A number of teams and individuals at Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP), a law firm with offices in Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, have been recognised in The Legal 500, which independently ranks law firms and lawyers around the world.

TSP's directors Mary Anne Fedeyko, Fiona Ashworth and Jolyon Berry are highlighted as leading individuals. Kerry Addison, Aileen Hirst and Robert Ashworth are highlighted as next generation partners, and a further 10 lawyers are recommended in their practice areas.

The company's corporate and commercial team is again rated Tier Two (Essex) by The Legal 500. The team “undertakes the entire ambit of corporate and commercial work
for local and national clients” with “particular strengths in areas such as agriculture and healthcare, including matters relating to dental practices, GP practices and NHS contracts”.

Recommended lawyer Stephen Firmin, who heads up TSP's agriculture and estates team, was recognised for his “encyclopaedic knowledge of land law”, while next generation partner Kerry Addison “specialises in development and planning for farmers and landowners”. Both are Fellows of the Agricultural Law Association.

The commercial property team are “regularly called upon to advise on a wide range of commercial property and rural land matters”, and recommended lawyer Mark Rowlands is a “name to note”.

The wills and estates team “is highly prominent in the agriculture sector”, offering specialist advice on “farming family successions, high-value estate administrations and tax-related issues”. The team is highlighted for “its advice to business owners and high-net-worth individuals on lifetime and succession planning.” Other areas of expertise include Court of Protection deputyship matters, powers of attorney and contested wills.

Jolyon Berry’s “first-rate” employment team retains its Top Tier in Essex rating, being commended for its “excellent end-to-end user service to corporate clients on all types of business-critical issues that shape their operations on a day-to-day and long-term basis”.

Tenant disputes, defamation and contentious probate are all handled by the dispute resolution team, led by Sharon Auton, who has “more than 20 years’ litigation experience and is also a trained mediator.” 

Also highlighted for their work is the TSP personal injury and clinical negligence team, led by Steve Webb, who has a “strong track record securing favourable settlements for claimants”. Chartered legal executive Stacey Anderson was recognised for her “particular expertise in medical accidents affecting women, including gynaecological and obstetric matters”.