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FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has a ‘commercial and personable team’ led by the ‘very sensible’ James Sage, and recently acquired DH Legal, the Wolverhampton-based specialist corporate practice. The core strength of the team lies in advising SME/owner-managed businesses. Kam Johal, who ‘solves problems as they arise’, acted for a national opticians practice in the acquisition of several optician businesses throughout the UK. The team is also acting for a number of insolvency practitioners on the sale of businesses in administration/liquidation. The ‘very helpful’ Gavin Southall is recommended.

At George Green LLP, team head Paul Bennett ‘consistently provides a high level of service’; Richard Cliff is ‘first class’; and the ‘very competent’ Guy Green is recommended for his private equity expertise in particular. Deal highlights included acting for the management in the sale and secondary buyout of Poundland, and advising the management and largest shareholders on the restructuring of Bakkavor. On the commercial side, Stephen Wyer ‘goes that extra mile for clients’.

At Harrison Clark LLP, Rod Thomas ‘knows his stuff’’; Robert Capper is ‘attentive and proactive’; and practice head Charlotte Thornton-Smith is ‘extremely knowledgeable’. The team is well regarded for its expertise in corporate transactions in the healthcare sector, and has been increasingly involved in equity/investment-funded deals. Panel memberships include AIB, Clydesdale Bank and HSBC.

Ansons LLP’s primary strength lies in M&A work and acting for owner-managed businesses, and it continues to develop its pharmacy and healthcare sector focus. The partners show ‘exceptional commercial awareness’, with Hilary D’Cruz and Jasbinder Singh noted as ‘proactive’. The practice acted for a national brand on the disposal of a group of companies comprising five separate business units and with over 400 employees.

The level of service at Higgs & Sons , a ‘progressive and forward-thinking firm’, is ‘nothing short of excellent’. Team head Nick Taylor receives many plaudits from clients, and Damian Beard is noted as ‘approachable’. The practice assisted UPG in the completion of two acquisitions of payment card processing and transaction-solutions businesses. Associate Kate Legg is ‘reliable’.

KJD Freeth LLP has an impressive roster of clients, featuring names such as JCB Group, Britannia Building Society and Advantage West Midlands. Peter Ellis heads the corporate team, and Paul Owen is also recommended. Corporate work in 2010 included a range of reorganisation and refinancing matters.

Knights solicitors llp acts for blue-chip clients such as Alton Towers Resort, Merlin Entertainment Group and The Kerrygold Company, and is advising Paddy Power in its acquisition of certain assets of The Roar Betting Group from its administrators. Adrian Rushton is ‘responsive and accurate’, and Susan Honeyands is also recommended. The team as a whole is ‘commercial and practical’.

Wright Hassall LLP has a number of ‘very astute lawyers’, notably Peter Beddoes and Mark Lewis, who is ‘focused on achieving the best solutions’. It has niche specialisms in cost reduction arrangements and FSA regulatory work, and also has a dedicated commercial team, with lead partner Lindsay Ellis recommended. Major clients include Capgemini and TUI Travel.

Hawkins Hatton LLP is ‘refreshingly commercial’. The team attracts a stream of referrals from accountants and banks, and acted as lead legal adviser in the sale of a scientific engineering group consisting of ten subsidiaries worldwide to a German company. Colin Rodrigues provides an ‘excellent personal service’, with Richard Baizley also noted for corporate transactional work.

David Williams heads the practice at Keelys LLP, and has considerable experience in buyouts and corporate finance. The firm recently acted on the purchase of a factory in West Bromwich.

Lanyon Bowdler acted on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Envirocare GB, and also for Aktrion Holdings in its acquisition of a 51% shareholding in Alpha Facilities Management. Richard Murrall has taken over as head of department following Gary Richards’ retirement.

Thomas Horton LLP is appreciated for its ‘can-do attitude to sorting complex legal issues’, with head of department Jeff Taylor appreciated for his ‘clear and concise’ advice, and Matthew Horton recommended on the commercial side. The team advised Willows Construction on a share restructuring and shareholders’ agreement.

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