Our next corporate member in the spotlight is Burton Copeland Solicitors. A Top Ranked Leading Firm by Chambers Guide 2014 and a Top Tier Firm in the Legal 500 directory 2013, Burton Copeland have long been recognised as a market leader with an enviable national reputation in all spheres of criminal litigation. Operating from two offices in Manchester and Trafford, an extensive team of committed lawyers and other fee-earners, one of the largest in the country, offers unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise with 24 hour, 365 days a year response. The firm’s principle areas of work are general and serious crime, business crime and fraud, regulatory law, medical and nursing care, professional discipline, road traffic, crown court advocacy and prison law. Clients range from government departments, public service bodies, small to medium business enterprises, national corporations, leading individuals from the worlds of business, sport and entertainment to the private individual confronted by the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and other prosecuting authorities. Burton Copeland has links to the University of Law sponsoring their criminal and advanced criminal awards.

The firm’s status was recognised in 2010 by the accolade of the award for Crime/Regulatory Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards 2010. More recently the firm was awarded Crime Team of the Year and Regulatory Team of Year at the Manchester Legal Awards 2014. The firm is one of the largest Legal Aid Agency Crime providers in Greater Manchester and holds their Very High Cost Case accreditation. The General and Serious Crime Team is complemented by dedicated units providing specialist advice and representation.

Designated member Mike Mackey, the Past President of Manchester Law Society, is noted in particular for his "expertise in child injury and cot death" cases. He has also undertaken serious organised crime work including international drug conspiracies and gangland murder trials. He was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manchester Legal Awards 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the legal profession, as someone who has acted on some of the most high profile criminal cases in the city over the past 40 years. He has also been named as one of the most influential professionals in Greater Manchester by Manchester Evening News.

Louise Straw, a designated member, specialises in representation of members of the Royal College of Nursing in respect of both criminal and disciplinary matters.  She is also the President of Manchester Law Society 2015 and sits, as chair, on its Magistrates and Crown Court Committee.

Gwyn Lewis, also a designated member, heads the road traffic department, DrivingOffence.com.  He is a nationally recognised expert in Road Traffic Law who frequently provides media commentary and comment on the developments and changes in what is now a very niche area of law.

Burton Copeland has recently developed a further niche area of regulatory work relating to the registration of various professionals with their regulatory bodies, with particular experience in matters relating to the General Medical Council (GMC), the General Dental Council (GDC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Teaching Council (GTC) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This work includes advising professionals in relation to registration via the International Medical Graduate route or via the EU rights route.

Burton Copeland is a long-standing and esteemed supporter of JCI Manchester and has previously been a sponsor at the JCI Manchester Young Talent Awards. Business crime partner, Kim Holden, has held the position of finance director since 2010 progressing to JCI Manchester’s Vice President 2014 and now President 2015.

If you would like to know more about the services Burton Copeland offers, please see their website www.burtoncopeland.com or www.drivingoffence.com and you can follow them on twitter @BurtonCopeland