United Kingdom > London > Real estate > Environment
Index of tables
Environment
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- Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
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K&L Gates LLP - Nabarro LLP
- Osborne Clarke
Leading individuals
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- Paul Davies - Macfarlanes LLP
- Martyn Day - Leigh Day & Co
- Ross Fairley - Burges Salmon LLP
- Vanessa Havard-Williams - Linklaters LLP
- Nigel Howorth - Clifford Chance
- Michael Hutchinson - Mayer Brown International LLP
- Jonathan Isted - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
- Edward Keeble - Slaughter and May
- Owen Lomas - Travers Smith LLP
- Caroline May - Norton Rose LLP
- Steven McNab - Simmons & Simmons LLP
- Louise Moore - Herbert Smith LLP
- Kathy Mylrea - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
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Christopher Norton -
Hogan Lovells International LLP - Ian Salter - Burges Salmon LLP
- Claire Sheppard - Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Stephen Shergold - SNR Denton
- Paul Sheridan - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
- Aidan Thomson - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Matthew Townsend - Allen & Overy LLP
- Andrew Waite - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Andrew Wiseman - Stephenson Harwood
With great strength in depth, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP covers the spectrum of environmental work, including matters relating to waste management, permitting, carbon trading, renewables, due diligence, and environmental crime (with an increase in investigations by the Environment Agency). In 2011 it advised Red Industries regarding a prosecution for alleged cyanide pollution of the River Trent, and acted in a separate remediation case for Veolia Water Central. Practice head Paul Sheridan has an ‘excellent commercial approach to solving problems’, and is ‘very astute and comprehensive’. Olivia Quaid is ‘responsive, knowledgeable and pragmatic’.
Linklaters LLP’s environmental group advised Rio Tinto on the conversion of Lynemouth power station to produce biomass energy, and is advising the Treasury of South Africa on its renewables programme. The firm’s strong links to financial institutions generate work on significant transactions, such as acting on financing of a Glencore project in Equatorial Guinea. A dedicated team handles climate change issues, for which Chris Staples is the main contact; he recently advised the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on a facility to invest in carbon credits. Vanessa Havard-Williams is the global practice head.
Allen & Overy LLP has ‘a high level of expertise’ and ‘broad coverage’ in environmental matters. While the practice saw less work over the past year on environmental aspects of M&A, it experienced an increase in renewable energy transactions. Its dedicated regulatory team advised JPMorgan, Marubeni and other large corporations on REACH-related matters, and the climate change team supported Gazprom and Deutsche Bank on carbon trading matters in 2011. Matthew Townsend is ‘a great relationship-builder’, and ‘takes time to understand and support the client’s business’.
Baker & McKenzie LLP’s global environmental team is highlighted for its ‘longevity of involvement and leading personnel’. The practice is built around providing climate change advice for major clients, particularly in the areas of clean energy and low carbon. It advised the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI) on the development of legislation and policy in this burgeoning area, and is increasingly active in waste management and regulatory advice. It was reappointed as outside environmental counsel to Hewlett-Packard. Group head Graham Stuart ‘understands carbon business’. Renewable energy expert Marc Fevre joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in 2011.
Bristol-based Burges Salmon LLP has a significant practice spanning waste, nuclear, renewables, civil environmental litigation, and EU compliance. It advised Marks and Spencer plc on its sustainability and environmental programme, and acted for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on public procurement to manage Scotland’s Dounreay nuclear site. Michael Barlow is ‘very hands-on’, and is a litigation specialist with ‘extensive experience’. Georgie Messent joined Bond Pearce LLP in 2011.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a leading firm for environmental litigation matters, and is currently involved in a number of global cases, including acting for BP in an environmental damage matter brought by a group of landowners in Colombia. It continues to represent Airline 4 America in its challenge to the EU’s extension of its carbon emissions trading scheme to certain flights under US jurisdiction, which was argued before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice. John Blain and Benedikt Wolfers lead the highly rated six-partner team.
Herbert Smith LLP’s well-resourced team provides ‘outstanding service’, and ‘very practical and punchy’ advice. It is best known for its corporate transactional support for some of the world’s largest companies, but additionally handles environmental litigation, and recently advised an oil company on remediation and contaminated land issues. Clients include EDF, BP, Chevron, DONG Energy, and Apache. Team head Louise Moore is recommended, as is senior associate Kevin O’Connor, who provides ‘thorough legal analysis’ and has ‘an easy communication style’.
The ‘invaluable’ team at Leigh Day & Co is known for its commitment to social issues, and is ‘one of the best firms bringing environmental challenges’. In 2011, practice head Martyn Day continued to lead representation of 14,000 members of Nigeria’s Bodo community in a case brought against Shell following two large oil spills, for which the claimants are seeking damages in the High Court for land contamination and its effects on the fishing industry. It regularly acts for non-governmental organisations, of which it has an ‘exceptional understanding’. The firm’s expertise in judicial review is also recognised, with Richard Stein ‘the best tactician around’ in this area.
Macfarlanes LLP is well known for its contentious experience, and also provides environmental insurance advice. It recently worked with EM Global Limited and Corby Borough Council in the recovery of insurance relating to toxic waste claims. Other clients include Trafigura, LyondellBasell, Aeternum Capital, and SABIC UK Petrochemicals. The four-partner team, led by Paul Davies, is ‘savvy in business and environment issues’ , and recruited Larry George as a consultant in 2011.
Pinsent Masons LLP’s environmental team is ‘highly regarded and very professional’, and is highlighted for its up-to-date knowledge, which is ‘deployed to clients ’ advantage’. It has seen an increase in nuclear-related work, adding GDF Suez, NuGeneration, and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to its client roster. The firm was also appointed as environmental legal adviser to E.ON. The London team includes the ‘particularly strong’ Richard Ford, and Simon Colvin, who is ‘very committed to clients’.
SNR Denton’s ‘innovative and proactive’ environmental practice is noted for its ‘very thorough’ transactional support. On the regulatory side, it is advising the Environment Agency on some of the rulemaking aspects of the CRC Energy Efficiency scheme. It has also developed its expertise in environment-related insolvency work, acting for Baker Tilly and Zolfo Cooper, and has gained a number of new oil and gas industry clients, including International Spill Control Organization. Department head Stephen Shergold is ‘a determined negotiator’, and ‘understands clients ’ needs’.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice, headed by market-leading individual Claire Sheppard, saw an increase in regulatory investigations and contentious actions, acting in cases variously involving water contamination, landfill sites, EU permitting requirements, and phases two and three of the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme.
In 2011, Ashurst’s ‘highly regarded’ team advised Shanks Group and Scottish and Southern Energy on the feed-in tariff regime, and CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme on waste projects in the north of England. It also advised energy-from-waste clients on the Renewable Heat Incentive and Renewables Obligation regimes. Practice head Nigel Price has ‘impressive knowledge’, and is ‘always approachable’.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s practice covers energy and renewables, toxic tort claims, climate change, waste, environmental insurance, permitting, and contaminated land matters. It advised the Olympic Delivery Authority on its Energy and Sustainability Strategy, as well as on compliance with renewable energy targets for the Olympic Park. The ‘very competent’ Isabelle Laborde provides ‘clear, concise advice’.
A core component of Clifford Chance’s environmental practice is energy and infrastructure projects and related transactions. In 2011 it continued to advise Horizon Nuclear Power, a joint venture between RWE Npower and E.ON, on environmental consents for new nuclear power facilities pursuant to the acquisition of two development sites. The group also provided regulatory assistance to Pfizer on a number of issues, including carbon emissions accounting. Nigel Howorth leads the London team.
Providing an ‘exemplary’ service, DLA Piper UK LLP’s UK-wide team represents an international client base on a broad range of matters, including emissions trading allowances, civil litigation, compliance advice on Environmental Agency rules, and transaction-related environmental advice. Department head Teresa Hitchcock is recommended along with associate Penny Simpson, whose advice is ‘always accurate and relevant’; both are based in Sheffield.
Hogan Lovells International LLP’s environment and climate change department grew with the addition of Hunton & Williams LLP’s energy team, which brought with it a number of new clients. The climate change team counts Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley among its clients. The impressive Christopher Norton leads the three-partner group.
Mayer Brown International LLP’s practice is focused on environmental support on major transactions. Recent examples include advising Dow Chemical on the disposal of Chemoxy International; Progress Rail Services (a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc) on a manufacturing business acquisition from Balfour Beatty; and Wolf Minerals on its admission to AIM.
Norton Rose LLP’s environmental department is led by the experienced Caroline May, who specialises in sustainability, carbon reduction and contaminated land matters. The practice was appointed to BP’s panel as a specialist environmental legal adviser along with two other firms. It also advised Drax Power on the development of a major renewable energy plant in Lincolnshire.
Slaughter and May’s transactional practice is led by Edward Keeble, who has over 20 years’ experience in this area. It assisted on deals including Premier Oil’s acquisition of 17% of the Wytch Farm oilfield in Dorset from BP, and also advised the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in relation to the proposed UK Green Investment Bank.
Travers Smith LLP recently recruited consultant Owen Lomas from Allen & Overy LLP, significantly strengthening the firm’s offering in environmental law. The practice attracted more work relating to product stewardship and EU chemical law in 2011.
Bircham Dyson Bell LLP’s focus has been on major water projects, advising on South East Water’s Water Resource Management Plan and drought orders, as well as acting for the Environmental Agency on an application for a £22m tidal barrier on the River Orwell. Paul Thompson leads the firm’s government and infrastructure department.
K&L Gates LLP established a climate change and sustainability practice in 2011 to complement its regulatory work in renewables, cleantech and chemicals. It has experience in REACH matters and related EU legislation. Scott Megregian leads the environment department.
Nabarro LLP provided environmental advice on transactions including Unifrax’s acquisition of American Securities LLC and Brockton Capital Fund LLP’s acquisition of Mailbox. It also won planning and environmental work from 2CO Energy, advising on its Don Valley Power carbon capture and storage project. Clare Deanesly leads the environmental team.
Osborne Clarke provides ‘very commercial advice’, with practice head Brian Greenwood noted as ‘a star in this field’. The team is acting for Thames Water in a group action (with over 1,000 claimants) concerning Mogden sewage treatment works, and is also advising on the Gwynt y Mor wind farm project off the coast of North Wales.
SJ Berwin LLP’s work in 2011 included advising on the environmental liabilities arising on a major M&A deal, as well as on an investment in a waste-to-energy company. It also acted in judicial review proceedings relating to permitting, and in an appeal against a noise abatement notice. Angus Evers heads the group.
Simmons & Simmons LLP is known for its advice in cleantech and renewable energy, such as biomass. It has worked with IKEA as the company’s primary counsel on renewable energy matters within M&A. Steven McNab is a specialist in the field, and adopts ‘a balanced perspective so that he can see the key issues’.
Squire Sanders LLP recently advised three separate clients on contaminated land matters, each with potential liabilities of £1m. It also advised in relation to a land abatement notice, permitting, and a chemical warranty claim. David Gordon heads the two-partner team.
Stephenson Harwood’s ‘highly recommended’ team provides advice on issues including waste management, emissions trading, due diligence, and renewables. It is well known for its expertise in the area of contaminated land matters, currently acting for six local authorities in the area. ‘Supreme expert’ Andrew Wiseman has ‘unparalleled knowledge’.
Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP advises various insurers on environmental matters, and has a presence in related litigation work. Michael Salau also advises on non-contentious matters.
Bond Pearce LLP recently recruited Georgie Messent from Burges Salmon LLP, adding to its strength in carbon law and emissions trading.
Dundas & Wilson LLP’s ‘commercially aware’ team advised South East Water on its strategy to develop renewable energy opportunities at existing sites. Mark Brumwell is ‘astute’.
Eversheds LLP’s national environmental practice handles work for domestic and international clients, including Halliburton and GlaxoSmithKline. It has seen an increase in non-contentious work over the past year.
Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP’s London team was established in 2009 as a support for the firm’s transactional services. Cate Sharp also advises on climate change matters.
Shearman & Sterling LLP’s largely transactional practice is led by the ‘highly professional and expert’ Mehran Massih, who has experience in UK and US environmental law.