law – the legal 500 Attractive alternative to London


The Legal 500 is considered a major ‘bible’ for the profession. Law firms are rated each year by the annual publication. Here are some highlights


Thames Valley law firms are seen as an attractive alternative to London-based practices, given the region’s proximity to the City. Reading is a technological hub which continues to benefit from the recent Crossrail project, and there has been a noticeable increase in commercial property developments taking place across the town.


Gateley plc entered the legal market by recruiting office head Christopher Avery along with Andrew Peddie, Nicola Kirk and Owen Reynolds from Pitmans LLP, and Olswang LLP rebranded to CMS in a global merger which saw the firms join forces with Nabarro LLP.


Other notable firms in Reading include Shoosmiths LLP, Field Seymour Parkes LLP, Boyes Turner and Blandy & Blandy LLP, which recently opened a Henley-on Thames office by acquiring Collins Dryland & Thorowgood LLP.


Blake Morgan LLP and Penningtons Manches LLP straddle Oxford and Reading, and are among the region’s top players. Lewis Silkin LLP is singled out for employment work in Oxford, and in wider Oxfordshire, technology specialist White & Black stands out along with commercial property expert Brookstreet des Roches.


Corporate & commercial


With notable strength in the health and technology sectors, Blake Morgan has been advising on M&A, due diligence and service contracts, among other matters.


A standout firm for technology sector


Osborne Clarke ‘Very good level of service’


Corporate & commercial


A standout firm for technology sector transactions and providing a ‘very good level of service’, Osborne Clarke acts for clients such as Xerox, Avanti Communications Group plc and NewVoiceMedia.


Commercial litigation


The firm’s core industry focuses include the digital, financial services, automotive, defence and life sciences sectors, with Hyundai, Content Guru and Arbuthnot Latham being key clients.


Banking & finance The team ‘responds quickly to all queries’,


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – OCTOBER 2017


transactions and providing a ‘very good level of service’, Osborne Clarke acts for clients such as Xerox, Avanti Communications Group plc and NewVoiceMedia.


Penningtons Manches’ recent workload includes high-profile venture capital and spin-out transactions.


At Shoosmiths, practice head Emma Gibson is singled out for private equity and venture capital work. Boyes Turner provides an ‘unrivalled level of service and value for money’, and acts for clients such as Auto Trader, Panasonic and Circor.


The practice at Field Seymour Parkes acts for all manner of clients, ranging from entrepreneurs to owner-managed businesses and multinationals; the roster includes companies such as Whistl, Heartstone Inns and Bewley Homes.


The ‘reliable and flexible’ team at Freeths LLP experienced an uptick in cross-border work and shines in matters such as company disposals and acquisitions, and management buyouts and reorganisations.


The team at White & Black is ‘very knowledgeable, commercial and has the transactional experience to be on par or surpass significantly larger firms’.


Herrington Carmichael LLP’s lawyers are ‘as sharp with legal knowledge as they are with client care’.


At Pitmans, IPO and AIM listing expert Oliver Pilkington, who splits his time between London and Reading, made partner and advised finnCap on its role as AIM broker


and is ‘commercially sensible, providing a great-value service’.


Employment


Osborne Clarke has a strong following among US companies, where the firm handles multi- jurisdictional employment matters.


Commercial property


Expertise includes advising on developments, real estate finance and leases.


IT & telecoms


SMART Technologies, Redwood Technologies Group and Wirecard are among the clients of the firm’s ‘outstanding’ team.


Intellectual property


The firm is highly regarded for IP heavy transactions and advised Oxford Photovoltaics Technology on IP rights protection and licensing arrangements.


to Eco City Vehicles (now trading as Tax Systems) relating to the £73 million reverse takeover of Tax Computer Systems and its £45m placing of shares.


At Blandy & Blandy, Jonathan Williamson recently advised Ecrebo on its £13.2m investment from Sir Keith Mills, Joseph Schull and Octopus Investments and, in conjunction with practice head David Few, assisted the shareholders of Box Technologies with the company’s sale to Flytech Technology.


Clarkslegal LLP routinely advises international companies on making investments in the UK.


The ‘very professional’ department at Gardner Leader LLP acts for companies across a range of sectors, and new clients include Campion Willcocks and Molly Maid.


Gateley’s ‘excellent’ Reading practice was launched by the renowned Andrew Peddie, who recently left Pitmans with senior associate Mark Metcalfe.


Spratt Endicott ‘provides the advice of a large firm with the personal touch of a small one’.


Brethertons LLP experienced an uptick in company acquisitions and disposals, commercial agreement matters, and the streamlining and expansion of businesses.


Clifton Ingram LLP has a ‘strong presence in the local market’, particularly among owner- managed businesses; the team adopts ‘a commercial approach on fees without compromising on service and quality’.


Royds Withy King receives praise for its ‘flexible and friendly service’.


Gateley plc ‘Excellent’ practice


Corporate & commercial


Gateley plc’s ‘excellent’ Reading practice was launched by the renowned Andrew Peddie, who recently left Pitmans LLP with senior associate Mark Metcalfe.


Insolvency & corporate recovery


Following the opening of its new Reading office in December 2015, Gateley recruited the ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ Nicola Kirk from Pitmans in April 2016 and associate Carly Schiff from Boyes Turner in September 2016 to form its insolvency and corporate recovery practice.


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