The Legal 500

United Kingdom > North West > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Manchester

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to invest in a team instructed by local, national and international corporates across a raft of high-value commercial disputes, hiring several associates in the past 12 months. Recently appointed partner Mark Molyneux is a ‘good, steady litigation lawyer’ and recently led a cross-office team acting for a FTSE 100 company in a major commercial arbitration in Africa. ‘One of the best commercial litigators in the region’, John Gosling ‘always negotiates a tactical pathway through every case he handles’, and has been particularly busy handling large professional negligence claims for lenders. Department head Susan Garrett is also recommended, in particular for pensions disputes.

‘One of the best in Manchester’, DLA Piper UK LLP’s eight-partner team provides an ‘excellent level of service’ to an impressive client roster including Corus, Enterprise, Honda and Scottish Power. ‘Among the best commercial litigators outside London’, Andrew Harris is particularly accomplished in significant shareholder disputes and other corporate litigation. Office managing partner David Gray also has a wealth of experience, particularly in relation to ADR, and is currently representing a law firm as a defendant in a professional negligence case.

Lauded for its ‘commercially focused advice’, Eversheds LLP represents an impressive array of corporates across a broad spectrum of commercial litigation. Headed by the vastly experienced Michael Clavell-Bate, the team is praised for its ‘strength and depth’, and includes senior associate Kath Livingston. Clients include BAE Systems, Phones 4U, Shop Direct and Weatherseal.

Recently bolstered at associate level, Cobbetts LLP’s three-partner team provides ‘measured and appropriate advice’ to a mix of standalone and other clients. Team head Jon Hainey (‘sensible, calm and confident’) excels in complex corporate disputes, and is representing Powernet Telecom in an attempt to recover losses allegedly resulting from the negligence of a City stockbroker.

Enhanced by the recent recruitment of a number of former Halliwells lawyers, including the ‘steady and sensible’ Steve Morris, DWF LLP provides ‘well-balanced advice’. It has substantial firepower to direct at its growing caseload, and draws on the expertise of lawyers in other practice areas, including employment and professional indemnity. JJB Sports and United Utilities Water are new clients.

‘Seasoned litigators who are astute at making good commercial and tactical decisions’, Pannone LLP’s nine-partner team provides strength and depth across the full range of disputes including professional negligence and partnership disputes. It advised Wayne Rooney’s agent in a major breach of contract dispute brought by his former employer, and represented numerous claimants in professional negligence actions brought against financial advisers relating to investments made in the now insolvent Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander. Team head Paul Jonson is a ‘good smart litigator’; Kit Sorrell is ‘experienced and canny’; and Dan Grindey is ‘detailed and careful’.

‘Excellent in all respects’, Brabners Chaffe Street LLP handles work across the piece including commercial fraud, contract and professional negligence disputes. Litigation involving the recruitment industry is a growing area of strength, with a team led by Jeff Lewis successfully recovering a six-figure sum for Frontline Recruitment in a dispute with Seabrook Crisps relating to unpaid fees.

Hitherto unrecognised in the region, Gateley inherited several partners following the demise of Halliwells. Headed by the ‘thorough’ Sarah Sabin, the team has been particularly active in professional negligence and partnership disputes. Clients include AIG Chartis, Lancashire CCC, Manchester City and the BMA.

At Hill Dickinson LLP, Geraldine Ryan is ‘able to manage a fast-moving case effectively’, and Julian Diaz-Rainey is also recommended. In 2010, the firm handled a number of high-profile matters including the successful defence of Wayne Rooney and his wife in an action brought by his former sports agency. Areas of strength include the defence of professional negligence matters.

The recent departure of Clare Taylor means that Pinsent Masons LLP no longer has a commercial litigation partner in Manchester. Senior associate Emma Flower is praised for her ‘great organisational skills, tremendous insight and first-class knowledge of the law’, and is currently representing a former management board in the defence of various allegations of breach of contract, confidence and fiduciary duties. Clients include Delphi Group, Cargill and Russell Hobbs.

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, the ‘highly analytical’ Lucci Dammone heads a three-partner team that handles significant commercial disputes regionally, nationally and, increasingly, as part of a cross-border offering. The ‘helpful and pragmatic’ Victoria Leigh provides particular expertise in pensions and financial services litigation. Shareholder and commercial fraud disputes have been the main drivers of the practice, whose client base has grown to include US Airways, NWF plc and Scottish Power.

Headed by Jan Levinson, the team at Beachcroft is noted for its ‘thorough approach’, and advises clients in the technology, financial services, sports, healthcare and local authority sectors, among others. Best known for its insurance litigation expertise, the team recently picked up a plethora of instructions from insurance broker Bollington.

Berg Legal’s senior partner Reuben Berg has an excellent name in the market, handling a range of commercial litigation including shareholder and partnership disputes.

At the ‘solid and reliable’ Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, department head Mark Benson provides ‘sage advice’ to a broad range of clients, and is particularly accomplished in handling insurance coverage disputes. The ‘exceptionally helpful’ Angus Crawford is also recommended.

George Davies Solicitors LLP handles a range of commercial disputes, and is a popular choice with German clients, who instruct dual-qualified associate Sandra Morrison.

Best known for its insurance expertise, Irwin Mitchell LLP has rapidly developed a broader commercial litigation offering under John Lord, who joined the firm from Halliwells in July 2009. It is instructed across a broad swathe of cases including professional negligence and contract disputes. Clients include major corporates such as Heineken and InBev.

In addition to its traditional strength in handling insurance-related disputes, Kennedys handles broader commercial litigation such as partnership and shareholder disputes. Anne Kershaw is recommended.

At Kuit Steinart Levy LLP, team head Andrew Weinberg has a strong pedigree in professional negligence, product liability and contractual disputes.

Laytons’ Stuart Farr has an excellent record across a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, and has developed a particular specialism in product liability disputes.

Nexus Solicitors’ Chris Pugh heads a three-partner team increasingly active in professional negligence and commercial fraud mandates.

At Weightmans LLP, department head Charles Tomlinson is particularly accomplished in construction and property disputes. Clients appreciate the firm’s ‘strong and aggressive approach to litigation’.

Mark Jones is recommended at Goodman Harvey.

Andrew Farrell at JMW Solicitors LLP heads a two-partner team that acts for clients such as Richer Sounds, Premier Estates and Kinetic plc.

The ‘pragmatic’ Tony Winterburn is recommended at Stripes Solicitors.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

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

Legal Developments in the UK

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

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2012 www.legal500.com