Pensions lawyers are in demand as a result of the Brexit vote and pensions reform, according to Pensions World’ s annual survey.
James Thomas, financial journalist, who carried out the research, says: “The future outlook is for work, work and more work. This is due in part to the recent Brexit vote, which has amplified many pre-referendum priorities and trends, creating additional demand for legal advice and services.”
He found that market volatility, falling gilt yields and historically low interest rates are focusing minds on funding deficits, de-risking strategies and liability management in the area of defined benefits pensions. On the defined contribution side, reforms, governance issues and the recently developed DC code will “create significant work”.
Paul Stannard of Travers Smith and Robert West of Baker & McKenzie (who was also top lawyer last year) were voted the best all round pensions lawyer in the survey. Mark Atkinson of CMS Cameron McKenna was runner up.
Five lawyers shared the litigators’ prize: Isabel Nurse-Marsh of Pinsent Masons; Angela Dimsdale-Gill of Hogan Lovells (a runner up for the past two years); Giles Orton of Eversheds (who topped the poll last year); Claire Carroll of Eversheds and Andrew Simmonds QC of 5 Stone Buildings (who was also mentioned in despatches last year).
Three lawyers shared the honours as top up-and-coming lawyers: Arron Slocombe of Baker & McKenzie; Justin McGilloway of Wedlake Bell and Edwards Sawyer of Wilberforce Chambers.
Capital Cranfield and BESTrustees (who also topped the poll last year) received the most votes for top independent trustee with ITS as runner up.
