More success for ‘dominant’ Williamsons in major legal guide

Williamsons Solicitors’ crime department has achieved the highest ranking in Hull and East Yorkshire in the country’s leading legal guide.

The Chambers 2013 guide, released last week, not only says that Williamsons ‘dominates’ the practice area in the region, but singled out director and department head Bill Waddington for special mention.

Williamsons’ focus on the high quality training it gives to young lawyers was also cited as a factor in the level 2 ranking.

Chambers 2013 identified the crime department as a major force, employing a team of 20, including six solicitors, four police station representatives, one paralegal and nine support staff.

“Dominating in Hull and the surrounding areas, the firm has a wide-ranging criminal practice, and has capacity to handle a large amount of high-quality work.

“It is highlighted by peers as a firm that “does a broad range,” and sources add that “the firm supervises, encourages and trains its young advocates well.”

The guide notes Williamsons’ thriving regulatory and motoring offences practice, and praises “The venerable” Bill Waddington, who brings “more than 30 years of experience in criminal law to the role”.

Commenting on firm’s strong performance, Mr Waddington said: “It goes without saying that this is a team effort and a good reflection of all the long hours of hard work put in by everyone over the last 12 months.

“Over the last two years, we have been gradually rebuilding the department bringing in both new and old hands; they have assisted greatly in the firm’s continued success.

“It is also pleasing to receive positive recognition from our peers, which indicates that we are doing exactly what we are supposed to: represent our clients to the very best of our abilities.”

Williamsons’ crime team regularly receives instructions relating to major criminal cases, road traffic and regulatory defence work and also featured prominently in last year’s Chambers guide.

The firm’s success here follows its prominent showing in this year’s Legal 500 guide and its recent receipt of the Lexcel mark, the Law Society’s official management quality standard.