What we say about the firm's legal practice in East Midlands
Corporate and commercial
Within Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP is ‘always willing to invest to make sure they have the knowledge the client’s business requires’, and has attracted a diverse range of clients, in particular from the automotive, energy, and healthcare sectors. A distinguishing feature of the six-partner group is its international-facing transactional experience; 2010 saw it advise on cross-border private equity, joint venture and M&A deals involving Germany, Poland, Canada, USA and India. David Tilly advised the management team of Synseal Extrusions on its MBO, opposite Eversheds LLP; and Andrew Borkowski led the advice to the shareholders of Derby-based Prevx on its sale to US-based Webroot. Clients ‘cannot speak too highly’ of Ian Thomson, who ‘provides an excellent, professional and personable service’. One client describes the team as ‘the best I have worked with’.
Within Corporate tax, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP draws on its Cardiff tax capability to add value on local transactions.
Dispute resolution
Within Commercial litigation: Nottingham and Derby, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP is experienced in complex cases for clients in the utility, retail, transport and automotive sectors, such as Citroën, National Express and Bowmer and Kirkland. It represented a mining exploration company in a £4.5m dispute in 2010. Jonathan Tardiff joined from Eversheds LLP, bolstering the firm’s capabilities in cross-border litigation and arbitration.
Finance
Within Banking and finance, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
‘One of the main players in the East Midlands marketplace’, Geldards LLP acts for both lenders and borrowers, with highlights including advising Santander on refinancing matters and acquisition loans in the healthcare sector. ‘Extremely practical’ team head Hugh Strickland is noted for his ‘corporate knowledge on facility letters and deal structuring’.
Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Cross-border insolvency is a specialism of Geldards LLP, which advises German banks and Irish debtors on ‘bankruptcy tourism’. Senior associate Anton Smith acted for Volksbank in the leading case Re Hagemeister. The ‘knowledgeable and proficient’ Adrian Slater heads up the team.
Human resources
Within Employment, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP gained an employment team from Berryman in 2010, and now has three partners, led by Mike Butler, active for clients such as Vision Express and the Road Haulage Association.
Overview
Within Regional review, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP was a hot destination for joiners from local competitors in 2010. Commercial dispute resolution partner Jonathan Tardif joined from Eversheds LLP, following Ginny Hallam and a team of employment lawyers from Berryman.
Private client
Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
The ‘personable, knowledgeable, efficient and sensitive’ Grace Steele, formerly of Flint Bishop LLP, has taken up the helm at Geldards LLP, where her team focuses on high-net-worth estates.
Projects, energy and natural resources
Within Private finance initiative (PFI), Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP’s energy practice advised in relation to a hydroelectric power project in Wales and a German biogas installation in Oxfordshire. It also advised on energy trading documentation, and acted for an electricity distribution network on compliance matters.
Public sector
Within Local government, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP’s practice reflects the firm’s strength in property, with recent work including advising South Derbyshire District Council on land disposals, and EMDA on the redevelopment of Steetly Quarry. The firm also now collaborates with Kent County Council in the provision of legal services to other public sector bodies.
Real estate
Within Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP has a ‘strong reputation’ locally and is instructed by the likes of Alliance Boots, Pendragon, and Tesco for retail matters, with Ellis Gardner-Browne a key contact. In 2010, property finance specialist David Watson acted for Barclays on funding and security arrangements for a major agricultural investment; and ‘strong property lawyer’ Jamie Gordon led on Miller Birch’s acquisition of a pre-let site in Nottingham.
Within Construction, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Geldards LLP’s team includes senior associate Richard Brookes, for non-contentious instructions from public authorities, developers and contractors; and associate Andrew Poyner, a former quantity surveyor. ‘The firm is quick to pull in resources from other offices to offer technical advice and provides a comprehensive service with knowledgeable staff’. Brookes advised Miller Birch on Speedo’s new £5m global headquarters in 2010.
Within Property litigation, Geldards LLP is a second tier firm,
Mark Hacking at Geldards LLP assists the firm’s major retail sector clients with contested lease renewals, rent review disputes and dilapidation claims. The team successfully defended major cases relating to the grant of a lease and landlords’ deposit terms in the Court of Appeal.
Transport
Within Transport, Geldards LLP is a third tier firm,
Geldards LLP acts for a number of train and bus operating companies on commercial agreements and procurement.