A TRIO of expert lawyers from a leading law firm which operates across Cumbria and Northumberland have been highlighted for praise in UK professional rankings.

Three members of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ Agriculture and Estates team have received the accolade from the Legal 500, which analyses the capabilities of law firms across the world.

Cartmell Shepherd’s director and head of agriculture Jonathan Carroll and director Mark Jackson have both been highlighted as “leading individuals”, while associate solicitor Katherine Pretswell-Walker has been described as a “rising star”.

In more than 20 years with Cartmell Shepherd, Jonathan’s experience includes farm sales and purchases, contentious tenancy matters (succession applications and arbitrations), wills, partnerships and partnership dissolutions, renewable energy projects and development sales. Jonathan is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association.

Mark is an experienced agricultural property solicitor who specialises in the sale and acquisition of farms, estates, woodland and rural residential property. Mark also deals with agricultural tenancies, commercial lettings of rural property, re-financing and general estate management matters.

Katherine handles all aspects of agricultural law, including agricultural and estate conveyancing, advising on mineral and sporting rights, overage and clawback agreements and options for renewable energy projects. Katherine also deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing.

In highlighting the expertise of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ Agricultural and Estates team, the Legal 500 said: “At Cartmell Shepherd, the team benefits from the presence of lawyers with public sector backgrounds, as well as those with specialist agricultural expertise.

“The firm takes on both advisory and contentious work, frequently representing clients in contested succession cases. As well as acting on behalf of a number of landed estates, practice head Jonathan Carroll also specialises in assisting with both the creation and dissolution of partnerships.

“Also notable are Mark Jackson and associate Katherine Pretswell-Walker, who have particular experience advising on the sale and acquisition of farms, estates, forestry, and complex rural residential property.”

Peter Stafford, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “We are delighted that Jonathan, Mark and Katherine have been recognised by the Legal 500 in this way.

“It’s also great news for our clients who benefit from our agricultural team’s high level of expertise and experience.”

The Legal 500 analyses the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.

The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. Rankings highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

Its research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers highly experienced in the legal market.