law – the legal 500 33


Paris Smith: ‘Capacity for handling large, cross-border deals‘


In Hampshire, Paris Smith LLP‘s full-service offering has notable private client capabilities.


Corporate and commercial


Paris Smith displayed its capacity for handling large, cross-border transactions by advising PVC manufacturer Doeflex on its merger with INEOS to create a €200 million combined entity. Michael Moore, who led on that deal, is a key figure in the team, which includes corporate head Sean Davies, the impressive City experience of commercial head Crispin Dick, and the M&A expertise of Jonathan Roy.


Commercial litigation


The firm‘s impressive year included acting on a multi- million-pound family business dispute with complex pension and company partnership elements. The highly-experienced Clive Thomson is a key contact.


Banking and finance


Paris Smith‘s ‘high-quality‘ team is led by the ‘thorough, proactive‘ James McNeil, and in 2014 advised lenders and borrowers, including Santander, on a steady flow of transactions, with Stuart Allen particularly active in real estate finance.


Insolvency and corporate recovery


Mike Pavitt is ‘the first port of call for anything with a cross-border issue‘; Clive Thomson is ‘a trusted adviser and commercially aware‘; and the newly-promoted Richard Atcherley is ‘building a strong reputation for non-contentious work‘.


Employment


Paris Smith‘s broad expertise encompasses TUPE issues, tribunals and senior employee exits. Team head Clive Dobbin


and David Roath are ‘always approachable and ready with the right advice‘, supported by an experienced team of fee-earners.


Family


Huw Miles‘ team has a long- standing presence in the region, and is distinguished by the combined experience of its key members. Partners Neil Davies, Frank Prior, Sarah Passemard and senior associate Rachel Osgood are the other names to note.


Personal tax, trusts and probate


Paris Smith‘s specialist expertise includes relief from inheritance tax for business properties, and advising non-domiciled clients on capital gains tax issues. Team leader Nick Turner, David Bird and consultant Crispin Jameson are the names to note.


Moore Blatch: ‘Robust specialisms‘ Corporate and commercial


Moore Blatch LLP has robust specialisms in the IT, technology and, through team head Roger Bailey, automotive sectors. Peter Jeffrey and Jeremy Over are the other key contacts. Sabien Technology and Monitor Audio are clients.


Commercial litigation


Highlights included representing a non-conforming lender, and a dispute alleging misrepresentation in the sale of a property management agency. Team head Paul Whitaker and Claire Haverfield are the key contacts.


Insolvency and corporate recovery


Moore Blatch added Adrian Owen (formerly of Blake Lapthorn) as a consultant in 2014. Mark Osgood and Peter Jeffery are also recommended.


Employment


Team head Katherine Maxwell has ‘particular expertise in TUPE‘, Naomi Greenwood has a ‘shrewd, incisive brain‘, and Paul Whitaker ‘brings his disputes background to bear in covenant-based litigation‘.


Immigration


Richmond-based Simon Kenny has developed a strong client roster in Hampshire, reflecting his experience of managing immigration units at Big Four auditing companies.


Clinical negligence: claimant


For some, Moore Blatch is ‘the country‘s leader in clinical negligence‘. ‘Very approachable and knowledgeable‘ practice head Tim Spring is recommended for obstetrics and brain injury matters.


Personal injury: claimant


In 2014, Moore Blatch entered into a joint venture with national spinal


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2015 Katherine Maxwell


injury charity Aspire to launch an ABS. Damian Horan ‘prepares cases well‘ and Ciaran McCabe is ‘good at managing client expectations‘.


Family


Team head Debra Emery and senior associate Katy Barber


Michael Moore Commercial property


Mark Howarth‘s team has notable residential and brownfield development expertise through John Mansell and Peter Gammie. Clients include Forelle Estates and The Co-operative.


of Moore Blatch LLP make ‘a formidable team‘.


Personal tax, trusts and probate


Carla Brown heads the team, which includes lead probate contact Joyce Bradbeer and ‘empathetic, conscientious‘ Court of Protection expert Richard Wadsworth.


Health


Paula Barnes has a specialist practice advising clients, who may be elderly or the victims of clinical negligence or personal injury, undertaking continuing care claims and appeals against the NHS.


Commercial property


Among the firm‘s 2014 highlights was assisting Foreman Homes with its £5 million purchase of land for development (including option agreements). Martin Duck and Julian Parkes jointly lead the team, which also includes Charles Cantoni.


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