National legal award win for Ward Hadaway
27th October, 2014
LAW firm Ward Hadaway's Banking and Finance team has won a national legal award for the quality of its work in the debt finance sector.
The firm has been named UK Regional Law Firm of the Year in the Finance category of the 2014 Legal 500 Awards.
Organised by independent legal guide Legal 500, the awards recognise outstanding performance over the past year by law firms in a range of different specialist fields.
They are awarded to elite legal practitioners and based on comprehensive research into the UK legal market, including more than 50,000 interviews with clients, intermediaries and contemporaries.
A leading firm from each region of the country is put forward for each category of the Regional Awards, so each category sees legal practices from around the country compete for the title.
Ward Hadaway was the North East’s only representative in any of the 16 categories to be named Regional Law Firm of the Year.
The firm fought off stiff competition from practices in Yorkshire, the Midlands, the North West, the South Coast, and East Anglia to win the award.
Winning team – members of Ward Hadaway’s Banking and Finance team in the North East (clockwise, from top left) Julie Harrison, Imogen Holland, Mark Smith, Rosemary Curry, Tessa Petrides and Simon Errington
Julie Harrison, Partner and Head of Banking at Ward Hadaway, said: “It is terrific to win this award. It is national recognition and approval for the technical quality of the work which we do here and something which we are very proud of.
“The fact that it is based on a lot of research, particularly amongst clients, gives it additional kudos because our primary focus is on ensuring that we deliver the very best solution for our clients and their customers.
“It is also quite a seal of approval for the capabilities of the North East legal sector when it comes to advising on debt finance issues, putting the region ahead of areas of the country traditionally seen as providing greater expertise and technical ability in the sector.”
Martin Hulls, Partner and Head of Corporate at Ward Hadaway, said: “This accolade is thoroughly deserved for Julie, her fellow Banking and Finance Partner Imogen Holland and the whole of the Banking and Finance team at the firm.
“We have always known just how capable, knowledgeable and commercially sharp the team is, but it is very rewarding to have that recognised by such a renowned authority in the legal sector.
“It puts our expertise in this area on a national footing.”
Jamie Martin, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “This is a fantastic award for the Banking and Finance team and for the firm as a whole.
“It is a vivid demonstration of our expertise and capabilities and shows how Ward Hadaway is a Northern law firm for national business.”
Angela Chau and Ian Massey, Education, Healthcare and Renewables Directors at Santander UK, said: “We would like to congratulate Ward Hadaway for winning this prestigious award.
“We work very closely with the team and their technical ability and commitment to meeting the needs of their clients is first class.”
Mike Mullaney, Area Director of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It is great to see a local North East firm recognised on a national level and we’d like to extend our congratulations to the Finance team.
“The award is testament both to Ward Hadaway’s strong client relationships and the quality of the advice and service the team provides.”
Ward Hadaway’s banking and finance team provides specialist legal advice on matters for both borrowers and lenders.
On the lending side, the firm is on numerous national legal panels for a number of high street banks, including Barclays, Santander and Lloyds, as well as advising leading venture capital investors.
Ward Hadaway also advises companies on borrowing matters, for instance providing legal guidance on refinancings to major landowners, breweries and transport operators.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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