52 LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 B P Collins: ‘Commercially savvy’ Corporate & commercial
Alex Zachary’s team at B P Collins LLP advised Biffa Waste Services on its £9.5 million purchase of Shanks Waste Management. Practice head Simon Deans is ‘technically very strong’ and is able to ‘resolve difficult situations in a practical way’.
Commercial litigation
The ‘first-rate’ team at B P Collins is appreciated for its ‘ability to deliver clear advice and implement commercially astute strategies’, and acted in numerous multi-million- pound cases in 2013. Practice head Matthew Brandis has ‘an outstanding understanding of his clients’ businesses’, and Craig Williams‘ ’client service skills are second to none’.
Employment
The ‘commercially savvy’ team ‘ has the ability to take on successfully the more complex cases’. James Townsend is ‘a rising talent – a robust negotiator, and commercially astute’. ‘A fantastic tactician’, Jo Davis
recently advised Biffa Waste Services on the employment issues connected with its £9.5m purchase of Shanks’ UK solid waste business.
Immigration
James Townsend leads the recently established business immigration practice at B P Collins, and is appreciated for his ‘niche experience in employment/ immigration crossover cases’. Senior associate Kathryn Fielder is ‘knowledgeable and enjoyable to work with’.
Contentious trusts & probate
Craig Williams and Matthew Brandis are ‘strong lawyers and benefit from an excellent litigation team behind them’.
Family
The team at B P Collins ‘works seamlessly’ to provide ‘an exceptional level of service’. Practice head Sue Andrews has ‘acute commercial awareness’, and is able
Henmans Freeth: ‘Gets the balance right’
Corporate & commercial
Henmans Freeth’s corporate capability was significantly bolstered by the arrival from Thomas Eggar of the highly- regarded Leon Arnold, who ‘gets the balance of legal and commercial just right’. The ‘excellent’ Malcolm Sadler heads the commercial side, with senior associate Tom Walker also attracting praise for his client service. Clients include Variohm Holdings and Original BTC.
Commercial litigation
The team is co-headed by Sarah Foster and Duncan Crine, supported by senior associate Claire Bellis. Professional negligence is a particularly strong area for the firm, with both Foster and Crine having recently acted in major cases.
Employment Clients include Oxford Brookes
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University and Stagecoach. Consultant Melanie Slocombe now heads the team following the departure of James Simpson for what is now Blake Morgan.
Clinical negligence
Cecily Cameron’s team at Henmans Freeth provides ‘exceptional levels of client care’, and has particular expertise in neurological injury and fatal accident matters. Carolyn Lowe is ‘dedicated and determined’.
Personal injury
Senior associate Irvin Thobourne’s team handles a range of claims including RTA and employers’ liability cases.
Henmans Freeth handles defended claims for a number of high-profile clients including global insurance companies, Lloyd’s syndicates, and loss adjusters. Paul Chadder heads the team.
to ‘cut through vast amounts of data to focus on the key issues’.
Personal tax, trusts & probate
The ‘excellent’ team ‘epitomises the qualities of a good and knowledgeable practice’. Team head Paul Lowery and associate Lorna Sansom are praised for their ‘ability to listen and then lay out clearly the available options’.
Kathryn Fielder Commercial property
The ‘completely unflappable’ Chris Hardy leads the team, which gained City & Provincial Properties plc as a new client in 2013. Sue Deacon has left the firm.
Environment
B P Collins’ ‘comprehensive’ practice includes waste, renewables and recycling matters. The firm advised Biffa Waste Management on its acquisition of a majority stake in Shanks Waste Management. Department head Diane Yarrow is ‘very knowledgeable and easy to work with’.
Professional negligence
Duncan Crine and Sarah Foster jointly lead the team. Clients include Swiss Re, Capita, and Inter Hannover.
Agriculture & estates
Henmans Freeth’s ‘very strong and experienced team’ is co-headed by the ‘very proactive’ Iain Davis and ‘very good’ Jane Maitland. It has seen an increase in development- related instructions, and acts for clients such as The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and Trinity College, Oxford. Lesley Pollock has ‘a rare combination of skill, expertise, and the ability to empathise and advise’.
Contentious trusts & probate
The ‘excellent’ team advises individual beneficiaries, professional trustees and charities, and is praised for its ‘strong individual expertise and interpersonal skills’. Senior associate Katharine Riley is recommended.
Family
The team head Rachael Oakes ‘combines great empathy with
Diane Yarrow
tremendous negotiation skills’, and is supported by ‘excellent’ associate Elizabeth Marsh. Helen Taylor is ‘professional while being understanding, kind and friendly’.
Personal tax, trusts & probate
Henmans Freeth’s ‘brilliant private client team combines strength in depth with an ability to forge strong client relationships’. National private client practice head Nigel Roots has ‘phenomenal’ trusts expertise, and Jane Maitland has substantial experience in agricultural matters. Part of a large team, senior associate Jane Robinson and associate Lisa Mark-Bell have notable trusts and tax expertise respectively.
Commercial property
Noted for its ‘strength in depth’, the team is headed by Iain Davis, whose expertise includes options and development work. Patrick Whetter and Samantha Leigh both attract praise, the latter for her ‘straight-talking and efficient style’. Adrian White and associate Anna Power are also recommended.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2014
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