Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) is celebrating success after strengthening its presence in a prestigious independent guide to the UK’s top legal firms and solicitors.

WHN Solicitors, which has eight offices across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, has been named in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 – known in the industry as the definitive guide to lawyers – for the second year running.

The firm has retained its sought-after places in the North West region rankings for both commercial litigation, and corporate and commercial law, while it has also secured an additional accolade for its property litigation work.

The influential publication has also singled out five WHN specialists for their success, including Michael Shroot and Sara Beaumont who have been cited for their specialist dispute resolution and commercial litigation expertise.

Elsewhere, Daniel Long has been listed as a recommended lawyer alongside praise for his property litigation knowledge, with Eleanor Longworth making her first appearance in the coveted guide as a rising star due to her ‘huge depth of knowledge about every element of property litigation’.

Corporate and commercial law specialist Paul Matthews, who also appeared in the 2022 guide, has been recognised for his ‘experience with share and asset sales and acquisitions, shareholder and partnership agreements, and company reconstructions’.

Commenting on the achievement, Michael Shroot, CEO at WHN Solicitors, said: “Being named in the prestigious Legal 500 is an incredible endorsement of the quality of our work and team members.

“It is a huge honour and true testament to the strength and depth of our specialists’ expertise here at WHN.

“Thank you to all of our valued clients and professional contacts for giving us the opportunity to look after their legal needs and for participating in the independent and rigorous research process on our behalf which helped secure these Legal 500 listings. A huge well done to everyone involved.”

WHN Solicitors employs 110 staff across Lancashire and Greater Manchester and has offices in Accrington, Bacup, Bury, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Haslingden, Great Harwood and Rawtenstall. It advises businesses, individuals and families on a full range of legal matters.

The latest Legal 500 recognition comes on the back of a successful twelve months for WHN Solicitors, which received national praise by Chambers and Partners in its 2022 guide to the UK’s leading lawyers. It featured the firm in the North West Real Estate Litigation category, with director, Daniel Long, also ranking as an individual.

In addition, the firm was recognised as the best professional services firm in Lancashire by the Red Rose Awards, after scooping the ‘Professional Services’ accolade at the prestigious awards ceremony, which was hosted at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in June.