Two departments at a Gloucestershire law firm have secured a coveted top-tier ranking in the latest edition of The Legal 500, an independent guide to the best law firms across the South West.

No less than 13 of Willans LLP's lawyers are recommended in the guide, with many rated in multiple disciplines.

Two of the lawyers, Paul Gordon and Nigel Whittaker, are highlighted as 'leading individuals' in their respective fields of commercial litigation and commercial property.

Bridget Redmond, managing partner at the firm, which employs and estimated 75 staff and was founded in Cheltenham in 1940s, said: "We are delighted to have achieved another strong set of results in this highly-respected independent guide.

"The combination of technical expertise, approachability and commitment to exceptional client service is the hallmark of Willans, and I am pleased to see that has shone through in the guide as a result of client feedback.

"We are extremely proud of all of our lawyers named in this year's edition, and their departments."

Willans' dispute resolution team is listed in the highest tier for the M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire area for the third year running, the guide noting its "impressive combination of technical expertise and interpersonal skills".

"Pragmatic yet appropriately aggressive" department head Paul Gordon, associate solicitor Nick Southwell and property litigation partner Nick Cox are all individually commended for their expertise.

Also securing a top-tier ranking in this region, for the second year running, is Willans' employment law practice, which has a particular focus on acting for businesses in the technology and engineering sectors, but also advises clients in the professional services, charities and not-for-profit sectors on a range of employment law issues.

Partner and department head Matthew Clayton is recognised for his expertise in data issues in employment law.

Eleven of the firm's departments in total are ranked in the highly-respected guide, which is published yearly and ranks law firms across the globe.

Highlighted for their expertise across the entire South West area are the firm's intellectual property, charities, family law, property litigation, personal tax, trusts and probate, agriculture and estates and the contentious probate and trusts teams.

Both the corporate and commercial and the commercial property departments are also recognised for their influence in the M4 corridor and Gloucestershire region.