LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 29
Paris Smith: Impressive deals and no-nonsense advice
Corporate & commercial
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.
Commercial litigation
Peter Taylor heads Paris Smith’s team, and acts for a wide range of local clients in areas such as insurance, shareholder and construction disputes
Banking & finance
Paris Smith in 2012 completed its work in relation to the redevelopment, sale and leaseback of the Ageas Bowl to Eastleigh Borough Council. The practice receives a steady flow of work from Santander, recently assisting the bank on a £4.75 million development and acquisition
finance facility granted to Home Grown Hotels. James McNeil leads the team.
Insolvency & corporate recovery
The insolvency practice continues to grow under Mike Pavitt. It won first-time instructions from James Cowper LLP, among others, and also acted for administrators RSM Tenon on a sale of assets of RAS Cars.
Employment
The firm has been particularly active in complex discrimination claims and senior director exits, and is advising a national retailer on restructuring. Team head Clive Dobbin’s specialisms include TUPE and the education sector. David Roath provides ’clear, no-nonsense advice’.
Family
Paris Smith is ’clearly the top team in Southampton’. Team head Huw Miles is ’tenacious and very pragmatic’; Neil Davies demonstrates ’fantastic client care qualities’; and Frank Prior is a
’tough negotiator’, and ’particularly good on big-money cases’. Associates Rachel Osgood and Daniel Sanders are recommended.
Personal tax, trusts & probate
Led by David Bird, the team enjoys a strong reputation for its trusts and tax planning work, and has recently been busy with offshore-related instructions. Crispin Jameson is highly regarded for his trusts expertise.
Commercial property
Mark Howarth’s team covers all aspects of real estate work, and in 2012 acted for The Ageas Bowl on its high-profile £40m redevelopment. Commercial development partner John Mansell, property finance expert Stuart Allen and associate Edward Power are all recommended.
Planning
Paris Smith’s ’very sound’ planning practice has ’considerable experience and practical know- how’. It recently advised the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Janet May heads the team.
Lamport Bassitt: ’Highly respected’ team offering good value
Corporate & commercial
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.
Licensing
Jonathan Gray leads the team, which advises clients including Beer and Bottle, Bar Ceno and Champagne Charleys.
Commercial litigation
Lamport Bassitt’s team, led by the well-respected Rick
Munro, represented Aerostar Maintenance International in a longstanding claim for breach of fiduciary duty, which included arguments on quantum before the Court of Appeal. With strong insolvency and construction experience, the team also includes Neil Stewart and two associates.
Insolvency & corporate recovery
The firm delivers ’excellent service’ and ’good value’. The practice is led by the ’efficient’ Rick Munro, supported by the ’approachable’ and ’knowledgeable’ Neil Stewart. It attracted a number of instructions from accountancy firm Chantrey Vellacott DFK in 2012.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2013 Rick Munro Employment
Jonathan Gray leads the team, and is well regarded for his work for trade unions and employees,
Mike Pavitt
Sport The firm is active in property matters for sports clients, such as the purchase of sports premises, leases and licences.
especially at tribunal. Clients include Unite.
Personal injury
Lamport Bassitt provides a ’very good level of service’, mainly handling industrial accident and disease claims for trade union and individual clients. Gareth Wheeler’s team includes Peter Hilditch, who is ’very sensible and helpful’, and Lynn Webb, who is also recommended.
Commercial property
The team, headed by the highly experienced John Newton, has recent experience across residential development, acquisitions for leisure clients, and major property disposals. Nick Todd is a key contact.
www.businessmag.co.uk James McNeil
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