Legal 500 2025 Rankings

The results of the 2025 edition of the Legal 500 have now been announced and Cartwright King wish to congratulate all its colleagues who contributed to these rankings.

Cartwright King was once again ranked in the prestigious first tier for firms specialising in criminal and fraud defence in the East Midlands as well as receiving high rankings in the Northwest, and the West Midlands. In addition the Immigration team were ranked in the Midlands and the Family team have been highlighted as a firm to watch in Birmingham. The firms expertise, hard work and dedication is a significant indicator of the quality of our work and our strong external reputation with our clients and partners.

The Legal 500, the UK’s leading law guide states: ‘The talented team at Cartwright King is led by Laura Smith. It regularly advises on the full spectrum of corporate and financial crime, as well as regulatory based prosecutions. Clients are directors, senior employees, and the management of multinational companies who are accused of bribery and other serious financial crime. The group is recommended for its work on extradition cases, and civil High Court judicial review proceedings. Its complex fraud work is a mix of privately paid, publicly funded and insurance backed work. John Allchin has considerable expertise in defending heavyweight criminal cases, and is a grade ‘A’ supervisor under the Very High Costs Cases arrangements’

Individual Recognition

Furthermore, the Legal 500 recognised the excellent services provided by individual members of our team.

Laura Smith – Head of Corporate and Financial Crime

Laura Smith, Head of Cartwright King’s corporate, financial and serious crime department was highly commended. Legal 500 states: ‘Cartwright King is a leading regional criminal litigation practice with a well-respected Midlands-based team. The firm is known for its ability to manage extensive evidential caseloads and is able to assist with white-collar crime mandates and a plethora of other serious offences. Laura Smith is an impressive defence advocate and is well versed in the intricacies of corporate fraud matters.’

John Allchin – Next Generation Partners

In the West Midlands, John Allchin, was highly commended by the Legal 500: ‘The talented team at Cartwright King is jointly led by Laura Smith and John Allchin. It regularly advises on the full spectrum of corporate and financial crime, as well as regulatory based prosecutions. Clients are directors, senior employees, and the management of multinational companies who are accused of bribery and other serious financial crime. The group is recommended for its work on extradition cases, and civil High Court judicial review proceedings. Its complex fraud work is a mix of privately paid, publicly funded and insurance backed work.  Allchin has considerable expertise in defending heavyweight criminal cases, and is a grade ‘A’ supervisor under the Very High Costs Cases arrangements.’

Read more about the West Midlands team on Legal 500

East Midlands Leading Associates

Maintaining Cartwright King’s market-leading position in the East Midlands, Sharad Buddhev and James Bainbridge of our East Midlands team have been highlighted as “Leading Associates” by the Legal 500.

The Legal 500 states:

‘James Bainbridge heads up the Crown Court department and regularly defends challenging cases involving serious criminal offences. Sharad Buddhdev is a financial crime specialist that can also advise on firearm matters and issues relating to court martials.’

Read more about the East Midlands team on Legal 500

Firms to Watch (Family in Birmingham

At Cartwright King, Fiona Bowen is ‘always clear, calm and authoritative when needed, I particularly value her representation of children in both private law and children proceedings’. Bowen is a member of the Children Panel.

Comments from Abdul Hussain

Reacting to the news of the firm’s ranking in the prestigious law guide, Abdul Hussain, Chief Executive states that he is “Extremely pleased to see the ongoing recognition of our brilliant team of lawyers in the 2025 Legal 500 rankings. It is a testament to the talented and committed legal professionals at our firm. I’m very proud of the team’s achievements.”