United Kingdom > South East > Finance
Banking and finance
Banking and finance
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1
- Osborne Clarke (Reading)
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2
- asb law LLP (Crawley)
- Blake Lapthorn (Southampton)
- Bond Pearce LLP (Southampton)
- EMW (Milton Keynes)
- Pitmans LLP (Reading)
- Shoosmiths (Milton Keynes, Reading, Solent)
- Stevens & Bolton LLP (Guildford)
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3
- Boyes Turner (Reading)
- Clarke Willmott LLP (Southampton)
- DMH Stallard LLP (Crawley)
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Dentons (Milton Keynes) -
Morgan Cole (Reading) - Mundays LLP (Cobham)
- Paris Smith LLP (Southampton)
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- Birketts LLP (Chelmsford)
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Brachers (Maidstone) - Field Seymour Parkes LLP (Reading)
- IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) (Uxbridge)
- Manches LLP (Oxford, Reading)
- Thomas Eggar LLP (Crawley, Southampton)
- Trethowans LLP (Southampton)
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- Cripps Harries Hall LLP (Tunbridge Wells)
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Moorcrofts LLP (Marlow) -
Olswang (Reading)
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Thackray Williams LLP (Bromley) - Vertex Law LLP (West Malling)
Commended for its fast response times, industry knowledge and value for money, Osborne Clarke gained a number of new clients in 2011, including Santander Corporate Banking and UNITE Group. ‘Strong commercial lawyer’ Hugh Jones recently led a team advising RBS, HSBC, GE and Barclays on the financing of the acquisition of a major UK office catering business. Also recommended are senior associates Rebecca Scott (‘a fast and accurate drafter’) and Linda Williams, who has ‘strong negotiation skills’.
asb law LLP houses a team of ‘highly professional solicitors’ with a strong reputation in the aviation finance arena. The firm also saw a flurry of property finance instructions, with the ‘very knowledgeable and passionate’ Daniel Bridgland handling over 30 matters for HSBC in 2011. Claire Williams provides ‘a high-quality service’.
Blake Lapthorn has sector expertise in the healthcare, property, construction and leisure industries, and advises Clydesdale Bank, HSBC and The Co-operative Bank. Highlights included a range of transactions for institutional lenders, various instructions from non-institutional lenders, and legal and regulatory compliance advice. Kath Shimmin leads the department. Rich Eldridge recently left for Manches LLP.
Bond Pearce LLP has strong structured and project finance capability, particularly in the renewables sector, as well as strength in asset finance, where it handles a number of motor trade mandates. The firm is also highly regarded for its expertise in FSA regulation and retail financial services products.
EMW’s team is highlighted for its ‘extremely high level of service, good commercial acumen and competitive prices’, and advises in areas such as acquisition and leveraged finance, property finance and asset-based lending. Clients include Santander UK, Lloyds TSB and RBS. ‘Highly committed’ department head Ian Mabbutt has ‘strong interpersonal skills and a great work ethic’.
The ‘excellent’ Pitmans LLP has a ‘longstanding, loyal team of trusted advisers’. Highly rated practice head Patrick Long concentrates on corporate banking transactions and advises banks and corporate borrowers on refinancing and restructuring issues. The team is on the panels of ten major banks.
Shoosmiths’ team provides ‘prompt and accurate responses and gets to the core of an issue quickly’. Sean Wright leads the department, which recently advised RBS, HSBC and Lloyds TSB on financing for the acquisition of A-Gas by LDC. Wright has ‘a wealth of knowledge’, and recently promoted partner Rebecca Mauleverer ‘instils confidence in clients’. Colin Mattis left for Gateley.
Stevens & Bolton LLP demonstrates ‘excellent client service skills, and is extremely well connected’. The team recently advised Lloyds Banking Group on the £40m refinancing of self-storage company Lok’n Store. ‘Knowledgeable, commercial and approachable’ practice head Jonathan Porteous and the ‘comprehensive and diligent’ Joe Bedford are recommended.
Boyes Turner has niche expertise in banking litigation, and is also experienced in cross-border transactions. Clients have included Bank of Scotland, HSBC Commercial Bank and Lloyds TSB. Former practice head John Barker left to join Clifton Ingram LLP in April 2012; corporate head Robert Rice is now the key contact.
Clarke Willmott LLP recently hired Peter Swinburn from Shoosmiths, bolstering the firm’s property finance offering. ‘First-rate’ team head Kelvin Balmont is a ‘practical and clear adviser’. Clients include HSBC and Lloyds TSB.
‘Response times are always excellent’ at DMH Stallard LLP, where Gwen Godfrey’s team ‘goes out of its way to help’. It is particularly strong in healthcare and real estate finance.
The ‘highly responsive’ team at Dentons recently gained a new client in Santander UK, which joins a client list that includes HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and RBS. Peter Cox leads the team, and Robert Wyatt ‘takes the initiative and is extremely knowledgeable’ when it comes to real estate finance.
Morgan Cole’s Guy Constant delivers ‘clear, straightforward advice’ to banks on acquisition financing, while the ‘very reliable’ Paul Brame handles secured lending matters. The team is on HSBC and Santander’s panels, and was appointed to the panel of Aldermore Bank in 2011.
Mark Andrew’s banking and finance team at Mundays LLP acts for household names including Clydesdale Bank and HSBC, and also acts for a significant roster of private equity investors.
Paris Smith LLP ‘goes beyond the call of duty to meet client deadlines’. Practice head James McNeil has ‘outstanding commercial and legal acumen’, and Stuart Allen is recommended for property finance. Michael Moore recently joined from Blake Lapthorn.
Insolvency and corporate recovery
Insolvency and corporate recovery
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1
- asb law LLP (Brighton)
- Blake Lapthorn (Southampton, Oxford)
- Bond Pearce LLP (Southampton)
- Boyes Turner (Reading)
- Clarke Willmott LLP (Southampton)
- Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP (Watford)
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2
- Charles Russell LLP (Guildford)
- Coffin Mew LLP (Southampton, Portsmouth)
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PDT Solicitors (Horsham) - Pitmans LLP (Reading)
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3
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Birkett Long LLP (Chelmsford, Colchester) - Birketts LLP (Chelmsford)
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Darbys Solicitors LLP (Oxford) -
Lamport Bassitt (Southampton) - Paris Smith LLP (Southampton)
- Thomas Eggar LLP (Crawley)
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- Cripps Harries Hall LLP (Tunbridge Wells)
- DMH Stallard LLP (Crawley)
- EMW (Milton Keynes)
- Field Seymour Parkes LLP (Reading)
- Kimbells Freeth LLP (Milton Keynes)
- IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) (Uxbridge)
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Morgan Cole (Oxford) -
Players Solicitors (Patridge Green) - Stevens & Bolton LLP (Guildford)
- stevensdrake (Crawley)
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- Adams & Remers (Lewes)
- Barlow Robbins LLP (Guildford)
- Brethertons LLP (Banbury)
- Clifton Ingram LLP (Wokingham, Reading)
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Downs (Dorking) -
Kenneth Elliott + Rowe (Romford)
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Moore Blatch LLP (Southampton) -
Rawlison Butler LLP (Crawley) - SA Law LLP (St Albans)
- Taylor Walton LLP (Luton)
- Tees Solicitors (Chelmsford)
asb law LLP ‘stands out among firms in the South East for its insolvency expertise and for the energy with which the lawyers fight for their clients’ best interests’. Practice head Andy Taylor advised Aero Turbine on the recovery of three jet engines leased to Astreaus. Also recommended are associates Tania Clench (‘an experienced and shrewd litigator’) and the ‘dynamic and on-the-ball’ Andrew Frake.
While Blake Lapthorn saw consultant Paul Rippon retire and Mike Pavitt leave for Paris Smith LLP, it maintains ‘a sound level of expertise in this specialist area’. Practice head Adrian Owen ‘combines good overall organisation with technical knowledge and a practical approach’, and senior solicitor Dan Geddes is recommended for contentious insolvency matters.
Bond Pearce LLP recently advised Kingfisher and B&Q on an option to acquire up to 31 stores from the administrators of Focus DIY and Do It All. The ‘excellent’ Nick Keitley heads up the team and has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating sale contracts for insolvency practitioners. Associate Susie Meikle deals with all aspects of non-contentious corporate insolvency.
‘Comparing very well to London firms’, Boyes Turner’s two-partner team is rated as ‘very good’ when it comes to turnaround times, cost and industry knowledge. Department head Phil Smith is praised for his commercial approach and practical solutions, and Chris Branson delivers ‘pragmatic and sensible advice’. Clients include Deloitte, Bank of Ireland and Grant Thornton.
Delivering an ‘unfaltering service’, the lawyers at Clarke Willmott LLP are ‘willing to assist and provide clear advice in a timely fashion’. ‘Exceptional’ practice head Matthew Barker has ‘far-reaching knowledge of the law’, and recently acted for PwC in the administration of Sofas (UK), involving 37 retail outlets. Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, Savills and RBS are also clients.
With a ‘very strong market presence’, Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP’s team is ‘responsive and flexible, and seeks commercial solutions’. The Watford-based team includes Bill Ramsey, who has particular experience in fixed-charge LPA receiverships and property disposals for officeholders; and Mark Tempest, who delivers ‘clear advice’ on administrations and bankruptcies. Clients include Watford Borough Council, PwC and KPMG.
‘The level of commitment, commerciality and technical knowledge is extremely high’ at Charles Russell LLP, which has developed a significant presence in fraud-related matters. The team is led by James Hyne, a ‘no-nonsense litigator who rolls his sleeves up and gets results’. The ‘really clever and tenacious’ Peter Levaggi is recommended for property-related matters.
Coffin Mew LLP is highly regarded for its experience in advising on insolvent partnerships. Malcolm Niekirk and associate Heather Dobson are both ‘very helpful lawyers’, and recently acted for RSM Tenon Recovery, Begbies Traynor and Portland Business & Financial Solutions.
‘Industry knowledge is first class’ at PDT Solicitors, whose five-partner team provides ‘sound technical advice with a commercial edge’, and covers both personal and corporate insolvency. Noel Ruddy is a ‘very experienced litigator’, and Dawn Shadwell is ‘reliable and responsive’.
‘Fast-moving and forward-thinking’ firm Pitmans LLP houses an ‘excellent’ team which is ‘quick to grasp important issues’. Department head Suzanne Brooker has an ‘outstanding level of knowledge, and is one of the best in the business’. The team experienced a rise in both personal and corporate insolvency instructions in 2011.
Birkett Long LLP has a strong reputation in contentious insolvency, and also has notable expertise in nil-asset recovery claims based on allegations of misfeasance, wrongful trading and transactions defrauding creditors. Kevin Sullivan is the lead partner.
Birketts LLP acts for Baker Tilly, KPMG and PKF. Practice head Matthew Atkins is primarily based in Ipswich, but works closely with Rafael Ruiz and senior associate Matthew Weston in the Chelmsford office.
Darbys Solicitors LLP is commended for its ‘very good service skills and value for money’. Practice head Elizabeth Taylor has specialised in insolvency for over 19 years, and ‘gives sound advice in all manner of situations’.
Lamport Bassitt is highly regarded for its capabilities in insolvency litigation. Department head Rick Munro has particular expertise in debt recovery for insolvency practitioners, and Neil Stewart specialises in clawback claims against directors.
Paris Smith LLP benefited from the arrival of Mike Pavitt, who joined from Blake Lapthorn in 2011, bringing ‘very in-depth knowledge of insolvency matters’. Clients include PwC, KPMG and Smith & Williamson.
Thomas Eggar LLP’s ‘responsive and commercial’ team is led by Martin Cross, who has particular expertise in international and fraud-related matters. Martin Roderick and ‘knowledgeable and understanding’ associate Frank Bouette are also recommended.