LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 25
Hampshire firms top corporate and commercial league table
TOP TIER
• Blake Lapthorn Southampton, Portsmouth • Bond Dickinson LLP Southampton • Shoosmiths LLP Southampton
SECOND TIER • Paris Smith LLP Southampton
Highlights for Blake Lapthorn’s ’very accessible and responsive’ corporate group included advising AIM-listed Universe Group on a share and loan note placing; and acting for Keddleston Holdings, as part of a large cross-practice team, on the management buyout of Keddleston Schools. Southampton team head James Hawkeswood is ’highly intelligent, articulate and credible’; and Mary Chant is ’exceptionally good’ and highly recommended for commercial contract work. Manoj Styche-Patel heads the corporate practice.
THIRD TIER
• Clarke Willmott LLP Southampton • Coffin Mew LLP Southampton, Portsmouth • Lamport Bassitt Southampton • Moore Blatch LLP Southampton • Penningtons Solicitors LLP Basingstoke • Thomas Eggar LLP Southampton • Trethowans LLP Southampton
Bond Dickinson LLP acts for international clients such as Imerys as well as Hampshire- based clients such as Chemring and B&Q, and has strong expertise and a solid reputation for its work in renewables. Team head Sebastian Briggs advised RES Group on its sale of the Black Hill wind farm project to Barclays Infrastructure Funds; and Ian Holden acted for INEOS on a potential joint venture with Accsys technologies, a deal with significant IP elements. The firm also has a large and highly respected commercial team, headed by Nick Barwood.
Sean Wright’s team at Shoosmiths LLP is ’commercial and pragmatic in negotiations’. Wright’s recent highlights include acting for Ageas on its £116 million acquisition of Groupama Insurance. Southampton office head Chris McClure has significant expertise in aviation and rail matters; and Lynn Knight is another key contact. Public company M&A and listings specialist Mark Shepherd is ’a pleasure to work with’.
Paris Smith LLP’s sizeable team handled some impressive deals in 2012. In a significant highlight, Michael Moore, Crispin Dick and Richard Atcherley advised Uteron Pharma on the English law aspects of its high-profile sale to Watson Pharmaceuticals. Other clients include Microsulis Medical and Rose Bowl plc (now known as RB Sport and Leisure Holdings). Managing partner Andrew Heathcock is a key contact for corporate and commercial matters.
Kelvin Balmont’s team at Clarke Willmott LLP has been active in M&A, AIM-listed reverse takeovers and commercial contracts advice. Clients include ACCA, Novatech and Macintyre Scott & Co.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2013
Coffin Mew LLP has recently handled work for Tructyre Fleet Management and
Hungryhouse.com, and boosted its commercial IP and IT capabilities with the recruitment of Paul Page-Tickell in September 2012. Team head Amanda Brockwell and Nick Gross are the key corporate contacts.
Lamport Bassitt’s highlights included advising Plant Fix on its sale to LNB Group, and acting for Premium Crops in a series of transactions, including a share-for-share exchange transaction and a share buyback. Experienced team head Sean Kelly remains highly respected in the market.
Moore Blatch LLP acted for clients such as Framefair and Haystack Dryers, advising the latter on an investment by NVM Private Equity. The team, headed by the highly rated Roger Bailey, has significant automotive insurance expertise, as well as commercial IP and IT capabilities. Peter Jeffery is also recommended.
Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s team, headed by Charles Brooks, advised Courier Systems on its cross-border acquisition of E-Courier UK, and acted on several deals with a strong technology element. Commercial IT and IP specialist Joanne Vengadesan is ’calm, authoritative and knowledgeable’.
Thomas Eggar LLP’s Southampton presence received a boost with the relocation of the firm’s former Newbury corporate and commercial team in December 2012. Leon Arnold heads the corporate team, with Kim Walker, who focuses on IP and IT-related matters, leading the commercial team. John Riddick has impressive international expertise.
Trethowans LLP’s team, headed by Mike Watson, attracts some impressive corporate deals, and also handled some substantial commercial work in 2012, including advising longstanding client Ladbrokes on various commercial contracts. Corporate lawyers Watson and Catherine MacRae are ’excellent practitioners – thorough and efficient’, and Nick Gent is also recommended. Paula Eckton is the key contact on the commercial side.
www.businessmag.co.uk
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