LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 37 Pitmans: Notable work for blue-chip clients
Pitmans LLP services a range of blue-chip clients from its Reading base, and has been handling notable work in areas such as IP, corporate tax and dispute resolution.
Corporate finance
Pitmans has been very active on the transactional side. Team head Andrew Peddie advised CACI on its acquisition of Tomorrow Communications, and Stephanie Perry acted for Ridgeway Group on its purchase of Wood Group. Roger Gregory joined the team in October 2012 from Dorsey & Whitney, bringing expertise in private equity and venture capital work.
Commercial litigation
Sue O’Brien, who focuses on property litigation, heads the team, which recently acted in a wide range of matters including professional negligence, asset recovery and patent disputes. It has strong insolvency and banking litigation capabilities, through Suzanne Brooker and Nicola Kirk, and a strong reputation for representing IT companies, through Tim Clark. Philip Smith is ‘a first-class litigator’.
Banking & finance
Pitmans’ banking team gives ‘excellent advice’, and is also noted for its ability to drive a deal to completion. It is appointed to 10 banking panels, and is especially active in SME lending, debt restructuring and acquisition finance. Practice head Patrick Long is ‘sensitive to costs’, and Stephanie Perry provides ‘balanced advice’ and ‘works well under pressure’.
Andrew Peddie
Insolvency & corporate recovery
The firm handles ‘complex, larger cases’ in corporate recovery and insolvency, with instructions coming from a wide range of sectors. Its impressive client base features BNP Paribas, Bank of America Invoice Finance, Deloitte and KPMG. Practice head Suzanne Brooker is noted for her technical abilities, and Nicola Kirk is ‘extremely competent’.
Immigration
Pitmans has specialist expertise advising entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of overseas companies, as well as acting for clients in the sports and entertainment industries. Richard Devall heads the team.
Pensions
The ‘exceptional’ David Hosford leads the firm’s Reading- based team, which provides an ‘excellent’ level of service. It advised the trustees of the People’s Pension Scheme on the establishment of the master trust for employees in the construction industry, including drafting the rules of the scheme.
Sue O'Brien Personal injury
The firm is currently acting in an employers’ liability claim concerning a slip and allegedly unsuitable/ defective work equipment. Ferhat Choudri leads the team.
Commercial property
The well-regarded team advises clients such as Bewley Homes, and McCarthy and Stone. Team head Andrew Davies, Delphine Mehouas and Paul Murray all have significant development expertise.
Environment
The team regularly assists with corporate and property transactions, and has recently advised on water contamination issues.
Planning
Pitmans handles both contentious and non-contentious planning work, and acts for clients including Linden Homes, Hicks Developments and Pharmacy First. Sue Crowther heads the department.
IT & telecomms
The four-partner team is commended for its ‘great service’, and is jointly headed by Tim Clark
Suzanne Brooker
and Philip James, who is ‘courteous, efficient and very supportive’.
Intellectual property
Pitmans is ‘fantastic value for money’, and demonstrates a ‘can- do attitude’. The firm’s focus is on soft IP matters, and it continues to advise Usain Bolt on trademark filing within the EU as well as acting in disputes over the unauthorised use of the athlete’s name and image. Jeremy Summers and Sally Britton are recommended.
Media & entertainment
Pitmans has a strong reputation for live events, and acts for promoters, agents and producers. In 2012, Sally Britton, who is noted for her ‘great organisation skills, advised the British Fashion Council on the commercialisation and protection of events. Jeremy Summers is recommended.
Sport
The ‘very professional’ team advises sports governing bodies, events organisers, sports teams, and athletes. Head of department Jeremy Summers is ‘very strong on sponsorship and events contracts’, and Sally Britton is commended for her trademark expertise.
Patrick Long
Richard Devall THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2013
Sue Crowther
Jeremy Summers
www.businessmag.co.uk
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