The meeting took place prior to the worldwide IBA conference and was held at the offices of Greenberg Traurig in Miami, discussing all aspects of law firm management and the development of the profession across the world.  It turns out that the issues affecting the profession are pretty similar whatever the continent, whatever the culture and whatever the economy is doing.

We are at the heart of one of the world’s premier legal organisations, and if you need coverage or support – whether it be through the IBA or our membership of the Alliott Global Alliance – do get in touch with Paul Marmor,  and the team. 

English Law Day was part of Uzbek Arbitration Week (19-23 September, 2022), an annual event that brings together national and international arbitration professionals and educators to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Central Asia. The organisers of the event are the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Tashkent International Arbitration Center (TIAC).

Uzbekistan is a fast-developing economy involving large infrastructure projects and has become an increasingly important player in the international corporate and capital markets arena, in relation to which English law is increasingly being used.

Marta Grieve is the Head of Sherrards’ Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk and is very familiar with the region, having spent several years running the office of a leading regional law firm in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Watch the video from UZAW where Marta makes an appearance 41:46 : Youtube

The Sherrards’ Litigation team continue to be ranked highly. They are known for representing clients from a whole host of industries and in being very active in international multi-jurisdictional cases.

One client stated that “Sherrards is very strong on litigation. The team quickly gets to the issues and understands the best way to proceed.”

Partner, and Head of The Dispute Resolution and International departments, Paul Marmor was highlighted as a “pragmatic and intellectual commercial litigator.” Another client stated that “Paul is passionate, enthusiastic, and easy to talk to. He can advise in terms that are understood by a lay person.” Fellow Partner, Karen Dobson was also ranked very highly, where she also specialises in Recovery and Insolvency alongside Litigation. Clients say: “She is an excellent insolvency litigator.

 

The Corporate and Commercial team maintains a healthy reputation acting for clients in the media and entertainment sector. They also act on behalf of clients from the charity, manufacturing and technology industries. They offer further experience advising AIM market clients on a range of M&A and corporate regulatory matters. It also demonstrates expertise in international work, with continued involvement in matters with European and Asian elements. One client said “The team has an excellent grasp of complex commercial deals.”

Leigh Head was highlighted as Notable Practitioner. A source said: “Leigh is an excellent lawyer. He’s responsive, knowledgeable, and always offers practical solutions to problems.”  

The Employment team’s continued ranking highlights their outstanding service.

Mark Fellow’s team provides advice to clients across a spread of industries including retail, hospitality and finance. It offers guidance on a range of employment matters including claims of unfair dismissal, sex and disability discrimination and breach of contract. Additionally adept at providing legal and HR support and training to clients.

Terry Fendt, Head of Commercial Property at Sherrards was ranked again for the 8^th year in a row.  Terry is “a sound lawyer” and one that has considerable experience advising on a broad range of real estate matters.

These successes follow our ranking in the Chambers & Partners High Net Worth guide earlier this year, where our Private Wealth team remains highly ranked, with Nicole Marmor, Partner and Head of the department, also noted for “always being responsive and clear, and very straightforward and practical in advice.”

 

We are thankful for the support of our clients who have taken time to support us and lead us to another year of fantastic results.

These rankings sit alongside our recognition in the Legal 500 which, in addition to featuring the above team members, includes other team members such as Greg Pooler, Marta Grieve, Jean-Paul da Costa and Stephanie Kierans. You can read the press release for more in-depth quotes and information, by clicking here.

Join us at our free upcoming seminar on Inheritance Tax on the 20th October at Shendish Manor, 6:30pm. Click here to RSVP.

We’re holding a free seminar at the beautiful Shendish Manor, with the team Grosvenor Wealth Management Ltd. To help you to protect your wealth and assets.

You’ll learn:

• How Inheritance tax will affect your estate
• What exactly is within your estate
• Who pays, how much & when
• What can be done to reduce your Inheritance tax bill

Please click here to sign up.

The firm received fantastic commentary around the ranked teams which have been noted for their excellence and high level of client satisfaction.

We would like to thank our clients and friends of the firm for providing such fantastic feedback and helping us to remain a top-tier firm in this year’s Legal 500 directory.

To see our full set of rankings click here to go to The Legal 500, or read below for our highlights:

Top Tier Departments

Our Private Wealth team kept their top tier status, attributed to their notable international expertise – advising domiciled and non-domiciled clients with interests across North America, Europe and Asia. With the Head of Department Nicole Marmor highly recommended.

Clients said ‘The team were extremely caring and sensitive’ and ‘They dealt with all matters very swiftly and we were kept up to date with the costs and progress.’

The Dispute Resolution team advise ‘in the banking, fraud, recruitment and franchising sectors with much cross-border work in Ukraine, China and French-speaking countries.’ The team regularly acts for clients in asset finance, banking, insolvency and debt recovery-related litigation while also handling contentious probate and restrictive covenant issues. The team was noted as being ‘proactive and sensitive to client needs and concerns. Open-minded about thinking outside the box. Prepared to devote all the resources needed to the task and determined to get the best possible result for the clients.’

Head of Litigation, Dispute Resolution and International, Paul Marmor was highlighted again this year as a leading lawyer in the directory which is The Legal 500’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide. He was recommended as being ‘very astute to the commercial realities of the case and sensitive to clients needs. He manages the team effectively.’

Marta Grieve was recommended and noted for her work in the international arena, Karen Dobson was recommended for her tenacity and transparency, and Senior Associate Greg Pooler was also recommended and noted for being ‘hard-working, bright and conscientious.’

Sherrards’ Employment department remain top tier and are known for providing HR support to clients on grievances, disciplinaries, restrictive covenants, tribunal claims, immigration and transactional support on business acquisitions and mergers. The team is also experienced in contentious employment matters such as disability discrimination, constructive and unfair dismissal.

This work spans several sectors including retail, leisure and recruitment. Practice head Mark Fellows has experience in employment tribunals with a corporate client base from global organisations to owner-managed businesses.

Clients say ‘Sherrards Solicitors have a strong team, who are all very knowledgeable in their areas, this makes them a perfect company to deal with for all our business legal requirements.’  And that ‘We have worked with several of the partners, all of which have been extremely professional and efficient… They go the extra mile.’

Mark Fellows was recommended again as a leading individual.

 

Ranked Departments

The Corporate and Commercial team were also ranked highly. They are cited as an established corporate and commercial team with mergers, acquisitions and disposals at the root of its work. The practice also handles private equity transactions and provides regulatory advice to its clients who are often owner-managed businesses. The firm has a particular focus in the franchising, retail, entertainment and hospitality sectors.

Head of department Jean-Paul Da Costa and Partner Leigh Head, were both recommended highly too, and clients say ‘This is a top firm with its feet on the ground. The reason why they are my choice is that they understand people, as well as the law and, are focused and driven. They tell you as it is and won’t let you down.’

The Commercial Property teams were also both ranked highly. Clients mention that ‘The property team is very dedicated and listen to their clients’ needs/requirements and act accordingly. They keep the client updated at all stages and go above and beyond for their clients with the advice they provide.’

‘Stephanie Kierans & Terry Fendt go above and beyond with their service. Nothing is too much trouble for their clients.’

‘Pro-actively commercial and promptly reactive to our business’ needs. Always willing to go the extra mile to get things done, but sensibly priced to boot.’

 

We thank all clients and contacts who helped us to rank so highly this year in the Legal 500.

Answer: we guess anyone who can order a pizza on a tablet … relief!  In that case, we’re OK after all – at least we think so …?

That is our takeaway as Richard Susskind, eminent author and Times journalist and IT advisor to the Lord Chief Justice, closed the International Bar Association’s Leadership Academy (hosted by the IBA’s Law Firm Management Committee at King’s College, London) by predicting the decline of today’s professions (including legal), and describing the people and technology that will replace them, as set out in his book: The Future of the Professions.

For more information about the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department and, indeed, our use of technology and artificial intelligence, please feel free to reach out to Paul Marmor, head of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department, on pdm@sherrards.com or +44 207 478 9010.

During the Covid pandemic, Greg Pooler participated in an online “future leaders” course for emerging senior associates and partners in professional firms.

This should have culminated in an in-person conference a year or two ago, but was postponed until June 2022, where Greg was able to attend together with 25 other next-generation lawyers and accountants from among the AGA family. 

It was great networking, great learning and a great opportunity to expand Sherrards’ connections around the world!

What a pleasure for Paul Marmor, Head of international services at Sherrards and Nicole Marmor, Head of Private Wealth, to visit Warsaw, Poland and meet up with Michał Woloszanski & Marta Solarska at Wołoszański & Partners Law Firm

Woloszanski & Partners are one of our alliance firms from Alliott Global Alliance known for their technology and telecoms clients.

We wish to thank them for their wonderful hospitality. 

ELIFAR ( Every life is for a reason ) is a small charity which aims to help improve the care, facilities and equipment available to profoundly disabled children and young adults both at home or in residential care.

They fund the purchase of wide range of highly specialised equipment, which would otherwise by unavailable because of the lack of funds or because there is no statutory provision.

This year, Sherrards entered their team of 7 led by team Captain, Stephanie Kierans, Partner in commercial property and who is an ambassador for the ELIFAR Charity. The team included: Masood Haider, Erin Gibbs-Charles, Tabeer Hussain, and Abby Cowan. 

Team Sherrards competed in 9 different challenges throughout the day, hoping to gain the most points in each activity.

Some of the fun challenges were:

• Wandered – a three-legged, blindfolded football challenge
• Babe Ruth – A cross between rounders and baseball
• Team Quiz – which consisted of general knowledge, riddles, famous London Landmarks from a Birdseye view and anagrams
• Tug of War – The team held strong for about 10 seconds
• Minefield – A cross between Battleships and the Glass Bridge from Squid Games

Despite not bringing back the trophy, the team had a fantastic day out which managed to help raise a quarter of the charity’s yearly earnings. This means the charity can help improve more lives of young adults and children across the UK.

Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice. The present membership is comprised of more than 80,000 individual international lawyers from most of the world’s leading law firms and some 190 bar associations and law societies spanning more than 170 countries.

The IBA has considerable expertise in providing assistance to the global legal community, and through its global membership it influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world. Through our significant involvement in the IBA and Alliott Global Alliance we have total connectivity to other law & accountancy firms for our clients, contacts and friends across the globe.