LEGAL firms in the south are celebrating this week after being included in the latest edition of Chambers - an independent survey of the profession.

Among the local firms singled out in the survey are Bond Pearce, Blake Lapthorn and Lester Aldridge.

The Directory's publishers undertake research with both clients and peers in the legal profession and highlight particular areas of expertise and individuals who shine in their specialist fields.

Bond Pearce rates highly in a number of areas, with the directory saying that the firm has developed impressive national coverage from its flagship Southampton office. Areas including corporate finance, banking, IT, energy and natural resources, and professional negligence were its highest-ranked sectors.

Overall, the Directory ranked Bond Pearce as a leading firm in over 30 different specialisms of law and recognised the esteem in which its specialist lawyers are held both by their clients and peers.

The research said of the following: "The fantastically commercial" Marcus Trinick is regarded as "the best environmental lawyer in the south"; health and safety expert Jon Cooper is a "pre-eminent person in his field"; banking, corporate finance and corporate recovery partner Graham Jeffries is "in extremely high demand"; employment specialist, Christina Tolvas-Vincent, has "good commercial sense" and Lea Brocklebank is "highly respected" for her defendant personal injury work. IT partner Julian Hamblin is praised for his "keen eye for detail" and Tim Bailey is recognised for his "technical ability" in property work.

"These results come on the eve of our move to our new flagship office, Oceana House," says Simon Richardson, managing partner. "We are truly delighted by the recognition given both to the talented individuals within the firm and our strategic development as a practice."

There were also accolades for south coast firm Blake Lapthorn, which has strengthened its profile in recent months - particularly following its merger with Sherwin Oliver.

The firm was ranked highly in a host of specialist fields including commercial litigation, banking, charities, clinical negligence and personal injury, construction, corporate finance, debt collection, environment, fraud, insolvency and business rescue, licensing and leisure, intellectual property and corporate tax.

A total of 17 of its solicitors were also recognised in the Chambers lists for their expertise and achievements within particular fields of specialism, while the firm itself is highly ranked in 21 sectors.

Walter Cha, Blake Lapthorn's managing partner, said: "We are delighted with the annual review from Chambers Directory. Everyone at Blake Lapthorn works extremely hard to ensure that our clients receive an exceptionally high level of service. The success of our business is down to the dedication of our people. It is therefore gratifying when their efforts are recognised within the industry in this way."

Lester Aldridge was highlighted as a leading firm in 16 service areas and the directory says the firm has grown dramatically, reaping the benefits in record turnover and profits this year.

Services recommended include corporate finance, family law and insolvency together with intellectual property and commercial litigation.

The directory has also hailed ten LA partners as "leading individuals" in their field. "Standing out from the crowd this year" at LA are Matthew Barker (insolvency), Richard Byrne (health and safety), Andrew Corke (partnership), James Daly (asset finance and leasing), Stephen Foster (family), Barry Glazier (trusts and personal tax), Kevin Heath (asset finance and leasing), Andrew Hignett (planning), Russell Kelly (shipping) and Malcolm Niekirk (insolvency).