United Kingdom > London > Crime, fraud and licensing > Licensing > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Editorial

Other

All countries

Index of tables

Licensing
Leading individuals

Licensing

1
- Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Poppleston Allen
- Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP
2
3
4
- Goodman Derrick LLP
- Squire Patton Boggs

Leading individuals

1
- Jeremy Bark - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Craig Baylis - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Robert Botkai - Winckworth Sherwood LLP
- Clare Eames - Poppleston Allen
- Gareth Hughes - Gordon Dadds
- Lisa Inzani - Poppleston Allen
- Niall McCann - Joelson
- Thomas O’Maoileoin - Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP
- Julian Skeens - TLT
- Alun Thomas - Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP
- Andrew Wong - Gordon Dadds

Find out which law firms are representing which Licensing clients in London using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WHO REPRESENTS WHO SITE

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘all-star’ licensing department is headed by the ‘highly effective and resourceful’ Craig Baylis. The team acts for developers, banks and owners as well as a wide range of well-known operators such as Tesco, Marriott and Harrods. The ‘hardworking’ Jeremy Bark is also recommended.

Lisa Inzani and Clare Eames lead an increasingly busy practice at Poppleston Allen. The team advises nearly 850 pubs, restaurants and venues in London alone. Steve Burnett represents clients who find themselves in breach of regulatory legislation.

FIRMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP

Thomas and Thomas Partners are an award winning boutique licensing law firm recognised by the leading legal directories, including The Legal 500, as London’s leading licensing practice. We act for the crème de la crème of London’s licensed premises.

‘Exceptional’ licensing boutique Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP is made up of two partners, Alun Thomas and Thomas O’Maoileoin, and associate Jack Spiegler, who are regarded as ‘super practical, super charming and super calm’, respectively. The group has received new instructions from The Ritz Hotel and continues to act for longstanding clients such as Westfield.

Blake Morgan LLP’s licensing team is headed by Jon Wallsgrove, who is always ‘quick and clear’ when responding to client concerns. The firm recently merged with Piper Smith Watton and acts for large retailers such as John Lewis, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

Gordon Dadds has added considerable strength to its licensing practice after several practitioners joined from Jeffery Green Russell in late 2015. Department head Philip Somarakis leads the team, which now includes the ‘truly outstanding’ Andrew Wong and the ‘vastly experienced’ Gareth Hughes.

Joelson recently merged with LR Law. Richard Williams, who joined with the merger, brings with him vast experience in Scottish licensing, which will expand the reach of Niall McCann’s licensing practice. Work highlights included securing the license for the first Hyatt Place hotel in the UK.

Following Julian Skeens’s arrival from Jeffrey Green Russell, TLT can now be ranked ‘among the best’ licensing practices in London. Since joining the firm, Skeens has worked with Luke Elford – another new addition to the team – on licensing leisure and retail units at the new media headquarters for Bloomberg.

The ‘knowledgeable’ Robert Botkai leads Winckworth Sherwood LLP’s ‘excellent’ licensing practice. Regarded as market leaders in the petrol forecourt sector, the team provides a ‘highly efficient and detailed’ service. Sabrina Cader is praised for her ‘ability to act quickly’.

Bond Dickinson LLP acts for clients across the alcohol and gambling sectors. With instructions from clients such as Gala Leisure and Coral Racing, practice head Ewen Macgregor brings his intimate knowledge of the gambling industry to this small, but experienced team.

Dadds LLP Licensing Solicitors is led by David Dadds. The team has acted for more operators in license review hearings in the High Court and Court of Appeal than any other firm in London.

Audrey Ferrie’s practice at Pinsent Masons LLP has expertise in both transactional work and licensing applications. The team acts for household names such as KPMG, and has recently added Standard Life Assurance and House of Fraser to its client list.

The licensing team at Goodman Derrick LLP is part of a larger real estate department. The firm secured a number of licenses for Simmons Bars in 2015 and regularly acts for operators in need of special treatment licenses. James Daglish and Michael Collins are names to note.

Squire Patton Boggs’ licensing team is headed by Stephanie Perraton, who is ‘a paragon of professionalism’. The practice provides an ‘outstanding service’ particularly regarding hotel and transport licensing.

Interview with...

Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs

Aziz Rahman

Senior And Managing Partner, Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

International comparative guides

Giving the in-house community greater insight to the law and regulations in different jurisdictions.

Select Practice Area

GC Diversity and Inclusion Report

In partnership with...

'Ultimately there are as many barriers as you put up yourself, you can put up being female and black as an excuse or use it as a weapon of defiance.'

SANDIE OKORO, GENERAL COUNSEL, HSBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

View more interviews from GC Magazine's Diversity and Inclusion Report UK 2016

Client Intelligence Report

Over 4,700 clients interviewed

The world's largest legal market survey analysing the pressures, concerns and future demands of GCs, allowing law firms to understand their clients better, and to interrogate the data to inform their strategy and growth

The Legal 500 United Kingdom - Events

Enterprise GC - UK

Enterprise GC provides a unique platform to address the evolving needs of the leading General Counsel from the UK's largest enterprise.

The GC Powerlist: UK Summer Reception

To celebrate the publication of the GC Powerlist: United Kingdom, The Legal 500, Legal Business, GC Magazine and The In-House Lawyer invited leading General Counsel from across the UK to a summer reception at Home House, Portman Square. The GC Powerlist series highlights the most influential and innovative general counsel in a market

The Legal 500 TV

Data Security Debate

The first of an innovative series of roundtables and discussions with leading cyber security experts.

The Legal 500 UK Awards 2017

a brand new concept in recognizing and rewarding the best in-house and private practice teams and individuals over the past 12 months.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
THE POLICING AND CRIME ACT 2017

Aziz Rahman talks through the Act’s implications for those in business in the UK.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
TESCO: A QUESTION OF CORPORATE CRIMINAL LIABILITY?

Aziz Rahman examines what the deferred prosecution agreement the supermarket giant has reached with the SFO may mean for other corporates.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
THE LAUNDROMAT SAGA: THE FCA AND MONEY LAUNDERING RISKS

With banks being investigated over alleged Russian money laundering, Aziz Rahman examines the precautions financial professionals must take.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
Testing Times

Why the VW emissions-testing scandal is as much about fraud, compliance and liability as it is about clean air.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
Going to ground

Arrests over alleged landfill tax fraud have put environment-related business crime in the spotlight. Aziz Rahman explains how such accusations can be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
EXPLANATIONS NECESSARY

Government moves to force people to justify the source of their wealth will make the right legal representation even more crucial.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
ACT NOW

One third of small and medium-sized businesses do not know about the Bribery Act. Here’s what you need to know to avoid falling foul of it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP
Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP
Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP
Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP
The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP
Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP
Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP
Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP
Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP
Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP