26 LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500
Blake Lapthorn: ‘First rate in every respect’
‘Regional heavyweight’ Blake Lapthorn has offices in Southampton, Oxford, Portsmouth and London
Corporate and commercial
A ‘very accessible and responsive’ corporate group. James Hawkeswood is ‘highly intelligent, articulate and credible’. Mary Chant is ‘exceptionally good’. Edward Lee’s team has strong experience in cross- border deals and a reputation in renewables and cleantech, through Nicola McConville.
effective’. Professional negligence specialist Richard Portlock is ‘unflappable and extremely knowledgeable’; Julian Dobson is ‘impressive’.
advice and response times’. ‘Leading individual’ John Hamilton is ‘excellent’.
Clinical negligence: Claimant
‘Top-notch’ firm Blake Lapthorn has an ‘outstanding clinical negligence practice’. John White is ‘astute’ and ‘incisive’. Sue Jarvis is ‘clear thinking’.
Personal injury: Claimant
Alison McClure is listed as a ‘leading individual’. The recommended Daniel Scognamiglio heads a team handling accidents abroad.
Professional negligence
Richard Portlock’s ‘up-and-coming’ team has a growing reputation in claimant litigation. Elaine Heywood is ‘immensely thorough’.
Susie Dryden Debt recovery James Hawkeswood Corporate tax
Blake Lapthorn’s corporate tax practice is ‘first rate in every way’.
Crime Clients praise the firm as having the ‘right touch for dealing with professional clients’. Motorists’ defence specialist Tim Williamson is ‘technically very sound’. On the prosecution side, clients include enforcement agencies, including the RSPCA and Port of London Authority.
Licensing
Blake Lapthorn provides ‘advice tailored to clients’ business considerations.
Commercial litigation
David Miles is rated as ‘outstanding, with in-depth knowledge of Privy Council practice’.
Stephen Murfitt is a ‘leading individual’. Jill Bainbridge and Elaine Heywood are recommended. Susie Dryden is ‘fantastic – wise and
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Blake Lapthorn’s team is ‘good value for money’ – its level of service is excellent’.
Banking and finance
The ‘dedicated and excellent’ banking team, is led by Kath Shimmin, a ‘leading individual’.
Insolvency and corporate recovery
‘First rate in every respect’. Dan Geddes ‘combines deep technical knowledge with an intuitive approach’.
Employment
Max Craft is ‘without equal as an adviser’ while the ‘first-rate’ Sarah Peacock is ‘efficient, effective and logical’. Anthony Cooper and barrister Tim Forer are also recommended.
Health and safety
John Mitchell’s team advises public and private sector clients, and individuals under investigation.
Pensions
Clients are impressed by the team’s ‘thoroughness, appropriateness of
Agriculture and estates
Mark Charter is ‘helpful, thoroughly professional and efficient’. Rachel Brooks gives ‘clear and relevant advice’.
Charities and not-for-profit
Valued for its ‘very good understanding of clients’ needs’, Blake Lapthorn advises clients including Oxfam and Save the Children. Elizabeth Davis is ‘highly knowledgeable’. Joss Saunders is ‘an acknowledged expert in charity law’; Alison Talbot is also recommended.
Family
Christine Plews is very highly regarded. Simon Burge attracts praise for his abilities in court.
Personal tax, trusts and probate
James Antoniou has a ‘wealth of experience’ and ‘quickly gains the trust of clients’. Philip Allen, is ‘able to communicate complex information with clarity’, and Caroline Van Zyl is praised for her estates-related advice. Clive Saunders attracts praise for his ‘patience and listening skills’. Rachel Brooks is recommended while Jennifer Hicks is ‘professional and knowledgeable’.
Education
Prominent in the higher education sector, Blake Lapthorn is active for numerous University of Oxford
Property litigation
The ‘first-class’ team acts for clients across food, retail, manufacturing and affordable housing. Amanda Morris is ‘commercially aware’ and ‘very personable’.
Social housing
Blake Lapthorn hired two new social housing partners in employment and planning.
IT and telecoms
The team continues to work with IBM. Sheilah Mackie advises on software development matters and licensing projects, and acts for customer-side clients and suppliers.
Intellectual property
Jill Bainbridge and the team have experience in digital copyright and art.
Media and entertainment An ‘exceptionally good’ team. Elaine Heywood gives ‘authoritative advice’ and instils ‘complete confidence’. Simon Stokes has ‘hugely impressive knowledge and understanding’. Joss Saunders is another stand-out name.
Transport and aviation
Ben Graham-Evans leads the team ‘at the top of the class in relation to aircraft financing’.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2013
colleges. The team has expertise in academy conversions, free schools and hi-tech research.
Commercial property
Liam Desmond ‘combines technical expertise with good commercial sense’; Michael Ward is ‘a first-class property lawyer’. Martin Hirst and rural specialist John Russell are ‘excellent negotiators’ and Andy Peck has strong retail development experience.
Construction
Blake Lapthorn’s construction team is ‘among the best in the area’.
Environment John Mitchell is recommended for complex cases.
Planning
Blake Lapthorn acted for London Oxford Airport objecting to a wind farm development within its aircraft safeguarding area. Guthrie McGruer is ‘very reliable’.
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