The Legal 500

The corporate insurance sector has been dominated by the forthcoming implementation of the Solvency II directive, which is now expected in January 2014 and will introduce a harmonised, EU-wide regulatory regime. Insurers have been preparing by carrying out significant internal and external restructuring. Some have focused on reducing the capital they hold, while for others it has been a question of focusing on their core business and reducing the number of product lines they offer, and the number of underwriters they have. In some cases insurers have been disposing of their general insurance business in its entirety. The market has accordingly seen an increase in mergers and acquisitions, and Part VII transfers, as insurers consolidate or divest.

In addition to the Solvency II regulatory capital requirements, the eurozone crisis and the Gender Directive are also prompting clients to seek regulatory advice, and are adding a further regulatory dimension to transactions. With the insurance market increasingly global, multi-jurisdictional deals have been on the rise, playing to the strengths of law firms able to provide co-ordinated international input on deals.

On the litigation side, firms have remained busy both in insurance and reinsurance disputes. The swathe of natural disasters in 2011 had a significant impact on the London market, with disasters such as the floods in Thailand, the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, and the more recent Costa Concordia disaster leading to a raft of claims; the latter, for instance, has affected more then 30 insurers.

In clinical negligence, the withdrawal of legal aid for almost all new clinical negligence claims, and the reforms in respect of CFAs, have caused considerable financial uncertainty for claimant clinical negligence firms. Professional negligence remains a buoyant area, with lawyers particularly busy in construction and PFT claims. Product liability was a hot media topic; the PIP breast implant scandal has been generating work for many firms, while other notable matters included continued battles over ‘metal on metal’ hip replacements and the Northwick Park Hospital drug trials, as well as ongoing tobacco and pharmaceuticals litigation.

On the law firm merger front, November 2011 saw two very significant amalgamations for the sector, in the form of Clyde & Co LLP’s merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, creating the largest insurance firm in the UK; and Beachcroft LLP’s tie-up with Davies Arnold Cooper LLP, to form DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP maintains its outstanding reputation in the market. Led by the ‘exceptionally talented’ Paul McNeil, the team provides a ‘first-class’ service at all levels of experience. Edwina Rawson added to her reputation as a ‘brilliant’, ‘intelligent’ and ‘combative’ lawyer with a well-publicised win in 2011 on behalf of a mentally ill claimant who absconded while in the care of a hospital. Samantha Critchley secured a good result for the parents of a child who failed to receive the PCV vaccine as part of the UK immunisation programme. Other key figures include associate Jonathan Zimmern, who is ‘personable’, and ‘like a dog with a bone’; Richard Earle, who displays a good mix of ‘experience and common sense’; and Mark Bowman, who is ‘professional’, with ‘an excellent skill set’.

Irwin Mitchell’s strength lies in its depth of resources and breadth of experience, with its lawyers fighting hard for their clients, both in terms of damages, and for support services required prior to the conclusion of claims. It has particular experience in cerebral palsy and spinal injury cases. Practice head Alison Eddy is ‘as good as it gets’, and exceptionally well regarded by clients and peers alike. Also recommended are Ian Christian, Amanda Stevens, and Auriana Griffiths; and up-and-coming associates Jane Weakley (‘clear’ and ‘focused’), Rebecca Cherry (‘quietly effective’) and Louise Forsyth.

Kingsley Napley LLP is a ‘first-rate’ firm where the professionalism of its practitioners remains paramount; a ‘well-run’, ‘outstanding’ team, it is ‘really thorough, and prepared to take on difficult cases’. Kate Rohde is ‘immensely experienced’; Stephanie Code has ‘excellent judgment’; and Alison Moore and Terrence Donovan are also well regarded. Attracting referrals from other lawyers, experts and previous clients, it has a varied caseload including cerebral palsy, negligent surgery and wrongful birth cases. It saw the departure of ‘leading light’ Dr Jock Mackenzie, who left the firm for Blake Lapthorn, and Ross Brain has also left the practice.

The pioneering Russell Levy heads a cohesive team of experienced solicitors at Leigh Day & Co. It is willing to take on a diversity of difficult cases, and excels at all levels of claim, but particularly in those in which it can make a real difference to the claimant’s quality of life. As well as claims involving brain injury at birth, and spinal claims of the most serious nature, it has expertise in areas such as genetics, orthopaedics, hospital infection, gynaecology, and cancer, and more esoteric issues such as lithium poisoning. Claire Fazan is ‘first rate’, and a ‘consummate professional’. Anne Winyard, Sally-Jean Nicholes and Sarah Campbell also stand out.

Anthony Gold Solicitors is a well-established firm with particular expertise in cases involving birth injury and brain damage, and orthopaedic and psychiatric injury. The team is led by the ‘intelligent and pragmatic’ Jon Nicholson, who does a ‘first-class job’. Jackie Spinks is ‘incredibly thorough’, and is recommended for child brain injury cases. David Marshall and Jenny Kennedy are ‘exceptional’, and Stephanie Prior is also recommended. All partners handle a mix of clinical negligence and personal injury work.

Bindmans LLP’s ‘small size is its strength, as the department works so well as a team’. With a team of tenacious practitioners who are not afraid to tackle difficult claims, the firm is often involved in cutting-edge work for vulnerable clients such as prisoners, detainees and the elderly. Siobhan Kelly attracts widespread praise; Jon Crocker is a ‘standout practitioner’; and associate Alla Murphy is ‘incredibly astute’.

Parlett Kent is a niche, highly specialist firm with a good name for taking on difficult cases and winning them. It attracts work of the highest value (settlements in 2011 included a £9.2m case), but also concentrates on mid-range cases, where the firm feels that it can make the most impact on the lives of claimants. The ‘sympathetic’ but ‘tough’ Caroline Jenkins has an ‘outstanding track record’; and Manori Wellington * is ‘extremely thorough and tenacious’. Julie Say and Shurouk Al-Sabbagh have left the firm.

*Manori Wellington is now with Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

Russell-Cooke LLP is making its mark on behalf of clients at inquests, with the ‘pragmatic’ and ‘sensitive’ Dominic Fairclough recommended. Notable successes in 2011 included a verdict of neglect in respect of a hospital death, and a verdict in relation to a death following anaesthetic complications, which resulted in referral to the police for investigation. The ‘clever, conscientious’ Deborah Blythe leads the team. Also singled out for praise are the ‘shrewd’ Janice Gardner, and ‘meticulous’ and ‘hardworking’ solicitor Lucy Wilton.

Stewarts Law LLP is recognised nationally for its expertise in high-value spinal injury cases, and it has strong relationships with spinal units across the UK. The service is client focused, and caseloads are kept low. The team is led by the well-regarded Muiris Lyons. Nick Knowles is a ‘leader in the field’, and exudes ‘quiet confidence’. Robert Dransfield is also highly recommended. Rising stars include solicitors Amy Heath; Antonia Jones; and Hugh Johnson, who achieved an excellent result in 2011 on behalf of a mentally ill claimant.

Bolt Burdon Kemp’s department is headed by the approachable and client-focused Caroline Klage, who achieved good results 2012 in catastrophic injury and missed cancer diagnosis cases. Klage runs an efficient team which includes the well-respected, Jonathan Wheeler (‘a true gentleman’); Philippa Tuckman, who specialises in high-profile claims by military personnel; and the ‘well-regarded’ Jo Chapman.

The team at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP was strengthened by the hire of Julie Say from Parlett Kent. Committed to representing all claimants irrespective of the value of claims, it handles a broad range of work including matters of the highest value and complexity, such as brain injury and cerebral palsy, obstetrics, and infection/sepsis matters.

The ‘highly rated’ James Bell at Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers is instructed in high-value cases involving a broad range of injuries, which he pursues ‘aggressively where appropriate’. His efficient team handles a real variety of work, from high-value brain injury cases, to low-value cases with a faster turnover. Paul Kitson is noted for his ‘kindness’ and ‘compassion’ towards clients.

The ‘intelligent’, ‘empathetic’ and ‘courteous’ Dr Jock MacKenzie joined Blake Lapthorn in 2012. A qualified phycisian, he has previously worked at both Leigh Day & Co and Kingsley Napley LLP, and brings with him a wealth of experience. He is ‘highly recommended’ for cerebral palsy cases.

The profile of multi-office firm McMillan Williams has been raised by the arrival of Shurouk Al-Sabbagh in May 2012. Al-Sabbagh was previously a partner at Leigh Day & Co, and more recently at Parlett Kent.

At Penningtons Solicitors LLP, John Kyriacou ‘has a great depth of experience’; his ‘commitment is total’. He is well supported by an excellent team of lawyers based in the South East.

South East firm Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP opened a London office in 2011, headed by Frances Pierce. Pierce is well regarded for high-value claims, including cerebral palsy cases.

Niche healthcare firm, Capsticks is a major provider of legal services to the NHSLA. The team is ‘very commercial’, and ‘knows what is required and does it in a cost-effective manner’. Client wins in 2011 include the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, and medical malpractice insurers Allied World and NewLine. The firm has seen significant growth in its inquests practice; Robert Wilson represented the London Ambulance Service in the seven-month inquest into the London bombings, and Peter Marquand and Philip Hatherall represented the same client in the inquest into the death of Tom Inglis.

DAC Beachcroft LLP has a strong and highly rated national team, headed from the Bristol office by the ‘hugely experienced’ Nigel Montgomery. It has one of the largest portfolios of work for the NHSLA, including several complex group actions, and the firm features a nominated NHSLA partner at each of the Bristol, Winchester, Leeds and Newcastle offices. The breadth of experience in the team is also illustrated by its non-NHSLA client list, which includes the MDU, private healthcare providers such as Spire and the Priory Group, and medical malpractice insurers such as Allianz, QBE and Zurich.

Bertie Leigh heads Hempsons’ considerable defendant team, which includes ‘a lot of good solicitors’. Nadya Wolferstan and John Holmes are ‘a delight to work with’, and Rachel Kneale is always ready to provide ad hoc advice. The firm has been instructed by the NHSLA since the authority’s inception. Its work in 2011 included acting for Royal Brompton Hospital in judicial review proceedings relating to the consultation process regarding changes to paediatric congenital cardiac services. In addition, Leigh acted for the trust in the Supreme Court case Rabone v Pennine Care NHS Trust.

Kennedys has a strong, broad client base. It is on panel for the NHSLA and the MPS, and acts for private hospital groups such as Nuffield, as well as for numerous medical malpractice insurers. The team attracts a wealth of positive feedback. It is ‘an excellent firm which is not unnecessarily confrontational’, with a ‘pragmatic approach’. Practice head Janet Sayers is an ‘excellent leader’, both ‘approachable’ and ‘organised’, and maintains ‘excellent client relationships’. Christopher Malla is ‘dedicated’ and ‘passionate about healthcare’, and has ‘excellent judgement’. Solicitors Ed Glasgow and Katie Tonks are recommended; Glasgow is ‘hardworking’ and ‘tenacious’, and Tonks is ‘a partner of the future’.

Bevan Brittan LLP has increased its market share in recent years, particularly in relation to NHSLA work. It is well respected in the market, and performs well for its clients, both professionally and in terms of cost. Matthew Trinder’s team is ‘easy to work with’ and has ‘outstanding knowledge’. An ‘impressive’ performer, Trinder successfully defended a £14m cardiology case in 2011. Also recommended are the ‘outstanding’ Joanne Easterbrook, for cases involving mental health issues; the ‘incredibly clever’ Penelope Radcliffe, for obstetric cases; and Nadia Persaud, for inquests. Associate Catherine Radford also ‘stands out’.

Clyde & Co LLP’s merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP has added a greater international dimension to the practice, as well as giving the team access to a greater range of insurance clients. The firm acts for ACE (a recent entrant into the market), the NHSLA, the MPS and the MDU. The ‘calm and reassuring’ Claire Petts heads the team, and in 2011 led in the Court of Appeal case of Marcus v Medway, now a leading authority on costs. The firm ‘compares well with other clinical negligence firms’.

Headed by Rena Field, Weightmans LLP has a well-respected national practice with strong links to the NHSLA, and provides ‘excellent advice’ and a ‘very quick response’. Field represented the NHSLA in the Mid Staffordshire Hospitals Inquiry. The firm is instructed on the defence of a number of group actions, including the E. coli claims against Godstone Farm, and the Bristol paediatric cardiac claims. Medical malpractice clients include Chartis, WR Berkley, and Zurich. Sarah Ellington and Tony Yeaman are recommended for defence work, and Kiran Bhogal for inquests.

Gary Allison leads an ‘excellent’ team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP which is ‘exceptional at all levels’, and has ‘sound judgement’: ‘a highly reliable and dedicated unit’. The firm acts for the MPS and DPL, FODO (the trade body for optometrists), and the RCN. It is arguably the most impressive performer of the non-NHSLA firms, in terms of both positive market feedback and claim values.

Peter Fitzpatrick heads the team at Nabarro LLP, which is instructed by the MDU and the DDU, on litigation and advisory matters. It handles a broad range of instructions, with complex and high-value cases on the increase. Fitzpatrick is recommended for high-end cases.

The ‘excellent’ Dorothy Flower heads a team at RPC whose depth of knowledge and insurance sector experience make it a ‘first choice for complex and large-value claims’. The practice includes inquests and cross-jurisdictional work, and clients include reproductive health care providers and advisers, the MPS, the RCN and various Lloyd’s underwriters.

Led by Tracy Sell-Peters, Fishburns LLP is instructed by the MDU, and by medical malpractice insurers such as WR Berkley. Jonathan Bonser, previously with the MPS, has joined as a consultant.

Sian Davies’ medical malpractice team at Plexus Law is instructed by insurers such as QBE and RSDA, and by private healthcare providers including Nuffield Health.

The team at Clifford Chance ‘never fails to deliver a consistent and highly professional service’. Katherine Coates is head of the global insurance group and advised Aviva on its restructuring under Part VII, resulting in the transfer of over 13 million insurance contracts. Clare Swirski is a ‘god-send’, and recently advised Royal Liver on the transfer of its whole business to Royal London, involving reserves of £2.5bn. Tim Page handled a major UK buyout, advising Carlyle Group on its acquisition of RAC from Aviva. Also recommended are Alex Erasmus, who advised HSBC on the disposal of its general insurance business and on bancassurance agreements in Asia and South America; and Hilary Evenett.

Noted as allowing ‘plenty of partner involvement’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acts in challenging and high-profile transactions, drawing on its lawyers’ expertise in a variety of disciplines. The team advised Aon on its move from Chicago to London, while remaining listed on NYSE. James Smethurst and Julian Long acted for Admin Re, a business unit of Swiss Re, in relation to its acquisition of 300,000 life and health policies and £1.6bn assets from the American Life insurance Company.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s corporate and regulatory insurance team is headed by Tim Goggin, and advises life and non-life insurers and reinsurers, Lloyd’s participants, friendly societies and banks. Goggin recently acted for Cigna on its acquisition of FirstAssist insurance, which has three million policyholders; and Charles Rix acted for AXA in its £115m sale of Denplan to the Simplyhealth Group. Other key clients include Sompo, Prudential and Equitable Life. Peter Taylor remains as a consultant, and is ‘very responsive’. The ‘diligent and determined’ Steven McEwan was promoted to partner, and David Sullivan and John Young are also recommended.

At Linklaters LLP, Victoria Sander has taken over as global insurance sector head, and recently acted for Royal London on its acquisition of Royal Liver, which constituted a demutualisation of one of the UK’s largest societies. Duncan Barber advised Old Mutual plc and Skandia Life Assurance on the disposal of the latter’s Finnish branch to OP-Pohjol; and Dan Schuster-Woldan advised AXA on its acquisition of HSBC’s general insurance business in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico. Matthew Bland is also recommended. Matthew Middleditch is now based in the firm’s Hong Kong office The team is ‘dedicated’, and valued for its ‘quick response times’.

Norton Rose LLP has a strong reputation in the Lloyd’s market, and was active in M&A transactions in 2011. David Whear advised Ryan Speciality Group on its acquisition of Lloyd’s underwriter the Jubilee Group; and practice head James Bateson acted for RBS Insurance on the transfer of Churchill, Direct Line and NIG to UK Insurance, involving some 22 million policyholders. New panel wins for the team included RSA, Brit and Torus. Bob Haken was promoted to partner, in a boost to the regulatory side of the practice. Maria Ross is ‘technically able and a pleasure to work with’, and is recommended for life insurance matters.

Slaughter and May is notable for its strength in international matters, recently acting for Old Mutual plc on the sale of its Nordic business to Skandia Liv for £2.1bn. The team also has expertise in alternative forms of longevity transactions, and acted for Aegon in the reinsurance hedge of Deutsche Bank’s longevity swap with Rolls-Royce Pension Fund. Richard Smith advised Aviva on the sale of RAC to the Carlyle Group. Craig Cleaver, Jan Putnis and Jonathan Marks are also recommended.

Handling ‘high-end, complex matters’, the team at Ashurst acts for both insurers and investors in the insurance industry. Jonathan Drake advised Barbican Insurance on its proposed transactions with Omega Insurance; and David Page acted for Lloyds Electrical Contractors Association on the disposal of TSM Agencies to niche insurer ProSight, a joint venture between Goldman Sachs and Texas Pacific. The highly regarded Adam Levitt and Hammad Akhtar are set to join from Herbert Smith LLP.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is advising Met Life Inc on its reorganisation, a substantial and complex matter involving Part VII transfers and covering 15 jurisdictions. The team is well regarded for its strength in regulatory work, and Mike Munro and James Parker recently advised SCOR Global Life in relation to reinsurance capacity in support of the £2.2bn longevity swamp between Deutsche Bank and Rolls-Royce Pension scheme. Paul Edmondson heads the team, and Chris Southorn is also recommended. New clients include Aviva, Allianz and Munich Re Life.

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘well respected for M&A work’ in the sector. Andy Tromans acts in major transactional work, and advised Swiss Re on its high-value acquisition by reinsurance of Zurich Specialities London Limited, which was followed by a Part VII transfer. Gary Thorpe is also a key player on the corporate side, and provides ‘clear, concise advice on complex issues’; and Ivor Edwards has a ‘high level of professionalism and commercial acumen’. Geraldine Quirk is ‘technically sound on regulatory issues’. Clients of the team include ACE, RBS and RSA.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP focuses on international work and has recently handled a number of complex M&A transactions, including advising Omega Insurance Holdings in the highly publicised bidding war of Haverford (Bermuda) Ltd’s partial cash offer for the company. The team also advised Omega on takeover approaches from Canopius Group Ltd and Barbican Group Holdings Limited. Jeremy Hill is recommended.

Geoffrey Maddock heads the team at Herbert Smith LLP, which has a highly regarded M&A and transfers practice, and ‘acts on some of the largest and most considerable transactions’. It recently advised a client in a bid for the Irish Life Assurance Company, following the Irish High Court’s order requiring its sale by Irish Life & Permanent. New clients include EDF. The highly regarded Adam Levitt and Hammad Akhtar are set to join Ashurst.

RPC is ‘outstanding value for money’, and attracts high-profile M&A instructions from major insurers such as RSA and Chaucer Holdings plc. Head of department James Mee is ‘very commercial and solutions oriented’. Peter Hill joined from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, adding expertise in broker acquisitions. The team has significant regulatory expertise, and recently advised the Lloyd’s Market Association on the remuneration of insurance brokers and standard terms of business agreements. Jonathan Davies and Richard Burger are ‘outstanding lawyers’, and Sanjay Pritam is recommended for his outsourcing work.

The highly regarded Philip Jarvis heads the insurance group at Allen & Overy LLP. It is a relatively small team, but handles high-quality matters, recently carrying out significant work for Legal & General Group plc on its longevity risk transaction of the Pilkington Glass Pension Scheme. On the M&A side, Jarvis and Stephen Mathews advised Nomura on its acquisition of Delta Lloyd’s German life insurance business and the Axent business in Holland. Of counsel Andrew Barton is also recommended.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is praised for its ‘quality of advice, judgement and turnaround times’. The team acted for Groupama on the sale of its health insurance business to Simplyhealth, and Mathew Rutter advised AXA on a seven-year distribution agreement with the Co-operative Bank. Other clients include BUPA and Ageas. Bristol-based David Pollitt heads the group. Funds specialist Barry Stimpson joined from RPC.

Simon Brooks heads the team at Eversheds LLP, which has a focus on the nuclear, energy and power sectors. Jeremy Irving advised the Malta-domiciled Northcourt Limited on the establishment of a nuclear risk underwriting agent; the matter was unusual as such risks are historically underwritten by government entities. Michael Wainwright is recommended for his life insurance expertise, and recently advised British Airways Pension Services Ltd on a £1.3bn longevity insurance contract with Rothesay Life. Jonathon Crook adds expertise on the regulatory side.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP continues to attract high-profile work. Ashwani Kochhar advised Syndicate Holding Corp on its £68.5m acquisition of HI UK, a division of HSBC; and Richard Spiller acted on the sale of the shares in the Jubilee Managing Agency at Lloyd’s to Ryan Specialty Group LLC. Nicholas Hutton is recommended. James Lewis joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

David Grantham heads the group at Ince & Co, which advises large commercial companies, intermediaries and investors on insurance matters, including regulatory issues. Corporate lawyer Tanya Nash joined from SNR Denton.

With core strength in M&A, restructuring and private equity, Mayer Brown International LLP is highlighted for its ‘cross-border capability’. Head of corporate insurance Martin Mankabady is ‘very good, and knows his stuff’; and Ian McKenna is ‘very astute and commercial’. William Charnley is also recommended, and the team welcomed Colin Scagell from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Clients of the team include QBE, ACE and Chartis.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a strong client base in the composite market. Alexis Roberts has recently acted on a number of distribution deals, and Bruno Geiringer advised Zurich Financial Services on its investment management agreement with Threadneedle Asset Management for Zurich’s internal life and pension funds. Roger Fink has ‘a wonderful manner with clients’, and recently carried out key transactional work for RSA. Michael Lewis joined from Norton Rose LLP, bringing notable expertise in FSA advisory work.

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s strength is its regulatory offering. Practice head Barney Reynolds is advising the UAE Ministry of Finance on drafting a new federal framework to govern financial services and the insurance industry. Azad Ali is also recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP has a team of ‘talented individuals providing exceptional service’, with practice head Martin Membery noted for his ‘pragmatic approach’. Matthew Dening is praised for his ‘strong working knowledge of standard structures and derivatives’; and Matthew Griffith is also recommended, along with associate James Phythian-Adams, who joined from RPC. The team recently acted for a reinsurance group in relation to the £3bn Rolls-Royce Pension Scheme longevity swap to Deutsche Bank. Other clients include Aon, Prudential plc and Munich Re.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP joins the ranking following its hire of Joseph Ferraro and Nicholas Bugler from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, and, more recently, of Judith Harger from the same firm, who focuses on tax issues for insurers. The team has particular expertise in the Lloyd’s market. Recent work includes acting for Aspen Insurance Holdings in a public offering of preference shares; and for Aviva in relation to an offering of $400m capital securities in the US.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s non-contentious insurance team is based in Leeds and headed by David Heffron. It receives high-value instructions from a broad client base, and often advises insurer clients on restructuring, acquisitions and distribution deals. It acted for Simply Health Group on the acquisition of Denplan Limited, a subsidiary of AXA UK plc, and on a further acquisition of the Groupama healthcare business in the UK and Channel Islands. Neil Woolhouse and senior associate Jayne Bennett are recommended.

The team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has recently won new panel appointments including Munich Re, and gained new clients such as Tesco Bank and the International Underwriting Association. Adam Bogdanor advised CLAL on its complex sale of Lloyd’s syndicate Broadgate Underwriting Limited to Torus Insurance Holdings; and Jacob Ghanty is highly recommended. Pollyanna Deane is now with Simmons & Simmons LLP.

At Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, practice head Damian Connolly advised a US insurance broker in its purchase of THB Group plc, under the new UK Takeover Code. The team was boosted by the arrival of Chris Finney from Wragge & Co LLP; Finney previously worked at the FSA and has ‘excellent regulatory expertise’. Clients include Global General and AXIS.

The team at Lawrence Graham LLP has particular experience in broker M&A transactions. Geoff Gouriet advised Arthur J Gallagher & Co, the brokering firm, on its £97m acquisition of the HLG Holdings Ltd (Heath Lambert Group). The team also has strength in pensions matters, with Robert Smith recommended. Michael Lacey heads the department.

Simmons & Simmons LLP joins the ranking having hired Pollyanna Deane as head of its non-contentious insurance practice, from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Deane recently advised American Express on the insurance benefits being sold on cards, to ensure compliance with regulatory regimes globally. Other clients include Aegon and Mitsui.

Speechly Bircham LLP has an extensive practice acting for general and life insurers. Alex Carter-Silk advised Munich Re on the design and creation of a global IP defence insurance policy. The team has also been advising on clients’ structures in preparation for Solvency II. Practice head Nick Janmohamed is recommended. Chartis is also a client.

Steptoe & Johnson has particular strength on the regulatory side. Recent work includes advising a large insurer in relation to products in several EU countries, and advising a leading underwriter on the conversion of all its documents to an entirely electronic system. Practice head Angus Rodger is ‘commercially minded, and listens to what a client really needs’. On the transactional side, the team recently acted for CNP Assurances in relation to a pension buy-in from a multinational company, involving a number of insurance and reinsurance issues. Damian Cleary is also recommended.

Peter Kempe and Jonathan Rogers are recommended at Taylor Wessing LLP, which is strong in the broker market and regularly advises on investments in brokers. Kempe recently advised Brian Marsh Enterprises and others in the acquisition of shares held by Wachovia Group in the broker Besso Holdings. In line with the firm’s IP expertise, the team also has a number of IP-rich insurance clients, such as GoCompare and esure.

Carter Perry Bailey LLP is a boutique firm set up to provide specialist services to the insurance market. Stephen Carter is ‘resourceful and realistic’, and William Sturge stands out for ‘his ability to devise and implement strategies’. Hugh Bohling remains an important consultant to the firm, and Bernadette Bailey is also recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s corporate team benefits from the firm’s global coverage. Recent work includes acting for Inter Hannover on its sale and transfer of a portfolio of business to Enstar. Mel Sims is recommended, and the team received a significant boost with the arrival of Prakash Paran, Roger Loo and of counsel Melanie James from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s team recently advised Peugeot Finance in relation to arrangements regarding its associated life companies’ products, while other clients include B&CE Insurance and Nipponkoa Insurance Company (Europe). Head of the financial services and funds group Kirstene Baillie is recommended.

At Clifford Chance, David Steinberg and Philip Hertz specialise in restructuring and insolvency matters. Steinberg advised Grant Thornton as liquidators of the Pacific and General Insurance Company on the repatriation to the UK estate of the fund established for its US policyholders. Hertz advised Scottish Lion Insurance Company in relation to its appeal to the Inner House of Court of Sessions in relation to the requirements for sanctioning a solvent scheme.

2011 was a strong year for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in restructuring and run-off work. The team handled a number of high-profile and substantial life insurance transfers and pan-European group restructures. Neil Golding, Robert Stirling and Matthew Cosans are recommended.

The highly regarded team at Hogan Lovells International LLP acts in ‘complex and cutting-edge matters’. Recent work includes the restructuring of a with-profits fund for a major life assurance company in a complex scheme of arrangement, and the team also saw an increased number of Part VII transfers. Joe Bannister and Alexander Wood are recommended. Robin Spencer retired from the firm in 2011.

The team at Clyde & Co LLP advised on a large number of solvent schemes of arrangement and Part VII transfers in 2011. Andy Tromans and Ravi Masaon acted for Swiss Re on one of the largest transfers under Part VII, with a value of £6bn. Geraldine Quirk assisted the Euler Hermes Group in a major restructuring project involving eight insurers across eight jurisdictions. Paul Bugden acted for the Standard Steamship Owners’ Protection and Indemnity Association in a substantial Solvency II reduction, including Part VII transfers valued at $600m.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP’s team acts with ‘patience, tact and diplomacy’. Practice head Jonathan Yorke joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, and has a strong reputation in the area, recently acting on a high-value scheme of arrangement for Minster Insurance Company Limited and six related companies. Mark Everiss specialises in insolvent companies that are in run off. David Kendall provides ‘prompt clear and practical advice’, and of counsel Peter Fidler is also recommended. Damian Connolly joined from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Clients include PwC, Swiss Re, Munich Re and Enstar.

At Herbert Smith LLP, Laurence Elliott has been advising the Financial Services Compensation Scheme on the restructuring of Welcome Financial Services, in connection with its PPI mis-selling liabilities. Other key clients include Grant Thornton, RSA and PwC.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s team is ‘responsive and client focused’. Devi Shah, an ‘exceptional lawyer who is technically strong and commercially savvy’, acted for the Australian liquidator of New Cap in an appeal in relation to the power of the English Courts to recognise an Australian judgement against a Lloyd’s syndicate in run-off. Ian McKenna is highly recommended.

Norton Rose LLP has been busy in a number of high-profile restructuring matters, including cross-border matters. Maria Ross acted for AXA UK in two Part VII transfers as part of restructuring arrangements following on from the sale of its life and pensions businesses to Resolution. Other clients include ACE, QBE and RBS. Ashley Prebble, Hamish Anderson and David Whear are also recommended.

RPC’s distressed situations team prides itself on providing novel and technical solutions to insurers. Vivien Tyrell is highly regarded, and is noted for her ‘detailed knowledge and practical advice’. She recently advised the London outwards reinsurers of Western Pacific Insurance Company, which became insolvent as a result of the Christchurch earthquake. Clients include HDI-Gerling, Odyssey Re and Argo.

At Sidley Austin LLP, Nigel Montgomery advised four participants in a carefully crafted solvent scheme of arrangement, the CUAL Scheme, including Allianz Global Corporate & Speculate and Allianz IARD. The team was also active in assisting international clients in relation to Solvency II requirements on non-equivalent third country insurers in the UK. Martin Membery is recommended, and Nancy Corbett transferred to the London office from New York.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a focus on friendly societies and mutuals, which are seeing significant changes and restructuring. Bruno Geiringer recently advised Co-operative Financial Services, and has strong expertise in life company restructurings. Richard Williams acted for Grant Thornton on the pre-packaged administration of the Francis Townsend group.

At Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, David Leibowitz is acting for PwC as liquidators of Digital Satellite Warranty Company, in a matter which is set to proceed to the Supreme Court. Andrew Rose is also a key figure in the team. Other clients include Deloitte and KPMG.

Tim Goodger is recommended at Elborne Mitchell, and has particular expertise in insurance insolvency matters and reinsurance undertakings.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP advised the provisional liquidators of The South of England Protection and Indemnity Association, a regulated Bermudan marine insurer. The team also acted for Jubilee Group on its restructuring.

Nick Janmohamed heads the team at Speechly Bircham LLP, which has been active for insurers and reinsurers on restructuring matters, and is experienced in business transfer schemes. Janmohamed is advising Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc on the terms of a solvent scheme of arrangement in New Zealand, which will be one the first schemes of arrangement implemented in New Zealand.

Clyde & Co LLP’s merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP created a giant in the insurance world, and consolidated its position as a leading global insurance law firm. With great breadth and depth to its practice, the firm handles the full range of matters from volume claims to complex insurance and reinsurance disputes. In sector terms, the practice ranges from personal injury, product liability and professional liability to niche areas such as political risk, bloodstock and trade credit. Recent work includes instructions arising from the Japanese earthquake, the Costa Concordia loss and the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Nigel Brook is head of the reinsurance team, and is recommended along with David Abbott. Jane Andrewartha is highlighted for her ‘expertise, commitment and enthusiasm to be truly outstanding’, and Toby Rogers, Andrew Grant and Roderick Smith are also highly rated.

At CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, head of department Liam O’Connell ‘has extensive knowledge of the area and is a “go-to” man’. The team provides a seamless national and international service, and is particularly strong on European matters. Timothy Ingham is ‘inquisitive and proactive’, and recently acted for Brussels Airport and its insurer following a catastrophic fire. Stephen Netherway is acting for Cooper Gay and its insurer in the well-publicised claim brought by Société Générale. Martin Fox is noted for his ‘clarity of thought’, and Kirsty Hick ‘always goes the extra mile, and is a pleasure to deal with’.

Herbert Smith LLP is a standout choice for complex and high-profile insurance and reinsurance cases. Anthony Dempster is ‘excellent at handling extremely complex products; Paul Lewis has a ‘first-rate reputation’ and is ‘a great tactician’; and practice head David Reston provides ‘sound strategic advice’.Reston recently acted for RSA in test litigation relating to the operation of its motor vehicle repair scheme; the outcome is likely to have widespread implications for the insurance industry. Also recommended are Christopher Foster, who is an ‘ingenious, quick-thinking man who you want to have on your side in a scrap’; and Alexander Oddy, whose ‘professionalism, expertise and responsiveness are stellar’. Clients of the team include RSA, Marsh and Gen Re.

Providing ‘excellent advice on a multitude of legal issues’, Ince & Co is ‘particularly strong in marine, and has specialist expertise in political risk and the trade credit sector’. The team took a key role advising on matters arising from the Costa Concordia disaster. Chris Jefferis is advising XL in the High Court in a dispute with Munich Re over adverse development cover. Joe O’Keeffe and Simon Todd are ‘experienced, knowledgeable and approachable’; and the ‘organised and thorough’ Carol Searle is ‘outstanding’. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Simon Cooper and Kiran Soar from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Kennedys’ core business is large insurance and reinsurance matters, for Lloyd’s syndicates, global composite insurers and self-insuring government bodies. Recommended individuals in London include Christina MacGregor; Chris Langford; Trevor Davies; head of insurance Nick Williams; and Nick Thomas, on the projects and property side.

Mayer Brown International LLP is highlighted for its ‘industry knowledge and the appropriateness of its advice’. It has real strength in financial institutions insurance, and is also well regarded for political risk, D&O and professional indemnity matters. Group head David Chadwick’s ‘inimitable style and sound commercial advice are second to none’; Mandip Sagoo focuses on coverage issues for financial institutions, and was recently promoted to partner; Jane Childs is an ‘expert in financial lines’; and Andrew Westlake is also recommended. Key clients for the team include QBE, ACE and Chartis.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s dispute resolution group deals with complex and high-value insurance cases. Highlights included acting for a Bermudan insurer regarding hurricane damage in the Caribbean, and for a global retailer under its business and property interruption policy in claims arising from the London riots. Head of department Raj Parker is recommended along with Ali Sallaway and Simon Orton.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s insurance litigation team has a strong international dimension, and ‘provides excellent, reactive, pragmatic and in-depth advice’. The firm acted for various Latin and South American insurers on a range of issues, including coverage disputes and reinsurance matters; and head of department Nick Atkins recently acted for an expert witness in defending an injunction restraining him from giving expert evidence in an arbitration. Consultant Peter Taylor is also highly regarded. Clients include CV Starr and Acturis SA.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s insurance team includes practice head Paul Wordley; Rebecca Hopkirk, who advised reinsures following the earthquake in Japan on complex coverage issues, valued at $75m; Andrew Bandurka, who acted for AEGIS and Aspen in litigation relating to reinsurance claims following the California wild fires in 2007; and Peter Schwartz, who is also highly rated. The firm has a specialist claims group covering sectors including natural catastrophes, energy, mining and aerospace.

RPC has a leading property, D&O and financial institutions team, and has seen growth on the reinsurance side. The team recently acting for a number of the largest UK insurers in claims arising from the London riots. Victoria Sherratt joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP and is highly recommended along with James Miller; ‘both quickly grasp issues and provide concise and high-quality advice’. Catherine Percy ‘gets to the heart of the matter. and always acts in the client’s best interests’. Also recommended are Jason Bright, Paul Dowsey and Alex Hamer. The ‘personable and dynamic’ Alison Clarke was promoted to partner. The firm has recently opened offices in Bristol and Singapore.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has a reputation for handling complex reinsurance claims, for clients including Atrium, Munich Re and Chartis. Anthony Lennox acted in a number of reinsurance claims arising out of the 9/11 attacks, which included conflict of law issues. Jonathan Sacher is ‘a tough litigator with a commercial perspective’. Neil Owen was promoted to partner. The group has benefited from the arrival of Stuart Isaacs QC from South Square, as head of advocacy.

Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP’s recent work includes claims involving the mining industry in Peru and political unrest in Thailand, along with the high-profile EL Trigger litigation. Clients include Brit, Chartis (UK and US), Aspen and Lexington (UK and US). Adrian Mecz and Christopher Cardona and Michelle George are recommended.

Clifford Chance’s insurance and reinsurance team acts for insurers and also major corporates. The team is led jointly by Philip Hill and Stephen Surgeoner, in London, and Nicholas Munday, who divides his time between London and Moscow. The firm has particular strength in political risk and trade credit matters. Surgeoner recently represented Société Générale in a high-profile case involving the misappropriation of gold bullion in Turkey.

DAC Beachcroft LLP has an ‘agile and responsive’ team, and an enhanced presence in the London market, post merger. Chris Wilkes recently acted for various insurers following claims made following the London riots. Mark Sutton acted for a Lloyds broker and its insurers in a claim arising from the placement of a facultative reinsurance contract into the London and Singaporean markets, relating to a loss of 7,000 motor vehicles in a freak hail storm in Dubai. Also recommended are Julian Miller, who ‘does not sit on the fence and is a real tower of strength’; Trevor Chamberlain; David Bear; consultant Michael Dobias; and Nick Young, who is ‘the man to have in your corner when the going gets tough’.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP – the product of the 2011 merger between Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP and Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP – is strong in the offshore reinsurance market. Clients include Lloyd’s syndicates and captive insurers including XL Bermuda, Munich Re, and Swiss Re. Richard Hopley acted for Centre Re as reinsurers of T&N’s £500m asbestos liability policy, in a large cross-border dispute over T&N’s liability. Practice head David Kendall is recommended.

Eversheds LLP represent insurers and policyholders in high-value disputes, with particular expertise in D&O, brokers E&O, and business interruption claims. Head of department Simon Brooks recently acted for Rolls-Royce plc in a product liability insurance coverage dispute concerning propulsion systems in cruise liners; the case has brought jurisdictional issues before courts in Florida and the UK. Also recommended are Matthew Allen, who is a ‘very good negotiator’, and Jeremy Irving.

Praised for its ability to ‘pull together and keep on top of all the many strands involved in a complex case’, Norton Rose LLP has a strong financial lines practice, and acts for clients such as RBS, Lloyds Banking Group and Standard Chartered. Susan Dingwall has a ‘calm and confident manner’, and recently represented Collyer Bristow LLP in its claim against the broker Lockton arising from the placement of its professional indemnity cover in a layered programme. Also recommended is Patrick Foss on the marine side, who joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Slaughter and May’s dispute resolution group has experience in high-profile insurance work. Efstathios Michael acted for Equitas in claims against Heath Lambert, involving issues including a broker’s duty to account to a reinsured. Other clients include Marsh & McLennan and Willis.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP team has ‘impressive strength’ and is headed by the ‘down-to-earth and approachable’ Richard Leedham. It represents clients in the real estate, retail and financial service sectors, and continues to act for Aioi Nissay Dowa, the Japanese reinsurer, in claims relating to the World Trade Center. Mark Pring joined from Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP; and Sonia Campbell was promoted to the role of legal director.

Active in international work, Carter Perry Bailey LLP is a boutique firm with ‘wide connections in the US, the Middle East and South East Asia’. The team has been busy on the marine side, and Stephen Carter recently acted for Lemma Insurance, the hull insurer for Da Shen Marine, in claims relating to the Da Ji vessel, which sank in the Taiwan Straits. Carter has a real ‘strength of knowledge’. The firm has a niche fine art insurance practice, advising clients such as AXA Art Insurance. William Sturge ‘provides a powerful intellectual assessment’, and Bernadette Bailey is recommended.

Clausen Miller, L.L.P.’s key clients include HDI-Gerling, XL Insurance and Munich Re. Highlights for the team included advising the global property reinsurance market in relation to complex property damage claims; and advising insurers in relation to fraudulent claims in the Pacific Islands. Managing partner Jane Beacham is ‘outstanding, and focused on a client’s needs’. John Startin and Jonathan Hall are ‘fine lawyers and diligent advocates’.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s insurance team was boosted by the arrival of Andrew Symons from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Prakash Paran from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. The team has strength in energy, commercial property and business interruption matters, and provides ‘service of the highest quality’. Recently promoted partner Leon Taylor is able to ‘present highly complex topics in an easily digestible manner’. Head of insurance Charles Gordon has ‘knowledge and understanding’; and David Murphy and John Curran are also recommended.

The substantial team at Fishburns LLP provides a ‘high level of service’, and is ‘very responsive and client focused’, with expertise in the marine, construction and engineering sectors. John Groome is ‘excellent on international disputes’; Peter Sewell and Antony Marsh are ‘proactive and commercial’; Jonathan Moss ‘offers quality insight with a quick turnaround’; and Robert Lloyd is also recommended. Clients include ACE New York, Zurich Corporate Global, and Novae Syndicates.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s team is ‘very good and very responsive’. David Breslin recently acted in arbitration proceedings for an insurer client in Bermuda following a US class action settlement. Clients include AXA, Aspen and Validus. Antony Woodhouse and Simon King are recommended.

Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP’s London office is focused on insurance and dispute resolution. Edward Smerdon recently advising an insurer on class actions brought by mine workers in South Africa who contracted silicosis in gold mines. The team also represented insurers in several claims against financial institutions. Mark Kendall and Tristan Hall are recommended.

Steptoe & Johnson is ‘highly qualified for complex litigation, including coverage, pharmaceutical and group litigation matters’, and advises clients including Beazley Syndicates 623/2023, Generali, HDI-Gerling, and XL. Department head Angus Rodger is ‘commercially minded and provides deeply practical advice’. Also recommended are associates Michael Wharfe and Tim Searle, who ‘provide incisive advice promptly and competently’. Gavin Coull recently moved to Locke Lord LLP.

Bird & Bird acts for insurers and policyholders, and has particular strength in aviation, aerospace, defence, energy and utilities. Head of the group Peter Knight – a ‘noted performer with strong abilities’ – is advising a large power company in Chile in an arbitration relating to a $125m loss.

Elborne Mitchell handles a range of issues including business interruption, property and construction disputes. It also has expertise in political and war risk insurance. Rosalind Jones is the key contact.

Fulbright & Jaworski International LLP is appointed to advise a range of London insurers on their worldwide Madoff-related losses. Clients include ACE, Brit Insurance and Chartis. Chris Warren-Smith and Melanie Ryan are recommended.

At Latham & Watkins LLP, John Hull recently acted for a bank in relation to the Madoff Ponzi scheme. Oliver Browne was promoted to partner.

‘A strong name in the market’, Mills & Reeve LLP acts in property, liability and reinsurance matters. Michael Mitchell is ‘technically accomplished’, and Peter Driscoll and Victoria Jordan are also recommended. Paul Spibey joined from Kennedys.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a focus on the pensions, energy and construction sectors. Nick Bradley recently joined as head of insurance from Lawrence Graham LLP. Colin Read has experience in the niche area of nuclear insurance, and recently acted for an insurer in a complex reinsurance dispute concerning a South American pipeline claim. Also recommended are Alexis Roberts, Bruno Geiringer and Richard Slaven, whose experience includes critical illness policies. Clients include RSA, Allianz and Aviva.

Robin Simon LLP is a dedicated insurance firm. Michael Robin and Joanne Staphnill are highly recommended, and the team was boosted by the arrival of Philip Atkinson.

At Sidley Austin LLP, Dorothy Cory-Wright recently acted for Pulsar Re, the Bermudan reinsurance company, in a dispute over assets valued at $60m following the liquidation of Lehman Re. Other clients include BMA Suisse SA and Lonmar Global Risks Limited. Simon Fawell was promoted to partner.

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s insurance group is headed by James Pollock, and focuses on financial institutions, D&O, product liability and professional liability disputes, often with an international element. It recently advised the European branch of a US insurer in relation to claims brought by an Italian public entity. Christopher Braithwaite, William Rodger and Caroline Hunter-Yeats are recommended.

With particular strength in the marine sector, Stephenson Harwood has specialisms in hull, trade, commodity and energy insurance. Practice head Alex Davis is ‘robust and solid’, and newly promoted partner Simon Moore is ‘absolutely first class and a brilliant strategist’. Clients include RSA.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s areas of focus are marine, offshore property insurance, D&O and Bermuda Form policies, and it has been active in international reinsurance disputes. Team head James Crabtree, Susannah Wakefield and Anthony Menzies are recommended. Clients include Beazley Group plc, Swiss Re and BaoMinh Insurance Corporation.

At Weightmans LLP, Colin Peck and Ling Ong cover insurance and reinsurance disputes. Clients include Quinn and Riverstone Management Limited.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s Warren King and Catherine Hawkins are recommended for their expertise in the property sector, covering areas such as fire, flood and product liability. Clients include RSA, Ageas and Allianz.

DWF LLP’s commercial insurance team continued to grow with the recruitment of team head Christopher Ryan from Bird & Bird and Joseph Arazi from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. It has a focus on the construction, energy and real estate sectors. Clients include Chubb Insurance and Isis Insurance.

Greenwoods Solicitors is strong in the property and construction sector. Richard Houseago is a ‘shining beacon’, and praised for his ‘analytical ability’. Mark Aitken, John O’Shea and Sarah Cochran are also recommended.

Hill Dickinson LLP is known for its strength in the marine sector, and has a growing practice in non-marine matters, representing underwriters and brokers. Nik Rochez joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, bringing experience in financial risks and D&O; and Anthony Bailey joined as legal director from Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP. Clients include Chubb Insurance, Talbot Underwriting and Aspen Insurance Holdings.

Thomas Eggar LLP is ‘a firm with a bright future’. Victoria Brackett is recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP’s dedicated team has a strong reputation for policyholder representation, with the firm’s international offices providing key support. In 2011 it saw an increase in cross-border matters and claims relating to global natural disasters, including the floods in Bangkok and the tsunami in Japan. A highlight was representing a major global pharmaceutical company in a claim for reimbursement, included acting in a series of Bermuda Form arbitrations. It regularly acts in financial sector disputes, representing hedge fund managers and policyholders in D&O claims. Practice head Joanna Page is recommended, along with Richard Farnhill, Richard Smith and Judith Gill QC.

Covington & Burling LLP team acts solely for policyholders, in relation to mass tort liabilities, catastrophic losses, property losses, and D&O and E&O exposures. Roger Enock heads the European policyholder practice, and ‘brings a wealth of insurance experience and sound judgement’. Of counsel Richard Mattick is a ‘first-rate lawyer with particular knowledge of asbestos claims’. The team has had success challenging solvent schemes of arrangement via judicial challenges, and has been representing ExxonMobil and others in opposing the Scottish Lion solvent scheme.

Herbert Smith LLP’s team is a ‘market leader’, and acts for a broad range of policyholders including clients in the energy, financial, and industrial sectors. The ‘technically excellent’ Alexander Oddy recently acted for BP Corporation North America in connection with recovery claims relating to the Deepwater Horizon incident. Also recommended are Christopher Foster; Paul Lewis, who is valued for his ‘client-focused approach’; and Anthony Dempster, who is a ‘first-rate lawyer’. Clients include Pilkington and Standard Chartered.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acts for clients such as GlaxoSmithKline, Sainsbury’s and RBS. Practice head Richard Leedham successfully acted for Standard Life in a claim against professional indemnity insurers, relating to its liability for alleged mis-selling of a pension fund following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

K&L Gates LLP has been handling a variety of D&O, crime/fidelity, and professional indemnity matters, and has seen an increase in political risk related work. Ian Meredith has been leading in a Bermuda form coverage case arising out of a US class action. New clients include Capita and Gatehouse Bank. Group head Jane Harte-Lovelace and Sarah Turpin are recommended.

Reed Smith’s insurance recovery group is led by Peter Hardy, who ‘achieves excellent results’. The group has well-established strength in marine and commodities, and has seen an increase in instructions from financial institutions such as HBSBC and Lloyds. Mark Connoley and Margaret Campbell are recommended.

At Edwin Coe LLP, practice head Michael Whitton is ‘hugely experienced, and a shrewd negotiator’, and is experienced in handling large-scale policyholder litigation. Also recommended is Roger Franklin, who has ‘wonderful attention to detail’, and recently advised Synergy Healthcare (UK) plc in a successful claim against a number of leading insurers.

With great breadth and depth, Irwin Mitchell is a dominant force in the claimant personal injury field. The firm focuses on getting matters right for the individual; the client liaison manager is fundamental to this goal, as is the rehabilitation expertise of partners such as Amanda Stevens. For high-value claims, Colin Ettinger is a leading figure; and Keith Barrett is well regarded for his ‘client care and doggedness in the cause’. Tracey Storey’s team is recommended for child abuse and care claims. Guy Darlaston heads a substantial and highly regarded asbestos team; he ‘knows when to pursue a justified case in the face of difficulties’. For travel and aviation matters, Michael Zurbrugg is recommended, and noted for his ‘excellent judgment and tremendous experience’.

At Leigh Day & Co, Martyn Day’s international claims department ‘represents the gold standard’. Notable successes in 2011 included a positive outcome for Peruvian torture victims, on which the ‘superb’ Richard Meeran was the lead figure. Sally Moore heads the domestic team; ‘a renowned leader’ in catastrophic injury, she is well supported by key players such as Anne Winyard and Claire Fazan. The asbestos team, run by the ‘brilliant’ Daniel Easton, was further strengthened in 2012 by the arrival of the ‘feisty’ and ‘extremely experienced and effective’ Harminder Bains from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. Penny Knight, who is ‘meticulous’ and ‘tenacious and tactical’, runs a strong cycling team.

A ‘top-class firm, pre-eminent in its field’, Stewarts Law LLP has an outstanding reputation for high-value spinal injury work, regularly achieving record-breaking interim and final payments on behalf of its clients. Paul Paxton leads the team; a ‘brilliant’ lawyer who ‘leaves no stone unturned’, he is both ‘considerate and pragmatic’. Paxton is ‘fortunate to have some of the UK’s best personal injury lawyers in his team’, with Clare Salmon, John Cahill, Stuart Dench, Andrew Dinsmore and Lucy Robinson all recommended, and widely respected as ‘strong but flexible opponents’. James Healy-Pratt is noted for his extensive expertise in aviation accidents and catastrophes.

With a longstanding reputation for high-value claims, Anthony Gold Solicitors has an experienced team prepared to take on less straightforward cases. David Marshall and Jenny Kennedy are ‘exceptional’, with Marshall standing out for his expertise in stress claims, an area on which he has written extensively. Jackie Spinks is a ‘terrific lawyer’ with notable experience in child brain injury cases. Stephanie Prior heads the firm’s child abuse unit.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides a ‘first-class’ service to clients. The ‘incredibly empathetic and knowledgeable’ Jill Greenfield leads on brain and spinal injury cases; and the ‘calm and pragmatic’ Richard Earle, ‘a master of detail’, is also popular for ‘top-end stuff’. While Rodney Nelson Jones has retired, the asbestos team remains strong under the ‘extremely capable’ Peter Williams; it includes Andrew Morgan, who is ‘clever, hardworking and respected by opponents’. Caroline Pinfold joined from Irwin Mitchell in 2011.

Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers has ‘a strong team with a growing reputation’, led by Liz Dux. It has particular expertise in maximum-severity cases, led by the ‘tactically astute’ Paul Kitson, and in asbestos cases, led by Alison Kerr. Its well-established expertise in police work remains, but its client base continues to broaden. Kimberley Owen is also recommended.

Bindmans LLP has an excellent reputation for quality; the service is ‘personal’, caseloads are kept low, and it is not afraid of taking on challenging cases. Head of department Jon Crocker has ‘an unerring sense of what will work and what will not’; and the ‘tenacious’ Siobhan Kelly and Lynn Knowles are also recommended.

With ‘an enthusiastic and youthful’ team that provides a ‘first-class’ service, Bolt Burdon Kemp has moved away from volume work, focusing on its core strength in catastrophic injury, military, and historical abuse claims. The ‘professional’ and ‘personable’ Jonathan Wheeler is ‘excellent’ for historical abuse claims, and Philippa Tuckman leads an ‘excellent, niche’ military team.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP is noted for its ‘commitment to vulnerable and disadvantaged claimants’. The ‘tactically astute’ Peter Todd is leading in the claim for judicial review of the Lord Chancellor’s failure to review the discount rate. Todd deals with catastrophic and fatal claims, but the firm accepts instructions at all levels, and is innovative in its approach to funding.

Pattinson & Brewer is a ‘smaller firm but one with considerable quality’, with a good client care record that has enabled it to retain its strong union client base while also building its private work. Unite, GMB, and the Police Federation are among its clients. Frances McCarthy leads the team, and Caroline Phelan is recommended for her ‘tenacious’ approach and ‘tactical awareness’.

Fentons Solicitors LLP experienced further growth in 2011. It has a particular focus on travel claims, led by Katherine Allen; catastrophic claims, for which Nick Godwin and associate Katherine Lennon are recommended; and asbestos matters, led by associate Edmund Young.

‘Dynamic duo’ Elizabeth Smith and Ian Mulkis at Howard Kennedy are highly recommended for workplace stress and RSI claims. Clients include RCN members, and radiographers.

Prince Evans has a strong reputation for catastrophic injury matters. Bryan Neill is rated for his ‘experience and judgement’ in spinal and brain injury cases. The ‘thorough’ and ‘knowledgeable’ Gary Smith specialises in amputee and subtle brain injury cases.

At Russell-Cooke LLP, Janice Gardner is recommended for her ‘outstanding ability’ and ‘good judgement’ in high-value cases; she is ‘a talented litigator in heavyweight PI’. The ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ Terry Lee has moved into a consultancy role.

Traditionally known for union work (for clients such the CWU, GMB and BALPA), Simpson Millar LLP has steadily broadened its client base. The personable Adrian Fawden heads up the team, which was strengthened in 2012 by the addition of ‘very experienced’ catastrophic expert Warren Collins, from Davies Arnold Cooper LLP.

While Thompsons Solicitors LLP remains committed to its union clients, such as UNISON and Unite, its client base has broadened in recent years. It is recommended for serious injury cases, with Henrietta Phillips leading the team, and also for asbestos claims.

The ‘firmly resolute’ yet ‘pragmatic’ Stuart Kightley at Osbornes is a first choice for referrals in the profession.

Ros Ashby and Marian Joseph are recommended at niche practice Pritchard Englefield.

Ben Posford at Prolegal Solicitors is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.

Frances Pierce is recommended at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP, which opened a London office in 2011.

Nick Pargeter’s disease team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is considered by some to be ‘the best in the market’. Boris Cetnik is ‘great strategically and technically’, and had a notable success in 2011 in Baker v Quantum Clothing Group. Head of injury Michael Pether is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘very popular with clients’; he leads a strong catastrophic and complex claims team featuring the well-regarded Jennette Newman and Jenny Moates. Local authority and police work is another key area. Pether leads on abuse cases.

Following its merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, Clyde & Co LLP has retained its key client panel appointments, and has been appointed to new panels for the Metropolitan Police and Mitsui. Other high-profile clients include John Lewis, and the BBC. It has a strong local authority practice featuring the highly regarded David Knapp, who is ‘one of the best lawyers in the field’, and John Goodman, who has ‘a keen eye for detail’. Danielle Singer and Charles Brown are ‘outstanding’ for catastrophic work.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is highly regarded in the industry, acting for corporates such as BP and BA and insurers such as Zurich, Allianz, and Ecclesiastical. Strategic litigation specialist Andrew Parker was instructed by the NDLB in two significant asbestos test cases in 2011. The ‘collaborative’ and ‘proactive’ Paula Jefferson is responsible for the national disease team, which acted on behalf of Land of Leather in the sofa dermatitis claims. The ‘hugely experienced’ Tania Sless leads the catastrophic injury team, which is ‘quite simply the best’.

DWF LLP has sector strengths in retail, transport, and local authorities, and its ‘service is excellent, with exceptional response times’. Graham Dickinson and Claire Bowler are recommended for catastrophic injury cases; ‘capability, enthusiasm and efficiency abound’. The ‘first-rate’ Bowler also heads a well-respected international liability team. Mark Whittaker’s public sector team has been joined by ‘particularly thorough’ highways expert John Palmer from Clyde & Co LLP. Dan Mitchell heads the transport team, which acts for National Express and First Group among others.

Historically known for its motor work, Greenwoods Solicitors now has strength across the board. The catastrophic injury team has ‘strength and depth in expertise’ and is ‘excellent value for money’. Malcolm Henke is a ‘superb negotiator’; Steven King is a ‘standout practitioner’; Chris Crook is ‘very experienced’; and Charles Ashmore is ‘hugely experienced, with a superb reputation’. A number of associates stand out, with John Lezemore recommended for chronic pain syndrome cases, Deirdre Burgess for large loss matters, and Tim Ingram for motor prosecutions.

Acting for major national insurers, and with its international presence attracting new clients, the team at Kennedys has grown considerably in recent years. Practice head Mark Burton is recommended for mesothelioma work; Joe McManus ‘achieves some excellent results and is utterly dependable’, particularly in stress and bullying claims; and Tim Wilson and Rachel Moore are recommended for catastrophic work.

With CEO Tim Oliver at the helm, Plexus Law has added the Metropolitan Police to a client list which also features RSA, TDG and QBE. It has a good reputation for its volume provision, but is increasingly winning large loss work. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Claire Mulligan heads a travel team which acts for TUI, Thomas Cook, and recent client win Monarch.

Browne Jacobson LLP has a well-respected, hard-hitting local authority practice. David Maggs is 'approachable and has in-depth working knowledge', and is recommended for abuse work, handling complex and often sensitive claims for clients; and Steven Conway is ‘determined to achieve the desired result for his client’.

‘The simply outstanding’ Howard Watson at Herbert Smith LLP advises on significant issues for large corporates, acting for Chevron in relation to the explosion at Milford Haven in 2011, and for Diageo in relation to claims resulting from the use of the drug Thalidomide. His experience includes advising on mechanisms for dealing with potential group actions.

Watmores has a ‘top-drawer’ niche practice, headed by disease specialist Jon Grunewald. The ‘practical and pragmatic’ Simon Johnson heads the local authority practice, and Andrew Mayne specialises in rail cases for the insurer Travellers.

Elaine Chapman’s large loss team at Weightmans LLP delivers ‘value for money’ coupled with ‘excellent advice’, and advises clients such as Zurich and the MIB. The firm’s merger with Vizards Wyeth has added local authority experts Brian Williams and David Johnson to the team.

The ‘responsive, very hardworking’ Maria Pittordis at Hill Dickinson LLP acts for Shell, BP and P&O, as well as major port owners Associated British Ports and Hutchison Westport. John Caddies is ‘very solid and dependable’.

Paul Dean’s specialist marine team at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP provides an ‘impeccable but approachable service’ to P & I insurers.

Charlotte Davies at Ince & Co is instructed by insurers such as Chartis and P&C in high-value and senstive claims.

At RPC, Gavin Reese heads a large loss department with coverage expertise. Clients include London market insurers Hiscox and Catlin.

Reading firm Pitmans LLP has experience in the area, and opened a London office in 2012.

Ros Ashby and Marian Joseph are recommended at niche firm Pritchard Englefield, and specialise in overseas claims.

Personal injury giant Irwin Mitchell is a natural choice for claimants harmed by defective products. National head of medical law David Body is a ‘committed advocate for his clients, and sees the bigger picture’. The firm’s caseload includes class actions relating to DePuy’s metal-on-metal hip replacements, and side-effects from dopamine-agonist medication given to Parkinson’s disease patients. It is also acting in the long-running human growth hormone litigation.

Headline matters for Leigh Day & Co include the DePuy hip replacement action, on which it is the lead firm of solicitors; fresh claims relating to Thalidomide; and the Parkinson’s/dopamine-agonist drug claims. It is a team of ‘robust negotiators who are not intimidated by bullying tactics’; key figures include Martyn Day, Bozena Michalowska and Jill Paterson, who has a ‘clear head and balanced judgement’.

Hugh James’ ‘savvy’ team is leading over 1,000 claimants plus law firms on the highest-profile case of the year, relating to PIP breast implants. Other cases for the experienced Mark Harvey and his team include the DePuy hip replacement action, and claims relating to the South Wales E. coli outbreak.

Claimant powerhouse Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers features regularly in headline cases. The firm is acting as lead adviser in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation, while other recent work includes claims relating to PIP implants, DePuy hip replacements and Maclaren children’s buggies. The well-respected Richard Langton, managing partner of the firm’s Birmingham office, heads the practice.

Nottingham-based Paul Balen at Freeth Cartwright LLP is an elected member of the PIP solicitors’ steering committee. The firm specialises in medical and medical devices claims.

The ‘excellent’ practice at Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP is perhaps more specialist than some competitors, but its depth of knowledge in the life sciences sector, including medicines and medical devices, makes it the firm of choice for pharmaceutical giants. Clients include Pfizer, Bayer/Schering and Sanofi, which the firm defended in the seven-year foetal anti-convulsant group litigation, which collapsed in 2011. The ‘expert’, four-partner team is led by Ian Dodds-Smith and includes Adela Williams, who has a ‘flair for making complicated things simple and keeping a sense of proportion’.

DAC Beachcroft LLP has an outstanding pharmaceutical and healthcare practice. Simon Pearl has an international reputation in the field, and is leading advice to AstraZeneca Insurance Company regarding antipsychotic drug Seroquel. GlaxoSmithKline, Zurich Insurance and the National Blood Authority are also clients of the ‘leading team’, which includes ‘brilliant strategic and tactical thinker’ Alison McAdams. The firm also has a role in the headline case relating to PIP breast implants.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP handles risk-critical, cross-border advisory and defence litigation for multinationals in a variety of industries, but is best known for its tobacco expertise; it continues to advise JTI and affiliates, as international co-ordinator of multibillion-dollar smoking-related claims. The expanding practice, led by the well-respected John Blain, won a number of key mandates in the past year, as well as handling ongoing work for AB InBev, Tesco, and Smith & Nephew.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is a ‘giant in the field’, able to draw on its international network to co-ordinate safety issues across borders and with a depth of practice that is ‘second to none’. Its diverse and extensive client list includes Merck, British American Tobacco and Apple. Department head John Meltzer is leading advice to Vodafone in respect of claims and risk management relating to radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones and base stations. Rod Freeman is also well regarded, of equal profile and is advising US-based asbestos trusts on emerging issues.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s broad practice is headed by leading individual John Leadley, who is noted for his expertise in TMT, pharmaceuticals/healthcare, and toys. The firm handles product recall and operational risk matters on an international scale as well as defence litigation for well-known brands; clients include Sony, Mattel, Hewlett-Packard and Invensys.

Benefiting from enhanced resources post merger, the team at Clyde & Co LLP has ‘some outstanding lawyers’, such as Neil Beresford and ‘first-rate strategist’ Mark Wing. The firm acts for a range of leading insurers, NHS trusts and international corporations, including advising Chartis on claims to recover damages following the class-action ‘toxic sofa’ litigation.

Herbert Smith LLP handles high-profile matters for clients in a range of industries, and is trusted on ‘the most complex matters’. It recently settled the £100m claims against Rolls-Royce concerning its Mermaid Pods propulsion systems, acting for the primary insurers. The ‘first-class’ Tony Dempster and Howard Watson ‘always preserve a commercial outlook’.

The practice at insurance firm Kennedys is flourishing under Shane Sayers and Anne Ware, who deliver a ‘truly excellent’ service. The national team includes Chris Langford, who has ‘superb judgement and knowledge of the field’. Its diverse caseload includes the defence of a £100m claim involving allegedly defective moulded polymers, potentially a leading case for product claims.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises on cross-border matters for major companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline. Recent instructions include representing an international tyre manufacturer on recall and liability issues. John Kelleher heads the practice.

Commercial litigator Mark Clarke at Ashurst has a product liability focus, and continues to act for Imperial Tobacco in co-ordinating international defence claims. Other clients include Aventis Animal Nutrition. Arundel McDougall left the firm to become CEO of the European Justice Forum.

‘An excellent firm for English reinsurance matters’, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP handles insurance issues related to product liability, with particular expertise in asbestos cases. David Kendall, Richard Hopley and Mark Everiss ‘all have excellent technical knowledge, both industry and legal’.

Stuart White at RPC is highlighted for his ‘excellent attention to detail, client care and strategic sense’, and the team as a whole is ‘one of the best for commercial product liability with insurance issues’. Clients include leading insurers and reinsurers, such as Munich Re, and Clover Leaf Products, the UK distributor of PIP breast implants.

Reed Smith boasts an impressive list of clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, including pharmaceuticals companies, medical device manufacturers and a leading retailer. Litigator Paul Llewellyn acts in international and high-profile multi-party claims.

Noted for its product safety expertise, Simmons & Simmons LLP advises on the entire supply chain of consumer products via its international network. Mark Dewar and his team are ‘truly experts in the field’ and ‘take the time to get to know the client’s products and processes’.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is in growth mode, promoting four partners nationally to handle an increase in healthcare and food law work. It is acting for Transform Medical Group in the PIP claims, and for key defendant Walmsleys in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation. Jim Sherwood heads the London practice.

Covington & Burling LLP has an ‘extensive knowledge resource flowing from the London, Washington and Brussels offices to provide joined-up advice’. It has notable expertise in food law regulation, led by ‘excellent analyst’ Brian Kelly.

Richard Matthews heads a large national team at Eversheds LLP, whose recent high-profile work includes acting for Rolls-Royce in the Mermaid Pods litigation, and for Tyco and ADT in a £100m claim concerning failed fire suppressant systems.

The ‘fantastic’ John Doherty at Manches LLP has considerable tobacco experience, and acts for British American Tobacco. The firm also provides regulatory, compliance and dispute advice to clients in the manufacturing sector, including Wolseley UK and Fiat Industrial.

Mayer Brown International LLP fields a cohesive international practice group, acting for prominent insurers and manufacturers on cross-border regulatory issues and litigation. Miles Robinson is ‘fantastic on the detail’.

At Pinsent Masons LLP, recommended individuals include Simon Joyston-Bechal and associate Louise Nahon, who have medical and engineering backgrounds respectively; and the ‘very bright and extremely tenacious’ Andrew Masterson, who heads the practice.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP advises leading international companies such as Philip Morris, Daimler and Bosch. The ‘excellent’ team is led by Simon Castley, and includes Sarah Croft and Alison Newstead.

Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP has a strong reputation in the US, as well as London capability under Philip Pfeffer. The tobacco sector is a core strength.

Carys Oatham at DWF LLP advises insurers such as Chubb and a range of companies on product liability, as part of the firm’s commercial insurance practice.

Litigation boutique Fox Hartley acts for insurers and manufacturers, including a leading Japanese insurer. Trevor Fox and Matthew Hartley advise in this area.

Jones Day has a European product liability and recalls practice, with commercial litigator Ian Lupson the main contact in London.

Osborne Clarke’s product regulation team, led by Catherine Wolfenden, acts for a number of leading brands on product liability and compliance issues, among them Nintendo UK, Energizer, Imperial Tobacco and BOSE.

Weightmans LLP’s recent mergers have boosted its product liability offering. Practice head Fiona East has notable expertise in the automotive industry.

Recent work at Wragge & Co LLP includes High Court litigation in the automotive sector, which is a key area for the practice alongside IT and pharmaceuticals. Andrew Smith and Andrew Litchfield lead the team.

A ‘serious player’ in the market, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is ‘truly first class’ for professional negligence matters. Led by the ‘outstanding’ Liam O’Connell, the 18-partner team advises leading insurers in relation to claims involving accountants, surveyors, construction professionals, solicitors and brokers. The ‘first-rate’ team also includes the ‘hardworking’ Stephen Netherway; the ‘knowledgeable’ Belinda Schofield; Martin Fox, who is ‘truly brilliant’; the ‘excellent’ Peter Maguire; and Timothy Ingham, who is ‘pragmatic’. Kirsty Hick and Alex Denslow are also recommended. Simon Garrett, Monica Lesny and Bristol-based Cheryl Gibson were recently promoted to the partnership.

Clyde & Co LLP’s merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP in November 2011 significantly strengthened its professional negligence practice. The ‘responsive and proactive team’ is recommended for its ‘great depth and ability’, and covers a variety of areas including legal, financial, accountancy, construction, property, and technology, among others. Key individuals include the ‘first-class’ practice head Sarah Clover, the ‘outstanding’ Richard Harrison, the ‘brilliant’ Andrew Blair, and the ‘expert’ Fergal Cathie. Patrick Perry, Neil Jamieson and Simon Konsta are also recommended.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s ‘strong, commercially focused practice’ is led by David Chadwick and Michael Regan. Focused on high-profile, high-value matters, the team gives ‘accurate, prompt and practical’ advice. Key clients include QBE, Chartis, ACE and Knight Frank. Notable individuals include the ‘proactive’ William Glassey; the ‘outstanding’ Sean Connolly; Jim Oulton, who is ‘technically excellent; Lindsay McQuillian, who is ‘outstanding’; Ingrid Hobbs, who is an ‘excellent negotiator’; and the ‘forward-thinking’ Sally Davies. The ‘thorough’ Mandip Sagoo and Tom Duncan were recently promoted to partner. Clare Canning joined Ernst & Young as global general counsel, while Matthew Lawson and Simon Willis moved to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP.

The ‘excellent’ 20-partner team at RPC ‘values strong relationships with its clients’, and is ‘approachable, commercial, savvy and clever’. Led by Tim Bull (‘excellent on complex and sensitive matters’), the team focuses on high-value, complex matters across sectors including construction, technology, financial and legal. The ‘incredibly thorough’ Nick Bird has a ‘razor-sharp mind’; Alexandra Anderson is ‘brilliant’; Katherine Rees is ‘excellent with clients’; and Robert Hogarth is ‘impressive’. Paul Castellani is ‘first rate’, and Simon Laird is ‘responsive and very client focused’. Alison Clarke was promoted to partner. The firm recently expanded its professional negligence offering in Bristol, led by the ‘brilliant’ Jeremy Barnes, ex CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. Jane Howard moved to Wragge & Co LLP.

Led by the ‘knowledgeable and hardworking’ Sonya Leydecker, Herbert Smith LLP has a team that ‘lives up to its great reputation’. Acting for both claimants and defendants, its expertise covers a breadth of areas including insurance, financial services, technology and construction, and it has ‘top-quality expertise’ in high-value, high-profile and complex matters. Alexander Oddy is ‘truly brilliant’; Paul Lewis stands out for his ‘excellent legal advice and strategic thinking’; and the ‘professional’ David Reston is also singled out.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘highly rated’ 12-partner team is led by the ‘renowned’ Nicholas Heaton. It continues to act for major insurers as well as leading professional services firms in a variety of sectors including law, accountancy, pensions, property and insurance, as well as advising major clients in bringing professional negligence claims. Angela Dimsdale Gill is ‘a true expert’, and consultant John Trotter is recommended.

Matt Andrews heads Kennedys’ ‘first-rate’, ‘technically excellent’ 29-partner practice, whose headline clients include Chartis, XL, ACE, Travelers, WR Berkley, Allianz, and Mitsui. Simon Gibson and John Eastlake are ‘highly recommended’. Sue Plumb recently left the practice, joining Bond Pearce LLP in Southampton as a consultant.

The team at Beale and Company Solicitors LLP is ‘top class’, and has a ‘deserved reputation for excellence in disputes involving construction and engineering professionals’. The practice has also expanded into the areas of legal and financial negligence. Team head, Antony Smith is ‘pragmatic and sensible’, and has a ‘first-rate commercial brain’. Ed Anderson is ‘excellent’. Damian McPhun recently joined the team from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Led by the ‘renowned’ Charlotte Capstick, the ‘professional’ team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP covers a vast array of areas including legal, financial services, construction, insurance, social services, property and trade unions. Caterina Yandell, Simon Hilditch, Elliot Pound and Michael Salau are all recommended. Michael Harvey was recently promoted to the partnership.

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s ‘first-class’ 15-partner team is led by the ‘outstanding’ Harriet Strevens. Its high-profile client base includes names such as Allianz, Catlin, Chartis, Groupama, Markel, QBE and Zurich. The ‘experienced’ Richard Beaty, Karen Cargill, William Allison, Ross Risby and Julian Miller are singled out for praise. Dispute resolution head Trevor Chamberlain is also recommended.

The team at Eversheds LLP provides an ‘excellent’ service, and ‘really knows what it is doing’. The ‘commercial’ Simon Brooks heads a six-partner team, and is valued for his ‘detailed and practical advice’. It has notable experience in matters involving insurance brokers, accountants and lawyers, and clients include the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, Miller Insurance and KPMG. Jeremy Irving and Matthew Allen are also singled out.

Providing ‘great, commercial advice’, the 20-partner team at Fishburns LLP is led by the ‘experienced’ Antony Marsh. It has expertise in high-value, international and technical cases, and acts for Novae, Torus Insurance (UK), Travelers and Chubb. Andrew Davis and Peter Campion are ‘excellent’, and Peter Sewell, Harriet Quiney and Simon Mason are also recommended. Alexandra Goddard and Elizabeth Bell were recently promoted to partner.

Simmons & Simmons LLP has expertise across matters involving accountants, auditors, brokers, construction professionals, financial institutions, solicitors, surveyors and valuers. The ‘sound and reliable’ six-partner team is ‘technically excellent’, and recommended for its ‘high level of industry knowledge’. Team head James Pollock is an ‘excellent operator’; and Caroline Hunter-Yeats and Miles Alexander are ‘enthusiastic’ and ‘hardworking’. Felix Zimmermann recently joined from Plexus Law.

The ‘reliable’ and ‘focused’ team at Ince & Co is recommended for its work across the legal and insurance sectors, advising on the liabilities of lawyers, underwriters and brokers, as well as expanding into fields such as financial institutions and technology and construction. It was strengthened by the arrival of Simon Cooper and Kiran Soar from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP; Nick Gibbons from Speechly Bircham LLP; and Nilam Sharma from Crowell & Moring. The ‘experienced’ David Rutherford heads the team, and Chris Jefferis is also recommended.

With a national practice, the team at Mills & Reeve LLP has an ‘impressive’ reputation for professional negligence work, advising names such as Amlin, Aspen, Brit and XL. Key individuals include Neil Davis, Virginia Hickley, Nicolas Oldham and Peter Driscoll, who are all highly recommended. Paul Spibey recently joined from Kennedys.

Colin Read heads an ‘excellent practice’ at Pinsent Masons LLP. Acting on both the claimant and defendant sides, the ‘formidable’ 14-partner team has experience across financial, insurance, construction, IT, pensions, property and tax cases. Noteworthy clients include Liberty, Hiscox, Torus and Mercer. Richard Slaven and Birmingham-based Jim Richards are ‘outstanding’.

Reed Smith’s ‘impressive’ practice is led by Nick Speed, and acts for high-profile clients such as QBE, AMEC, Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund and Nationwide in a variety of high-value cases involving accountants, banks, barristers, law firms, construction professionals and insurance brokers. Mark Connoley is ‘highly regarded’.

Robin Simon LLP’s ‘first-rate’ team advises in relation to the financial, legal, insurance and construction sectors, among others. Mark Aizlewood, Michael Robin and managing partner David Simon are singled out. London office head Neil Trayhurn is ‘excellent’.

Julian Randall heads the four-partner team at Taylor Wessing LLP, having followed Tim Strong and Andrew Howell from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. Clients include PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and Grant Thornton UK.

At Withers LLP, ‘highly regarded’ team head Christopher Coffin is noted for his ‘knowledge’ and ‘good response times’; and Jasmine Gill is also recommended. Key clients include BMIF Selenium Holdings and Travelers.

The team at Bird & Bird, led by Ludovic de Walden, is recommended for its ‘technical’ approach. The ‘tenacious’ Jonathan Speed is ‘very thorough and user friendly’. The firm represented Forsta AP-fonden in Commercial Court proceedings against one of the world’s largest securities lending agents. Jane Player recently joined King & Spalding International LLP.

Bond Pearce LLP’s ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ team includes the ‘first-rate’ Simon Gildener, who joined from Clyde & Co LLP, and the ‘hardworking’ Emily Monastiriotis, who has notable expertise in the construction sector. Key clients include QBE, CNA, Bar Mutual, Allianz and Travelers. Recent departures include Neil Trayhurn, who joined Robin Simon LLP; and Richard Dedman.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s team is ‘efficient’ and ‘knowledgeable’. Dividing his time between the London and Nottingham offices, Derek Bambury heads the team, and Jonathan Corman is also recommended. Active clients include Hiscox, ARP, Bar Mutual, HCC International, WR Berkley, Travelers and Chaucer.

Focusing on high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes, the ‘top-quality’ team at Clifford Chance is led by Philip Hill. Stephen Surgeoner and Roger Leese are also recommended.

DWF LLP’s ‘excellent’ team is led by Christopher Ryan, who recently joined from Bird & Bird. The team was also boosted by the arrival of the ‘pragmatic and commercial’ Joseph Arazi from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, and Adam Nell from Herbert Smith LLP. Key clients include Sterling Insurance, RSA and Isis Insurance.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘superb’ nine-partner team is led by Andrew Hart. It has experience assisting leading financial institutions and professional advisers, including accountants and solicitors, in high-profile, complex matters.

Led by the ‘brilliant’ Jamie Monck-Mason, the team at Hill Dickinson LLP advises clients such as Aviva, Aspen, RSA and Talbot. Nicholas Rochez joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, and Dileep Pisharody and Tim Hague were recently promoted to partner. Angela Horneand Clare Walker are also recommended.

Led by Paul Wordley, the seven-partner team at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP has experience advising insurers and their professional insureds as wells as claimants, across a wide range of areas including accountancy, legal, estate agency and construction. David Robinson, Andrew Bandurka and Nigel Wick are also singled out for praise.

Key individuals in Norton Rose LLP’s ‘approachable and thorough’ team include Paul Morris and Susan Dingwall. Notable clients include Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, RBS, and HSH Nordbank.

Notable work for the ‘strong’ and ‘talented’ team at Plexus Law included advising insurers in relation to claims involving surveyors, valuers and construction professionals. RSA, QBE, Chartis and WR Berkley are among its clients. Team head Peter Court has ‘good commercial understanding’, and Nigel Plant is also recommended. Fiona Hayes recently joined from Pinsent Masons LLP.

Slaughter and May’s ‘reputable’ ten-partner team is led by Richard Clark. It advises a broad spectrum of clients including insurance brokers, law firms, actuaries, banks, and other financial institutions; names include Linklaters LLP, Mercer, and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. Elizabeth Barrett is also recommended.

Led by the ‘first-rate’ Roland Foord, Stephenson Harwood’s ‘professional’ team advised Christie’s on a wide range of matters. Other clients include KPMG, HSBC and UBS. Stephen Roberts is also recommended.

Weightmans LLP has acted in a variety of high-profile matters, in areas including construction, legal, accountancy and financial services. Dominic Dennis-Browne joined from RPC, and Simon Loveday joined through the firm’s merger with Vizards Wyeth. Quentin Fox and Liverpool-based Mike Grant are ‘highly regarded’.