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Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘excellent’ team acts for an impressive array of FTSE-listed clients and is renowned for its international reach and specialist abilities. It recently advised RTS Flexible Systems in a dispute with Müller over the provision and integration of robotic production lines; and also acted for Liverpool PCT and Royal Liverpool Hospital trust in defending a high-profile judicial review action brought by an anti-PFI campaigner challenging the planned £450m redevelopment of the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Key contacts include Mark Amsden, who is ‘cool and commercially minded’, and Simon Kamstra.

DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘an excellent range of skills’ and ‘a high level of expertise’. The team’s recent successes include defending an application for a Group Litigation Order against Miller Argent on behalf of 517 residents in Merthyr Tydfil, relating to allegations of noise and dust nuisance emanating from the company’s Ffos-y-fran Land Reclamation Scheme. ‘Impressive litigator’ Paul Stone heads the department, which includes the ‘responsive and attentive’ Simon Kenyon. David Young ‘stands out for his business knowledge’.

‘Representing good value’, Eversheds LLP continues to build on its established Yorkshire client base as well as advising a range of UK businesses and multinationals such as DHL, Samsung and Tyco. Recent work includes advising GDF Suez in a breach of warranty claim concerning the purchase of one of Europe’s largest power plants. The team also has considerable recent expertise in procurement disputes. Richard Matthews is the lead partner in Leeds.

Pinsent Masons LLP counts Asda, Nestlé, Tesco and William Hill among its blue-chip clients. It is appreciated for ‘taking the time to understand clients’ businesses’, and is ‘proactive’ and provides ‘appropriate advice’, with ‘excellent response times’. Damian Crosse heads the department.

Gwendoline Davies heads the team at Walker Morris, which has been very active of late, particularly following the addition of David Williams from Squire Sanders Hammonds. Highlights included acting for Montpellier Estates in a deceit claim against Leeds City Council arising from a competition undertaken by Leeds to procure a new £70m arena for the city. Malcom Simpson is highly recommended.

Cobbetts LLP’s team provides an ‘excellent service’ under the leadership of Nick Carr, who ‘takes a common-sense approach’. Recent work includes acting for the vendor in a substantial share sale breach of warranty claim.

DWF LLP’s flourishing practice is headed by the highly respected James Haddleton, and recently recruited Jason Blakey from Dickinson Dees LLP. Key clients include Leeds Metropolitan University.

Gordons LLP counts Morrisons as a client, and recently represented it in a judicial review claim relating to the opening of a new store, opposing a claim brought by Asda seeking to prevent it. Matthew Howarth is recommended.

Irwin Mitchell LLP has an impressive practice, led by well-respected practitioner Nick Bates. Recent work includes defending freezing orders and underlying claims for millions of pounds of damages relating to a dispute between a then Premier League football club and its former chairman.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ client roster includes the European Commission, Enersys and Safestyle. It successfully represented Northern Rock in the consumer credit case Brooks v Northern Rock. Practice head Simon Miller is ‘a very good leader’, and gives ‘good-quality advice’. Clients also recommend Chris Caulfield as ‘consistently providing a good service’.

Manchester-based Jan Levinson heads the well-respected team at Beachcroft. Clients include various NHS trusts and a variety of insurers. The practice has ‘a good reputation in the market’, as a ‘strong performer’.

Brooke North LLP’s litigation practice is headed by Richard Stockdale, and focuses predominantly on construction and property clients.

Simon Young heads Clarion’s practice, which recently gained new instructions from Grattan and Hesco Bastion, and was appointed to the panel of Yorkshire Forward.

Ford & Warren’s practice head is senior partner Nicholas Collins. Both Collins and John Flint are ‘excellent lawyers and litigators’.

Simon Black leads the practice at Harrowells LLP, which handles disputes for clients including Carter Jonas LLP and Thornaby Town Council. Richard Hugillis also recommended.

Lupton Fawcett LLP’s primary contacts are Paul Houghton and Howard Rutter. The practice acts for a number of blue-chip and international clients, but remains popular among SMEs and OMBs in the region.

McCormicks’ Peter McCormick has an ‘excellent brain’, and Neil Goodrum and James Martin are also recommended.

Schofield Sweeney’s practice is headed by James Staton, who is ‘always pragmatic, intellectually sparky, and a pleasure to deal with’.

Stewarts Law LLP is increasing its capabilities in this area, and was boosted by the arrival in late 2009 of Jonathan Sinclair from Eversheds LLP. Sinclair is ‘very intelligent, analytical and clear thinking’.

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