the legal 500
number of legacy disputes and mergers between charities. Cients include the British Red Cross and Oxfam. Elizabeth Davis leads the team, which includes real estate specialist Sean Palka. Alison Talbot and Liam Desmond moved to Penningtons Manches and Spratt Endicott, respectively.
Family
Blake Morgan’s group is headed by Christine Plews who ‘knows when to push a point, but is also understanding of the client’s needs’. Associate Catherine Morgan is the other key figure.
In Hampshire, the firm specialises in mediation and collaborative law. Practice head Simon Burge ‘displays gravitas and authority’.
Personal tax, trusts & probate
Blake Morgan’s group is singled out for its ‘clear, professional and ethical’ advice. Rachel Brooks heads the practice, which includes James Grieg, who is ‘outstanding in all respects’, and Kate Allred, who is recommended for cross-border matters.
The firm’s experience encompasses complex estates, tax planning and trusts matters, often with cross- border elements. ‘Excellent’ practice head Rachel Brooks is noted for her ‘ability to look at the practical aspects of cases’. Simon Treherne and Douglas Smith are also recommended.
Education
The ‘professional, organised and supportive’ team acts for a wide range of schools, colleges and higher education (HE) institutions. Key names include Mike Wilson, Elizabeth Davis and Sheilah Mackie. Alison Talbot joined Penningtons Manches in 2016.
Health
Healthcare powerhouse Blake Morgan is well known for its work for NHS bodies, but is increasingly advising private healthcare providers bidding for NHS contracts. Bruce Potter leads the sizeable team, which includes procurement specialist Jason Richards, Stephen Tainsh, Alison Patten-Hall, Mary
Chant and Susie Dryden. Gayle Curry is leading a team assisting Ramsay Health Care with its bid to design, build and operate a private hospital on an NHS site.
Local government
In an illustration of its leisure-sector experience, the practice assisted the London Borough of Merton with the procurement process for a wet and dry leisure centre in Morden. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Penny Rinta-Suksi leads the ‘proactive’ team.
Commercial property
The ‘experienced’ team includes Ruth Leadbitter, who has notable public-sector experience; Deryn Bassett, who maintains a strong client base in the energy sector; and Andrew Miscampbell, who advises on development and partnership matters for medical practices nationwide. Key clients include Berkley Homes, The British Red Cross and Thames Valley Police.
In Hampshire the team is led by Sean Palka and new recruit Chris Dolan, who joined from Shoosmiths. The practice advised Metro Bank on its store roll-out programme, including a £5.5m leasehold acquisition. Martin Hurst joined Foot Anstey.
Construction
The firm’s broad client base covers both public and private sectors. Highlights for practice head Richard Wade included representing Bouygues UK in adjudication proceedings and acting for Southampton City Council in a claim pertaining to defective building works before the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). David Evans, Edward McMullen, Jessica Tresham and James Bessey, who joined from DWF in 2015, are also recommended.
Planning
The ‘very experienced’ team is led by the ‘top-notch’ Guthrie McGruer, who acted alongside Keith Lancaster for Berkeley Homes on planning issues related to a residential development.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – OCTOBER 2016
Property litigation
Blake Morgan is a popular choice for clients in the retail and leisure sector and regularly acts for Costa Coffee on contentious property matters. Senior associates Kate New, Claire Hitchman and Rachel Gimson are the key names.
Social housing
The ‘impressive’ sizeable social housing team assisted with some 2,500 purchases in 2015 for clients including Raven Housing Trust and Sentinel Housing Association. Key figures include practice head John Russell and Penny Rinta-Suksi, who is a key name for governance advice.
IT & telecoms
The seven-partner team is headed by Sheilah Mackie, who advises customers and suppliers on the full range of technology matters, and has particular expertise in cross- border software development. Alison Patten-Hall and Jill Bainbridge are also recommended.
Intellectual property
Jill Bainbridge heads the IP trademark and prosecution team, and regularly deals with multijurisdictional disputes. Sheilah Mackie specialises in non- contentious matters, and Alison Patten-Hall is recommended for licensing issues.
Media & entertainment
Jill Bainbridge handles a range of defamation and reputation management matters, frequently involving issues surrounding social media. London-based Simon Stokes handles non-contentious matters.
Aviation
The team is well versed in leasing and financing work and acts for airlines, operating lessors and manufacturers. Ben Graham-Evans and Mark Turnbull led a team assisting Aergo Group with its $85m debt-financed purchase of an Airbus A330 aircraft. The firm’s merger with Piper Smith Watton has brought on board Ian Skuse, who splits his time between London and Southampton.
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