Simon James, senior partner at Ansons Solicitors has been profiled within the 2010 Legal Experts directory for his agriculture and estates expertise.

The directory, which was released in April this year and is used by both solicitors and clients, is regarded as being the definitive guide to the UK's leading specialist legal practitioners. It identifies and profiles the leading specialist lawyers in areas as diverse as advertising, agriculture, charity, defamation, environment, shipping and sports law.

The directory quotes Simon James as having: “an extensive agricultural and commercial property client base, acting not only for individuals but also for partnerships, charities and local and national companies, including developers. He has advised on agricultural law since the early 1980s and comes from a farming family. Through his agricultural work, Simon has also become involved in tax planning for families and businesses generally and frequently acts as a trustee of family trusts”.

Mr James, who has recently celebrated his 30th year of being a qualified legal professional, commented: “Being profiled in this directory is important because agricultural and commercial property work remain a key part of my professional life and I am keen to strengthen and expand my client base of farmers and landowners”.

Mr James is a member of the Agricultural Law Association and he is well known within the agricultural community. He is an active member of the Staffordshire community, including being deputy chairman of St Giles Hospice, a director of Lichfield Festival Limited and a member of the Rotary Club of Lichfield.

Ansons Solicitors is endorsed by the Lexcel quality mark, Investors in People and is recommended within 'The Legal 500' directory of top UK law firms. The firm was formed in June 2004 and employs more than 45 people across its offices in Cannock and Lichfield.  The firm's commercial specialisms include corporate transactions, commercial property, agricultural matters, commercial disputes, employment law and planning & environmental legislation. Its private client services include wills and probate, family law, personal injury and residential property matters.