Temple Heelis Leads The Way in Private Client Legal Rankings
Leading Lakeland Law Firm Temple Heelis has been ranked as the region’s premier firm in the leading independent directory, Chambers and Partners ‘High Net Worth Guide’, with 3 of the firm’s directors ranked as leading individuals in their fields.
For the third year running, Temple Heelis’ Private Client department has been ranked as Band 1 in the region by the independent researchers. This year, no other firm has reached Band 1 which gives Temple Heelis the sole top position in the rankings.
Commenting on the results, Temple Heelis’ Head of Private Client Services Robert Kornas says: “I am delighted that the Private Client team has received this recognition. The information we prepare for Chambers and Partners’ Guide is quite extensive and Chambers and Partners then contact a large cross-section of our clients as well as professional colleagues in other firms to gain their insights into our services and results. The whole process takes many months and is clearly very rigorous. This year’s results are a great compliment to my outstanding colleagues.”
Described by Chambers and Partners ‘High Net Worth Guide’ as “a major presence in the Cumbrian legal market with offices in Ambleside, Kendal and Windermere,” the Guide reports clients as saying “Temple Heelis deal with matters with understanding and experience. The partners I mainly deal with are responsive, experienced and pragmatic.”
The Guide ranks James Hamilton, Laura Priestley and Robert Kornas as ‘notable practitioners’, placing each person in the highest ranking – Band 1. Jamie Hamilton is described as ‘always delivering high quality advice, at a fair price’….and…’friendly, approachable, pragmatic and experienced’. Laura Priestley is described as someone clients cannot fault, regarded ‘as an extension of our own team, giving clear and concise advice in a professional but down-to-earth manner’….and ‘has repeatedly proven to provide excellent services.’ Head of Department Robert Kornas is seen as ‘highly professional. His explanations are clear and he has great interpersonal skills.’ He is complimented for managing clients’ expectations well and I felt he understood me beyond my words… transparent and open.’ The Guide also reports Robert as being regarded as ‘absolutely brilliant. His sensitivity to working with us through difficult family matters was unique. He is highly respectful, eloquent and knowledgeable.”
Temple Heelis’ 9-strong Private Client team is one of the largest in the region with clients locally, nationally and internationally. The team’s work advising clients on Wills and Estate Planning, Inheritance Tax/succession advice, complex Will and Trust structures, Court of Protection work, Powers of Attorney, and probate and estate administration. Most of the team have STEP qualifications, either fully qualified or with STEP diplomas. STEP, or Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners to give it its full name, is the worldwide professional body which promotes high professional standards and continuing education for its members, and is seen as a benchmark for Private Client lawyers to achieve.