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Andrew Harris heads SNR Denton’s corporate and commercial group following Brandon Ransley’s withdrawal to focus on his new role as the firm’s UK managing partner, and clients remain impressed with its ‘exceptional commercial acumen and commitment to delivering client satisfaction’. Healthcare-sector work provided a strong flow of instructions in 2010, such as advising new client PH Healthcare on its acquisition of medical products manufacturer Medisavers. It also has strong retail and automotive-sector expertise.

Shoosmiths recently advised XLN Telecom Holdings on a £80m secondary management buyout by ECI. National corporate head Oliver Brookshaw is well known for handling corporate finance, M&A and stock exchange work, and Sebastian Price advises on outsourcing and big-ticket commercial projects. Prestigious clients include The Open University, IKEA and CompuCredit Corporation.

Delivering ‘excellent response times and high-quality advice’, B P Collins LLP recently advised NTR, the international renewable energy group, on the sale of UK-based Greenstar Group to the controlling shareholders of Biffa. Department head Simon Deans specialises in business growth strategies, M&A transactions, joint ventures and complex commercial contracts. The ‘attentive and reassuring’ Diane Gill is also recommended.

‘Responsive and commercial in its approach’, EMW represented key financial services client Hotbed in its acquisition of software company Wheatley Associates. Ian Mabbutt heads up the corporate team, with expertise in acquisitions and corporate finance. For commercial contracts Liz Appleyard is also recommended.

David Clark’s corporate team at IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) has substantial corporate banking experience, as well as niche expertise in the establishment and operation of collective investment schemes. It recently advised longstanding client Adventis Group on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of bChannels. Funke Abimbola is recommended.

‘A+ in all respects’, Kimbells LLP’s recent work highlights include advising AFI-Uplift on a multimillion-pound refinancing exercise with Santander, and assisting Independent Media Distribution on issues relating to the termination of a joint venture. Practice head Jonathan Hambleton is a ‘truly gifted lawyer’, and is commended for his business acumen and negotiating skills.

2010 saw Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP’s team enhanced by the arrival of directors John Zucker, primarily based in London, and Mark Archer, who splits his time between Milton Keynes and Watford. Led by Richard Phillips, the team recently won a place on Santander’s corporate banking panel and has since assisted the bank on a £40m deal involving the part-refinancing of the debt of care homes group Life Style Care.

Moorcrofts LLP advises clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters, with the arrival of Barry Maytum bringing an increase in private equity work. The ‘exceptional’ team recently acted on a reverse AIM listing for Adecq Digital, and advised on an acquisition for Landmark Information Group (part of the Daily Mail group). Clients praise practice head Adrian Phillips for his ‘deep level of technical knowledge’.

SA Law LLP delivers ‘truly first-class response times and business knowledge’, and saw an increased volume of work relating to reorganisations and debt-for-equity swaps in 2010. ‘Hands-on’ team head Chris Wilks has over 20 years’ corporate law experience, across acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts, corporate restructuring and leveraged finance.

Taylor Walton LLP is praised for its ‘excellent technical expertise and practicality of advice’, with 2010 seeing it gain new clients Richmond House Group and Bay Media. Corporate head Jeremy Brockis is recommended, as is Mike Pettit, who has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements and reorganisations.

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