The Legal 500

Law firms with insurance as a core practice area face an ever-consolidating market, increased regulatory scrutiny, and growing demands from clients in terms of service and fees. Two major mergers are set to take effect in November 2011; Beachcroft with Davies Arnold Cooper LLP, and Clyde & Co LLP with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

While the insurance market has been left relatively unscathed by the economic downturn, certain areas, such as the life and with-profits sectors, lacked such insulation. Regulation, particularly the looming implementation of Solvency II and the increased EU-wide requirements it brings, saw corporate insurance practices handling a range of internal reorganisations and restructuring matters, governance issues and transfers of books during 2010. Despite a lack of formal insolvencies in the insurance market, work has continued in the run-off sector. Scheme work is in substantial decline and limited to solvent scheme work at best, the Scottish Lion and Minster solvent schemes being the most notable of late.

Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms have benefited from the incremental convergence of the banking, financial and insurance industry groups, handling capital markets and financial services work for insurer clients. Notable US firms operating in the London market include Covington & Burling LLP and K&L Gates.

In clinical negligence, firms acting on both the claimant and defendant sides reported a busy twelve months, with the increased willingness to litigate thought to be an effect of the economic climate. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, a key player on the claimant side, was bolstered by the arrival of a team from Charles Russell LLP.

Personal injury lawyers continue to face uncertainty in the face of the imminent Jackson Review. Irwin Mitchell LLP, Leigh Day & Co and Stewarts Law LLP currently lead the pack on the claimant side, while firms making an impression on the defendant side include DWF LLP, whose market presence has grown over the past few years.

Product liability claims remained plentiful, with major cases including the Land of Leather ‘toxic sofa’ litigation. Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP, Davies Arnold Cooper LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP all have strong practices, predominantly among pharmaceuticals and consumer goods clients, and often on an international basis.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has ‘impressive infrastructure and talented individuals’, with a diverse practice including claims relating to birth injury, delayed diagnosis, fatalities, and accident and emergency negligence. Practice head Paul McNeil is ‘in a class of his own’, and one of the ‘foremost litigators in the country’. The highly experienced Richard Vallance is also recommended, as is Samantha Critchley, who ‘goes from strength to strength’. Clients also rate senior associates Richard Earle and Mark Bowman, a ‘rising star’ who ‘has the makings of a great forensic litigator’. Several recruits joined from Charles Russell LLP in 2010, including the ‘tenacious and hardworking’ Edwina Rawson, who ‘frequently achieves impressive results’.

With a ‘seemingly endless supply of top-end work’, Irwin Mitchell LLP fields one of the largest teams in the market and earns ‘nothing but praise’ from many clients, and is noted for its national network of teams and ‘inspirational choice of barristers’. Areas of particular expertise include obstetric, neurosurgical, psychiatric and oncology claims. The group regularly obtains claim settlements exceeding £4m, with some recent cases topping £7m. Its ‘standout performers’ include practice head Alison Eddy, a ‘pioneer in clinical negligence cases who is very experienced’, and Auriana Griffiths, who is ‘honest and supportive, and gives good advice’. Other notable practitioners include Ian Christian, and Amanda Stevens; the latter joined from Charles Russell LLP and is experienced in clinical negligence and personal injury cases.

Kingsley Napley LLP’s ‘top-flight’ clinical negligence team remains a ‘front runner’, and provides an ‘amazing level of service’. Recent instructions include substantial claims involving birth injury, inquests and fatal accidents, and spinal injury. Practice head Kate Rohde ‘continues to be a leader in this field’, and is ‘highly intelligent and always calm under pressure’. Other notable names include Ross Brain, whose recent work includes acting for children with cerebral palsy, and Stephanie Code, who is excellent for complex litigation and ‘has the patience of a saint’. Newly promoted partner Verity Danziger is well liked by clients; Alison Moore is ‘a hidden gem who deserves full recognition’; and Terrence Donovan and Jock Mackenzie are also recommended.

Russell Levy heads Leigh Day & Co’s practice, which is widely viewed as a market leader, thanks to its ‘very large team of experienced lawyers’ including 12 partners. The firm’s strong focus on healthcare is a boon, and within clinical negligence, the team’s areas of expertise include obstetrics and gynaecology, cancers, cerebral palsy, infections and inquests. Henry Dyson is renowned for cardiac, vascular surgery and orthopaedic cases. Other recommended partners are Anne Winyard, Claire Fazan, Olive Lewin, Sally Jean Nicholes, Sarah Campbell, Nicola Wainwright, Suzanne White, Frances Swaine, Alison Millar and Sean Humber. John Grace QC recently retired.

Anthony Gold’s team ‘gives good advice’, and has ‘outstanding knowledge’, with particular expertise in birth injury, orthopaedic and psychiatric injury claims, including cases involving children with brain injuries. ‘Totally dedicated’ practice head Jon Nicholson is ‘brilliant – kind, knowledgeable, wise, and determined’. Jenny Kennedy is recommended for her ‘integrity’ and ability to ‘inspire confidence from the outset’. David Marshall, Ali Malsher and Stephanie Prior are also recommended.

Parlett Kent is a niche medical law practice with a well-established reputation for handling top cases including those involving disabled children, misdiagnosis and treatment of cancer, fatalities, and psychiatric negligence. The firm has a strong focus on serious cases, including those that reach the High Court and County Court. Its ‘high-level team of experienced lawyers’ is led by senior partner Caroline Jenkins, whose ‘relatively low profile understates the quality of the work and her team’. Clients also recommend London-based Shurouk Al-Sabbagh, Julie Say and Manori Wellington; and Exeter-based Jayshree Nathwani and Magi Young, ‘an extremely experienced and committed lawyer who thinks outside the box’.

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘top-quality’ practice has ‘a number of talented individuals’ including team head Deborah Blythe. Recent work includes advising in inquests, and in complex cases relating to brain, spinal, ophthalmic, and birth injury. Janice Gardner has ‘impressive ability to focus’, and ‘enormous experience and perception’. Dominic Fairclough and consultant Terry Lee are also recommended.

Stewarts Law LLP’s ‘simply excellent’ clinical negligence team is a ‘strong outfit’ with ‘some excellent individuals’ who are ‘innovative, dedicated and successful’. The firm focuses exclusively on catastrophic cases. Practice head Muiris Lyons is ‘conscientious and incisive’, and shows ‘good judgement’. Robert Dransfield and Nick Knowles are also recommended.

Bindmans LLP provides ‘excellent service and value for money’, demonstrates ‘exceptional knowledge of medical reports’, and draws on the firm’s wider public law and human rights expertise as required. While it handles a broad range of clinical negligence cases, it has a particular emphasis on brain injury claims. The ‘superb’ Jon Crocker displays ‘excellent people skills’. Lynn Knowles and Siobhan Kelly are ‘very knowledgeable’, and ‘confident when reviewing reports’.

Bolt Burdon Kemp is an established presence in the clinical negligence arena, with Caroline Klage at the forefront. Recent achievements include settling a complex birth injury case for a seven-figure sum. The team also handled a claim for catastrophic mental and physical injuries resulting from a stroke after negligent medical treatment. Jo Chapman is also recommended.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP is ‘well known in the clinical negligence field’, and ‘has a solid core of experienced people’. The ‘particularly good’ Olivia Lawson and Nina Ali ‘combine excellent case management skills with very good client care’. Recent instructions include a case involving failure to adequately monitor sickle cell disease, and a breast reduction resulting in serious injury.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP enhanced its capabilities in London in 2010 by recruiting the ‘first-class’, ‘charming and client-friendly’ John Kyriacou from Pattinson & Brewer. Also recommended is Philippa Luscombe, who is ‘professional, sensitive and caring’; the ‘very tenacious’ Tim Palmer; Alison Appelboam-Meadows, who ‘really gets to grips with cases and sorts out difficult problems’; and associate Grainne Barton.

Russell Jones & Walker attracts high-profile cases, for private and publicly funded clients. Paul Sankey is an ‘absolutely brilliant’ lawyer, ‘utterly professional’, and with ‘a wide range of knowledge within the medical negligence area’. Practice head James Bell is also recommended.

Beachcroft’s ‘excellent’ and ‘first-class’ practice is a leading player nationally. It is increasingly defending complex and high-value clinical negligence claims for the NHSLA. Other clients include the Medical Defence Union, Bupa, The Priory Group, and General Healthcare. It handles medical negligence work for Spire Healthcare, including employers’ liability and public liability instructions for its London Fertility Clinic. Nigel Montgomery heads the department, within which Corinne Slingo, Rachel Roberts-Jenkins, Paul Taylor, Matthew McGrath, and David Weatherburn are all highly rated.

Among ‘the best firms to deal with’, Capsticks’ team is ‘very competent and user friendly’, and is headed by Peter Marquand. Majid Hassan, Robert Wilson and the ‘professional, courteous and approachable’ Philip Hatherall are also recommended. The team successfully defended Kingston Hospital NHS Trust against a catastrophic brain damage claim.

‘A traditional force’ in the market, Hempsons is an ‘amazing firm’ with a clinical negligence team that has a ‘superb level of knowledge and wisdom’. ‘Highly impressive’ practice head Bertie Leigh’s ‘swift analysis of any scenario, and wisdom in how to tackle it effectively, is masterly and a pleasure to observe’. Rachel Kneale is ‘particularly good at reassuring clinicians’, and ‘negotiates effectively’. John Holmes and Nadya Wolferstan ‘provide timely and constructive advice’. Christian Dingwall, Julie Austin, Chris Morris, Zoë Harvey and Janice Barber are also recommended. The team is regularly instructed by the NHSLA, including defending clinical negligence and breach of human rights claims brought by 400 prisoners alleging they were forced into detoxification programmes and given inadequate treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

Kennedys’ ‘strong’ and ‘constructive’ team has a broad practice that includes defending the NHSLA, the Medical Protection Society, the Medical Professional Liability Company, and numerous private clients. Practice head Janet Sayers is ‘exceptional in her field’, and ‘very approachable’; Christopher Malla is ‘very dedicated to client service and is passionate about healthcare law’; and Robert Tobin is ‘one of the best up-and-coming lawyers’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s ‘excellent’ group is relatively small, but enjoys considerable market share. The team’s ‘strength lies in its people skills’, as well as its provision of ‘an efficient and timely service’. The team has been representing the NHSLA in a multimillion-pound birth injury claim against an NHS hospital, involving a catastrophic brain injury. New partner Claire Petts is ‘an extremely good people person’ with ‘a wealth of knowledge regarding healthcare law’. Charles Brown and practice head Kevin Bitmead are also recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s busy clinical negligence department regularly acts for NHS trusts, the NHSLA and private sector clients. Practice head Joanne Easterbrook represented South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust against a breach of human rights claim brought by the adult daughter of a patient who absconded from the ward while detained under the Mental Health Act. Also recommended is Matthew Trinder, who is particularly adept at handling complex genetics cases.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has a rapidly growing team of ‘extremely helpful and competent’ solicitors. Instructions come from organisations such as the Medical Protection Society, the Royal College of Nursing, Mitsui and RSA. Practice head Gary Allison is ‘simply an excellent technician’; and he and his team ‘go the extra mile in order to provide an excellent service’. Juliette Mellman-Jones, Rosie Shapiro and Vicki Swanton are also recommended.

At Nabarro LLP, Peter Fitzpatrick continues to lead the team in defending cases for the Medical Defence Union, including clinical, cosmetic and dental claims. Chris Horsefield and senior associate Yvonne Screene are also recommended.

Plexus Law is ‘an insurance-focused firm with a wide and in-depth knowledge of the law’. Senior associate Sian Davies heads the clinical negligence team, and specialises in IVF and psychiatry matters. Davies is ‘friendly and reassuring’, and the team is praised for the ‘great deal of effort it devotes to visiting and working alongside clients’, and as being ‘very much in tune with industry requirements and practices’.

At Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP, ‘the level of service is faultless’ and ‘the quality of all the individuals is excellent’. The practice includes independent sector defence work for insurers, and for individuals such as doctors, nurses, dentists and forensic medical examiners. Practice head Dorothy Flower gives ‘excellent, clear and comprehensive advice’.

Rena Field heads Weightmans LLP’s practice, which represents the NHSLA and various NHS trusts. Recent work includes acting in 130 claims arising from various investigations at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Simon Eastwood heads the niche firm of Eastwoods Solicitors, and ‘fights tooth and nail for his clients’. Adam Smith is also recommended. Surjit Dubb made partner in 2010, while Joanne Bateman joined as a solicitor, having previously worked for the Medical Defence Union.

Fishburns LLP is establishing itself in the market under the leadership of Tracy Sell-Peters. In 2010, senior solicitor and former barrister Joanna Bower joined from Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP. Bower has ‘deep experience’ and ‘good client-handling skills’.

Clifford Chance is particularly recommended for ‘very large transactions that involve a number of jurisdictions’. Tim Page led advice to Apollo and CVC on the public company takeover of Brit Insurance Holdings NV, and Clare Swirski advised on the proposed transfer of the business of Royal Liver to Royal London Mutual Insurance. Katherine Coates and Hilary Evenett are also recommended. Narind Singh was promoted to partner in early 2011.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘highly efficient’ team advised Phoenix Group on its London IPO, and Discovery Holdings on its agreement to acquire Standard Life Healthcare. Other clients include Prudential, Generali, Zurich and Swiss Re. Raj Parker and Ian Poynton are ‘very experienced and give commercial advice’, and senior associate George Swan ‘works well under pressure’ and has ‘exceptional knowledge’.

Herbert Smith LLP’s team, headed by Geoffrey Maddock, advised Friends Provident Life and Pensions on its £165m acquisition of Bupa Health Assurance, and JPMorgan on selling the Save & Prosper insurance and pensions businesses to Chesnara. Other clients include Canada Life, Swiss Re and Zurich. Adam Levitt and new partner Hammad Akhtar are also recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is a ‘market leader’ in corporate and regulatory insurance work, and has ‘excellent industry knowledge’. It acted for Alterra on transferring management of two Lloyd’s syndicates to Whittington, and advised on Paternoster’s £260m sale to Rothesay. Other clients include AEGON, Aioi, Berkshire Hathaway and Enstar. Practice head John Young, Tim Goggin, Charles Rix and David Sullivan are recommended. Peter Taylor retired from the partnership but remains a consultant.

Linklaters LLP’s insurance expertise spans many areas including annuity and longevity solutions, insurance SPVs and distribution agreements. The team is ‘very responsive, with fast turnaround times’, and ‘stands out for the consistency of its up-and-coming talent’. It advised Lloyds Banking Group on selling its majority stake in esure. Practice head Duncan Barber is ‘first class’, and ‘not only an excellent lawyer but able to hone advice to draw out the key commercial as well as legal points’. Victoria Sander and of counsel Madhu Jain are also recommended.

Norton Rose LLP demonstrates ‘strong business acumen and industry knowledge’, and its insurance expertise encompasses transactional, regulatory and other advisory matters. Highlights included advising AXA on the £2.75bn sale of the majority of its UK life business to Friends Provident Group. New client wins include Alterra, Catlin, RBS Insurance and Partner Re. Practice head James Bateson is recommended, and in 2010 the group recruited consultants Stuart Brown, formerly senior transaction counsel at Admin Re UK, and Robert Merkin.

Slaughter and May’s team has ‘strength in depth’, with ‘first-class and knowledgeable’ lawyers, and ‘excellent visibility’ from partners. Practice head Glen James is ‘robust, and commands respect’; Jan Putnis is ‘technically very good with broad knowledge’; and Jonathan Marks and Craig Cleaver are ‘exceptionally good lawyers’. The team advised Standard Life on the £138m sale of Standard Life Healthcare to a subsidiary of Discovery Holdings.

Allen & Overy LLP’s full-service team, headed by Philip Jarvis, receives instructions from RSA and Legal & General, and has advised leading investment banks on trading longevity risks with banks, insurers and investment schemes. It advised Catalina Re on acquiring Glacier Reinsurance. Other reinsurer clients include Swiss Re and Munich Re. Stephen Mathews and of counsel Andrew Barton are also recommended.

Ashurst LLP’s insurance team handles ‘high-end, complex matters’, and adopts a ‘commercial approach’. Jonathan Drake and David Page have ‘a very good understanding of the economic background, and what makes or breaks a transaction’. The team recently advised Equinox Global and Randall & Quilter on establishing a new Lloyd’s syndicate. It also advised Chesnara on the Solvency II implications of its acquisition of Save & Prosper Insurance.

Despite several departures from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, clients recognise that Stephen Browning is a ‘strong leader’ who remains supported by ‘a high-quality team’. Browning is a ‘first-choice adviser’ with ‘extensive expertise’, particularly regarding the London and Lloyd’s market. Douglas Howie and Timothy Parsons are also recommended. The group recently advised FirstCity Partnership on selling its insurance brokerage business to Arthur J Gallagher.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP was appointed to AEGON’s panel, and won pitches for instructions from MetLife, ACE and HSBC. Practice head Paul Edmondson, who advised MetLife on its $16.2bn acquisition of ALICO from AIG, is recommended. The team was strengthened by the hire of Mike Munro and James Parker from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Clyde & Co LLP’s corporate insurance team, led by Andrew Holderness, advised EMB on its sale to Towers Watson, and Glacier Group on selling a subsidiary to Torus. The firm has a strong presence in the Lloyd’s market, with clients including Marketform, Whittington, W.R. Berkley, Arch, Canopius, and Randall & Quilter. Clients appreciate the ‘large amount of direct partner input’ from ‘industry experts’. Ivor Edwards is ‘practical and down to earth’, Geraldine Quirk is ‘an expert’, and Andrew Tromans and David Coupe are also recommended.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP leverages its global corporate practice in its insurance work. The team advised on Hanover Insurance Group’s £313m public bid for Chaucer Holdings, and on Novae Insurance Company’s transfer of its business and reserves to Lloyd’s Syndicate 2007. Jeremy Hill and international counsel Christopher Henley are the key contacts.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP provides ‘high-calibre’ service and industry knowledge that is ‘second to none’. Joseph Ferraro advised PZU on its $2.6bn IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The team also advised Long Bay Re on its proposed IPO on AIM. Prakash Paran is ‘very sound and very responsive’, and Nicholas Bugler is also recommended.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP has ‘hands-on lawyers who provide value for money’, and is ‘really going places fast’. David Webster is ‘outstanding’, James Mee has ‘deep technical expertise and a great negotiating style’, Sanjay Pritam ‘provides excellent service’, and Jonathan Davies is ‘one of the recognised leaders for regulatory expertise in the London and Lloyd’s markets’. Senior associate James Phythian-Adams is ‘a rising star and one to watch’. The team advised Whittington Capital Management on assuming from Alterra the businesses of the managing agencies of two Lloyd’s syndicates.

Eversheds LLP is instructed on commercial issues and corporate transactions, and has particular expertise in regulatory issues. It advised a consumer credit business on insurance intermediation issues across the EEA. Jeremy Irving’s arrival from DLA Piper UK LLP strengthened the team. Michael Wainwright remains active in the market and is recommended.

Richard Spiller and Ashwani Kochhar joined Holman Fenwick Willan LLP from Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP in 2011. The pair’s experience includes handling multimillion-dollar transactions for clients such as Aspen Re and Catlin. Practice heads Nicholas Hutton, Paul Wordley, and Kapil Dhir are also recommended. Clients of the practice include ING Bank, ACE and Chubb.

Ince & Co advises insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries on commercial, corporate and regulatory matters. Peter Rogan and David Grantham are recommended.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s London corporate insurance and regulatory group forms part of the firm’s global insurance practice, giving it access to substantial cross-border resources. Recent work includes advising on a multimillion-dollar brokerage business acquisition, and on several business disposals. Martin Mankabady is ‘very good, and knows his stuff’.

‘Holding its own in a very competitive market’, Pinsent Masons LLP provides ‘an excellent personal level of service with strong partner support’ across general, life and pensions insurance matters. Alexis Roberts and Bruno Geiringer are recommended, as is new partner Iain Sawers, ‘a real rising star, and definitely one to watch’.

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s multidisciplinary insurance group handles a range of insurance and reinsurance work, including M&A, tax, securities and regulatory matters. It acted on Towergate Finance’s £250m bond offering. Practice head Barney Reynolds is the key contact.

Beachcroft remained on Bupa, Groupama and MMA Insurance panels in 2010, and won new appointments with Aviva, Ageas and National Friendly. The team recently advised on a global distribution agreement, a core area of expertise. James MacNish-Porter ‘provides the highest level of support and advice’, and Mathew Rutter and Lord Hunt are also recommended.

Demutualisations and the management of regulatory risks are particular strengths of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s non-contentious practice, which was strengthened by the arrival of Jacob Ghanty from Pinsent Masons LLP. Clients include CNA, Bupa, Chartis and Aviva. Practice head Pollyanna Deane is ‘outstanding in her field’, and has a ‘great wealth of experience’. Nathan Willmott is also recommended.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP’s team has changed substantially. Arrivals included new practice head Damian Connolly (who ‘always provides excellent advice and service’), who joined from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; and Shawn Atkinson and Niall McAlister. Richard Spiller and Ashwani Kochhar left for Holman Fenwick Willan LLP.

Lawrence Graham LLP has a ‘good niche insurance practice’; it has ‘excellent industry knowledge’, and provides ‘practical advice, with particular consideration to costs’. Clients include ACE, AXA, Generali and AJ Gallagher. Michael Lacey and Richard Everett are recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP provides a ‘superb level of service, responsiveness, business acumen and industry knowledge’. Martin Membery, ‘one of the finest insurance and regulatory lawyers’, and Matthew Griffith, who has ‘very strong industry knowledge’, joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in April 2010. Clients include Aon, Aviva, CAN and Prudential.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s ‘thoroughly professional, supportive and proactive’ team handles a broad range of work in the life and general business insurance sectors. It assisted Munich Re in the design and creation of a global IP defence insurance policy, and also advised Ecclesiastical Life on the £258m disposal of its life assurance business. Nick Janmohamed and Elizabeth Budd are ‘particularly impressive’.

At Steptoe & Johnson, practice head Angus Rodger provides ‘excellent, personal service’, and gives ‘deeply practical legal advice’. Damian Cleary, an expert in regulatory investigations, joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in April 2010. Clients include AXA, CIGNA, Generali, Hannover Re and Munich Re.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s non-contentious insurance work forms part of its wider financial services practice, which was recently bolstered by three recruits from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. The insurance group advised esure on its £185m management buyout from HBOS/Lloyds Banking Group. It also advised Colemont Global on merging with American Wholesale Insurance. Peter Kempe and Jonathan Rogers are recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s core strengths in non-contentious insurance work include regulatory advice, broker-related corporate matters, and distribution deals. The team, headed by David Heffron, advised Engage Mutual on its £270m acquisition of 25,000 policies from Ecclesiastical Life, and is advising Aviva on a distribution transaction.

Carter Perry Bailey LLP fields a small but ‘well-seasoned’ team whose clients include Asset Underwriting, Community Reinsurance and NPA. The ‘calm and reassuring’ Stephen Carter and ‘extremely professional’ Bill Perry are recommended. Hugh Bohling, formerly a partner at Waltons & Morse and Eversheds LLP, joined as a consultant, and Anthony Rose is also a consultant.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s global scope generates a steady flow of instructions through the London office. It recently advised Towergate on its consolidation with Cullum Capital Ventures, Countrywide Insurance, and Powerplace Insurance; and advised GMAC (now Ally Financial) on selling its international insurance services to Maiden Holdings. Mel Sims is recommended.

Practice head Kirstene Baillie at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is ‘expert and authoritative’, and often advises on investment issues.

Clifford Chance’s recent non-contentious insurance work has been driven by instructions relating to internal reorganisations, governance structures and capital efficiency, prompted by the approaching implementation of Solvency II. Its ‘international reach is invaluable’. Philip Hertz and David Steinberg, who is ‘very knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with’, specialise in insurance reconstruction and insolvency.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘top-class’ insurance practice displays ‘strong market knowledge’, and has remained busy with restructuring, insolvency and related run-off work. Robert Stirling and Ian Poynton are recommended, as is Neil Golding, who is part of a team advising HIH on the scheme of arrangement implemented to run off the UK group. The firm is also advising JPMorgan regarding the Minster scheme of arrangement.

The highly regarded trio of Robin Spencer, Joe Bannister and Alexander Wood at Hogan Lovells International LLP continues to attract key mandates from clients such as Phoenix Group, Prudential, OIC Run-off and AEGON. The group’s wealth of experience includes restructuring a with-profits business in the UK through a scheme of arrangement.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP maintains a strong reputation in this field, despite Ian Mason’s departure to Baker & McKenzie LLP in 2010. Practice head Jon Yorke led advice to Minster on its scheme of arrangement, one of the largest solvent schemes to be sanctioned to date. Other clients include Ageas, Apetrop, Partner Re, and RSA Reinsurance Ireland.

Clyde & Co LLP’s Geraldine Quirk is ‘an expert on solvent schemes and Part VII transfers’, and ‘the most knowledgeable lawyer in the City in these areas’. The team advised City General on aspects of acquiring the general insurance business of Generali Assurances Générales. Paul Bugden, David Coupe and senior associate Ravi Masaon are recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s highly knowledgeable team works to ‘excellent response times’. Christopher Foster and Laurence Elliott, who ‘are persistent and thorough’, led the team in advising the FSCS on the restructuring of Welcome Financial Services.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s global presence underpins its practice in London. The team, which is co-headed by Devi Shah and Ian McKenna, is advising the Australian liquidator of New Cap Reinsurance on an application under section 426 of the Insolvency Act. Other clients include QBE Reinsurance, PwC and Société Générale.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP delivers ‘consistently excellent service’ to clients, which include KPMG, Riverstone and Gen Re. The insolvency and restructuring team continues to receive mandates on Part VII schemes and other insurance restructuring, an area of expertise for Vivien Tyrell. The team represented a major creditor in its multimillion-pound claim relating to the Minster solvent scheme. It also advised PwC, as provisional liquidators of United Standard Insurance, regarding a group reorganisation.

Sidley Austin LLP’s Nigel Montgomery, Martin Membery and Matthew Griffith are recommended, and continue to attract substantial instructions from clients seeking their ‘well-thought-out, excellent advice’. The team advised Allianz (France), Allianz IARD, Delvag Luftversicherungs-AG and Nurnberger Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG on four solvent schemes of arrangement.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP continued to advise PwC on the liquidation of insurance broker Whiteley Insurance Consultants (WIC), which affected over 80,000 policyholders. David Leibowitz and Andrew Rose are key figures in the team, and senior associate Marc Trottier is also recommended.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP continues to see a number of instructions arising from the Lehman Re insolvency. Mark Everiss has a strong reputation in the run-off market, particularly on contentious matters, attracting clients such as Enstar, Catalina and Riverstone. Of counsel Peter Fidler is also recommended.

Norton Rose LLP’s insurance insolvency and restructuring team has a focus on cross-border international work. The London team advised R K Carvill on disposing of its brokerage subsidiaries in run-off to Randall & Quilter. New clients include the Carvill Group and Royal London, joining existing clients such as ACE, AIG and XL. James Bateson, Ashley Prebble and Hamish Anderson are recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP advised RBSI on restructuring part of its UK corporate group structure in preparation for Solvency II, and QBE Insurance on restructuring part of its UK business. Recent client wins include Cooperative Financial Services, Just Retirement and Unum. Bruno Geiringer is recommended.

Peter Sharp is the key figure in Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s London insolvency and restructuring team, which acts on cross-border mandates.

Elborne Mitchell’s Tim Goodger ‘knows his stuff’, and has developed a strong reputation for insolvencies of insurance and reinsurance undertakings. The team has established its reputation for working on run-offs.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s Kapil Dhir advised ARIG Insurance on the winding-up of ARIG UK and release of capital. Other clients include ACE and Chubb.

Speechly Bircham LLP has strength in depth, and a solid track record advising on business transfer schemes and schemes of arrangement. The ‘highly expert’ Nick Janmohamed heads the team, which is ‘very client focused’ and ‘prepared to give a commercial perspective, and to be pragmatic’.

Despite several departures, including that of former practice head Jason Bright, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s well-established reputation continues to attract new clients, which credit its ‘commercial rather than purely legal approach’, and service that is ‘second to none’, whether on mainstream or the most complex cases. The practice was reinforced by the arrival of several former Halliwells lawyers, including Helen Bourne and Damian McPhun. Kiran Soar is ‘commercial, and works well as part of a team’; David Abbott is ‘outstanding’ and Clive O’Connell is ‘one of the best reinsurance lawyers in London’. Victoria Sherratt is ‘a safe pair of hands’, and Maurice Kenton is ‘a very committed litigator’. Highlights included successfully representing at first instance CX Re in IRB Brazil Resseguros SA v CX Reinsurance Company Ltd.

Clyde & Co LLP has ‘strength in depth, including quality individuals at associate level’, and ‘a significant number of major players’. The practice’s insurance expertise includes areas such as aviation, marine, energy, P&C and political risk. It advised Houston Casualty Company (HCC) on a £250m international arbitration relating to property and business interruption claims following Hurricane Ivan. Michael Payton ‘demonstrates almost unrivalled industry knowledge, and universally recognised expertise’, and Nigel Brook is also highlighted for his comprehensive understanding of the field. James Burns, Nigel Chapman, Manoj Vaghela, and ‘rising star’ Jon Turnbull are also recommended.

‘One of the best in the field’, Ince & Co’s expertise in insurance extends beyond the firm’s traditional strengths in the marine and energy sectors to encompass aviation, political risk and reinsurance, among other areas. It is advising in a number of multimillion-pound reinsurance cases. Practice head Chris Jefferis is ‘commercial and user friendly, and a strong academic lawyer’. Joe O’Keeffe is ‘very knowledgeable on all marine matters, with a good understanding of how the market works’, and Rebecca Axe and Steven Fox are ‘bright, intelligent and creative’.

‘One of the market leaders’, Kennedys’ ‘very customer-oriented’ group is extending its reach in the insurance space, with teams in Sheffield, Lisbon and Miami. The team acted in various multimillion-pound direct and reinsurance coverage cases. Christina Macgregor and Chris Langford are complimented as ‘the best lawyers encountered at property major loss level’, and Trevor Davies has ‘huge experience in the field’. Nick Williams is a ‘brilliant tactician’; Matt Andrews is ‘shrewd and clever’; and Carole Vernon is ‘bright, enthusiastic and hardworking’.

Stephen Netherway heads CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s insurance and reinsurance group, which is ‘a high-quality operation with considerable strength in depth’, underpinned by ‘the added bonus of the CMS network in continental Europe’. Recognised for its broker defence and reinsurance work, the firm successfully defended a multimillion-pound claim against Miles Smith and its insurers. It is also acting for Swiss Re and other reinsurers on the $2bn-plus losses arising from the 2007 Sempra wildfire. Liam O’Connell is ‘a great tactician, very commercial and client friendly’; Edward Foss is ‘able to influence the outcome of litigation’; and Andrew Symons is ‘a pragmatic adviser’. Clients are also impressed by ‘first-rate’ associates Anna Crew and Simon Garret.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s insurance and reinsurance litigation group is ‘easy to work with’, and has ‘strong market knowledge’. Recent highlights include acting for Travelers in a defence and $20m counterclaim against Beazley. A key strength is the team’s contentious regulatory practice, and it recently represented Zurich in multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigations, and in the FSA’s subsequent UK enforcement action. Gillian Eastwood and associate Paul Wortley are ‘bright, hardworking and down to earth’, and practice head Raj Parker is also recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s litigation expertise makes it a strong option for insurance disputes, and although ‘not the cheapest, when specialist expertise is required it’s worth the money’. Its clients include insurers and reinsurers (such as RSA and Travelers), brokers (including Willis and Marsh), and corporate insureds (such as BP, RBS and Lloyds Banking Group). It is acting for Financial Guaranty Insurance Company in Commercial Court litigation concerning alleged fraudulent misstatements. Anthony Dempster is ‘outstanding’ for property claims, and Paul Lewis ‘commands respect’ for his industry knowledge. Practice head David Reston is also highly recommended.

With Hogan Lovells International LLP’s burgeoning Madrid office strengthening its Latin American insurance practice, the London team is acting for several South American insurers in coverage disputes. It is also acting for Sompo Japan Insurance on policyholder challenges to a non-life Part VII transfer. Nick Atkins and Stuart Hill are the key figures, with Peter Taylor now a consultant after retiring from the partnership in December 2010.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s team, headed by Paul Wordley, is acting for reinsurers in multimillion-dollar claims arising from property damage and business interruption losses, and has seen a growth in natural resource related claims. The practice represents insurers, reinsurers, insureds, and brokers. The recent recruitment of Jonathan Bruce from Elborne Mitchell has deepened the group’s resources.

Mayer Brown International LLP is well regarded for its strengths in the political risk, D&O and financial institution insurance sectors, and valued for its international presence. It successfully represented two insurers in multimillion-dollar political risk LCIA arbitrations; advised clients on coverage issues regarding claims arising from the Icelandic banking collapse; and acted in a billion-dollar reinsurance arbitration. Clients include Chartis, AXA, ACE and QBE. Jim Oulton has ‘a brilliant legal mind but is also aware of the commercial ramifications’; group head David Chadwick is ‘able to handle high-value complex disputes’; Ingrid Hobbs is ‘commercial and very effective’; and Lindsay McQuillian is ‘leading the way in sanction work’.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP is highly regarded in the financial institution insurance sector, where the firm is ‘a cut above the rest’, fielding lawyers with ‘a great deal of expertise’. The firm has ‘a broad range of expertise, and quality personnel from associate through to partner’, and was strengthened by Jason Bright’s arrival from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. Simon Greenley is a ‘very experienced FI man who is well respected in the market’, and ‘raises arguments other lawyers have missed’. Rupert Boswall, Simon Goldring and Alan Stone are also recommended.

Beachcroft recruited Mark Sutton from Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP in 2010, deepening the ‘sound breadth of knowledge’ across the group. The ‘tactically astute’ Julian Miller ‘has a certain steel about him – the sort of guy that you want in the trenches with you’. He is advising RSA (among other insurers) in the Innovator litigation. Practice head Chris Wilkes advised Catlin and Equity in a dispute arising from World Trade Center losses.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team is praised for its ‘high quality of work and strength in depth’, and is able to handle ‘complex, high-value disputes where attention to detail is important’. Jonathan Sacher is part of a team acting for Cavell and Randall & Quilter defending allegations of fraud. Anthony Lennox, who ‘has a willingness to fight every single point’, advised a name insurer in various reinsurance claims totalling over $300m.

Latin American disputes and Bermudian arbitrations remain significant sources of work for Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP. Adrian Mecz, Michelle George and Christopher Cardona are key figures. Heidi Lawson, who is dual qualified in New York and England, joined the office in 2010. Clients include Munich Re, Brit Insurance, Novae, Canopius, and Whittington.

Clifford Chance’s insurance and reinsurance dispute resolution practice is led jointly by London-based Philip Hill and Stephen Surgeoner, along with Moscow-based Nicholas Munday. Hill ‘deserves a special mention’ – he is ‘very intelligent, and copes easily with highly complex issues’; and Surgeoner is ‘without question one of the leading insurance and reinsurance partners in London’. The firm represents both insurers and insureds, and has particular strengths in political risk and trade credit insurance.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP’s core areas include the energy and offshore market, and Bermuda Form and reinsurance matters. Clients include Munich Re, Swiss Re, Coface and XL Bermuda. Practice head David Kendall, Francis Mackie and Mark Everiss are recommended. Everiss has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of reinsurance’, and is ‘unflappable and reassuring, finding practical solutions in moments of difficulty’.

Norton Rose LLP is renowned for its very strong financial lines practice. The team provides ‘excellent’ service, and demonstrates ‘strong business acumen and industry knowledge’, as well as ‘value for money’. Susan Dingwall provides ‘efficient, pragmatic advice’, and is appreciated for her ‘no-nonsense and direct approach’. Clients include ACE, Chartis, Marsh and QBE.

Slaughter and May ‘gets to the root of issues at an early stage, and provides excellent strategic advice’ to insureds, brokers and insurers. Richard Clark and Efstathios Michael ‘belong in the top band of commercial insurance lawyers’. Michael successfully represented Equitas in High Court proceedings to pursue multiple reinsurance claims against its reinsurer, R&Q Reinsurance. Marsh & McLennan is a key client.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised Japanese reinsurer Aioi Nissay Dowa, a new client, on potential claims relating to World Trade Center liabilities exceeding $300m. Clients commend the ‘excellent service and commercial approach’, and practice head Richard Leedham is ‘very knowledgeable and user friendly’. The firm recruited Jamie Harrison from Winston & Strawn London, while Simon Twigden and Michael Green left to found niche litigation practice Enyo Law LLP.

‘A boutique law firm, with lower fees and fewer frills than the usual big players’, Carter Perry Bailey LLP provides ‘excellent and timely advice’. Its partners are ‘outstanding’, with Bill Perry particularly recommended for reinsurance disputes; Bernadette Bailey for ‘all liabilities and insurance related matters’; Stephen Carter for run-off litigation; and William Sturge for coverage issues. The team is handling work arising from the AGF v Lexington case.

Clausen Miller, L.L.P.’s ‘relatively small but highly professional’ team ‘punches well above its weight’. John Startin is ‘experienced, and has a great eye for detail’; Jane Beacham is ‘outstanding, and very focused on clients ’ needs, often going beyond the expected’; and Jonathan Hall is also recommended. Startin recently represented SCOR, Swiss Re and Liberty and their cedant in a multimillion-dollar coverage dispute with the original insured.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s ‘very experienced and very able’ lawyers provide ‘good value for money’. Kenneth McKenzie, Danny Gowan, Philip Murrin, and the ‘pragmatic and commercial’ Michael Dobias are recommended, as is William Allison, who has been assisting Equitas in various multimillion-pound reinsurance recoveries against Mexican reinsurer Aseguradora Interacciones.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s of counsel Nicholas Rochez is leading a team advising RSA on liability and exposure relating to D&O cover for Northern Rock. Peter Sharp is advising several London market reinsurers (including Beazley Underwriting, Swiss Re and XL) in a major dispute with reinsurers in the GCC. Nick Greenwood ‘brings great clarity to matters, giving good, clear advice with realism and commercialism’.

Eversheds LLP represents insureds, brokers, insurers and reinsurers, and is acting in multimillion-pound reinsurance litigation for high-profile clients. New clients include Markel, Hiscox, Quinn, Barbican and HSB, and it has a growing policyholder practice. The team recruited Jeremy Irving from DLA Piper UK LLP. Matthew Allen and practice head Simon Brooks are also recommended.

Fishburns LLP has ‘a good depth of skilled lawyers’, who are ‘talented, dedicated and very pleasant to deal with’. The firm has handled multimillion-pound coverage disputes for market-leading insurers, and its client roster includes Mitsui Sumitomo, Canopius, Zurich and Trafigura. Ian Welland is ‘dependable and easy to work with’; John Groome is an ‘excellent negotiator with natural authority’; Peter Sewell has ‘a statesman-like wealth of knowledge and diplomatic approach’; Jonathan Moss shows ‘incisive understanding and attention to detail’; and Robert Lloyd is also recommended.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s team has ‘significant experience’, which was strengthened by the addition of Antony Woodhouse from Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP. Woodhouse has ‘in-depth Bermuda Form knowledge’, and ‘beneath his easy-going and self-deprecating manner, he is incredibly sharp and insightful’. David Breslin is an ‘excellent strategist’, Nick Bradley is ‘one of the best’, and Simon King is recommended as one to watch. Clients include Allianz, Canada Life and QBE.

Edward Smerdon heads Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP’s insurance disputes team, which advised several insurers regarding their exposure to substantial mis-selling claims. D&O liability, financial institutions, energy, and product liability and recall are all significant strengths for the team, which counts XL, ACE, Chubb, Torus and Chaucer among its clients.

Steptoe & Johnson has developed a solid reputation in the space, and earns ‘high marks for the quality of its advice’. It acted for several insurers and reinsurers in pharmaceutical liability insurance claims, and also represented Generali in the Commercial Court in Orient-Express Hotels Ltd v Assicurazioni Generali SpA. Angus Rodger, who ‘can be relied upon for particularly incisive advice’, is recommended along with associates Michael Wharfe and Tim Searle.

Bird & Bird’s team acts for insurers and policyholders, and has particular expertise in line with the firm’s strengths in aviation, aerospace, defence, energy and utilities. Peter Knight advised in a multimillion-dollar arbitration involving claims under a policy placed with South American insurers and reinsured in London. It also acted for RWE npower and its captive regarding an estimated £22m claim for indemnity from reinsurers.

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘building an impressive global insurance practice’. The team continues to act for 38 international insurers, led by Munich Re and Swiss Re, regarding BHP Billiton’s $2bn property and BI claims. Charles Gordon, David Murphy and John Curran are recommended.

Elborne Mitchell advises on general coverage, and on liability claims and disputes arising from all risks (including political and war). The ‘impressive’ Rosalind Jones advises on insurance and reinsurance.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s team continues to handle property and general liability claims. It has grown its reinsurance practice, and acted for Minster Insurance in a claim against a Canadian reinsurer. Other clients include Axis Re, Capita and Whittington. Michael Mitchell and Victoria Jordan are ‘both very experienced in this field’, and Peter Driscoll is also recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP ‘holds its own in a very competitive market’, and provides ‘an excellent, personal level of service’, ‘strong partner support’, ‘tailored advice’, and ‘value for money’. It represented a leading general insurer in a multimillion-dollar reinsurance dispute. Colin Read is ‘very knowledgeable in reinsurance’; Fiona Heyes is ‘able to problem solve the most complicated of matters’; and Alexis Roberts is also recommended. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Richard Slaven, formerly of Halliwells.

Robin Simon LLP, a boutique set up specifically to cater to the insurance industry, continues to enhance its reputation. Michael Robin and senior solicitor Joanne Staphnill are recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP bolstered its team by recruiting Martin Membery, formerly head of insurance at Pinsent Masons LLP. Dorothy Cory-Wright has been advising a Bermudian reinsurer, Pulsar Re, on the provisional liquidation of Lehman Re. Other clients include Lonmar Global Risks and Magnetar Capital.

Simmons & Simmons advises on insurance matters including coverage policies, D&O, product liability, financial institutions, professional liability and reinsurance. The team continues to advise on coverage issues arising from the Madoff Ponzi fraud. James Pollock, Christopher Braithwaite, William Rodger and Caroline Hunter-Yeats are recommended.

Marine insurance specialist Stephenson Harwood has a ‘very strong team that is extremely responsive and very commercial’. Its expertise includes disputes in hull, trade, commodity and energy insurance. It advised Torus on a $1bn coverage policy, and often represents RSA in coverage disputes. Simon Moore is ‘very focused, punches above his weight and is straight talking’, and practice head Alex Davis is ‘the go-to man on marine matters’.

Taylor Wessing LLP was instructed by Swiss Re to act for its reinsureds in certain marine claims. Recent arrival Susannah Wakefield is recommended, and has particular experience in Bermuda Form policies. Anthony Menzies’ work is ‘of a particularly high standard’.

Weightmans LLP’s two-partner team specialises in reinsurance claims and general coverage disputes, and has progressed well since its formation in 2008. Colin Peck is a ‘confident and knowledgeable reinsurance lawyer’.

Property recovery is a ‘particular strength’ of Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, which provides a ‘very efficient service with a very capable team of partners and solicitors’. Warren King and Catherine Hawkins are ‘both excellent lawyers who provide a detailed technical opinion’, and ‘effective litigators’. Hawkins’ practice includes fire and explosion losses, and related coverage issues and litigation defence.

Fulbright & Jaworski International LLP’s Chris Warren-Smith is recommended for his ‘client-handling skills’, and Melanie Ryan for her ‘sheer commitment and approach’. The firm was retained to advise the London insurance market on its Madoff exposures worldwide, with losses exceeding $1bn. The team is on ACE’s panel, and also represents Novae Syndicates and Brit Insurance.

Greenwoods Solicitors’ defendant insurance practice is particularly strong for property and construction matters, and is underpinned by the firm’s expertise in personal injury, professional indemnity, and health and safety matters. Clients include Aviva, Direct Line and Provident. Richard Houseago, Mark Aitken, John O’Shea and Sarah Cochran are recommended.

Hill Dickinson LLP has notable expertise in financial risk insurance. Clients include Talbot Underwriting, Liberty and Chubb. Rhys Clift heads the team, and is recommended along with Paul Taylor and consultant David Godfrey.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s insurance group has experience litigating and negotiating with Lloyd’s, the London market and other international insurers. The team represented a large US-based reinsurer in two arbitrations against London companies and Lloyd’s syndicates regarding recovery of reinsurance proceeds. John Hull, global co-chair of the litigation department, and of counsel Jumana Rahman are recommended.

Plexus Law is well respected for property damage claims, including catastrophic loss, with Julia Wilkinson and her team noted for their ‘expert knowledge and personal service’. Subrogated recovery claims represent a large source of work, and the group successfully defended an insured of RSA against a £3m claim. Tim Roberts is recommended.

Victoria Brackett heads Thomas Eggar LLP’s four-partner insurance practice, which represents clients such as Abbey Legal Protection and Cavell.

‘Quality outfit’ Allen & Overy LLP has a good reputation for policyholder representation, and Bermuda Form excess liability and pharmaceutical product liability claims are strong areas of practice. The dedicated team successfully handled various claims in 2010, including financial line professional indemnity and D&O liability, and also first party loss and third party liability claims directly arising from the Madoff fraud. Richard Farnhill, Richard Smith, Judith Gill QC and practice head Joanna Page are recommended.

Covington & Burling LLP’s London practice undoubtedly benefits from the firm’s US coverage practice, with transatlantic coverage matters a key area of work. Recent matters include commercial coverage disputes, London coverage arbitrations (mainly in product liability), and challenges to solvent schemes of arrangement. The team continues to represent Textron, ExxonMobil, Goodrich, ITT and Zapata in their challenge to the Scottish Lion solvent scheme. Clients appreciate the ‘easy access to senior lawyers’, and highly recommend Roger Enock and of counsel Richard Mattick.

Herbert Smith LLP is a ‘knowledgeable and well-respected operator’ in policyholder litigation, with key areas of strength being the financial institutions and property sectors. In the energy sector, it advised BP on insurance recoveries connected to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and successfully represented Chevron in a dispute arising from the Buncefield explosion. Christopher Foster and Alexander Oddy are ‘quick to appreciate the context of the policyholder’s situation’, and are recommended along with Paul Lewis and practice head David Reston.

K&L Gates acts exclusively for policyholders, and clients appreciate the absence of conflict with insurers and the team’s related ability ‘to drive hard for the client’. Key areas of expertise include financial institutions, construction and engineering, trade credit, and political risk and energy insurance. The firm has been retained by Man Group to review financial lines policies. Group head Jane Harte-Lovelace and Sarah Turpin are ‘knowledgeable, and considerate to all issues’, and ‘follow through with their advice and strategy’.

Reed Smith’s insurance recovery group, headed by Peter Hardy, works closely with the energy, trade and commodities group, which has generated new instructions on coverage disputes. The team is acting for a client in a multimillion-dollar arbitration relating to D&O policy claims. Clients include AT&T, Credit Agricole, and Anadarko Petroleum. Mark Connoley is recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP joins the ranking, with a rapidly growing reputation in policyholder representation. Practice head Richard Leedham led the team in acting for Standard Life in a £100m professional indemnity coverage claim testing liability to third-party customers for alleged mis-selling of pension funds.

The ‘highly experienced’ Michael Whitton heads Edwin Coe LLP’s insurance team, which has ‘an ability to focus on the most important issues from a very early stage’, and exhibits ‘wide experience and formidable intellect’. Roger Franklin is recommended along with associate Nicola Maher, who recently joined and is ‘a very valuable addition to the team’. Clients include Synergy Healthcare and Kidde Products.

Home to the UK’s largest personal injury practice, Irwin Mitchell LLP is a ‘market leader’, with ‘experience and client-handling skills that are second to none’. Practice head Colin Ettinger is ‘a great campaigner for causes’, and particularly adept at brain and spinal injury cases. Tracey Storey is renowned for her ‘pioneering work for victims of childhood abuse’, ‘relates well to clients, and adopts a sensible and holistic approach to problems’. The practice is structured to include a number of specialist teams, including a ‘superb’ asbestos disease unit. Recent recruit Amanda Stevens, who joined from Charles Russell LLP, is ‘a great addition’, being ‘quietly authoritative and extremely industrious’, and showing ‘superb judgement’. Alison Eddy, Guy Darlaston, Demetrius Danas, Michael Zurbrugg, Caroline Pinfold and Keith Barrett are also recommended.

Leigh Day & Co’s five-partner personal injury department is often at the forefront of group litigation, and has vast experience in bringing claims for UK and foreign nationals injured by multinational corporations and public authorities. Work in 2010 included acting in a £4.2m claim for a client who suffered brain injuries in a road traffic accident in Croatia, and reaching a settlement with the Ministry of Defence regarding claims by the families of five RAF servicemen who died in Iraq in 2005. Joint department heads Sally Moore and Martyn Day are prominent market figures. Also recommended are Daniel Easton, a renowned asbestos litigator; Sapna Malik, who focuses on serious human rights abuses; Bozena Michalowska Howells; and Richard Meeran.

Stewarts Law LLP receives exceptional feedback for its handling of cases, and is well known for its niche in high-value claims and for ‘attracting the best-quality work’. Clients feel that their concerns and views are considered. Practice head Paul Paxton is ‘exceptional in every respect’, ‘professional and compassionate’; Julian Chamberlayne is ‘technically one of the best personal injury lawyers in the country’; Clare Salmon has an ‘impressively detailed and thorough approach’; Charles Edwards ‘has amazing knowledge’; and Kevin Grealis is ‘friendly, helpful, and always listening and advising well’. Stuart Dench, John Cahill Andrew Dinsmore and Ben Rogers are also recommended.

Anthony Gold’s ‘level of service is excellent from the outset’, with its solicitors providing ‘thorough knowledge and experience’. Team head Jon Nicholson has ‘excellent knowledge of personal injury law together with attention to detail’. Sana Bibi was promoted to partner in 2010, and has a ‘friendly, professional and efficient approach’. Jenny Kennedy ‘inspires confidence from the outset’, and is recommended along with David Marshall, Jackie Spinks, Ali Malsher, and Stephanie Prior.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘excellent litigation team’ is ‘particularly strong at industrial disease and catastrophic brain injury work’, and ‘treats clients with sensitivity’. Recent achievements include securing a £5.5m settlement for a girl brain-injured by a road traffic accident, a case led by the ‘exceptional’ Jill Greenfield, who has ‘few equals in getting results’. Practice head Rodney Nelson-Jones is an expert on asbestos claims, and ‘has long been a leader in this field’. Harminder Bains is ‘courageous and dedicated’, Andrew Morgan is ‘innovative, and pushes boundaries’, and the ‘universally respected’ Peter Williams is ‘superb with clients’.

Russell Jones & Walker’s growing team is ‘going from strength to strength’ and ‘produces work of a high standard’. Its expertise includes employers’ liability, disease, catastrophic injury claims, cycle accidents and road traffic claims. Practice head Paul Kitson has ‘good client-handling skills’, and is ‘unflappable, with excellent judgement’. Liz Dux is ‘efficient, organised and methodical’. The ‘thoughtful’ Alison Kerr is also recommended, along with Tristan Hallam, who ‘attends to detail, achieving excellent results’, and Kimberley Owen and Richard Geraghty.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP is noted for its trade union representation. It also represents many personal injury clients on a private basis, and has moved towards specialisation in a number of areas of late. These include serious injuries, with Henrietta Phillips at the forefront, and asbestos, which is headed by Lorna Webster. David Thompson is also recommended.

Bolt Burdon Kemp’s primary contact is Jonathan Wheeler, who provides ‘sensitive advice’, and is ‘knowledgeable and supportive while being realistic’. The practice specialises in child abuse, military, head injury and major trauma claims.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s practice focuses solely on high-value complex claims arising from catastrophic injuries, many of which have international and cross-border elements. Practice head Warren Collins is ‘creative in seeking solutions to difficult problems’.

Peter Todd heads the ‘down-to-earth’ personal injury team at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP, and has particular expertise in vaccine-related claims. Todd’s ‘quiet and friendly approach ensures he obtains the best for clients’. Also recommended is ‘legend’ Patrick Allen, who ‘has boundless enthusiasm’.

Pattinson & Brewer’s niche practice is led by Frances McCarthy, whose wide-ranging expertise includes workplace accidents, and asbestos and occupational disease claims.

Prince Evans’ Bryan Neill has brought numerous successful actions for tetraplegic, paraplegic and brain-injured clients. Both he and Gary Smith are recommended.

Deborah Blythe is the key contact at Russell-Cooke LLP, which takes on claims of all sizes. The practice is increasingly involved in inquests.

Bindmans LLP is highly regarded for its ‘excellent level of service’, and ‘specialist expertise’ in areas including human rights.

Fentons Solicitors LLP wins positive feedback from clients for its ‘outstanding’ service. Katherine Allen is ‘sincere, approachable and knowledgeable’.

Howard Kennedy has a fine reputation, largely due to ‘two remarkable individuals’, namely Elizabeth Smith and Ian Mulkis. Both are ‘talented and assiduous, such that this firm is a truly first-class outfit’.

Levenes specialises in personal injury claims, and fields 20 partners across its London and Birmingham offices.

Stuart Kightley at Osbornes is ‘effective and helpful’, and ‘focuses on the needs of the individual’. The department also includes the experienced Wendy Wright.

Pritchard Englefield’s clients value its services, with one commenting that ‘there is no limit to the size of claim we would ask them to pursue’.

Prolegal Solicitors is a ‘well-run’, up-and-coming firm that ‘will in all probability be a force to be reckoned with’. Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.

RMPI LLP represents claimants in spinal injury and accident at work cases, among others.

Simpson Millar LLP’s key contact is Adrian Fawden, who is ‘very client focused’, and ‘particularly knowledgeable and experienced in the field of industrial disease’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s leading practice represents clients such as Zurich Financial Services, Allianz, John Lewis, and NFU Mutual Insurance Society. The group was instructed by Zurich Municipal in the defence of Tandridge District Council in a group claim connected to an E.coli outbreak at Godstone Farm in 2009. Kevin Bitmead heads the team, which includes the ‘thorough and wholly dependable’ Danielle Singer and former barrister Charles Brown, who ‘has an instinctive grasp of strategy’, and is ‘a first-rate communicator’. David Knapp is also recommended, and is particularly experienced in actions involving police, social services or local authorities.

‘Excellent on all counts’, Beachcroft is ‘simply up among the best’. Its enviable list of blue-chip clients includes British Airways, which instructs the firm on all of its employers’ liability claims, including matters involving turbulence, baggage-handling injuries and work-related stress. London practice head Tania Sless is recommended for her ‘dedication, knowledge, tenacity and customer focus’, and Andrew Parker also has ‘great credibility in the market’. Paula Jefferson and consultant Patricia Baxter each have ‘an excellent understanding of the public sector’, and are ‘well informed of developments in the law’.

‘One of the most specialist, expert and experienced firms’, Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is ‘at the top of the pile in this area of work’, and represents numerous well-known insurers and public sector clients. Michael Pether is ‘well organised and well liked’, and ‘an excellent manager of his team’. Boris Cetnik is highly intelligent, and widely regarded as ‘a disease claim guru’, and Jennette Newman is ‘personable, pragmatic and incredibly customer focused’. Terry Renouf is another well-established figure.

DWF LLP has expanded rapidly over the past few years, and its success is credited to the exceptional calibre of its people; ‘the extent of the team’s knowledge is first class’. At the forefront is Graham Dickinson, who is ‘vastly experienced in catastrophic cases’. Claire Bowler has ‘impressive knowledge of the complexities of cases with a foreign element’, and is ‘a delight to work with’. Mark Whittaker oversees the public sector practice, and his ‘management of the team is assured, and sensitive to market conditions’. Associate Katharine Brook shows ‘tireless enthusiasm’.

One of ‘the best in class for personal injury’, Greenwoods Solicitors is a ‘top-class firm’, in which clients have ‘total confidence’. It advises high-profile clients in the insurance, self-insurance and corporate markets. While ‘all the lawyers meet an exceptionally high standard’, the ‘top-drawer’ Malcolm Henke is ‘a major player at the head of the pack’. Chris Crook is also ‘outstanding’, and ‘a trusted adviser’. Charles Ashmore is also recommended, along with health and safety law expert Stephen Byass, the ‘innovative’ Steven King, and the ‘excellent’ Philip Tracey.

Following a series of mergers over recent years, Kennedys now fields a robust team of established experts. Practice head Mark Burton is ‘exceptional’, and ‘particularly impressive’ because of his ‘holistic view of litigation’. Rachel Moore is ‘hardworking, well informed, sensible and reliable’, and up-and-coming solicitor Mark Skinner is recommended for his ‘sound advice on technical issues’. Joe McManus, Charles Martin, Roger Jones and Tim Wilson are also recommended.

Plexus Law’s 32-partner team is progressing well under Tim Oliver. Its clients include QBE, Novae and RBS. Justin Collins provides ‘sound and realistic advice’, and Claire Mulligan has excellent travel law knowledge. Andrew McDougall is also recommended.

At Browne Jacobson LLP, ‘the overall level of service is of the highest standard’. Steven Conway is recommended for a ‘robust and refreshing approach that leads to desired results’, and Andrew Pieri is ‘truly exceptional, with a deep knowledge of insurance law’. David Maggs is adept at public law matters.

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘meticulous’ Howard Watson has considerable expertise in high-value personal injury claims, and specialises in group actions. The firm predominantly focuses on claims exceeding £1m. It advised TXU’s administrators on asbestos claims brought against one of its group companies. Anthony Dempster is also recommended.

Watmores' defendant PI team is a ‘strong outfit’. Simon Johnson has particular expertise in defending public and private sector clients against employers’ and public liability claims. Jon Grunewald, who is also recommended, led in advising Municipal Mutual Insurance Company in the ‘EL Trigger’ litigation.

Elaine Chapman heads the personal injury team at Weightmans LLP, which has a ‘professional and down-to-earth approach’. Sarah Hamilton is also recommended. The firm recently added a team of solicitors from Vizards Wyeth.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s size and status in the market enables it to handle complex group actions and individual litigation, particularly cases relating to pharmaceutical, medical, occupational health, and transport disasters. The group, led by Andrew Tucker, was recently instructed in relation to numerous claims following the failure of ‘metal on metal’ hip replacements. Also recommended are David Body, Clive Garner, Suki Chhokar, and Jim Morris.

Leigh Day & Co has a strong reputation for defective product claims, including cases involving medical devices, drugs and prostheses, while past successes include groundbreaking cases relating to tobacco and contraceptive pills. The firm is representing over 250 claimants who have undergone early revision procedures following DePuy ASR hip implants. It is also representing two groups of Parkinson’s disease sufferers who allege that they developed pathological gambling habits after being prescribed the drugs Cabaser and ReQuip. Practice head Martyn Day, Bozena Michalowska Howells and Gene Matthews are recommended.

Cardiff-based Hugh James handles an eclectic mix of claims, including cases concerning household products, aircraft furniture, E.coli poisoning, and medical prostheses, and group litigation involving PIP breast implants. Mark Harvey is the key contact.

Russell Jones & Walker’s practice is led by Birmingham-based Richard Langton, and was recently involved in the high-profile ‘toxic sofa’ litigation, acting as lead adviser in the GLO and for 90% of the injured claimants. It also acted for over 80 victims of hand injuries caused by buggies, reaching a settlement with McLaren and its insurers.

Hailed as ‘a fantastic life sciences firm’, Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP has particular expertise in medical product liability claims, and is accustomed to representing multinational pharmaceutical companies. The team regularly gives non-contentious advice on product liability issues, and is adept at handling unitary and multi-claimant cases. Practice head Ian Dodds-Smith is highly rated, and his team includes several medically and scientifically qualified lawyers. Alison Brown, Lincoln Tsang, Adela Williams and counsel Elizabeth Driver are also recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP has ‘one of the leading practices in Europe’, with a particularly strong client base in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. It continues to advise AstraZeneca Insurance Company on over 30,000 claims relating to Seroquel. Practice head Simon Pearl and Alison McAdams are ‘brilliant strategic and tactical thinkers’, with ‘expertise and understanding of healthcare product safety that is second to none’. Michael Goldberg is also recommended, particularly for high-value claims.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘broad practice’ is ‘particularly renowned in the manufacturing sector’, and has ‘a number of very good and sensible lawyers’. Recent key instructions include representing Merck in Vioxx litigation in the UK and certain other parts of Europe. Other clients include Vodafone, Toshiba and British American Tobacco, and the team has also been representing various clients on food safety and asbestos claims. Practice head John Meltzer and Rod Freeman are recommended.

Ashurst LLP’s practice centres on tobacco and health-related claims, including pharmaceutical, life sciences and chemicals litigation, and the firm also advises on product safety regulations. It represented Deloitte, as the administrators of Land of Leather, in defending group litigation alleging allergic skin reactions from its furniture. Other clients include Imperial Tobacco and Aventis Animal Nutrition. Arundel McDougall is recommended, along with recently promoted partner Mark Clarke.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s wide-ranging practice represents household names such as Starbucks, Apple, and Abercrombie & Fitch. The nine-partner team recently represented several clients in Environment Agency investigations into potential breaches of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006. Practice head John Leadley has considerable expertise across sectors including TMT, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and toys. Joanna Ludlam leads the multidisciplinary investigation team.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘pragmatic’ team acted for InBev UK on two UK-wide product recalls, and advised JTI on regulatory matters. Other clients include Heinz and Smith & Nephew. The team is highly valued for its ability to advise multinational clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes. John Blain and Paul Bowden are recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP’s focus is very much on big-ticket work; clients instruct the team ‘when specialist expertise is required’, and its ‘speed of response is exceptional’. The outstanding Anthony Dempster ‘has the ability to summarise and simplify very complex issues, bringing one up to speed in a short period of time’. Howard Watson and Alexander Oddy are also recommended.

‘A dynamic firm’ that is ‘going places’, Kennedys combines ‘professional competence’ and ‘humanity’. The team has achieved considerable growth over recent years, and in 2011 recruited Anne Ware from Covington & Burling LLP. Recent highlights include acting for Rolls-Royce’s insurers in relation to a failure of propulsion units which led to high-profile litigation in Florida and England. Other clients include GE, which retains the firm for product matters. Trevor Davies and practice head Shane Sayers are recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is widely respected for its broad coverage, international capabilities and the reputation of John Kelleher. Recent instructions include defending GlaxoSmithKline against claims relating to its antidepressant drug Seroxat.

Mark Wing heads Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s ‘strong department’, which is ‘well grounded in this field’. Insurer clients include Zurich, Chartis and Munich Re. It recently acted for Chartis and Home Retail Group in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation, in which claimants alleged a skin condition caused by furniture. Giles Kavanagh and Hugh Mullins are recommended. Jason Bright left for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP.

Beachcroft advises insurers and reinsurers on high-value claims. Recent highlights include representing Zurich as the insurer of Land of Leather in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation. Wendy Hopkins and Chris Wilkes head the department.

Clyde & Co LLP’s team gives ‘clear, concise advice’, and is flourishing following several hires from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. Its expertise includes agriculture and food, engineering and automotive, and pharmaceuticals claims. Neil Beresford, Manoj Vaghela and Chris Harris are recommended.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP regularly represents insurers and reinsurers in large and complex claims, particularly regarding pharmaceuticals and medical devices. It also acted for Centre Re and Munich Re as reinsurers of T&N’s £500m asbestos liability policy. Laurence Harris and David Kendall head the team.

Reed Smith has ‘good knowledge of the industry, and provides good value for money’. Key contact Paul Llewellyn is ‘commercially realistic’, and gives ‘good, clear and timely advice’. It represents an impressive range of blue-chip clients from the automobile, medical devices and pharmaceuticals industries.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s ‘very capable team’, headed by Stuart White, provides a ‘good and consistent level of service’. It regularly receives instructions from insurers including Allianz and QBE. In 2011, the practice recruited renowned expert Jason Bright from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Covington & Burling LLP’s practice is now led by Grant Castle and Roger Enock, following Anne Ware’s departure to Kennedys. The firm enjoys an international reputation for acting on high-profile cases.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s clients include Omega Pharma and Selfridges. The ‘charming’ Ingrid Hobbs ‘pulls out all the stops for her clients’ and leads the insurance practice, while Miles Robinson leads on non-insurance matters.

Andrew Masterson leads Pinsent Masons’ national team, which advises on the preventative, crisis management and recovery aspects of product liability. Clients include IMI, Dixons Retail, Schneider Group and Saint Gobain.

Simmons & Simmons primarily acts for consumer goods, telecommunications and retail clients, including Orkla, Lantmannen, and Polaris. Mark Dewar leads the practice.

Jim Sherwood heads Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s London practice, which predominantly represents insurers, including Mitsui, Zurich and QBE.

Philip Pfeffer at Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP has considerable experience in defending individual and class actions. Clients include British American Tobacco.

Clifford Chance advises on claims relating to healthcare, transport and asbestos. Julian Acratopulo is the key contact in London.

Eversheds LLP’s experienced team handles complex cases for clients such as Tyco. Richard Matthews and Simon Brooks are recommended.

Product liability is a specialism for Fox Hartley, which includes a number of motor manufacturers among its clients. It advises on matters such as group litigation and insurance coverage disputes. Trevor Fox is recommended.

Craig Shuttleworth is Jones Day’s key partner for product liability.

Manches LLP’s John Doherty is ‘a fantastic lawyer’ who ‘really understands the needs of clients’. The team acts for British American Tobacco and Wolseley, among others.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP’s ‘performance is consistently excellent’. Its clients include Philip Morris, Medmarc and Pfizer. Managing partner Simon Castley is recommended.

Birmingham-based Wragge & Co LLP’s practice continues to develop, particularly within the telecommunications sector. Andrew Smith and Andrew Litchfield are recommended.

A ‘true market leader’ and ‘first-class practice’, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s 16-partner team is led by Sarah Clover, ‘the doyenne of professional negligence’. It handles claims and advises on insurance, reinsurance and global policy for the captive insurers of the Big Four accounting firms. It also acts for Catlin, QBE, Mitsui and Novae. Andrew Blair is ‘superb’; Fergal Cathie is recommended for his ‘excellent response times’; Neil Jamieson has great experience and shows ‘toughness where necessary’; and the ‘highly skilled’ Simon Konsta is also recommended. Julian Randall moved to Taylor Wessing LLP in October 2010.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘excellent team’ is ‘always willing to go the extra mile’. The 12-partner group advises some of the world’s largest insurers, and its expertise extends across the areas of accountants, brokers, surveyors, financial professionals, construction professionals and solicitors. Stephen Netherway is ‘outstanding’, and is recommended along with the ‘first-rate’ Belinda Schofield, the ‘excellent’ Liam O’Connell, the ‘top-notch’ Kirsty Hick, the ‘knowledgeable’ Martin Fox, Peter Maguire, and the ‘thoroughly organised’ Timothy Ingham.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s ‘practical and innovative’ 15-partner team provides clients with an ‘excellent level of service’. Clients include ACE, Beazley, AIG/Chartis, QBE, Dual Corporate Risks, Knight Frank, and BNP Paribas Real Estate. The renowned Clare Canning is ‘one of the best’, Sean Connolly is ‘excellent’, and William Glassey ‘continues to excel’ with ‘novel and compelling approaches to complex matters’. Jim Oulton is ‘able to cut across complex legal argument to explain in a succinct and intelligible manner’. Michael Regan, Matthew Lawson, Simon Willis, Lindsay McQuillian and Sally Davies are also recommended. Ian Roberts and Angus Duncan recently made partner.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s 19-partner team provides ‘first-class’ service, and its ‘advice and support is consistently high quality’. The group serves the legal, insurance, financial, construction and technology sectors, and ‘the most complex matters are carefully considered and explained without any legalistic jargon.’ Alexandra Anderson has a ‘quick grasp of even the most complex of matters’; Nick Bird is ‘outstanding’; and Katherine Rees is ‘creative, sensible and pragmatic’. Paul Castellani is ‘great with clients’, and department head Tim Bull and construction group head Robert Hogarth are also recommended. The ‘commercial’ Simon Laird recently made partner.

Herbert Smith LLP acts for claimants and defendants in many sectors, including financial services and insurance, legal services, technology, and construction. The renowned David Reston heads the insurance and reinsurance disputes group, and Sonya Leydecker heads the litigation and arbitration department, whose ‘service is consistently excellent’. The 18-partner team also includes the ‘high-quality’ Alexander Oddy, and Paul Lewis, who maintains ‘good client relationships’.

Matt Andrews heads the 28-partner team at Kennedys, which has an ‘excellent reputation for defence work’, and is ‘technically very good’. Its expertise spans the legal, financial, and construction sectors. Sue Plumb and the ‘excellent’ Simon Gibson are recommended.

Harriet Strevens heads Beachcroft’s highly regarded nine-partner team, which represents clients including Aviva, Chubb, Hiscox, Barbican Syndicates, Liberty Mutual, QBE, W R Berkley, and Zurich. Richard Beaty has a ‘wealth of experience’. Karen Cargill, Julian Miller, and Trevor Chamberlain – national head of dispute resolution – are also recommended.

Beale and Company Solicitors LLP is recommended for its niche expertise in representing the construction profession, and is also very active in the legal, financial and insurance sectors. It fields 16 partners across its London, Bristol and Dublin offices, with Ed Anderson and Antony Smith particularly recommended.

The ‘calm and experienced’ Charlotte Capstick has ‘a real ability to get things done’, and heads the 12-partner team at Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, which houses specialist groups focusing on legal services, financial services, insurance, construction, property, social services and trade unions. The ‘reliable’ team includes Caterina Yandell, who is ‘brilliant at client handling’, and has a ‘highly proactive and effective approach to dispute resolution’. Martin Jensen and Alex Traill were promoted to partner in October 2010.

Bond Pearce LLP’s ‘experienced’ team represents clients such as Mitsui, Chartis, Travelers and Bar Mutual. The ‘brilliant’ Richard Dedman and ‘excellent’ team head Karen Morrish are recommended. Emily Monastiriotis, who is recommended for her experience in high-profile construction claims, recently joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.

Clyde & Co LLP’s ‘first-rate’ team brings and defends claims involving lawyers, accountants, architects, surveyors, company directors, finance and insurance brokers, and healthcare professionals. It is advising London insurers regarding the Madonna concert stadium collapse in Toulouse. Victor Rae-Reeves and Julian Connerty are recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s ‘outstanding’ 23-partner team represents clients including Allianz, Beazley, Swiss Re and Zurich. William Allison, Philip Murrin and Ross Risby are recommended. Edward Coulson joined from Robin Simon LLP in 2010 to lead professional negligence work in Manchester.

Eversheds LLP has an ‘exceptional’ six-partner team for professional negligence work. It is acting for JLT in an insurance coverage dispute over the Camden Market fire in 2008. Other clients include Miller, HCC, Lockton International, and Quinn Insurance. The ‘first-class’ Simon Brooks has deep experience in claims against brokers, and is recommended along with Matthew Allen and Paul Davison.

Fishburns LLP’s 18-partner team provides ‘excellent service’. Its experience spans the construction, engineering, legal and financial sectors, with a recent increase in management and professional liability issues. It defended an engineering firm in a £250m claim arising from the design and construction of Wembley National Stadium, and acted in a £90m claim involving a warehouse fire. Peter Sewell and senior partner Antony Marsh ‘give great advice’ and ‘get deals done’. Chairman Peter Campion is ‘excellent at handling clients’, Andrew Davis is ‘very experienced and reliable’, Harriet Quiney ‘continues to impress’, and Simon Mason is also recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘high-quality’ team, headed by the ‘absolutely first-rate’ Nicholas Heaton, defended a solicitor and his insurers against serious allegations of breach of trust and fiduciary duty as director of a property investment company and trustee of two related family trusts. The group is also advising a major UK accountancy firm in a negligence action against brokers and insurance consultants following denial of coverage by professional indemnity insurers. The ‘excellent’ Angela Dimsdale Gill and consultant John Trotter are also recommended.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s national practice ‘rates very highly’. It was instructed by Newline, as insurer of an insolvent contractor specialising in the design and construction of hotels, in the defence of a £5.4m claim, and the pursuit of third-party recovery against sub-consultants. XL Insurance instructed the ‘highly recommended’ Virginia Hickley in a £5m claim against a firm of solicitors for breach of undertaking. Neil Davis and Nicolas Oldham are also recommended.

The ‘sensible and knowledgeable’ Fiona Heyes heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which gives ‘excellent advice and guidance on tactics’, and is praised for its ‘great response times’. It advised Barbican Syndicate 1955 in a claim against its insured following implementation of a new IT system. Jim Richards is ‘outstanding’. Richard Slaven recently joined from Halliwells.

Reed Smith’s ‘strong’ team advises on high-value claims across a range of professions, including cases involving accountancy firms, banks, barristers, law firms, construction professionals and insurance brokers. Key clients include AMEC, Atkins, QBE and Willis. Practice head Nick Speed is ‘brilliant’, and Mark Connoley is also recommended.

Robin Simon LLP’s ‘highly rated’ practice advises on high-value, complex matters in the financial, legal, insurance and construction sectors. Head of the London office Mark Aizlewood, Michael Robin, Jacquetta Castle, and managing partner David Simon are recommended.

Simmons & Simmons’ highly regarded group maintains ‘excellent personal relationships’ with clients, and acts for insurers and professional firms, with a focus on legal, accountancy, IT, construction and brokers. It acted for a leading firm of brokers, Lockton, in the defence of a third party claim for negligence brought in the Commercial Court by Barbon Insurance Group. Colin Passmore and Caroline Hunter-Yeats are recommended along with James Pollock, who heads the eight-partner team.

Withers LLP’s ‘very experienced’ team is valued for its ‘excellent response times’. It successfully represented Andrew Prynne QC and Oliver Campbell in a case relating to compensation claims made by injured coal miners. Team head Christopher Coffin is ‘calm and extremely reassuring’, but ‘gets straight to the point’.

Bird & Bird’s four-partner group advises clients such as PayPal, Elisa Oyj, Thames Water Utilities, and Forsta AP-Fonden. Jane Player and Ludovic de Walden head the team.

The four-partner team at Browne Jacobson LLP was instructed by one of the third party intermediaries in the high-profile Innovator group action. Jonathan Corman is ‘pragmatic and proactive, and responds quickly’, and Nottingham-based practice head Derek Bambury is also recommended.

Clifford Chance’s ‘highly rated’ team, headed by the ‘expert’ Philip Hill, focuses on high-value, complex claims, including domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Former team head Denis Brock left for Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Hong Kong.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ten-partner team, led by Andrew Hart, is ‘highly recommended’ for complex, high-value negligence matters. Clients include Deloitte, Travelers, and Brookfield Construction.

Jamie Monck-Mason heads the team at Hill Dickinson LLP, where clients include Aviva, Dental Protection, Aspen, Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund, HCC International Insurance Company, Mitsui and Newline. Angela Horne is recommended. Tim Hague and Dileep Pisharody recently made partner.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP’s eight-partner team is ‘definitely one to watch’. It is experienced in acting for buyers, sellers and intermediaries, with particular expertise in E&O insurance. David Robinson, Andrew Bandurka and Paul Wordley are recommended.

Ince & Co provides ‘fast responses’, excellent industry experience and knowledge, and advises clients in financial services, ship brokerage, legal services, surveying, and insurance. Team head David Rutherford is ‘a real specialist’, Alan Weir is ‘perceptive, knowledgeable and thoughtful’, and Chris Jefferis is also recommended.

Linklaters LLP specialises in high-end, complex matters, and represents the Big Four accounting firms, as well as banks and corporations. Kathryn Ludlow is recommended.

Susan Dingwall heads Norton Rose LLP’s four-partner team, which is recognised for its ability to advise a global client base on complex matters.

Plexus Law’s 11-partner team is ‘excellent’, ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘commercial’. The ‘first-rate’ Peter Court and the ‘highly respected’ Nigel Plant jointly head the team. Clients include QBE, AmTrust, Chartis UK, ACE and Liberty.

Slaughter and May’s ‘professional’ ten-partner team is led by the highly recommended Richard Clark. Recent work includes advising Mercer (Ireland) regarding proceedings brought by more than 350 plaintiffs in the Irish High Court regarding alleged pension entitlements and information provided on voluntary redundancy. It also advised SEB Trygg Liv in a £40m Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration regarding the purchase of a life assurance company and mis-selling of pensions.

Roland Foord heads the team at Stephenson Harwood, which provides ‘sound advice in a timely way’, and is ‘acutely aware of clients ’ needs’. It advised Christie’s International in a claim alleging that a painting sold by the auction house was a forgery.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s ‘knowledgeable’ 13-partner practice represents clients including Alliance & Leicester, British Airways, RBS and Hewlett-Packard. Laurence Lieberman and practice head Richard Marsh are recommended.