Recognition and results: Ellis Jones in Legal 500 UK 2026
We are pleased to announce that we have once again been recognised in the Legal 500 UK 2026 guide. The rankings are based on independent research and client feedback, and highlight the firm’s continued strength, expertise and client-focused service across a wide range of practice areas.
Standout achievements
For the Legal 500 2026 edition, we been ranked in several key practice areas, showcasing our breadth of expertise:
Commercial Litigation – Tier 1 – Our Banking & Finance and Dispute Resolution teams have been recognised as being ‘excellent communicators, very efficient at case management and responsive to clients.’’ Lauren Day, Paul Kanolik, Victoria Riddleston, Conor Maher and Florence Maher, were all listed as key members of the team.
Congratulations to Lauren Day and Paul Kanolik on being ranked as Leading Partners and Conor Maher was ranked as a Leading Associate which is an outstanding achievement.
"Conor Maher is an excellent communicator and is very knowledgeable on disputes that overlap with the property arena. He is good on his feet and undertakes some of his own advocacy."
Employment Law– Tier 2 – Our team continues to excel in guiding businesses and individuals through challenging employment law issues. Kate Brooks and her team are described as ‘an amazing team of people who are integral to providing our business with legal support.’
"Ellis Jones are a fantastic company to use when seeking legal advice. We have been fortunate to deal with Kate Brooks who typifies the mindset and professionalism of Ellis Jones"
Contentious Trusts & Probate – Tier 2 – The team have been praised for being ‘extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, competent.’.
Congratulations to Victoria Riddleston on being ranked as a Next Generation Partner.
"Victoria Riddleston stood out, her knowledge of the law was excellent, she understood our concerns and made us feel safe, confident there would be a solution."
Wills, Trusts & Probate – Tier 2 – Renowned for delivering expert advice and guidance in estate planning, trusts, and probate matters. Carla Brown, Andy Kirby and Chris Pemberton were highlighted as key members of the team.
"It is a very open and friendly firm, staff have time for you and go out of their way to respond quickly and efficiently to requests. I was treated sympathetically and sensitively. The service I received was tailored exactly to my personal requirements and was carried out efficiently and quickly."
Family Law – Tier 2 – Praised for providing compassionate, clear advice and achieving favourable outcomes in family-related legal matters. Deborah Leask, Sean McNally, Ian Butterworth, Katie Taft and Georgina Emerson are all recognised for their work.
Congratulations to Katie Taft on being ranked as a Next Generation Partner.
"Katie Taft has exemplary knowledge in legal practice, statute, case law and procedure. Katie provides realistic and sound advice to clients. Her clients consistently find her to be a warm and impressive solicitor to work with both in and out of court."
Business Services – Tier 3 – Our corporate and commercial team has been recognised for its ‘practical and commercial approach’. Neil Cook, Wayne Spolander and Diane Pearce are listed as key lawyers for the department.
"The accessibility of the Ellis Jones team is what constantly impresses me. The members of the team at all levels are friendly and approachable which then leads to more relaxed conversations to gain accuracy of understandings on which to move forward with the legal work required."
Property Litigation – Tier 4 – Recognised for advising on a variety of property disputes, including business lease renewals, restrictive covenant challenges, construction litigation, and planning-related judicial reviews.
‘Ellis Jones has a breadth of experience that is not matched by other firms on the South Coast. They can deal with any aspect of a property or development dispute, from the initial construction stages, core property disputes and funding disputes with banks or lenders. They do not just cover those areas, but bring a real depth of experience and skill to them.'
These accolades reflect our commitment to delivering top-tier legal solutions across a wide range of practice areas.
A commitment to excellence
Our recognition in the Legal 500 2026 reflects the dedication of our entire team to delivering outstanding legal services. We remain focused on continually improving, innovating, and providing exceptional value for our clients.
Thank you
We are grateful to our clients for their trust and ongoing support. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us strengthen our services and maintain the highest standards of excellence.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to providing clear, practical and effective legal advice, building on our successes and continuing to achieve the best possible outcomes.
You can explore our full range of achievements on our Awards & accreditations page.
How can Ellis Jones help?
If you would like help or advice regarding from one of our specialists, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01202 525333.
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