Law firm earns praise and rewards employees

South West legal firm Stephens Scown LLP has cemented its position as one of the leading firms in Devon and Cornwall, with the announcement of the independent legal guide Chambers & Partners 2014, which has awarded the firm more top rankings than ever before.

This news comes on top of Stephens Scown hitting its six month targets, with employees being rewarded for their hard work. Income for the firm has grown by 7% in the period of October 2012 to October 2013, enabling partners to award employees a bonus pay-out of £85,000.

Chambers has ranked Stephens Scown in 12 disciplines, with top rankings in six legal areas. The firm, which has offices in Exeter, St Austell and Truro, has received Band 1 ranking for family law in both Exeter and Cornwall, as well as for its agriculture, planning, private client and social housing teams in Cornwall.

The number of the firm’s solicitors named as ‘leading individuals’ has also increased, with ten lawyers being recognised for the first time this year, bringing the total number of ‘leading individuals’ in the firm to an astounding 27. The lawyers recognised for the first time this year are: Sally Norcross-Webb (mining and corporate), Hilary Pitts and Keith Wright (social housing).Andrew Barton, Jo Stone and Sarah Atkinson (family law), Ben Travers (information technology), Catherine Mathews (litigation), Helen Furneaux (charities), and Susie Murray (agriculture and rural affairs)

The number of lawyers with Band 1 ranking has also increased from six to seven. Family law expert Liz Allen retains her Band 1 ranking and is described as having "an encyclopaedic knowledge of current law and legal developments" and is recognised for her work on high value financial settlements. Planning expert Ian Lamond retains top ranking and is noted for his expertise in the minerals area. Leading litigator Chris Harper also retains his Band 1 recognition and is described by clients as ‘all but peerless in this field’ and ‘I am indeed fortunate to have such a formidable ally’. Also ranked as Band 1 are Richard Baker (agriculture and rural affairs), Jo Stone (family law), Graham Murdoch (private client) and Keith Wright (social housing).

Stephens Scown’s focus on client service is praised with clients commenting: "We wanted someone we could trust at all times – no matter what size or stage of growth we are at. Stephens Scown deliver all of that for us and never let us down." Another client said: "I am passionate about this business and it was crucial that my lawyer shared that passion and understood what I was trying to achieve."

Robert Camp, Managing Partner for Stephens Scown, said: “Client service is crucial to everyone who works for Stephens Scown and our clients are at the heart of everything we do. This client focussed approach has shown its rewards with excellent growth in income for the firm and I am delighted that we can show our appreciation to staff and reward them just in time for Christmas!”

Explaining the importance of the recognition by Chambers, Robert continues: “To have our hard work acknowledged by such an influential guide to the law is very encouraging – clients look for legal firms they can trust and expert advice they can rely on, and an independent endorsement like this is very important.”

The Chambers guide is highly regarded because of its in depth research, which includes thousands of telephone and face to face meetings with clients and law firms over a six month period.

Stephens Scown has over 40 partners and 230 staff across its offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell. For more information visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk