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The pre-eminent practice in the region, Osborne Clarke provides a ‘first-class service’. The ‘wholly reliable and experienced’ Hugh Jones leads the team, which is particularly rated for its leveraged finance experience. In 2010 the ‘knowledgeable’ group advised RBS and LBG on the financing of a sales and letting agency; added NAB Clydesdale and the Bank of Montreal to its impressive client roster; and was newly appointed to the Santander Group and Investec Bank panels.

The ‘very efficient and responsive’ team at asb law LLP focuses on corporate finance work. In 2010 it advised Erste Group Bank in a $9.57m term loan facility, and was appointed to the panel of Aldermore Bank. Angela Haywood, Helen Mead and the ‘very knowledgeable’ Claire Williams are recommended.

Blake Lapthorn acts for the likes of Barclays, HSBC and Santander, providing ‘concise and quick advice’ and a ‘practical approach’ on finance matters. The ‘knowledgeable’ Kath Shimmin has ‘good business acumen’, and the ‘flexible and proactive’ Richard Eldridge ‘thinks on his feet’. The team acted on transactions in the health, education and real estate sectors in 2010.

The ‘truly excellent’ Bond Pearce LLP advised Rockspring on the financing to fund the acquisition of four shopping centres provided by EuroHypo. The ‘very responsive, excellent and commercial’ Graham Jeffries leads the team, and Sophie Eales is also recommended. Key clients include the Chemring Group.

John Barker’s ‘highly competent’ team at Boyes Turner is rated ‘ten out of ten’ by clients. With a ‘very commercial approach’, the ‘entrepreneurial’ firm advises Santander, HSBC and Clydesdale Bank. The ‘very experienced’ Barker is ‘a pleasure to do business with’, and recently led in advising the Bank of Ireland in a term loan facility.

With experience in property finance and asset-based lending, EMW was appointed to the asset finance panel of Santander in 2010. The team, led by Ian Mabbutt, also advised AIM-listed company Praesepe on the reverse takeover of Beacon Entertainments and its subsidiaries for £50m.

Highlights for Guy Constant’s team at Morgan Cole included advising HSBC and HSBC Invoice Finance on the funding of Logicalis Group to refinance its existing debt. Based in Reading and Oxford, the team counts Svenska Handelsbanken, HSBC and Co-operative Bank as clients.

The ‘proactive and experienced’ team at Pitmans LLP includes four partners and is led by Patrick Long, who is ‘willing to go the extra mile’. The practice delivers ‘accurate and timely advice’, and has ten bank panel appointments.

Shoosmiths’ South East-wide practice is renowned for its ‘top-quality advice’. Rated for his ‘genuine deal making ability’, Sean Wright is ‘very commercial, knowledgeable, and knows his stuff’, and advised RBS in its financing of the Isis-led buyout of Encore Tickets. Chris McClure has ‘excellent industry knowledge’ and is a leader in aircraft and railway rolling stock work. Colin Mattis can ‘hold his own and negotiates well under pressure’. The team combines ‘City-quality advice with value for money’.

Stevens & Bolton LLP handles work for both lenders and borrowers across acquisition, real estate and structured finance. The team has ‘high levels of relevant industry experience’, and recently advised Rydon Group in a restructuring and refinancing of its £52m of banking facilities with Lloyds. Jonathan Porteous has ‘incredible attention to detail’. Joe Bedford is also recommended.

‘Excellent in all areas’, Clarke Willmott LLP added HSBC and Lloyds to its client roster in 2010. It also advised on the £200m facilities relating to the acquisition of the Extra MSA chain of motorway service stations by Evergreen Real Estate Partners. Kelvin Balmont is ‘very responsive’.

DMH Stallard LLP was substantially boosted by a merger with SM Reed & Co. in 2010, and now has niche expertise in advising on acquisitions and refinancings within the healthcare sector. The ‘very proactive’ team impresses with its ‘high level of sector knowledge’, and is led by Gwen Godfrey. Stephen Reed is also rated.

A ‘very strong local firm with a City punch’, Mundays LLP was appointed to the panel of a retail bank in 2010. Santander and Close Brothers are also clients. The four-partner team provides ‘very appropriate advice’, and practice head Mark Andrew is ‘very commercial’. Neale Andrews is ‘excellent’.

James McNeil’s team at Paris Smith LLP provides a ‘cohesive service’. It advises on property, acquisition, leverage and project finance transactions, and recently assisted in Sisco’s sale of Fibercore for $22m.

SNR Denton recently advised Lloyds on its £26m funding package to Silverstone to host the F1 British Grand Prix. Brandon Ransley has a ‘strong legal mind’, and Robert Wyatt is ‘one the most knowledgeable lawyers around the table’.

The ‘efficient and business savvy’ team at Thomas Eggar LLP has a combination of broad experience and niche expertise in consumer finance and private lending. ‘Top quality transactional lawyer’ Dan Bastide led in advising Sussex Waste Recycling on a £14m refinancing matter. Steven Clifford is ‘top class’.

Trethowans LLP’s team has ‘a sound understanding’ of banking matters, and Chris Twaits’ ‘clear and unequivocal advice’ is highly rated. The arrival of Nick Gent from Blake Lapthorn in 2010 further strengthened the team.

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