Frettens recognised as leading law firm on the South Coast in Legal 500 rankings

Frettens, a well-known law firm on the South Coast, has once again been recognised as one of the region’s top legal firms in the recently released 2024/25 Legal 500 rankings.

The Legal 500 is the UK’s largest legal survey, and its rankings are based on client feedback and the firm’s casework. In a significant achievement for Frettens, every eligible department has been recommended in this year’s survey, further cementing their reputation for excellence.

This year, the firm has been acknowledged for more departments than ever before, with recommendations spanning across nine key practice areas: 

Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Contentious Trusts & Probate, Employment, Corporate & Commercial, Social Housing, Family, Insolvency & Corporate Recovery, and Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate.

Managing Partner Matthew Fretten expressed his pride in the firm’s achievement: “To have all eligible departments recommended in this years’ Legal 500 is fantastic, and we are so pleased to have improved on our results from 2023.”

Fretten continued, emphasising the importance of client feedback in their success: “Client feedback is so important to us, as it allows us to reflect, review and improve our services. This latest recommendation from the Legal 500, based on such client feedback, is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in over this past year. Thank you to our wonderful clients who left such glowing testimonials!”

Key recommendations across commercial and personal services

A number of individual members of Frettens’ team were highlighted for their excellence across various departments. In the Commercial Litigation team, Michelle Hayter, Anna Curtis, and Olivia Parkinson were praised for their ‘clear and accurate advice’ and commitment to clients. Hayter was also noted for her work in Contentious Probate.

The Commercial Property team had an outstanding year, with Oonagh McKinney, Ben Cobb, Sarah Heath, Hannah Martin, and Patsy Whitford described as a ‘safe pair of hands’ following a string of large-scale transactions. McKinney and Cobb were also recognised for their efforts in the Social Housing sector.

Karen Edwards and Matthew Fretten received high praise in the Corporate & Commercial department for their ‘excellent’, ‘invaluable’ advice and proactive approach. Michelle Kemp, who joined the Employment team in late 2023, was included in the rankings for the first time alongside Chris Dobbs, with both receiving commendations for their ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘client-focused approach.’

The firm’s Personal Services department was also highly regarded, with the Wills & Tax and Family teams receiving recommendations. James Hammersley’s professionalism and efficiency were singled out, and the Family team, led by Andrew Stynes and Simon Immins, was described as a ‘busy and thriving department’ that ‘serves the local community.’

A year of progress and recognition

More than sixteen members of Frettens’ staff were individually recognised in the 2024/25 Legal 500 rankings, marking a year of significant progress for the firm. Fretten expressed his gratitude and pride in the team’s accomplishments: “We’re proud to see that so many members of staff have been recommended in this years’ results, some for the first time. Their recognition speaks to the hard work they have put in over this past year. They are all thoroughly deserving of their placement.”

Picture credit: Frettens