Paris Smith LLP > Southampton, England > Firm Profile

Diversity

Paris Smith places great value on the unique and varied talents of our people and we understand that meaningful diversity within the firm contributes directly to excellence in client service. Therefore, we seek to integrate diversity into all our activities and foster an inclusive culture.

We believe this is achieved by recruiting and retaining diverse talent, understanding and delivering the needs of our diverse clients, and supporting the diverse community in which we serve.

Underpinning this is our commitment to providing equal opportunities in the work place. This means that all job applicants, consultants, casual workers, employees, agency staff and partners will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, paternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (‘protected characteristics’). We ensure that people have the opportunity to join the firm and to develop their full potential regardless of their background.

Our policy applies to all aspects of our relationship with staff and to relations between staff members at all levels. This includes, but is not limited to, job advertisements, recruitment and selection, training and development, opportunities for promotion, pay and benefits, conduct at work, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and termination of employment.

We acknowledge that increasingly our people have to balance their career aspirations and work responsibilities with a wide range of domestic issues, such as caring for children, or elderly or infirm relatives. We therefore support applications for flexible working where it is practicable to do so. We also support the government’s child care voucher scheme.

We are also committed to not discriminating in the way we provide services or use service providers.

Client Testimonials

Family

CLIENT: Mr C

COMPANY/FIRM:

TESTIMONIAL: “I was more than happy with Neil and Zoe during their handling of my recent divorce. I felt like I had both friends and professionals genuinely interested and concerned for me and my interests. Importantly they kept an eye on the financials, but did not lose track of what the right thing to do as well seeking justice in very difficult circumstances.”

CLIENT: Notable Practitioners

COMPANY/FIRM:

TESTIMONIAL: “Mediator and trained collaborative lawyer Neil Davies has longstanding experience in financial matters and children cases. Market commentators are quick to praise his “unflappable and calm” approach towards the most complex issues.”

Property

CLIENT: Stephen Parry, Legal Team, Acting Head of Property

COMPANY/FIRM: Co-operative Group Ltd

TESTIMONIAL: “We find Rachel to be an extremely intelligent and commercial professional whose enthusiasm and dedication towards our business goals shines through in everything she does. She has an excellent way of dealing with people at all levels of our business and runs a well organised and efficient team at Paris Smith”

CLIENT: Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive

COMPANY/FIRM: Mayflower Theatre

TESTIMONIAL: “The partnership between Paris Smith and Mayflower Theatre is so important to us. As the region’s premier theatre we feel it important to associate with businesses who are similarly invested in the region. The length of our association shows the value Paris Smith puts on supporting the arts locally. The relationship is strengthened by the variety of initiatives we have developed together and I look forward to working with Nick and his team over the coming years.”

Tax and Estate Planning

CLIENT: Anne Lester

COMPANY/FIRM:

TESTIMONIAL: “Sincere appreciation and grateful thanks for all your valuable knowledge, advice and hard work that contributed to a very satisfactory and correct conclusion.”

CLIENT: David Ward

COMPANY/FIRM:

TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you so much for all your help with Mum’s estate. You have been a great support at a very difficult time for me and dad. We really appreciate it.”

Dispute Resolution

CLIENT: Mr and Mrs E

COMPANY/FIRM:

TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you for your most excellent and diligent work on behalf of our son. Without your support and advice, we both feel the situation could have become much worse. Your experience and correctness showed through many times throughout the drawn out process. We would certainly seek your advice should we ever need further help in litigation. With very grateful thanks.”#

CLIENT:

COMPANY/FIRM: Ranstad CPE Ltd

TESTIMONIAL: We have frequently used Chris for high-value or complicated dispute resolution matters and have found his service to be excellent. Chris has gained a reputation as a solicitor with specialist knowledge of the recruitment market and it is refreshing to deal with someone who understands the legal and commercial issues which we face on a daily basis. I would highly recommend him.”

Company Commercial

CLIENT: Karen Read, Director

COMPANY/FIRM: Wetwheels Solent CIC

TESTIMONIAL: “Paris Smith has helped us with regard to the protection and exploitation of our intellectual property along with giving us a lot of other help and advice in becoming GDPR compliant. We were really happy with the service we received and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.”

CLIENT: Jo Ash, Chief Executive

COMPANY/FIRM: Southampton Voluntary Services

TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you so much for your support, advice and guidance delivered promptly and efficiently with patience and good humour which was very much appreciated.”

Employment

CLIENT: Mary Garner, HR Director

COMPANY/FIRM: Cobham TCS Ltd

TESTIMONIAL: “Why do I use Paris Smith for my employment law advice? I use them because they always offer timely, honest and pragmatic advice which results in us being able to make decisions necessary for the business from an employment law perspective. I have worked with David Roath, Clive Dobbin for over ten years and know that when I phone them up they will listen and act in a professional and friendly way whether it is for general employment law advice or something more complicated. The firm also supports us by offering excellent training seminars which ensure we keep well informed of new or changing legislation in the employment law area. I have always enjoyed my interactions with the team at Paris Smith and look forward to working with them in the future.”

CLIENT: Gordon Dodds, Deputy Principle, Finance & Administration

COMPANY/FIRM: The Sixth Form College. Farnborough

TESTIMONIAL: “I have been working with Claire Merritt for around 18 months. I am extremely happy with Claire’s advice and response rates. She advises many other colleges and therefore provides advice that is tailored to our organisation’s specific needs and standards. I feel Claire sets an excellent standard for legal advice in the sector. Claire helps us navigate the minefield of employment law and we apricate the service she provides.”

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: InterBay Commercial
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: As a lender, InterBay Commercial finds using Stuart Allen and the team at Paris Smith refreshing and a delight to deal with. The team takes a real proactive, positive approach to all of our cases as the lawyers acting on behalf of the lender. Their experience and knowledge of commercial and residential property has proven invaluable to us and we often turn to them for specialist property advice safe in the knowledge that we will receive a swift, professional, well informed response. Quality and speed of service is key to the success of InterBay and our proposition. Paris Smith always delivers to our expectations and beyond. As a leading large legal firm on the south coast we are delighted that Paris Smith are a professional partner helping InterBay in being a first class, successful lender.

CLIENT: The Briley Group
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Paris Smith has been a strong partner for us in maintaining our extensive trademark portfolio. They have provided responsive, informative, and reliable thoughts on all registration matters on our domestic and international portfolio. Additionally we have relied upon their advice for determining the best course of action on various possible infringement actions. We would be happy to recommend them to anyone looking to establish or manage a growing portfolio.

CLIENT: We Are Creative Creatures
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I approached Paris Smith based on the recommendations of another law firm I had worked with previously, regarding the split from an ex business partner. They helped me detangle the IP issues as part of the buyout and, importantly, supported me through the various aspects of the overall dispute. Business is not just business – especially not for SMEs like me! So, it was critically important that Laura and Helen understood both the business issues, but also had an appreciation for how I might want to deal with things considering my personal objectives as well as outlook on life. I would recommend the team because they deeply care about their clients and are able to marry up the cold legal world with the softer needs of the people they are trying to help.

CLIENT: Marine Data
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: We needed a lawyer to review and protect potential sources of IP in existing products, in addition, raising awareness within the R&D team to identify and highlight potential IP when developing new products. Laura Trapnell and the team at Paris Smith resolved this by conducting a comprehensive IP audit of our products which also highlighted R&D process improvements to help capture potential future sources of IP. The approach was well structured, straightforward and pragmatic, which suited our business as an SME well. A very valuable and worthwhile exercise.

CLIENT: Totton College
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Paris Smith provides outstanding service. Our experience is continually a high positive one with concise, relevant advice given with patience and clarity. From assistance and training in updating policies and procedures to advising a college on their obligations both in relation to individuals and more widely, in regards to the Public Sector Equality Duty, we have found Paris Smith to be always diligent, thorough and very supportive.

CLIENT: COR Financial Group
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Clive has provided employment advice to our company for many years now. His uncomplicated and pragmatic advice consistently provides us with clear direction on how to handle sensitive and potentially troublesome matters. His availability to take a call and talk through matters or turn around documentation in short order is also invaluable.

CLIENT: Hillier Nurseries
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: The team at Paris Smith were central to us getting the transaction over the line. This was a deal that we could have easily missed out on if we had not had the right team in place. It is exciting for us as a business as the acquisition sits very well within our financial targets, as well as our mission, vision and values moving forward. In terms of our partnership with Pars Smith, they were central to us getting the transaction over the line.

CLIENT: Eastleigh Borough Council
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I am delighted to have the opportunity to say a few words about Paris Smith, who I have known and worked with for over 20 years. It would be too easy to simply say that they provide a highly professional and efficient planning consultancy and legal service. Of course they do, but the relationship both I and Eastleigh Borough Council enjoy with Paris Smith goes well beyond that of the normal client and contractor scenario. It is much more a partnership that we have developed over many years based on trust, mutual respect and a real understanding of our priorities and needs.

CLIENT: DNA IC Ltd
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Paris Smith and Partner, Claire Egerton, have been our ‘go to’ commercial and contractual solicitor for a number of years now. Claire has dealt with a variety of commercial matters for us and it is the professionalism and efficiency with which she handles our cases that ensures our on-going loyalty. We have found that it is not only Claire’s legal expertise, but also her solid and straight-talking commercial logic that really sets her and the Paris Smith team apart from the competition.

CLIENT: The Incuhive Group
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I approached Paris Smith to provide legal support for the acquisition of a substantial commercial property which involved some very complex bespoke terms, dealing with a large corporate company in the UK. I have known of Paris Smith for some time via business connections and networks, where they always come very highly recommended. Paris Smith supported us in 16 months of solicitor negotiations, including keeping things pushing forward across a national lockdown thanks to Covid-19, offering quick and personal updates on progress of the acquisition and demonstrated a high level of detail when reviewing a large amount of documentation. I often recommend Paris Smith to fellow business connections and we will certainly be using the team at Paris Smith again in due course.

CLIENT: Co-operative Group
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Responsive, knowledgeable and excellent value for money. I have worked closely with the Paris Smith team for a number of years on a range of property issues and have found them to be responsive, knowledgeable and excellent value for money. Their experience is evident in the professional manner they adopt and the outcomes achieved. They are very personable and their interest in both work and personal well being has earned my trust over numerous years.

CLIENT: Mayflower Theatre
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: The 30 years’ partnership between Paris Smith and the Mayflower Theatre is so important to us. As the region’s premier theatre, we feel it important to associate with businesses who are similarly invested in the region. The length of our association shows the value Paris Smith put on supporting the arts locally. The relationship is strengthened by the variety of initiatives we have developed together and I look forward to working with the team over the coming years.

CLIENT: Peter Cooper Motor Company
COMPANY/FIRM: Paris Smith LLP
TESTIMONIAL: The Peter Cooper Motor Group has been acquainted with Paris Smith for a number of years, over which we have moved our entire legal requirements to them. Whether dealing with their contracts, employment or property teams, we have always found them accessible, informative and effective. Paris Smith is considered a long term partner of our business, who works proactively with us to develop our futures together, maximising opportunities ahead.