The latest Chambers and Partners UK Legal Guide, and The UK Legal 500 Solicitors Guide 2025, have once more ranked SA Law as a top tier law firm.
Both The Legal 500, and Chambers and Partners have ranked the Corporate & Commercial, Litigation, Family, Employment and Real Estate practice areas within their top tiers/bands. 18 lawyers have also been ranked or recommended in their fields in each directory respectively.
Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 legal directories deliver detailed rankings and insight into the global legal market, assessing the performance, calibre and competence of law firms. Through independent and rigorous research processes, the world-leading legal market researchers rank firms, legal departments and their lawyers. To be ranked in either of these directories is a prestigious accolade.
In a significant milestone, the Corporate & Commercial department has moved up to Tier 2 in The Legal 500 this year. Vincent Billings, Head of the Corporate & Commercial team, has also been recognised as a Next Generation Partner for the first time – lawyers who have ‘significant recognition from clients and peers’ in the legal market. The Legal 500 commended Vincent for being an “excellent lawyer…who is recognised for his extensive corporate and M&A expertise”. His colleague Sharon Mitchell was also highlighted for her handling of “complex IP, IT and data protection matters.”
Commercial Litigation, Family, Employment and Real Estate practice areas have all held their top Tier 1 and 2 positions in The Legal 500, and top bands 1-3 in Chambers and Partners.
Marilyn Bell, Partner and the Head of the Family department, has also become one of only nine family lawyers in the South East to make it into The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame, the uppermost tier of the league table. The Hall of Fame recognises lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work. Marilyn was distinguished for leading a “small but mighty” family law team in The Legal 500, a team which also retained its Band 1 ranking in Chambers and Partners.
Robert Ryall, co-head of Litigation was once again named as a leading individual, and his Litigation colleagues Simon Walsh and Clare Mackay retained their recognition as Next Generation Partners by The Legal 500, along with Gary Dunger, co-head of Real Estate, and Kiran Beeharry (Family).
For the first time, Helen Young (Litigation) and Simran Gupta were recognised as Associates to Watch by Chambers and Partners – a recognition given to senior associates for their work in the background of major deals and proceedings. Christine Caffrey (Employment) also retained this ranking. Simran was also certified as a leading associate by The Legal 500 in the Family Law team, standing out “due to her vast expertise in international children law”.
The following individuals were also ranked in the top bands by Chambers and Partners: Tracy Lacey-Smith (Joint Managing Partner and co-head of litigation), Chris Cook, Head of Employment and Data Protection, Marilyn Bell, Kiran Beeharry, Vincent Billings, Robert Ryall, Clare Mackay, and Gary Dunger. Beth Leng was also distinguished for the second year running as an ‘up-and-coming’ lawyer, bestowed to lawyers who play a significant role in driving their firm’s growth.
Joint Managing Partner, Steve Ryan commented: “We have a talented and hard-working team at SA Law that goes above and beyond for our clients, and I am thrilled this recognition is shared by our clients and industry peers.
“We have a ‘one firm’ holistic approach because we believe that clients deserve a comprehensive service to their legal challenges, whether personal or commercial, or both. It is rewarding to see from these rankings how much clients value this approach.
“I am grateful to lead such a talented team of people across all practice groups and specialisms, and my congratulations goes out to our team for the commitment and care they give to clients, which has led to our superb rankings.”
Joint Managing Partner, Tracy Lacey-Smith added: “I am incredibly proud of our team who have held as well as improved their rankings this year, and it is rewarding to see not only our partners, but more of our senior associates being recognised for the exceptional contribution they make to the firm.
“These rankings have come at an important time for the firm, where we have ambitious growth plans to widen the support and services SA Law provides to its private clients and prestigious local businesses, as well as leading national, and international companies.
“I am thankful to our team for their hard work and commitment to providing outstanding levels of service to our clients, and I know they will continue to build on this success as part of our new growth plans.”
