Hamlins recognised as Leading Firm in Legal 500 2026 guide to UK Solicitors

Hamlins has maintained its status as a leading firm in the Legal 500 2026 guide to UK Solicitors.

This year’s guide recognises 26 members of our outstanding team as Recommended Lawyers, and with 11 of our practice areas ranked, is illustrative of the depth and breadth of the firm’s expertise.

Partners Chris Hutchings, Kate Andrews, Martin Ochs and Matthew Pryke are once again recognised as Leading Partners.

Partner and Head of our Employment practice, Penny Hunt, along with Partner and Head of our Media Disputes team, Ellen Gallagher, are individually recognised as a Next Generation Partner.

Senior Partner, Joseph Holder, says:

“We are incredibly proud that more members of our team than ever before have been recognised for their expertise in this year’s guide. We also want to say a huge thank you to our clients and network for taking the time to provide such positive feedback. As a team, it is incredibly rewarding to read the comments shared, and to shine a spotlight on the growing recognition of our practice areas and solicitors.”

Hamlins is listed in the following categories:

Media & Entertainment: Music
Leading partner / Practice head: Martin Ochs
Other key lawyers: Julian Bentley, Stuart Barry, Harmony Kennedy, Cathy Fehler

• ‘The team has unparalleled experience advising the media sector.'
• ‘Attention to detail, client knowledge, tenacity, sensitive to client's needs, great working relationship with artist management, efficiency, industry expertise.’
• ‘Martin Ochs is a hugely experienced, practical commercial lawyer in this field who provides extremely solid and useful advice.’
• ‘Fantastic service from the music team Julian Bentley, Stuart Barry, Harmony Kennedy and Catherine Fehler. These individuals provide a bespoke service to a highly respected and specific client with their in-depth knowledge of the music industry.’

Reputation Management
Leading partner: Christopher Hutchings
Practice head & Next Generation Partner: Ellen Gallagher
Other key lawyers: Natalie Powers, Daniel Shaw

• ‘Hamlins' reputation practice punches above its weight, notably as lead solicitors in the phone-hacking litigation.'
• ‘Ellen Gallagher is superb. She is a great strategist and fantastic with clients. She has great attention to detail, while being able to see the big picture and make sure clients’ ultimate aims are always properly taken into account.'

Hospitality & Leisure
Practice head: Ben Kilshaw
Other key lawyers: Martin Ochs, Lauren Twidale, John Leasure, Stephanie Brown,

• ‘A friendly and helpful team. They provide clear advice and take into account commercial/business requirements and provide alternative solutions where possible.’
• ‘We have used other solicitors previously, but the service, care and attention-to-detail received by Hamlins and Ben Kilshaw in particular, is the reason that we have retained them for a number of years and will continue to do so.’
• ‘Martin Ochs and Lauren Twidale understand our business very well and work with us to implement business needs whilst adhering to legislation.’

M&A Smaller Deals, £10m to £100m
Practice head: Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood
Other key lawyers: Roger Pointon, Matthew Pryke, Katie Bentley

• ‘Sound advice, always a step ahead, knowledgeable, and very dependable to provide solutions until completion.’
• Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood is very quick to respond and provides leadership to move and progress matters.’
• ‘Matthew Pryke and his team are on hand at all times to discuss and work on our matters. We feel like we have a very dedicated team that really care about the impact of deals on the business.’

Property Litigation
Leading partner / Practice head: Kate Andrews

• ‘The team at Hamlins is amazing. They are incredibly efficient, supportive and proactive.’
• ‘The team have bucketloads of experience, know-how, commitment and creativity. Their clients are never in any doubt that their lawyers are working full pelt to get the best outcome possible for them.’
• 'Kate Andrews is a force of nature. She demonstrates relentless pursuit of the client's objectives, leaving no stone unturned and unapologetic about keeping up the pressure till she gets what she wants.’

Sport
Leading partner / Practice head: Matthew Pryke
Other ley lawyers: Christopher Hutchings, Katie Bentley

• ‘The team are the best in the business - they are consummate professionals, incredibly hard-working and extremely knowledgeable. They communicate very well, giving peace of mind in their level of professionalism in all areas.’
• ‘I am more than happy to pick out Matthew Pryke and we have been very lucky to partner with someone who has so much experience in our field of research and so many current contacts as well. He shows great patience in navigating us through the legal challenges but, at the same time, his optimism and enthusiasm for what we are trying to do has made him a fantastic ally.’

Commercial Property: Investment
Practice head: Mark Hurst
Other key lawyers: Joseph Holder, John Leasure, Victoria Camfield, Maya Kuchhadiya,  Hana Ghale

• ‘The property team delivers a comprehensive service to a very high standard.'
• ‘Mark Hurst's knowledge and commerciality are outstanding.'

Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright and Design
Practice heads: Martin Ochs, Matthew Pryke
Other key lawyers: Lauren Twidale, Katie Bentley

• ‘The team are high-performing, diligent, extremely knowledgeable and go above and beyond to provide an excellent service.’
• ‘Martin Ochs is hugely experienced and provides sensible commercial advice in the music copyright field and has a superb understanding of the sector.’

Property Finance
Practice head: Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood
Other key lawyers: Joseph Holder

• 'They are well-connected and demonstrate flexibility, diversity, and collaboration.’
• ‘The team is professional, service-oriented, and responsive.’
• ‘The team, including Joseph Holder and Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood, are capable and professional.’

Employment: Senior Executives
Practice head & Next Generation Partner: Penny Hunt
Other key lawyers: Anish Pathak

• ‘A high level of technical expertise and experience in addition to an impressive ability to understand the nuances of my situation with which to drive to the right outcomes.’
• ‘Penny Hunt - her knowledge, experience and empathy are next level. She was able to guide me through the most difficult experience of my life, she listened to me and her advice always took my personal best interest into consideration.’
  

Employment: Employers
Firms to watch: Penny Hunt