LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 29 Pitmans: ‘Excellent work’ highlighted
In the Thames Valley, Pitmans LLP is noted for its property and litigation capabilities
Corporate & commercial
The level of service is ‘exceptional’ at Pitmans, where the lawyers have ‘a very good understanding of the market and the specific needs of the client’. Work highlights included advising Maple Leaf Bakery UK on the partial sale of its bakery business, and assisting with various matters relating to Tesco’s acquisition of shares in Blinkbox Entertainment. Andrew Peddie is an ‘excellent corporate specialist with great expertise and experience’. Philip Weaver recently advised the shareholders of Thames Travel on its sale to Go-Ahead. Adam Dowdney has recently moved to Shoosmiths.
Commercial litigation
With a team including a number of former City litigators, Pitmans has seen an increase in shareholder matters, guarantee claims and misrepresentation disputes. Practice chair Sue O’Brien handles complex commercial litigation, often with an international element, and is also an ADR-accredited mediator. Tim Clark is recommended for his experience in IT-related matters and company and shareholder disputes.
Debt recovery
Pitmans is highlighted for its ‘excellent success rate’ in sectors including technology, construction and retail. Team head Suzanne Brooker is ‘readily available, sharp and commercial’.
Banking & finance
The ‘excellent’ Pitmans has a ‘longstanding, loyal team of trusted advisers’. Highly rated practice head Patrick Long concentrates on corporate banking transactions and advises banks and corporate borrowers on refinancing and restructuring issues. The team is on the panels of 10 major banks.
Andrew Peddie
Insolvency & corporate recovery
‘Fast-moving and forward- thinking’ firm Pitmans houses an ‘excellent’ team which is ‘quick to grasp important issues’. Department head Suzanne Brooker has an ‘outstanding level of knowledge, and is one of the best in the business’. The team experienced a rise in both personal and corporate insolvency instructions in 2011.
Employment
Recognised for its strong technology-sector expertise, Pitmans recently assisted Toshiba TEC Europe Retail Information Systems in relation to an application for union recognition by Unite. Mark Symons leads the team, which includes the recommended Richard Devall. The firm also stands out for its niche practice in business immigration.
Pensions
The ‘responsive and helpful’ Pitmans advises defined benefit schemes on issues such as scheme appointments and the switch from RPI to CPI. Recent work includes advising the trustees of CitiFinancial Europe on the merger of its occupational schemes into a larger parent scheme. ‘Clear, analytical’ department head David Hosford leads a team that includes two solicitors dedicated solely to pensions-related litigation.
Personal injury: defendant
Ferhat Choudri’s team at Pitmans gained several new clients in 2011, and acted in a multimillion-pound indemnity case.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2012
Sue O'Brien Commercial property
Pitmans is highly regarded for its work advising housebuilders on acquiring development land, and recently handled two multi- million-pound site purchases for Bewley Homes in Reading and East Challow. Other clients include Banner Homes, Coutts & Co, Urban Outfitters, and Porsche. Team head Andrew Davies and Paul Murray are recommended.
Environment
Pitmans recently acted in three cases relating to property contamination.
Planning
Pitmans’ client base is largely made up of housebuilders, but the firm also acts for international banks and retail clients. It advised Banner Homes on over 20 sites in the South East.
IT and telecoms
Pitmans’ lawyers have a ‘very good understanding of the market’, and provide an ‘exceptional’ service. The IT team is now four partners strong following Philip James’ recent arrival from Lewis Silkin LLP. The lawyers divide their time between London and Reading.
Intellectual property
Pitmans is noted for its ‘rapid response times and creative commercial solutions’, and recently acted for Live Nation in a European Court of Justice trademark appeal. Practice head Jeremy Summers is recommended, as is Sally Britton; both divide their time between London and Reading.
Mark Symons Patrick Long
Suzanne Brooker
Philip James
www.businessmag.co.uk
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