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Banking and finance

Browne Jacobson LLP is strong in both real estate and healthcare financings, with real estate finance expert Nina Armstrong considered ‘practical and commercial in business decisions, swift in responses, and approachable’. In 2011, a team led by Paul Ray acted for LDC on the secondary buyout of Angel Springs, including advising on acquisition finance facilities provided by RBS. Ray also acted for RBS on a buy-and-build acquisition finance facility provided to Spicerhaart Group. Clients include Lloyds TSB, Santander and Yorkshire Bank.

With ‘an informative, strong team’, Freeth Cartwright LLP is noted for its ‘excellent service and competitive pricing’. Phil Baigent is ‘pragmatic, always available, and very professional’, and Chris Freeston ‘has a mind for detail, but takes a commercial view to overcome problems’. In one highlight, Baigent advised The Alumasc Group on the renewal of borrowing facilities of £20m provided by Barclays and HSBC. Clients on the property finance side include Chancerygate Asset Management.

At Gateley, Andy Matthews, Elly Duggins, Alex Smith and Anna Mayfield are important figures in a well-regarded team, and provide ‘prompt responses and quick turnaround times’. Matthews and Mayfield combined to advise HSBC on the refinancing of MJ Barrett Group, with Mayfield negotiating and drafting a suite of agreements and Matthews handling the property aspects.

Eversheds LLP’s banking and finance capacity in the Midlands is based in Birmingham, with Stephen Kitts regularly assisting the Nottingham team in banking matters.

Geldards LLP’s list of clients includes RBS, HSBC and Santander. Department head Hugh Strickland is ‘commercial and hands on, with a drive to get things done’, and in 2011 led a team which advised on Santander’s £18m funding of the acquisition of Equip Outdoors Technologies, a matter which included the seeking of opinions in Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. Senior associate Holly Smith ‘meets tight deadlines when required’.

Shoosmiths has been bolstered by the arrival of the ‘practical and commercial’ Shaun McCabe from Eversheds LLP. Highlights included advising Thorntons on its £57.5m refinance with HSBC, Lloyds TSB and Santander; care homes provider Mimosa on an £18m refinancing; and Chord Developments on its £34m refinancing with RBS.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited is instructed by alternative lenders, such as pension trustees and private individuals, as well as major banks. In one highlight, practice head Michael Lodge acted for Santander on the £2m funding of a nursing home development. The firm’s ‘fee structure represents good value’.

Shakespeares’ team is headed by Roger Harcourt, who takes the lead on bank panel work for Lloyds TSB and Santander Corporate.

Flint Bishop LLP has experience in acting for lenders such as RBS.

Harvey Ingram LLP has broad experience in secured lending and acquisition finance.

Northampton-based Chris Houghton has replaced Keith Gilbert as team head at Howes Percival LLP. The firm advises major banks such as NatWest, Santander, and Lloyds TSB.

Insolvency and corporate recovery

The team at Actons includes insolvency practitioner Nicky Calthrop-Owen, the experienced Richard Leman, and contentious insolvency specialist Chris Murratt. In 2011, the firm acted for an insolvent company engaged in litigation to recover assets both in the UK and abroad.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s contentious insolvency team is ‘a match for the national firms in the City’. Team head Dominic Offord is ‘willing to help’, and ‘one of the most experienced insolvency lawyers in the country’.

Eversheds LLP advises leading banks such as RBS, HSBC, and Barclays. In 2011, it acted in a £400m multi-jurisdictional dispute following the failure of a debt repayment plan. Mark Wood and Ian Gill have ‘an excellent grasp of the client’s requirements’, and the team as a whole is noted for its ‘very swift response times’ and the ‘depth of relationship’ it achieves with clients.

Noted for its ‘strength in depth’, Gateley’s restructuring team handles contentious and non-contentious work for clearing banks and accountants. It is acting for KPMG and Lloyds TSB in respect of the administration of Amos Group, a matter which involves planning, insurance, and health and safety issues. Chris Radford is ‘well respected across the Midlands and nationally’; Brendan McGeever is an ‘effective commercial adviser’; and Mark Wilson is a ‘big-hitter with a fantastic reputation for litigation’.

Freeth Cartwright LLP’s insolvency team includes Simon Baigent, who is ‘technically able and commercially sound’ and focuses on distressed M&A and complex investigatory work. In 2011, he advised CB Associates in relation to numerous issues arising out of administrations. Charles Darby is noted for anti-avoidance and asset realisation cases handled on a conditional fee basis.

Geldards LLP specialises in cross-border matters involving Germany and Ireland. In 2011, Jonathan Tardif advised the joint liquidators on HTL’s £15m liquidation. Senior associate Anton Smith is also recommended.

Harvey Ingram LLP’s ‘proficient’ corporate and personal insolvency practice is headed by Sean Moran, who is ‘always professional and approachable’. In 2011 he advised the directors of a company in relation to retention of title and lien claims worth over £700,000. Property specialist Kate Hall is also recommended.

At Nelsons Solicitors Limited, Stewart Vandermark and Emma Ward ‘stand out in a remarkably strong insolvency team’. Clients include Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and Smith Cooper. Simon Trees is the Derby contact.

At Hewitsons LLP, Dominic Hopkins leads on the contentious side and David Browne undertakes non-contentious work. In 2011, Brown advised flagship client Travis Perkins on the acquisition of Apollo Building Supplies out of administration.

Howes Percival LLP’s team head Geraint Davies and the highly regarded David Whiting are both experienced in high-value contentious insolvency and High Court applications. HMRC, Cooper Parry, and Deloitte regularly instruct the firm.

The team at Shakespeares is a ‘pleasure to work with’. It is led by Carl Mifflin, who in 2011 joined forces with new arrival Lisa Botterill to advise several parties in relation to the restructuring and administration of the Finesse Hotels Group.

Smith Partnership now has capacity at partner level having promoted the ‘dedicated’ Rachel McCahill-Brown. The team assists with administrations and voluntary arrangements, as well as retention of title and s216 matters. New clients include Begbies Traynor and Accura Insolvency Practitioners.

Spearing Waite LLP’s Ashwin Mody undertakes instructions with complex pensions and international elements. In 2011, the team acted for a trustee in bankruptcy in pursuing a £1m entitlement, a case which may have significant ramifications for bankruptcy law.

Tollers LLP’s department is headed by Duncan Nicholson. In 2011, the group advised the joint administrators of Company Time in the disposal of a chain of nightclubs and pubs.

Chattertons’ Peter Lawson acts for insolvency practitioners, companies, individuals, and firms of accountants.

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