CITY firms are celebrating after the prestigious Legal 500 guide for 2017 was published.

The listing is seen as the annual gold standard guide to the UK’s leading law firms.

Human rights solicitors Matthew Gold and Co – with offices in Ditchling Road, Brighton – is listed as an outstanding firm that “punches well above its weight” and provides a dedicated and personal service to clients.

The firm’s lawyers are also singled out for praise, including Sussex director Maria O’Connell, who studied at St Mary’s Hall school in Brighton, and founder Matthew Gold.

Director Clare Jennings, who won Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in 2016, is recognised as a “fearsome fighter.”

DMH Stallard, whose city offices are in Jubliee Street, was awarded a “top tier” ranking in seven practice areas.

The seven top ranked practice areas are employment, local government, environment, planning, property litigation, intellectual property and IT and telecoms.

Tina George (property litigation) and Heidi Copland (planning) are listed on the Legal 500 Elite List of Lawyers.

The real estate team also had Gemma Penny ranked as a 2next generation lawyer” for her work on environmental matters.

Managing partner Richard Pollins said: “I am immensely proud of this recognition, not just because we’ve received these accolades, but more specifically on how it reflects the tremendous expertise and experience of the firm.

“It is thanks to the exceptional calibre of our partners and lawyers, and the many people who support them, that we have received such high honours.”

The commercial services team at law firm Coffin Mew, which has offices in Queensbury House, Brighton, ranks among the best firms in the South East for IT and telecoms and intellectual property.

Two partners have been named “leading individuals” in the directory.

Doug Miller and Sue Bowler are partners in the personal injury and clinical negligence teams.

The clinical negligence team was recommended as professional and caring, “leaving no stone unturned to achieve a result for the client”.

The 2017 Legal 500 went on to describe Doug as highly experienced and dedicated and that Sue was a great tactician and top-class litigator.

The directory also highlighted Coffin Mew partner and head of commercial services Mark O’Halloran as “phenomenal” for his “unique mix of deep legal knowledge, which combines with a pragmatic approach”.

Mark’s specialities include intellectual property issues, such as global brand protection, as well as hardware and software development, research and development collaboration deals and supply and licensing agreements.