A HOST of Dorset’s legal high-flyers have been recognised in the annual guide to the best of their profession.

Expanding Bournemouth firm Steele Raymond was awarded “top tier” ranking for the 15th year running in the Legal 500 guide for its three key areas of corporate and commercial law, commercial property and dispute resolution.

It was ranked in the second tier for employment and family law; in the third tier for contentious trusts and probate and for education; and the fourth tier for personal tax, trusts and probate and for property litigation.

Several of its team were singled out as leading individuals in their fields: Paula Eckton and Tim Stone in corporate and commercial, Peter Rolph in dispute resolution and Chris Twaits in commercial property.

Alice Toop in dispute resolution, Lindsay Halliwell in family law and former employee Amy Cousineau Massey in employment were all named rising stars.

Emma Stainwright was identified as a “next generation partner” in commercial property.

Chairman Tim Stone said: “I’m absolutely delighted that once again Steele Raymond has received the highest possible Top Tier rankings in the Legal 500 across its core practice areas and to do this for 15 consecutive years is testament to the hard work, resilience and complete dedication of all our team to ensure the best possible outcomes for our valued clients.”

The company says it has seen turnover grow by a quarter this year.

Fellow Bournemouth practice Lester Aldridge was in the top tier for corporate and commercial, commercial litigation, employment, health and safety and commercial property.

It was in the second tier for personal injury (claimant), family and health. It was listed in the third tier for debt recovery, professional negligence, charities and not-for-profit, contentious trusts and probate, and in the fourth tier for personal tax, trusts and probate

Named as leading individuals were Grant Esterhuizen in corporate and commercial; Catharine Geddes, employment; Michael Veal, health and safety; Laura Guntrip, health; and Suki Samra, commercial property.

Ellis Jones, with offices in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs, Christchurch, Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne as well as in London, six offices locally as well as one in London, was in the first tier for dispute resolution and employment.

It was in the guide’s second tier for contentious trusts and probate and family law and in the third tier for corporate and commercial and personal tax, trusts and probate.

Leading individuals were Lauren Day in dispute resolution and Katie Taft in family law.

Ellis Jones managing partner Nigel Smith said: “The Legal 500 is a highly respected and influential directory.

“We’re very pleased to have received independent endorsement of our services and numerous individuals in multiple sections of the guide.

“This success is down to a team effort by everyone at the firm and we’ll continue to work hard to provide the greatest service for our many clients.”

Laceys in Bournemouth was in the second tier for corporate and commercial and for media and entertainment. It was in the third tier for dispute resolution and the fourth for IT and telecoms as well as intellectual property. Sam Freeman was a leading individual in corporate and commercial.

Laceys Solicitors incorporating HLF, also in Bournemouth, was in the second tier for licensing, commercial property and property litigation.

Frettens, at Christchurch and Ringwood, was in the second tier for employment. It was in the third tier for corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, contentious trusts and probate and commercial property. It was in the fourth tier for personal tax, trusts and probate. Karen Edwards, of corporate and commercial, was a rising star.

Trethowans, in Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury and Southampton, was in the second tier for clinical negligence and for agriculture and estates. It was in the third tier for corporate and commercial, personal injury (claimant), family, personal tax, trusts and probate, and for commercial property.

Blanchards Bailey, headquartered in Blandford, was in the second tier for employment and in the third tier for commercial litigation; agriculture and estates; contentious trusts and probate; family; personal tax, trusts and probate; and commercial real estate.

Coles Miller, with five offices in Dorset, was in the fourth tier for personal injury (claimant), while Dorset and Somerset firm Humphries Kirk was in the fourth tier for personal tax, trusts and probate.