LAW SOUTH EAST – THE LEGAL 500 43 Professional negligence
The firm is increasingly active in claims regarding financial mis- selling and inadequate advice. Karl Cameron is ’diligent and client focused’.
Charities and not-for-profit
The six-partner charities practice led by Elizabeth Davis, provides ’an excellent and informative’ service. It advises The Mary Rose Trust in relation to construction and real estate matters, and also acts for the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocese and the Young Women’s Trust. Richard Wade and Alison Talbot are recommended.
Family
Blake Morgan’s team, post merger, includes highly-regarded practice head Christine Plews, ’excellent’ senior associate Claire Colbert, and associate Chloe Hubbert.
In Hampshire, the firm’s ’brilliant’ team is led by Simon Burge, who is ’excellent in every respect’. At associate level, Jane Longworth has ’first-class knowledge of matrimonial finance issues’, and Sarah French is ’a rising star’.
Personal tax, trusts & probate
The team includes the highly- regarded James Grieg; experienced solicitor David Bunn; solicitor Louise Lewis, who joined the team from Lightfoots; and ’exceptional’ associate Kate Allred, who is recommended for trusts.
The firm is ’first choice in Hampshire’. The ’personable and concise’ Rachel Brooks heads ’a first-class team’ which includes fellow partners Simon Treherne and Douglas Smith, ’exceptional’ trust manager Celine Lecomte, and associate Jennifer Hicks.
Project finance & PFI
The ’very driven’ Penny Rinta- Suksi heads the team, having joined from Bevan Brittan. Among its recent highlights, it advised Barking and Dagenham Council on procurement to secure a joint venture housing partner to redevelop the Gascoigne housing estate. Stephen Tainsh is recommended.
Education
The team has advised a range of Oxford University colleges
James Hawkeswood Health
Blake Morgan has been appointed to the NHSLA’s panel for specialist regulatory advice, and also investigates fitness-to-practise cases for the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Bruce Potter has taken over as practice head from Gayle Curry, who has left the firm. Penny Rinta-Suksi and Stephen Tainsh joined the team.
Commercial property
The team, under Ruth Leadbitter, has niche expertise advising corporate occupiers, GP surgeries and Oxford colleges, and also has considerable infrastructure, PFI and public sector expertise. Liam Desmond is recommended for charity retail matters, and is currently assisting British Red Cross on its disposal of a major property in Hammersmith. Andrew Miscampbell advised Inchcape Estates on its acquisition of a 14,000 sq m plot south of Reading to be developed as a new BMW/MINI dealership. John Deech and Jamie Sutton are also recommended.
In Hampshire, the large team covers the full range of property issues, with particularly strong development and corporate occupier capabilities, advising major developers and government departments. Key contacts in Sean Palka’s team include development specialist Martin Hirst and Oliver Sowton, whose specialisms include advice to asset managers.
Construction
The ’excellent’ construction practice has handled a steady
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2014
and the University of Reading, and also acts for schools on land acquisitions and disposals. Alison Talbot and employment partner Rebecca Ireland are recommended.
stream of transactions and disputes for new clients such as Clarendon Developments, Rangeford RAP and Inchcape Estates, and successfully defended Coopers Fire in an adjudication claim brought by Morgan Sindall alleging defective fire protection measures. Richard Wade heads the practice.
Environment
The ’committed and proactive’ team has litigation, regulatory and transactional expertise, and is increasingly active in renewable, biomass and wind energy projects. Its recent work includes reviewing a template environmental legal risks register for The Green Blue. John Mitchell and Ruth Leadbitter are recommended.
Planning
The team is acting for Portsmouth Diocesan Trust in its planning application for up to 80 residential units on a greenfield site; and successfully assisted the Brendoncare Foundation in obtaining a rehearing of a planning appeal. Guthrie McGruer heads the department. Planning consultant Daniel Scharf has expertise across planning applications, judicial reviews and lawful development certificates.
Property litigation
The property litigation expertise spans property development, commercial asset management, residential landlord and tenant disputes, and work for high- net-worth private clients. In 2013, the firm handled matters for clients including De La Rue International, David Lloyd Leisure, Colt Group and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Amanda Morris heads the department.
Social housing
The firm is noted for its expertise in housing management and development. In 2013 it advised two housing associations on the refinancing of their portfolios, and assisted another social housing client on contractual matters relating to the provision of accommodation. John Russell
leads the team, which includes key individuals Martin Hirst and Sara Hanrahan.
IT & telecoms
Head of department Sheilah Mackie advised The Portable Office Company on the distribution of its services to resellers. The firm also acts for Vail Williams LLP and Wightlink, among others. Associate Ian Robino ’knows the commercial context inside out’, and Stephen Archibald provides ’City-level expertise at regional rates’.
David Miles Intellectual property
The ’excellent’ team has ’invaluable’ knowledge. Recent work includes assisting Be Wiser Insurance in relation to brand protection matters, and acting for HSF Health Plan in trademark opposition proceedings. Jill Bainbridge heads the IP group and trademark prosecution team, and Reading- based Alison Patten-Hall has experience in IP protection and exploitation matters. Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust and Koozai were client gains in 2013.
Media & entertainment
National head of publishing Simon Stokes and associate Michelle Harte advised on the sale of Hart Publishing to Bloomsbury. Joss Saunders is legal counsel to the Committee of Publishing Ethics.
Aviation
The firm has a ’good, practical aviation team’ which includes six partners. The recently promoted Mark Turnbull led advice to Aergo Group on the financing of multiple Boeing aircraft and its prospective lease-purchase to another operator. Ben Graham-Evans heads the department.
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