Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors private client team has achieved its highest ever ranking in one of the UK’s leading legal directories, The Legal 500.
The busy eight-strong team, headed up by director Suzanne Porter, has promoted and recruited new specialists to join its existing capable and well established employees and provide exceptional service.
The firm remains one of Yorkshire and The Humber’s top firms of solicitors in the 2023 edition of the industry guide with high praise for individuals across the firm's departments.
Suzanne Porter, whose department manages trust funds totalling more than £61m, said: “The team works so hard and this recognition of their exceptional legal skills and client care is well deserved.
“I am proud to work with such personable team players, who support each other and strive to give client’s an exceptional experience.”
The department, which saw a 40% increase in clients due to the pandemic, adapted to COVID-19 restrictions regarding client communications and client accessibility using, and still using, virtual meetings and virtual Will signing via online platforms Zoom and Teams.
Suzanne added: “Staff quickly grasped these modern communications, understanding which was the most appropriate to use for a particular situation or client. Virtual meetings have also been a blessing for many of the teams’ Business Clients, for whom dispensing with travel time has been popular.
“The department maintained, and offered, socially distanced home visits to make clients feel more comfortable which continues to be a success for clients who prefer the comfort of their own home to discuss sensitive information regarding their estate planning and family circumstances.
Suzanne, who is the first female deputy steward for the Wirksworth and High Peak Barmote Court, added: “Clients have maintained confidence in the firm to be able to operate properly under any circumstance.
“Our clients know that we are available for them when they need us, that we are able to keep their data secure, give them good advice and solve their legal problems.”
The department includes director Colleen Dooney, solicitors Stephanie Chung and Jennifer Robinson, associates Annie Wright and Shaun Talbot, trainee solicitor Michael Lea and Legal Assistant Zoe Watson.
Law firms only appear in The Legal 500 ranking tables and commentary on merit, through independent research and feedback from 250,000 in-house peers and access to law firms' deals and confidential matters.
For further information on Wake Smith’s business and personal legal services call 0114 266 6660 or visit www.wake-smith.co.uk
