SALE-based Slater Heelis LLP – one of the North West’s fastest growing law firms – has been recognised for its expertise in the 2015 audit by the Legal 500, a leading provider of global law firm rankings.

The company has both improved on previous years’ scores in areas such as employment and family law, and been granted recommendations in a number of new areas – including property, contentious trusts and probate, corporate commercial and professional negligence.

Chris Bishop, managing partner at Slater Heelis, said: “We’re thrilled to have received such high recognition. The rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients in a variety of sectors, and cement our reputation as one of the most progressive and credible law firms in the North West.”

The Legal 500 analyses the capabilities in a number of areas of law firms across the world and aims to highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

A number of solicitors at the firm have also been individually recommended by the Legal 500.

Among those recommended are Katharine Mellor, partner and head of corporate, Tracey Guest, partner and head of employment, Simon Wallwork, partner, Anne Irwin, managing partner, Helen Brown, partner and head of litigation, and Will Henson, partner and head of commercial property.

Chris added: “We’re extremely proud to have among our team some of the most experienced and well-renowned solicitors in their fields. It’s a really exciting time for the business as we expand into new areas, while enhancing our existing offering.”

The new rankings come as part of a string of nods to Slater Heelis, with Chris Partington, partner and head of private client, being shortlisted for Private Client Solicitor of the Year at the 2015 Law Society Excellence Awards, which take place on October 22 at London’s Hilton Park Lane.

The company also recently ranked gold in six out of eight standards measured in the Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter.