Chris Felton ‘exemplifies expertise in handling complex, multi-jurisdiction litigation’ and Alastair Goggins ‘is a key port of call for beneficiaries, charities, and trustees’ and ‘noted for his range of experience before the High Court and the Court of Protection.’

Di Gioia, who has been with the firm for nearly 14 years and is also a board member, said: “Being named in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame is a tremendous honour. To be recognised in this way, alongside so many highly respected lawyers, is something I am incredibly proud of. What makes it particularly meaningful is that the recognition reflects the trust our clients place in us and the support of the talented colleagues I have worked alongside throughout my career.”

“The Legal 500 offers a true benchmark of where we are as a firm,” said Derek Rodgers, managing partner at Gardner Leader. “To see so many of our lawyers recognised individually, and Michelle named in the Hall of Fame, is a significant achievement.

“We are committed to providing every client with outstanding legal advice and genuine peace of mind. These rankings demonstrate the strength of our teams across the firm and reinforce our ongoing investment in attracting, developing and retaining exceptional legal talent.”

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Editors notes

With offices in Newbury, Thatcham, Maidenhead, Swindon, Oxford and London, Gardner Leader is a Certified B Corporation™ leading regional law firm offering a wide range of legal services to businesses and individuals across the Thames Valley and south of England.

A Chambers and Partners’ leading firm in UK, last year Gardner Leader won LawNet’s ‘Business Support Team of the Year’ following its success in 2024 when it won ‘Law Firm of the Year - £6m turnover and above’ award - it was also highly commended in the ‘Best Innovation’ category.

In 2024, Gardner Leader also won ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at The Royal Berkshire Property Awards and was named as the ‘Best SME’ at the Maidenhead & District Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) Community & Business Awards.

The firm was first founded in 1895. It has over 200 members of staff. Its team of highly experienced and friendly solicitors are all specialist, specifically dedicated to their areas of expertise. Each team is driven by what matters to the client and committed to delivering results.

Gardner Leader services to business and services to individuals include:

Corporate (e.g., M&As, venture capital & private equity transactions, management buyouts and shareholder agreements) Commercial (including commercial contracts, IP, IT and procurement) Real Estate for Businesses Life Sciences Dispute Resolution Employment (for individuals and businesses) Family (such as family breakdowns and divorce and pre-nuptial agreements) Residential Property Wills, Probate and Estate Planning Charity Crime

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