Lawson West Solicitors is celebrating independent verification of its high calibre of Employment and Probate, Wills & Trusts services in the 2026 Legal 500 Guide to UK law firms.
The Legal 500 is a research publication that sets out to qualify and rank UK law firms up and down the country. Within our own region of East Midlands, two Lawson West teams with stand-out performance and reputation over a 12-month time period are our Employment Law Team, who debut in the Top Tier of rankings for the first time this year; and Probate Trusts and Wills Team, who continue in Tier 3.
“We are thrilled and proud to announce that our services and people have been recognised for the second year running in this unbiased, independent, assessment of the Firm’s contribution to legal practice in the East Midlands and beyond. Our Employment Team has advanced into the Top Tier Ranking for the East Midlands sector and our Probate, Wills & Trusts Team has maintained their position in Tier 3. Our solicitors have been named in person in the Legal 500 and recognised as leading individuals in their field, alongside much larger competitor firms. We believe that our unique and welcoming style of communication with clients, and energy for great client service, has truly helped to define the offering from our confident and knowledgeable solicitors based across our Leicester and Market Harborough offices. It is wonderful to see that our clients have recognised the difference in the approach to service they have experienced at Lawson West and how dependable and supportive we are. Well done to all those involved.”
Legal 500: “Lawson West Solicitors is praised by clients for its ‘dedicated, professional and hardworking’ employment team that predominantly acts for claimants. Vaishali Thakerar oversees the team from Leicester, with expertise in tribunal claims involving unfair dismissal, TUPE, working time regulations and complex discrimination allegations. Highly regarded for his ’human approach to litigation’, Ashley Hunt primarily acts for discrimination cases with a particular specialism in settlement agreements and Employment Tribunal claims. Kate Lea specialises in disability discrimination and equality cases, while Sejal Patel advises business owners on business sales, purchases and acquisitions.”
Lawson West Solicitors in one of only seven UK law firms recommended in the Top Tier for Employment expertise in the East Midlands.
Top Tier recognition is the highest accolade bestowed to UK law firms and this prestigious ranking recognises our firm’s clear ability to act for employment clients in the same league as some of the UK’s biggest employment legal teams operating nationally and internationally.
Lawson West Solicitors, punches far above its weight as a small to medium sized East Midlands law firm appearing in the Top Tier alongside much larger firms. We’ve been recognised in the Top Tier by The Legal 500 for our UK Employment law expertise alongside larger, heavyweight international and national practices.
Lawson West Director Vaishali Thakerar has been recognised for a second year running by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner in the field of Employment Law. This accolade continues to highlight Vaishali as one of the strongest partners in her field, endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Lawson West colleagues named in the 2025-2026 edition of Legal 500:
Researched, independent comments made about the team:
The team are clearly a very dedicated, professional and hardworking team who always have their client’s best interests at heart. They go above and beyond for clients and are very honest and pragmatic in their advice.’
‘Lawson West are my go to employers for supporting our members with settlement agreements. Their customer service is excellent, they provide a very quick turnaround, but more importantly they are human and kind at a moment when my members often feel very vulnerable.’
‘Ashley Hunt is my main contact and he is excellent.’
‘Sejal Patel was reliable, efficient and responsive.’
‘Widespread knowledge across the team.’
‘Worked quickly towards a swift and straightforward solution.’
Legal 500: “Lawson West Solicitors‘ probate wills and trusts team has expertise in tax, trusts and estates. The team is led by Phoebe Skarlatos who was promoted to Legal Director in December 2024 and is experienced in advising on cross-jurisdictional estates. Vicky Jones is a key client contact for estate administration and routinely acts for family businesses.”
Our Private Client team, represented by some of the most talented minds and experienced probate and trust professionals in the East Midlands retained their Top 3 Tier Legal 500 position again this year. We’ve been recognised for our ‘Excellent balance between professionalism and personal empathy’, and our ‘Very thorough complete Probate service.’
Lawson West Solicitors in one of only six UK law firms recommended in Tier 3 for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate expertise in the East Midlands.
Lawson West colleagues named in the 2025-2026 edition of Legal 500:
Phoebe Skarlatos, Senior Associate Solicitor, Head of Probate, Wills & Trusts
Researched, independent comments made about the team:
‘When I needed help with dealing with the Will of a family friend Phoebe Skarlatos came to my rescue! I cannot praise Phoebe enough for her availability and engagement and expertise. Truly exceptional in every way.’
‘Very good knowledge of the services I required.’
‘Very quick to act and pleasant to deal with.’
‘Excellent balance between professionalism and personal empathy.’
‘The team really explained how a Vulnerable Person’s Trust worked and how and why to set it up. They made what could have been a complex explanation, easy to understand.’
‘Very thorough complete Probate service. Paperwork was completed and it went through quickly chasing up organisations for assets and outstanding debts comprehensively to ensure HMRC would be happy with the level of information required and estimate IHT liability (if anything).’
The Probate, Wills and Trusts Team is also nominated in the British Wills and Probate Awards for their tax and trusts capability, nominated in a category for the 4th year running. We wish them every success on 9th October next week for the awards announcement. See more and entrants here.
You can read more about Legal 500 East Midlands performance of firms within Inside Media’s coverage here.
Lawson West is a full-service law firm with offices in Leicester and Market Harborough. If you would like to contact Lawson West Solicitors about your legal advice needs, please visit our new website and Contact Us.
