The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP has a strong corporate client base, and delivers an ‘outstanding level of service’. It is regularly instructed in relation to matters including bank debt for corporate activity, secondary issues, internal group reorganisations and debt-for-equity swaps. Highlights included advising Spice on its £251m takeover by Cilantro Acquisitions, financed by Cinven. The firm also has expertise in advising international clients on acquiring UK companies, recently advising Swedish-based Securitas AB on its £43m acquisition of Reliance Security Services from Reliance Security Group. Robin Skelton heads the practice, and Amanda Partland is ‘a great communicator and terrific team leader who stays focused on all commitments’.

Within Corporate tax, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

The corporate tax team in Eversheds LLP’s Leeds office is part of the firm’s 25-strong UK tax group. Recent highlights include advising private equity firm Baird Capital Partners Europe on its investment in international consultancy Nigel Wright Recruitment; and advising the management shareholders of food company Glisten on its takeover by Helsinki-listed Raisio. David Jervis oversees the department.

Within EU and competition, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at Eversheds LLP is headed by Adam Collinson, and includes ‘very clever’ associate Kate Newman. It advised in relation to the high-profile OFT investigation into suspected price co-ordination involving a number of retailers and suppliers in the UK grocery sector, and also acted for Reckitt Benckiser in an OFT investigation into abuse of dominance in relation to its heartburn remedy Gaviscon.

Within Commercial litigation: Leeds, West Yorkshire, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

‘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.

Within Banking and finance, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP continues to advise large plc borrowers and banks, often on an international basis. Recent instructions include a number of high-profile leveraged transactions including ‘new-to-market’ deals and complex local and national restructurings. Among its highlights was its advice to RBS on the facility renewal and refinancing of equipment rental specialist VP. Jason Wurzal and Kathryn Walters are the key contacts.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP ‘delivers quality advice time and again’, and ‘responds quickly with a commercial and flexible approach’. In 2010 it represented Lloyds Banking group as lender to the secured creditor in the restructuring of Swayfield’s Group. Practice head Peter Cranston is ‘very experienced and well respected’.

Within Employment: West Yorkshire, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘first-rate’ Paul Cotton leads the ‘first-class’ 18-fee-earner team at Eversheds LLP, which in 2010 added Network Rail and Kuwait Petroleum to its client list. Simon Rice-Birchall is recommended.

Within Health and safety, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Birmingham-based David Young heads the team at Eversheds LLP. In 2010 it was instructed by Marks & Spencer on an asbestos management case, and by Nestlé UK.

Within Pensions, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

The 13-fee-earner team at Eversheds LLP, led by the ‘very good’ Terry Saeedi, is instructed by a number of City councils, and in 2010 received mandates from several new clients including the British Council trustees.

Within Regional review, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP has an established Yorkshire client base, and has increased its international capabilities of late, including advising overseas clients acquiring UK companies; examples include Swedish client Securitas AB’s £43m acquisition of Reliance Security Services. It remains strong in other areas such as commercial litigation, recently advising GDF Suez in a breach of warranty claim over the purchase of one of Europe’s largest power plants.

Within Project finance and PFI, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP operates a cross-office practice, with Andrew Symms and Adam Collinson among the key figures in Leeds. High-profile clients include Doosan Power, Nuclear Power Delivery and Sellafield.

Within Education, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Manchester-based Diane Gilhooley leads the team at Eversheds LLP, which in 2010 worked with a number of universities in relation to international partnerships, collaborations and new forms of governance. The team is noted for its ‘very good response times’.

Within Health, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Newcastle-based Bill Gilliam leads the team at Eversheds LLP, which acted for NHS Hull in 2010 in relation to a judicial review related to the transfer of a provider function to a social enterprise. It also counts as clients Four Seasons Healthcare, NHS Supply Chain, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Within Local government, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Judith Barnes now heads the local government team at Eversheds LLP, which provides ‘timely, professional and appropriate’ advice to its clients. It acted for some 220 local authorities in 2010, advising on governance structures and constitutional matters among other areas.

Within Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s practice has a proven record in high-value investment transactions for established funds such as Legal & General, as well as advising blue-chip property companies Hammerson and Lend Lease on shopping centre asset management work. George Bacon and Steve Felstead are key figures. Adrian Hill recently left the firm for Muckle LLP.

Within Construction, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s construction practice is led by Andrew Symms and is strong in the retail and energy sectors. Recent clients include Doosan Power Systems, Asda, McCain Foods, and Eastman Chemical Workington. Jo Hatton-Jones, who specialises in non-contentious construction matters, is also recommended.

Within Environment, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s team has ‘excellent industry knowledge’, and includes ‘high-quality senior associates’. In 2010 it advised Mitchells & Butler in relation to the environmental aspects of letting 52 budget hotels to Travelodge and the simultaneous sale of the investment in 44 of the hotels to Prupim; and also on the environmental aspects of the disposal of its Hollywood Bowl business to AMF Banking.

Within Property litigation, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP is noted for its ‘good commercial awareness, strong team working and good legal analysis’. Lead partner Alison Oldfield is recommended, along with new partner Damian Hyndman. The firm has been appointed sole property adviser to the Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs.

Within Intellectual property , Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Led by Antony Gold in Manchester, the team at Eversheds LLP has a significant contentious IP infringement practice, and in 2010 advised Poundstretcher, Tombola and Volvox Group.

Within IT and telecoms, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Manchester-based Antony Gold heads the team at Eversheds LLP, which saw an increased volume of corporate instructions in 2010.