Recognition for FBC Manby Bowdler in national guide

Expert legal teams at FBC Manby Bowdler are celebrating after they were recognised as being among the best in the country in the UK’s top independent guide to law firms.

The firm’s commercial litigation, agriculture and estates, contentious trusts and probate, and family departments were all “top tier” ranked in the Legal 500 publication. And more than 20 of the firm’s solicitors were individually recognised for the expertise and service delivered to clients.

Commercial litigation specialist, Guy Birkett, was picked out as a Leading Individual in his sector, with his award-winning colleague, Charlotte Clode identified as one of the up-and-coming Next Generation partners.

Two other FBC Manby Bowdler lawyers were identified in the new guide as Rising Stars of the industry. They are Suzanne Tucker, for planning and Kim Mears, in contentious trusts and probate, who the guide called an “excellent lawyer” who “takes time to make considered and well thought through decisions, so clients’ money is never wasted.”

The guide also highlighted the “amazing attention to detail” within the wider contentious trusts and probate team. It said: “Cases are prepared forensically, correspondence is detailed and used to actually advance the client’s case and the preparation for trial and/or mediation is second to none. The key strength of FBC Manby Bowdler is the diligence with which the team scrutinises every case to ensure the very best advice is given from the off.”

The firm’s family department were also highlighted as being a strong, experienced and dedicated team, led by Partner Anne Thomson whom the guide acknowledged as energetic, industrious and focused. It added: “The lawyers are the best in the area. Philip Cowell is very popular with clients and judges. He is a first-class lawyer and is extremely practical.”

The firm’s agriculture and estates team again won top tier ranking, with the guide naming Partners Tom Devey and Sarah Baugh as the “go-to” landed estate lawyers in the region, thanks to their “thorough knowledge with practical application and an approachable attitude.”

FBC Manby Bowdler also received recommendations for its work in corporate and commercial, debt recovery, insolvency and corporate recovery, personal injury and clinical negligence, contentious trusts and probate, commercial property and family law.

Managing director Neil Lloyd said: “In a year that has been full of challenges for us and for our clients on so many fronts, it is a real reward for our team to be recognised for the superb work they do as trusted advisors in so many sectors.

“Because FBC Manby Bowdler puts such a focus on high quality customer service, backed by the top level expertise of its people, it’s all the more gratifying to receive recognition from this entirely independent publication.”

All FBC Manby Bowdler lawyers featuring in the 2021 Legal 500 Guide:

Corporate and commercial

- James Sage

- David Preece

- Stuart Rea

Commercial litigation

- Guy Birkett

- Charlotte Clode

- Gareth Ruddock

- Brian Aikman

Debt recovery

- Gareth Ruddock

Insolvency and corporate recovery

- Gareth Ruddock

- James Sage

- Brian Aikman

Personal injury

- Susan Todhunter

- Tim Gray

- Jaswinder Tawana

- Adam Wilson

Agriculture and estates

- Steven Corfield

- Sarah Baugh

- Tom Devey

Contentious trusts and probate

- Kim Mears

- Angie Manley

Family

- Anne Thompson

- Philip Cowell

- Sarah Millington

- Rachel Bloxwich

Commercial property

- Andrew Wynne

- David Grove

Planning

- Suzanne Tucker

Ends

Editors notes

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is a 30-Partner award winning regional law firm focused on and committed to intelligently delivering stellar service to its customers. The firm's approach is 'One Team' and is committed to delivering the greatest quality of service and advice possible. FBC Manby Bowdler's Client Charter explains the firm's promises to clients about the stellar service experience they can expect to receive. FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is recognised in the 2019 Legal 500 Directory as a top tier Firm for Agriculture & Estates, Contentious Trusts & Probate, Family, and Commercial Litigation. For further information, please visit www.fbcmb.co.uk, or follow the firm on Twitter @FBCManbyBowdler.