law and the legal 500 41
Cameron is ‘unflappable‘, with ‘an uncanny ability to explain complicated legal concepts in an easily digestible manner‘.
Agriculture and estates
Team head Mark Charter ‘speaks in easy to understand terms‘, and associate John Shallcross‘ ‘amazing knowledge of legal history makes him worth a call at the outset to check if work is worth undertaking‘.
Family
Blake Morgan‘s group is headed by Christine Plews, and senior associate Claire Colbert is ‘outstanding in every respect, showing consistent dedication and commitment that is both impressive and reassuring‘.
In Hampshire, team head Simon Burge is ‘a superb solicitor with a wealth of experience‘, and recommended for his collaborative expertise. Associate Sarah French is ‘outstanding‘.
Personal tax, trusts and probate
The group ‘addresses challenges creatively‘, providing ‘personal, efficient and prompt‘ advice. Solicitor Kathryn Woodward is ‘highly professional and a pleasure to deal with‘. Rachel Brooks heads the team, and James Greig is the other key figure.
In Hampshire, the ‘first- class‘ team is led by Rachel Brooks, recommended for her ‘rapport with clients and deep knowledge‘, and includes the ‘vastly experienced‘ Malcolm Gibbs, who is ‘a pleasure to work with‘. Douglas Smith and Laura Treherne are the other names to note in the 20-fee earner group.
Education
Blake Morgan‘s substantial cross- practice offering is led by Alison Talbot, and acts for clients such as Christ Church College, Oxford, the University of Reading, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Key individuals include employment head Mike Wilson and governance and academy conversion expert Elizabeth Davis.
Health
With core strength in all three of its major South East offices,
James Hawkeswood
Blake Morgan‘s market-leading reputation was bolstered further by the hire of Oxford- based Gayle Curry from Mills & Reeve LLP (where she led the commercial health team). Group head Bruce Potter and Stephen Tainsh advised Ernst & Young as administrator on the high-profile dissolution of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Jason Richards is ‘expert in clinical commissioning and procurement‘, with other key figures including commercial contract experts Alison Patten-Hall and Mary Chant, based in Reading and Southampton respectively.
exceptionally large team has a particularly strong developer and retail client base, and acts for a number of central government departments and charities. Sean Palka heads the eight-partner group, highlights of which include assisting a high-street bank with its £11m new-branch rollout.
Construction
Blake Morgan is ‘very strong in construction‘. The practice assisted MetroBank with the acquisition of 12 sites for the rollout of a number of new stores, and advised new client Sir Robert McAlpine on a potential dispute with Heron Group regarding a £180m project in central London. Team head Richard Wade and David Evans are the key Oxford contacts, with senior associates Edward McMullen (‘a clear, pragmatic communicator‘) and Jessica Tresham (‘very thorough and really understands the technical nitty-gritty‘) the names to note in Southampton.
Planning Local government
Key contact Penny Rinta-Suksi advised Enfield Council and the London Borough of Merton on a diverse range of issues, including procurement and CCTV licences. Experienced associate Jennifer Sore, who specialises in defending insurance claims, ‘has wonderful analysis and negotiation skills‘.
Commercial property
The strong team includes Andrew Miscampbell, who advises on medical centre development; Liam Desmond who acts for clients in the charity sector; and senior associate Deryn Bassett, who has strong energy and gas expertise. Miscampbell handled the negotiation of a lease agreement for Osney Lock Hydro, and also advised the client on project funding. The group is headed by Ruth Leadbitter.
In Hampshire, the firm‘s THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2015
Highlights for Blake Morgan‘s ‘excellent‘ team include acting for Vitacress Salads in a precedent-setting case relating to the limits of the EU Environmental Directive at the Court of Appeal. The recommended Guthrie McGruer leads the team, which includes consultant Sean Silk and experienced associate Keith Lancaster.
Property litigation
Blake Morgan is ‘excellent for property litigation‘. Senior associate Kate New, who ‘understands the issues, both intellectually and intuitively‘, leads the team, supported by experienced solicitors Claire Hitchman and Rachel Gimson. Clients include Costa Coffee and a strong mix of housing associations and developers.
Social housing
John Russell leads the respected team, which assisted its impressive housing association client base with issues including data protection related to vulnerable tenants, and the
acquisition of long leasehold interests for affordable rents. William Downing is recommended.
IT and telecoms
Sheilah Mackie heads the six- partner team, which advised Relayware on a master services agreement with an Indian client, and handled a complex IT procurement for the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Alison Patten-Hall and Jill Bainbridge are recommended.
Intellectual property
Jill Bainbridge heads the IP group and trademark prosecution team, and Sheilah Mackie and Alison Patten- Hall are the key contacts for non-contentious issues. The practice handles various trademark matters for Wiggle and Feelunique, and advises The
Yachtmarket.com on brand strategy and protection.
Media and entertainment
Jill Bainbridge advises on defamation and reputation- related matters, and is particularly active in the publishing and charity sectors. Simon Stokes handles non- contentious work.
Bruce Potter Aviation
Work highlights included advising three airlines in the TUI group on the seasonal leasing of multiple aircraft into airlines in Canada. Practice head Ben Graham- Evans and Mark Turnbull are singled out as ‘particularly knowledgeable and commercial‘.
www.businessmag.co.uk
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