

Chambers UK 2010 Report
16/11/2009
Sheffield based law firm Irwin Mitchell has been described as "a national giant" by an independent publication this week, amid news it has retained its place at the top of the personal injury and clinical negligence market.
Irwin Mitchell retained its number one ranking for clinical negligence and personal injury in the Chambers UK 2010 report, and was also ranked second for its dispute resolution, family, public law and private client services.
Sheffield's personal injury team was described as the "stand-out" firm in the region, whilst the clinical negligence team was hailed as the "dominant presence in Yorkshire."
The Chambers UK 2010 report, which ranks solicitors and barristers across 60 specialist areas of law in the UK, also highlighted a number of Irwin Mitchell's lawyers for their individual work.
Sheffield lawyers John Pickering, National Managing partner; David Body, National Head of Medical Law; Andrew Tucker, National Head of Personal Injury; Martin Loxley, National Head of Family Law; and John Dickinson, Head of Prison Law, were all ranked as the number one lawyers in their respective fields.
John Pickering was branded "the star of Sheffield" for his work on both personal injury and clinical negligence. David Body was described as "one of the top clinical negligence players in the country" and Martin Loxley was hailed as "a very accomplished and experienced operator."
John Pickering said: "We're delighted to be recognised as one of the finest law firms in the country, and are proud of the impact that brings to Sheffield as the city where we started out.
"Irwin Mitchell has grown considerably in recent years and we are now one of Sheffield's largest employers, and one of the largest law firms in the UK."
As well as retaining its high-profile rankings, Irwin Mitchell improved its position in a number of other areas. The Private Client, Employment, Intellectual Property and Real Estate teams all moved up to the next band in the report.
Other teams from Irwin Mitchell who were highlighted for special praise include the family team, which was described as "the King of Sheffield when it comes to family law", and the public law team was hailed as "absolutely superb" for its work on public law, civil liberties and the environment.
John Pickering added: "We have been renowned for our personal injury and clinical negligence services for a long time now, so whilst we are delighted to maintain our standards in these areas, it is particularly satisfying to see other departments and lawyers now receiving recognition and being singled out for praise."
Irwin Mitchell was also ranked in the top five for a number of other areas of law, including Banking & Finance, Corporate, Real Estate, Restructuring/Insolvency, Police Law, Fraud and Criminal Law.