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Corporate and commercial: Cardiff and South Wales

Eversheds LLP remains heavily focused on international work, particularly for US clients; it recently advised on Huron Consulting Group’s acquisition of UK-based Trilantic. Corporate head Paul Lowe acted for the Assembly Government on establishing a regional JESSICA regeneration fund. Michelle Thomas focuses on renewables, recently advising North Wales based West Coast Energy on a wind farm disposal. For general commercial matters, Matthew Gough and solicitor Eve England are ‘very pleasant to deal with, responsive and commercial’.

The lawyers at Geldards LLP are ‘very commercially minded, do what they say they’ll do and provide a good end result’. Andrew Morris leads the corporate team, which includes Susan Sandford, who has a ‘good all-round commercial approach, is very responsive and is a pleasure to deal with’. Sandford advised on the £127.5m takeover of AIM-listed company Castle Support Services. ‘Professional but always mindful of the commercial position’, Geraint Tilsley advises Finance Wales on investments. Commercial head Ceri Delemore acts for various housing groups and manufacturers.

Berry Smith is ‘incredibly responsive and offers strong, practical advice’. Andrew Bound provides corporate finance experience, and the ‘very bright and personable’ Nigel Greenaway advises SMEs on corporate and commercial matters. It advised on a number of significant regional transactions, acting for biotechnology sector clients BBI Holdings and EKF Diagnostics, and also advising on the public-to-private MBO of road infrastructure company Forest Traffic Services from its AIM-listed holding company.

Capital Law LLP acts for regional and London-based companies, such as Vale Healthcare, Coffee1 and B2 Group. It is also known for its focus on internationally based corporate clients, with Duncan Macintosh recently assisting French aviation company Aeroconseil in setting up a UK subsidiary as well as acting for DBK Technitherm and Menarini’s UK-based companies. IP specialist Nicola McNeely advises on all commercial contracts for Gocompare.com. Christopher Inson focuses on the healthcare sector.

Hugh James acts for public and private sector clients, such as the WRU and Natural England. New instructions included advising leading fishing product manufacturer Rapala on its £5.3m acquisition of a UK company. Corporate head Gerallt Jones acted for Finance Wales in relation to various investments. Richard Lane leads on commercial matters, and advised Cardiff Council on procuring its IT partnership with Tata.

M & A Solicitors LLP is noted for its ‘unwavering professionalism’, ‘strength in depth’ and ‘diligent lawyers who give you the advice you need when you need it’. Stephen Berry advised Capita on a number of acquisitions and disposals. Peacocks, new client Gamesa Energy and Santia Limited (formerly Connaught Compliance Services) were advised commercial matters. The team lost Betsan Thomas to Lowless & Lowless (now Red Kite Law) in September 2010.

Morgan Cole’s ‘extremely professional’ team is recommended for its experience in acting for local authorities. Its client base also includes regional companies such as Tinopolis, Inexus and Nuaire. Corporate finance expert Robert Cherry advised longstanding client PHS Group on high-value acquisitions. Johnathan Rees focuses on M&A and private equity deals, recently advising a local authority on the sale of its transportation division to Stagecoach Group.

Darwin Gray draws comparisons with London-based practices for its knowledge and expertise in SME transactions. Clients include UES Ltd, Navitas and Cyrus Group. Chris Crane leads the team, which includes Jason Smith, who has ‘excellent knowledge and negotiation skills around company law’.

JCP Solicitors acted on a range of corporate transactions and investment agreements, with a focus on the healthcare sector. Practice head Michael Williams has ‘in-depth knowledge’ and commercial expertise in mining, recently advising Energybuild Group on the high-profile takeover of its parent company, Western Coal, by a Canadian corporation. Other clients include Swansea City AFC and the UK subsidiaries of a number of international manufacturers.

MLM Cartwright advised Swansea-based Morgan GRP on a million-pound acquisition to form one of the region’s largest engineering and manufacturing groups. It has also acted for Wesley Clover and SA Brains Brewery. Jon Fernandez Lewis heads the practice.

Morgan LaRoche Limited’s notable client base in West Wales includes UK subsidiaries of Shimano, Schaeffler and Ameco Group. William Barletta heads the practice, which advised Solo Service and Regional Hearing Services on acquisitions, and acted on the sale of Hallmark Healthcare’s multimillion-pound care home portfolio.

Dolmans Solicitors’ clients include public sector groups and regional manufacturers. Justin Harris advised Swansea Council on a joint venture agreement regarding the Liberty Stadium.

Douglas-Jones Mercer’s ‘totally trustworthy and extremely efficient’ team is led by Ken Morgan. It advised longstanding client Veolia Transport on restructuring across Wales and England, while other clients include Svenska Handelsbanken and Action for Children.

Harding Evans LLP increasingly acts for SMEs on transactions as well as commercial contract issues. Mike Jenkins heads the practice.

‘Helpful, concise and professional’, West Wales based Red Kite Law serves local companies such as SEM Logistics and Vox Group. It hired Betsan Thomas from M & A Solicitors LLP, who advised Bulgarian manufacturer Nola 7 on a joint venture with a UK supplier.

Corporate and commercial: North and Mid Wales

Gabb And Co advises local and national clients on commercial matters. John Price and Sophie Williams are the key contacts.

Gamlins offers corporate and commercial advice across North Wales, particularly on contracts and IP matters. Mark Salisbury has experience in acting for property developers and government agencies.

Chester-based Aaron & Partners LLP advises SMEs in North Wales.

Corporate tax

Geldards LLP’s Andrew Evans leads on the tax side of corporate and commercial transactions. He recently assisted on a share restructuring and related issues for Allparts Automotive, and advised on property-related tax issues in relation to a private client investment.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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