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Education

Eversheds LLP operates a large multi-disciplinary education practice. Recent work includes advising on the restructuring of Barnfield College; and advising University College London on a £600m joint venture for a medical research centre. The well-known Diane Gilhooley leads the team.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to act for both public and private sector bodies on BSF schemes throughout the UK. Clients include Salford City Council, Hochtief, and Manchester Metropolitan University. Nancy McGuire leads the team, and Leeds-based Andrew Pettinger is also recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP advises on a broad range of matters, often with an international element. Recent highlights include advising the Department for Education on seven PFI Academy conversion schemes. Nick Helm and associate Anita Brunst are ‘both extremely knowledgeable and skilled, flexible, and solution-focused, and communicate clearly’.

DWF LLP was recently appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium, and the Manchester Metropolitan University panel. Maria Burquest is praised for her ‘deep subject knowledge’ and ‘ability to define legal concepts in regular dialogue’.

George Davies Solicitors LLP is recommended for the range and depth of services it provides as well as its personal service. The team includes a number of specialists who advise further education colleges and private schools.

Hill Dickinson LLP saw the arrival from Halliwells of Kerstie Skeaping, specialising in employment issues, and David Rawlinson, who acts for schools on a range of contentious and non-contentious issues. Iain Campbell has ‘deep knowledge and the ability to recognise key issues’.

As well as its work on BSF schemes, Pinsent Masons LLP undertakes work for the University of Manchester, and the University of Cambridge. ‘Highly personable’ employment specialist Sara Sawicki is appreciated for her ‘sound, practical and reasoned advice’.

As well as acting for higher and further education institutions and independent schools directly, Weightmans LLP also receives instructions from insurers. The team is led by Andrew Cooper, and now also benefits from Mace & Jones’ relatively new education practice, which was recently appointed to several University purchasing consortia.

Mills & Reeve LLP won appointments to the new legal panels of the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Health

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to act on many major PFI/PPP health and LIFT projects. In the private sector, the team is advising on a number of social enterprise arrangements, and Assura Group and Mouchel Group plc are clients. The firm is noted for its willingness ‘to deploy the full resources of its team and to make facilities available’. Head of projects Michael O’Connor is currently on a part-time secondment to the NWSHA.

Hempsons has ‘some of the best experts in the field’. Property specialist Jane Donnison has ‘a good team, who are all dependable and enthusiastic in dealing with many of the complexities which face the NHS’; and widely respected mental health expert Bill Leason is ‘friendly, helpful and will work quickly to provide advice’. Sean Reynolds recently handled a number of test cases.

Hill Dickinson LLP has a large NHS client base with over 80 clients in the North West region and elsewhere. The team has also been appointed to all ten lots on the North West NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub. Practice head Allan Mowat is ‘experienced, wise, sensible and pragmatic’.

With dedicated employment, property and corporate teams focusing on healthcare, Weightmans LLP is well placed to advise its expanding client base on the full range of issues. Recent work includes advising a PCT on a TCS Programme involving property issues, asset divestment and monitoring requirements, and policy considerations. Practice head Richard Jolly is recommended.

Recent work for Beachcroft includes advising on the integration of PCT provider arm services into foundation trusts; employment and pensions issues; and the property aspects of Transforming Community Services. New clients include a number of PCTs and foundation trusts, and also RBS.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP has continued to strengthen its corporate capabilities in the sector, with the addition of Gill Gardner in the Preston office from Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand. The team is currently undertaking cutting-edge work involving corporate structures for public-private joint ventures for healthcare practitioners.

Kevin Jaquiss at Cobbetts LLP leads a cross-disciplinary team at the forefront of developing new structures outlined in the government’s White Paper regarding the delivery of public services by employees and communities.

Work highlights for DWF LLP included acting for private healthcare developer Primary Horizons; and advising Healthcare at Home on a complex and innovative contractual matter. Katharine Mellor, who has particular experience in advising on the devolution of NHS services to private corporate bodies, is recommended.

Eversheds LLP is particularly strong in litigation, and recent work includes successfully defending NHS Hull PCT in a judicial review challenge to its decision to transfer its provider function to a social enterprise. Other clients include Mid Staffordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry.

George Davies Solicitors LLP has an active healthcare team, with Anne Fairhurst recommended.

Local government

As well as maintaining a strong presence in the BSF market and enjoying a leading position on LIFT projects, Addleshaw Goddard LLP has also significantly developed its profile in core local government work. New mandates in 2010 included advising Cheshire East Council in relation to a proposed development at Tatton Park; and North East Lincolnshire Council regarding a strategic partnering arrangement.

The substantial and dynamic team at Eversheds LLP won a number of key clients, including 38 North West authorities. Recent work includes advising on collaborations and strategic partnerships. Suzanne Gregson joined from Howarth Goodman, while Michael Mousdale left for Trowers & Hamlins LLP.

Kevin Jaquiss at Cobbetts LLP has a wealth of experience advising on the creation of new legal structures for community enterprises. Recent work includes advising Salford City Council regarding a joint venture for a groundbreaking £26m community sports stadium. Leeds-based Tiffany Cloynes heads the team.

DLA Piper UK LLP provides a full advisory service to local authority clients, as well as handling litigation, property and employment work. Mark Beardwood heads the team, which has recently won partner status on the North West Legal Consortium.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s commitment to the area is indicated by initiatives such as establishing a new team to advise on developing partnership structures to deliver local government initiatives. The team also won some significant panel appointments in 2010, including the North West Legal Consortium. Celia Cullen is practice head.

Weightmans LLP provides a full support service to local authorities. Highlights included the successful defence, by practice head Andrew Cooper, of Essex County Council in a Supreme Court case regarding human rights to education. The team has also been reappointed as a partner firm to the North West Legal Consortium.

Beachcroft has a strong track record in this area, and was recently appointed a partner firm to advise all 28 authorities comprising the North West Legal Consortium. The team is ‘easy to contact, tenacious, and able to get the deal done to tight deadlines despite a myriad of complications’.

Hill Dickinson LLP was appointed to the North West Legal Consortium in 2010, and maintains a busy workload in regeneration matters, property developments and pathfinder schemes. Peter Barlow leads the team.

Pannone LLP received partner status in its appointment to the North West Legal Consortium. It also hired Nicholas Dobson, former head of local government at Pinsent Masons LLP, who has ‘a real grasp of the issues facing local government’.

Significant developments for the team at Squire Sanders Hammonds included the addition of the ‘very able’ Mark Gaffney from Halliwells; and its appointment to the North West Legal Consortium.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP has moved to expand its local government offering from housing to core local government work. Michael Mousdale joined the team from Eversheds LLP, as did Gerry Budd from Cheshire County Council.

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