Holmes & Hills Solicitors has achieved continued success in the annual Legal 500 rankings 2026 announced on Wednesday 1st October 2025.
The firm has seen a marked increase in the number of individual solicitors recognised for their expertise and contributions as well as strong rankings maintained for many of the firm’s practice areas.
In the 2026 edition of The Legal 500, a research platform that benchmarks legal services as well as individual solicitors, accolades Holmes & Hills with seven specialist areas of law and over 20 solicitors recognised.
The firm’s Planning Law, Commercial Property, Family Law, Serious Injury and Clinical Negligence and Construction Departments each received a tier ranking, while the firms Inheritance Disputes Division continues to be recognised as a ‘Firm to Watch’.
Furthermore, the firm boasts 5 Leading Partners, 2 Next Generation Partners, 3 Leading Associates, and the Legal 500 commentary also highlights a further 15 Holmes & Hills Solicitors for their specialist expertise.
In 2026, there is significant advancement for Holmes & Hills’ individual recognition with Managing Partner, Steven Hopkins, recognised as a Leading Partner alongside 6 other Holmes & Hills Partners being recognised. This recognition solidifies the firm’s senior leadership team as market leaders with long established reputations in the region, backed by exceptional endorsement from both clients and peers alike.
Moreover, Senior Associate, Laura Gale receives first time individual recognition as a Leading Associate which demonstrates, and is a true testament, to her significant contributions to major client matters and the respect that her peers and her clients have. Laura is described by feedback gathered by the Legal 500 researchers as having ‘exceptional attention to detail’, ‘composed and professional demeanour’, ‘excels in communication’, ‘quick to respond’ and is ‘highly knowledgeable’.
In the Legal 500 2026, the firm’s Planning Law Department maintains its Top Tier recognition and is described by the researchers as offering ‘broad experience and specialist skills on planning and development matters’ and possessing ‘a stellar reputation on contentious cases’.
Client comments further commend the team’s ability and expertise, commenting that there is ‘a complementary range of experience and specialist skills within the team’, the team is ‘well respected’ ‘involved in heavy hitting work, particularly contentious matters’ and the ‘multi specialism commercial team all in one place, providing outstanding combined knowledge and expertise.’
Moreover, individual recognition is awarded to several members of the firms Planning Law Department; Steven Hopkins and Michael Harman are Leading Partners. Michael Harman is described as providing ‘an outstanding level of knowledge, professionalism and expertise’, with a particular niche concerning blight claims, compulsory purchase orders, and development consent orders. Moreover, the researchers also praise the team’s comprehensive support on section 106 (s106) agreements, with Sarah Hare and Jo Lilliott being recognised as experts in the negotiation of s106 agreements, with Jo Lilliott being described as ‘extremely competent and knowledgeable’.
The firms Commercial Property Department continues to excel, retaining its Band 2 ranking under the leadership of Managing Partner, Rebecca Mason, who is also recognised as ‘Leading Partner’ in this year’s rankings. The Legal 500 2026 comments describes the team as ‘forward-thinking’ and delivering ‘a full-service real estate offering’. Client feedback highlights the team’s ‘attentiveness and in-depth knowledge’, and their ‘deep understanding of the property market’. Moreover, clients note that they ‘benefit from a seamless, down-to-earth service that balances technical expertise with practicality.’
Meanwhile, Holmes & Hills’ Family Law Department also maintains its Band 2 ranking. The department is described by the Legal 500 2026 as providing a ‘bespoke, excellent service to clients on divorce or separation’, taking on matters which involve ‘complex financial disputes and intricate child custody arrangements’. Client commentary states that the Family Law Department ‘has a unique mix of legal knowledge and empathy towards their clients, who are often dealing with very personal matters.’ The Family Law Department is led by Carol Toulson, who is named as a Leading Partner.
The firm’s Serious Injury and Clinical Negligence Department has achieved rankings within both the personal injury and clinical negligence practice areas, with Jason Brady recognised as a Leading Partner for his expertise. The clinical negligence solicitors are described by the Legal 500 2026 as ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ with a ‘broad caseload, handling claims across birth, brain and head injuries, as well as delays in diagnosis and negligent surgical procedures’. In addition, the personal injury solicitors are noted for their work on a ‘diverse range of matters’. Clients also commend the team’s ‘legal knowledge, with a genuinely personable and proactive service’.
Holmes & Hills’ Construction Department has maintained their ranking for a second consecutive year, and is described by the researchers as ‘a highly professional team boasting extensive knowledge of the construction industry’, and ‘keenly sought-after on contentious and non-contentious matters’. The team is commended for its expertise in contract drafting and review, defective works, payment disputes and debt recovery. Client commentary further describes the team as ‘a dedicated team, passionate about providing exceptional service’.
Additionally, the firm’s Inheritance Disputes Division continues to be recognised as a Firm to Watch, and is led by Partner, Rachel Shaw.
In 2026, Holmes & Hills further boosted the number of individuals who received recognition for their outstanding work.
Listed below, Leading Partners are commended for their long-established reputations within their sectors, while Next Generation Partners and Leading Associates are recognised for their major contributions to their respective practice areas.
Commenting on the firm’s continued success, Managing Partners Rebecca Mason and Steven Hopkins said: “We are immensely proud of what Holmes & Hills has achieved in the 2026 Legal 500 rankings. The recognition of our specialist departments and individual solicitors is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all those involved.”
With over 200 legal professionals and offering a broad and collaborative range of legal services, Holmes & Hills is well-positioned for continued success. The 2026 Legal 500 rankings reaffirm Holmes & Hills’ place as a leading law firm in the region.
Disclaimer
The content of this article is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice. The information given in this article is correct at the date of publication.
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