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Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘exceptional’ team provides a ‘premium’ service with ‘partner involvement in key decisions’. The firm is on the panel of major banks such as HSBC and Santander, and new client wins include Royal Bank of Canada and Credit Suisse. The ‘hands-on’ David Handy provides ‘clearly articulated advice’. Lee Shankland heads the housing finance team, and is ‘proactive and always helpful’. Karen Sewell is ‘technically proficient, helpful and organised’. The team is also noted for its ‘technically strong senior associates’.

DLA Piper UK LLP is a ‘flexible, friendly and human firm to deal with’, and the team displays a ‘genuine desire to help achieve objectives’. It has been very active in the asset based lending arena, and is developing its expertise in Islamic finance. Highlights in 2011 included negotiating £42m of funding from Santander to fund the forward purchase of The Costume Store, a 750-bed student accommodation unit in London. The department is ‘very experienced at the higher level’; it is headed by office managing partner Sarah Day, who is ‘a major player in the banking market’, and includes Mark Smith, who ‘provides a true commercial approach to everyday issues’.

The service provided by Eversheds LLP is ‘exemplary’, and ‘response times are always excellent’. It handles an even split of work for banks and borrowers, with RBS and HSBC among its institutional clients. Recent instructions include advising a syndicate of banks on the refinancing of senior and working capital facilities for food supplier Cranswick. Practice head Jason Wurzal and Paul Castle are commended for their ‘client-friendly, relaxed, yet extremely responsive approach’. Kathryn Walters ‘stands out from her peers – she always delivers and consistently exceeds expectations’.

Pinsent Masons LLP is a popular choice for high-value work, and has ‘strong, capable partners who provide excellent customer service’. The team has recently taken on high-profile instructions from Aareal Bank; and also acted on the £175m refinancing of Evans Property Group’s facilities. Other clients include Lloyds TSB. Practice head John Cleland is ‘very capable and focused’.

Squire Sanders LLP ‘delivers a good service’, and ‘handles deals very professionally’. In 2011 it acted for longstanding client Gibson O’Neill, the holding company of Bulkhaul, on a transaction involving a major restructuring of significant debt facilities. Practice head Simon Owen ‘stands out for his technical skills, which are matched with a strong and charming personality and an utter determination to complete a deal’. Second-in-command Richard Morton ‘has a massive appetite for the detail of the deal, and displays a huge commitment to the job’.

At Walker Morris, the ‘legal advice and the quality of service is excellent’. It recently acted in relation to the acquisition of Aesica Pharmaceuticals, advising the three banks – Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC and Clydesdale – which provided acquisition and refinancing facilities for Silverfleet Capital and the private equity investment arm of Lloyds. Ian Akitt is ‘an expert in the field’, and his advice is ‘consistently of a high standard’. Michael Taylor heads the department.

Cobbetts LLP has recently been advising Carlco and its subsidiaries on the refinancing of its existing facilities with Lloyds TSB and HSBC. The group is ‘strong at all levels’, and is headed by ‘good operator’ Chris Ramage.

Gordons LLP has a ‘partner-led offering’, and the team is ‘alert and responsive, keeping on top of the task’. It recently advised Lloyds Bank and Lloyds TSB on the new-to-bank refinance of Barnsley-based Allied Textiles. Paddy Sturman is the key partner.

Nabarro LLP’s Dean Gormley ‘manages his team very well, always handling matters or delegating appropriately’, and is ‘always available’. Recent highlights include advising Lloyds TSB on the refinancing of Senior Architectural Systems and Senior Glass Systems.

Led by Christian Hunt, Clarion ‘gives solid advice’ to clients such as HSBC and The Co-Operative Bank.

Irwin Mitchell ‘makes you feel you are a priority client’. Highlights included acting for HSBC and Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets in relation to the provision of revolving credit facilities to Carclo. James Bullock heads the practice.

Lupton Fawcett LLP has ‘a good range of skills, delivered in an open and friendly manner that is conducive to building a long-term partnership’. Practice head Andrew Francey has ‘a personable nature’ coupled with ‘a depth and breadth of knowledge’. Clients include Bank of Ireland.

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