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Dickinson Dees LLP’s growing insolvency practice is ‘head and shoulders above the rest’, with ‘senior members who think outside of the box when required to generate pragmatic solutions’. The firm continues to represent banks, Big Four accountants and niche insolvency practitioners, and counts the Law Society, SRA and CBI as clients. Clients single out the ‘unique’ John Pennie as a ‘class act’.

Paul Dutton’s team at Eversheds LLP was recently joined by Kelly Jordan from Watson Burton LLP. Highlights included advising Barclays and PwC on the administration of CJ Garland & Co. Key clients include Deloitte, HSBC and RBS.

The ‘excellent’ team at Clarke Mairs LLP, which includes two dedicated insolvency partners and new arrival Laura Keegan from Watson Burton LLP, represents over 20 insolvency practitioners, debenture holders and LPA receivers nationwide. It handles high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, and has cross-border experience.

The ‘technical’ Neil Harrold heads the ‘superb’ team at Hay & Kilner, which advises on corporate and personal insolvency matters and has recently acted for a number of purchasers of businesses out of pre-pack administration.

Stephen Wiles at Jacksons Law is praised for his ‘commercial and practical approach’, and acts for insolvency practitioners as well as defending individuals in claims from liquidators and administrators. Clare Fegan has recently joined the team from Watson Burton LLP.

The arrival of Andrew Cawkwell from Watson Burton LLP marks out Muckle LLP as a firm to watch in this area. The team recently advised a large entertainment company in its solvent reorganisation, and acted for Vertu Motors plc in the purchase of two motor dealerships by its subsidiaries.

A major administration for a private debenture holder and a multimillion-pound preference claim against a pension fund kept Ward Hadaway active in 2010. The team includes Jim James, Leeds-based Steve Thomas, and Steven Petrie, who recently joined from Watson Burton LLP.

David Birks’ team at BHP Law represented RMT, as the Trustee in Bankruptcy, on applications for the possession and sale of property. Ursula Collie has left the legal profession.

The two-partner team at Mincoff Solicitors LLP handled several business acquisitions on a pre-pack basis from administrators, as well as solvent reconstructions of existing businesses.

Tim Berg heads the insolvency team at Short Richardson & Forth LLP.

Sintons LLP recently acted for lenders on administrations, liquidations and LPA receiverships, and purchasers on high-value acquisitions of distressed assets. Clients rate Matt Collen as ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘very personable’.

Dispute resolution associate Kevin Anderson and banking partner Mark Lazenby handle some insolvency work at Watson Burton LLP.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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  • Immigration update May 2012

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