The Legal 500

Osborne Clarke’s strong Thames Valley corporate offering advised on over 60 deals throughout 2008, with an aggregate value in excess of £2bn. The firm has been expanding its corporate client base in the technology and telecoms sectors, bolstering its significant corporate and equity clientele with new instructions from Xerox (UK) and Axial Systems. Highlights included representing Axon Group plc on its £440m takeover by HLC EAS, and advising the vendors and management of LeasedriveVelo Group on an £80m secondary MBO. The team ‘is populated with efficient project managers who ensure that fee levels are reasonable‘.

Shoosmiths’ ‘focused, responsive and highly communicative‘ corporate and commercial team works alongside the Solent and Milton Keynes offices to provide specialist advice on complex transactions across the South East and nationally. Corporate head Nigel Thorne is ‘backed by practical, hands-on partners‘, including Sean Wright, who is considered ‘cool under pressure and with a good bedside manner‘, and Emma Gibson. In 2008, the firm advised Lloyds Development Capital on the £80m secondary MBO of LeasedrireVelo Group, and saw an increase in commercial instructions from the technology and healthcare sectors. Jon Bartley recently joined from Baker & McKenzie LLP, following the departure of partner Nikki Martienssen to an in-house position.

Blake Lapthorn added to its track record of involvement in cross-border transactions across Europe, advising on a £5m joint venture for a factory outlet development in France in 2008. Edward Lee’s corporate team receives praise from clients for its ‘great strength in depth and pragmatism‘. The firm has a market-leading presence in corporate finance through its Southampton office.

Benefiting from leading expertise across the technology and media sectors, Boyes Turner’s single-office corporate team has been involved in a number of prominent deals in 2008. Team head Philip Tranter advised Guardian Media Group on its acquisition of software solutions provider CFP Software Limited, while the ‘straightforward and practical‘ Robert Rice acted on Grasso Holdings Limited’s acquisition of the International Cooling Group. The team is praised for its ‘practical, cost-conscious‘ advice.

‘An extremely professional firm, with an innate ability to get straight to the heart of a matter‘, Manches LLP recently strengthened its Thames Valley profile with the opening of an office in Reading. Clients continue to praise its ‘pragmatic and commercially aware‘ IT and university spin-out work, with recent highlights including the major restructuring of the Four Pillars Hotel Group, advising HSBC. Rob Hayes, Peter Angel, Patrick Baddeley and David Tighe are all highly recommended.

Pitmans’ corporate clients recommend the firm’s ‘superb advice and outstanding level of service‘. Recently the group acted for the management team of Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services Limited on the board of directors’ circa £10m buy-out. The firm’s corporate finance expertise has attracted a growing institutional client base, with corporate head John Hutchinson receiving praise. Other partners of note include the ‘enthusiastic and attentive‘ Stephanie Perry and Janice Wall.

Clarkslegal LLP recently hired Kevin Byrne to develop its nascent AIM practice, a strategy that has already netted mandates from AIM-listed GamingKing plc, which instructed the firm on its acquisition of Sceptre Leisure and the subsequent readmission of the group’s shares. Peter James has technology expertise and recently acted for the University of Reading on its merger with Henley Management School. Former partner and environmental specialist Simon Thorne has left the firm to become a consultant.

‘Consummate professional‘ Michael Stace leads a corporate team at Morgan Cole that provides ‘switched-on, courteous and diligent‘ advice. In 2008 the firm was appointed to Lloyds Bank and Co-operative Bank’s panels, and recently acted for Montal Computer Services on its management buy-out. Clients recommend John Cole for his commercial and healthcare expertise, and Guy Constant for his acquisition and banking work.

Blandy & Blandy advises a broad mix of SMEs and listed companies, and recently advised RBS on a £2.3m refinancing of Badr Logistics Limited and its subsidiary companies. ‘Engaging and easy to work with‘, David Few leads a team that ‘delivers on time and in a manner that is very satisfactory‘.

Led by cross-border capital markets expert Peter Elliott, Charles Russell LLP’s Oxford office provides corporate advice to a niche client base operating predominantly in the TMT and biosciences sectors. Recent highlights include acting for Celoxica Holdings plc on its US$3m strategic sale of an electronic system level business to California-based Catalytic, Inc. Clients praise the team’s ‘client-friendly, efficient and experienced‘ manner.

Darbys Solicitors LLP has continued to consolidate its position in the marketplace, appointing Stuart Malcolm to head up the corporate practice in April 2008. The team recently advised a world-renowned charity on a £25m venture fund formation. Clients highlight the team’s ‘professional, yet informal and responsive‘ approach, singling out ‘user-friendly‘ partner Nick Hedges.

Fielding a team of ‘sharp commercial minds‘, Field Seymour Parkes’ corporate practice continues to command respect for its competitive rates and specialist expertise in the commercial real estate sector. The team has a longstanding relationship with Reading FC, advising the club and its chairman, Sir John Madejski, on its acquisitions, developments and ongoing corporate matters. Sue Vandersteen and Mary Pears are also recommended.

Thomas Eggar LLP’s Newbury office provides ‘good value for money and advice that cuts to the chase‘, and has made significant strides in the last year, building an impressive portfolio of sports clients which include Gloucester RFC. 2008 saw the team act for Acuity Capital on the acquisition of one of the UK’s leading ice cream suppliers.

White & Black Legal LLP’s strong focus on technology and venture capital work means it is often handling matters for foreign clients. Recent highlights include acting for MHS Industries Group on its investor-backed buy-out of a UK-based semiconductor business.

BrookStreet Des Roches is recommended for its work on behalf of corporates including 3M plc.

Charles Lucas & Marshall’s Lance Parker is recommended and now leads the practice following the retirement of Stewart McMinn.

Clifton Ingram LLP’s Bill Annan ‘will pull out all the stops to reach a deadline‘.

Derek Rodgers is recommended at Gardner Leader LLP which has recently been acting for payroll companies in London and India.

Malcolm Sadler is recommended at Henmans LLP which is increasingly active in the IT sector.

At Horsey Lightly, Simon Arthur is recommended for his M&A expertise.

Spratt Endicott’s John Spratt and Hitendra Patel are both recommended.

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP’s Jonathan Loake handles wide-ranging corporate work for companies in the technology and music sectors.