Partner Praised For 'Pioneering' Work

A respected Yorkshire lawyer has been recognised as one of the leaders in his field after being named as one of the top 100 figures in the legal profession.

Joe Simpson, Partner and Head of Irwin Mitchell’s market-leading Insurance, Lending and Recoveries Division, was picked to be included in the prestigious Hot 100 2011 by legal magazine The Lawyer, which praised him for his work in developing ‘pioneering legal products’ and described the law firm as being ‘streets ahead’ of rivals.

The news follows repeated innovations from the national law firm, which included the launch of its ground-breaking partnership with the Telegraph Media Group in March last year and a further partnership with York-based “life assistance” firm CPP just three months ago.

Simpson, who leads Irwin Mitchell’s highly respected volume legal services division,  also came in for praise for his work in helping to prepare the company for the changes to the industry through the Legal Services Act, which could see some of the biggest brands in the UK entering the sector from October this year. According to The Lawyer…”2011 will be a landmark for the profession”

In recognising Simpson’s creative thinking around the provision of legal services within the  UK, The Lawyer’s Hot 100 guide noted: “In the run up to the Legal Services Act coming fully into force, it is only to be expected that firms will start branching out. But with Simpson leading the way, Irwin Mitchell is streets ahead.”

Simpson, who joined Irwin Mitchell in 1981 and has seen the company grow to become one of the biggest law firms in the country, said: “It’s obviously very flattering to be named in such a prestigious guide but what’s much more important is the recognition it gives us as a firm for the innovative products we’ve looked to bring to market in recent years.

“The Legal Services Act is bringing significant changes to the legal marketplace and partnerships such as those we now have with brands such as the Telegraph and CPP  send a clear signal that we are at the forefront of the developing market. We look forward to working with even more of the UK’s best-known brands in the future.

“We are already a trusted name and a market leader in a number of areas of law and we are confident that we can remain a market leader in the delivery of legal services to consumers and businesses in the future.”

The unique partnership with Telegraph Media Group aims to provide the media firm’s customers with a ‘one stop’ shop for all their legal needs, offering a broad range of services including expert legal advice in areas such as Personal Injury, Family, Employment, Wills, Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Spanish Services and legal services for SMEs.

Access to this service is provided 24/7, with enquiries dealt with first by the law firm’s Legal Helpline based in Sheffield, and then passed on to experienced lawyers in the firm’s specialist practice areas, allowing a range of customers a variety of fixed fee products and discounted services.