Wake Smith’s Company Law Team Lead Ranks As Top Individual In Industry Guide

Wake Smith Solicitors’ head of Company and Commercial Rebecca Robinson has been named as a Leading Partner in Sheffield and South Yorkshire by a top industry guide.

Solicitor Rebecca, who has headed up the Sheffield firm’s corporate law team for the last two years, is highlighted as a Leading Partner in the 2027 list in the UK’s eminent legal directory, The Legal 500, as one of the strongest partners in their field, completing market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients.

Her team at Wake Smith, which has a strong focus on the regional manufacturing sector and is active for clients engaging in share buy-backs, management buyouts, and debt investments, M&As and a range of other transactions, retains its Tier 2 position in the category in Sheffield and South Yorkshire with colleague Tom Haywood’s work also noted.

The Legal 500 editorial reports that Rebecca is active for private individuals and businesses on the range of corporate and commercial work, with clients highlighting technical excellence combined with a highly pragmatic, client-focused approach as well expert delivery and efficiently, with a clear understanding of what clients are trying to achieve and in a friendly manner. The team is available and respond in a timely and appropriate manner.

Rebecca, whose team acted on deals with a combined value in excess of £100 million in the year ending April 2026. said: “I am incredibly proud to be named as a Leading Partner in this field in the region. A busy year has seen us achieve some exceptional outcomes for our clients on both the buy and sell-side, through some complex legal work.

“This confirms our position as one of the main players in Sheffield and South Yorkshire in terms of technical legal knowledge and commercial awareness retains, which continues to attract, a loyal and solid customer base impressed by our professional, honest and commercial advice, backed up by negotiation and problem-solving skills.”

Rebecca is also highlighted for her banking and finance work especially her focus on acquisition funding, refinancing, and security work, alongside colleague Neil Salter providing support to bank clients on transactional work. Neil has long-standing experience at the intersection of commercial property and secured lending.

John Breeze also retained his position as a Leading Partner in the contentious trusts and probate rankings while the firm’s employment team gains a new one to watch ranking.

Wake Smith remains one of Yorkshire and The Humber’s top firms of solicitors in the 2027 edition of the industry guide with high praise for individuals across the firm.

The established firm retained its Yorkshire rankings in numerous departments including family, commercial property, commercial litigation, property litigation, corporate and commercial, banking and finance, private client, contentious probate, employment and clinical negligence.

Individuals highlighted for their exceptional work included Elizabeth Shaw, Mike Doherty, Sophie Kerry, Ben Spencer, Laura Saul, Terry Regan, Scott Haslam, Kate Lax, Johanna Brewer and Liam Kenealy.

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.

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