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DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘strong and well-established team’ which provides ‘robust and commercial advice’ on large transactions, and is recommended for its experience in leveraged finance and asset based finance. Key partners are the ‘very responsive’ Brian Woolcock and Stephen Bottley, who has ‘strong technical knowledge’. The group advised Barclays, RBS and Santander on the acquisition funding for the Extra MSA motorway service station group. It also acts for Lloyds TSB and Lombard. James Crellin joined as a legal director from Eversheds LLP.

At Pinsent Masons LLP, the ‘very experienced’ Alice Broadfield and Matthew Heaton provide ‘grounded advice’, and legal director Graeme Walton ‘works towards a solution with clients’. The firm advised Santander and RBS on facilities for Birmingham International Airport, and advised Barclays Bank on corporate facilities for the University of Leicester. Other clients include Matrix and Lloyds Banking Group. The diverse practice is noted for its expertise in leveraged financing transactions, and in cross-border transactions.

Eversheds LLP has a ‘strong team’ under lead partner Pat Johnstone, who is recognised for her experience in leveraged financing and corporate lending. It advised Yorkshire Bank on the acquisition funding for the £60m management buy out of Synseal Extrusions by HIG Capital. It also acts for Birmingham International Airport and RBS, and has considerable cross-border capabilities. The ‘very competent and hardworking’ Patrick Davis was promoted to partner.

Gateley, under the leadership of the ‘consistently reliable’ Andrew Madden, secured numerous national panel appointments and is recommended for his experience in asset based lending and asset finance. The team advised Bank of Scotland, as agent, on financing the $65m acquisition by Dechra Pharmaceuticals of Dermapet Inc. The team attracts praise for its availability; ‘there is always someone on hand to deliver’.

Martineau has a ‘first-class team’ under the leadership of the ‘very experienced’ Ian Baker. Core areas of expertise include leveraged finance, asset finance and property finance, and it is experienced in high-value restructuring and turnaround transactions. Active clients include Santander and Yorkshire Bank. Naomi Tudor and David Doogan are ‘strong negotiators with a high degree of commercial flair’. The firm is on the panel of 12 banks.

Squire Sanders Hammonds has a ‘well-organised team’. Jon Bew, who ‘always finds a way of getting things done’, specialises in pan-European asset-based finance, and the ‘very practical’ David Adams advises on a broad range of national and cross-border deals. Standout matters included acting for Gresham LLP on the financing aspects of the £32.8m management buyout of Team Telecom Group.

Wragge & Co LLP’s international practice operates across Birmingham, London and Paris. A ‘highly respected and successful’ partner-led practice, its key individuals include Paula Laird and Chris Brierley, who ‘always delivers no matter how complicated the deal’. It advises on the full range of banking issues including UK and cross-border mid-market acquisitions, debt and leveraged finance deals, and Islamic financing transactions. Clients include BNP Paribas.

The ‘experienced’ Paul Ray at Browne Jacobson LLP leads a team that has received increased instructions in refinancing and restructuring matters and also in healthcare work, and is continuing to build its asset-based lending experience. It acted for the vendor on the banking aspects of the £80m sale of Synseal Extrusions. Active clients include AIB and RBS.

Cobbetts LLP advised NatWest on the provision of £18m development facilities to Drayton Manor Park Hotels. It acts for borrowers and lenders, and secured a number of key bank panel appointments in 2010. Ian Ilersic is ‘very experienced’, and has particular expertise in acting for banks in funding transactions in the healthcare sector.

Else Solicitors LLP’s key contact is Stephen Maskell. The team advises on issues ranging from security validation and perfection to factoring and invoice discounting.

Freeth Cartwright LLP’s clients include NAB Group and Santander. Phil Baigent and John Heaphy are joint heads of the department.

Vicki Simpson heads the team at Shakespeares, and has considerable experience in property financing. Major clients include West Bromwich Commercial and Islamic Bank of Britain. The practice also covers corporate banking and LPA receiverships.

Shoosmiths has recently been advising clients such as HSBC, Derwent Housing Association and Toyota Financial Services (UK). Helen Wilson is ‘efficient and committed’.

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