The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, tier 4

The ‘proactive and professional’ group at Eversheds LLP demonstrates particular expertise with ITO, FMO and middle office deals for the financial services sector, and is ‘continuously bringing new ideas to the table to fulfil customer needs’. Team head Simon Gamlin has an ‘uncanny balance of legal expertise, industry knowledge and an ability to provide commercially astute and practical, workable solutions’, and has a ‘proactive and easy-to-work-with personality’. The highly rated Peter McCormack advised longstanding client Centrica on a large-scale facilities outsourcing project, and Birmingham-based Charlotte Walker-Osborn acted on an award-winning outsourcing for Mitchells & Butler in relation to its IT, networks and hardware. RBS, Capital One and Flybe are other clients.

Within Corporate tax Corporate tax

Within Customs and Excise, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s ‘highly efficient and effective’ team has extensive regulatory expertise in VAT and indirect tax. Neill Blundell is recommended for his expertise in white-collar crime matters and the defence of corporations in customs investigations, as well as in money-laundering, cartel, and price-fixing matters.

Within EU and competition, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s four-partner team gives ‘accurate, practical and focused’ advice, and has strength in contentious matters, particularly cartel cases and dawn raids. The team recently acted for Recolight and others in a High Court competition and injunction damages claim. Department head Ros Kellaway is recommended, and Nicola Holmes provides ‘commercial, pragmatic’ advice.

Within Financial services, tier 4

Eversheds LLP is known for advising the City’s authorised fund sector. The practice assisted British Airways’ Airways Pension Scheme with the regulatory aspects of a £1.3bn longevity insurance contract. Pamela Thompson and Michael Wainwright are recommended.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP is ‘very strong acting for both companies and sponsors’. Neil Matthews (‘proactive, practical and commercial’) advised financial advisers including Westhouse Securities on the re-admission to AIM of Infrastructure India plc. Stephen Nash led on Waterlogic’s £47m IPO, one of the largest AIM flotations of 2011. Nick Emmerson returned from Hong Kong.

Within M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s 15-partner London practice is a dominant force in the mid-market arena by virtue of the sheer volume of transactions it handles, and 2011 was no different; it advised on 70 deals worth a combined value of $6.2bn for an array of FTSE 100 and 250 clients, with highlights including representing Alere Inc in its £300m hostile takeover of Axis-Shield. It reinforced its London capability in 2011 with the relocation of practice head Keith Froud and Robin Johnson from the Leeds office and Nick Emmerson from Hong Kong, while energy specialist Jason Lovell and Richard Lewis joined from Vinson & Elkins RLLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, respectively. Chris Halliday is also recommended.

Within Private equity: transactions, tier 6

Increasingly drawing on resources in the firm’s international network and also benefiting from a strong regional presence, Eversheds LLP’s team provides ‘value for money’ to sponsors such as Inflexion, Endless and LDC on mid-market transactions. Richard Moulton is ‘calm in a crisis, and willing to go the extra mile’, and Mark Spinner is ‘commercial, hardworking and responsive’.

Within VAT and indirect tax, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP handles real estate and investment funds matters and SDLT litigation. It advised Schroders on the conversion of a real estate fund into a new property authorised unit trust, while other clients include Legal & General, Barclays Bank and BAE. Practice head Clive Jones and indirect tax expert Damian Shirley are recommended.

Within Fraud: civil, tier 5

At Eversheds LLP, Birmingham-based Mark Surguy is ‘very knowledgeable’, and Neill Blundell is also recommended. The firm assisted Haggiag in a dispute concerning a trust fund in Guernsey, securing a substantial judgement in the client’s favour.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s ‘global reach’ is appreciated by clients. The team has been acting in relation to several high-profile bribery investigations relating to the Olympic site, including allegations of fraud surrounding the bidding process for the Olympic stadium. Neill Blundell is a ‘“real pro” who brings calmness and common sense to tricky situations’. Birmingham-based Mark Surguy keeps a ‘cool head’. Gregory Brandman joined the team from the enforcement division of the FSA.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Highlights for Eversheds LLP included representing the co-owner and director of a business offering services to the oil and gas industry, who is alleged to have won contracts with BP by the payment of bribes. Practice head Neill Blundell ‘avoids legal jargon’; and the ‘focused’ Mark Surguy, in Birmingham, is another key contact.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP rises a tier in the ranking. The firm is acting for Lehman Brothers Bankhaus in a dispute arising from the termination of an ISDA agreement it had in place with CMA CGM, while other clients include Barclays and BarCap, UBS, Citibank and Barings Asset Management. Ben Bruton is ‘very keen, very clever and very capable’, and Matthew Allen ‘takes an understated but confident approach’. Gregory Brandman has joined the firm from the FSA, along with Andrew Legg, former head of banking litigation at Mayer Brown International LLP.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s instructions are increasingly international, though at no cost to its ‘fast-thinking’ City practice. The team acted for the claimants in proceedings against a private Swiss bank in relation to the mis-selling of structured investment products. Practice head Mark Davenport is ‘truly excellent’; John Heaps is ‘commercially oriented’; and Neville Byford is ‘highly tactical’. Richard Little and Stuart Dutson are also highly rated.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP provides ‘high-quality services at an affordable price’. The practice is best known for international commercial arbitration in general corporate, financial services, and energy and infrastructure cases. Stuart Dutson is ‘driven and creative’; Andy Moody is ‘bright and hardworking’; and Neville Byford is also highly rated.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s Peter Jones is well known as an expert in public inquiries, and has recently been acting in this capacity for the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Within Public international law, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP acts on the full range of PIL issues, including state responsibility; state immunity, international sanctions, treaty obligations, international organisations, and boundary-related matters. Recent highlights include acting for one of the largest manufacturers of fertilisers in Eastern Europe in an ICSID claim brought under a BIT between Lithuania and Serbia, relating to the expropriation of UAB ARVI’s chemical and fertiliser manufacturing business in Serbia. Stuart Dutson is recommended. Andy Moody was recently promoted to partner.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 6

At Eversheds LLP, Nick Swiss is well regarded, and advises a strong client base of lenders and borrowers; names include HSBC, Lloyds and HIG.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

At Eversheds LLP, Paul de la Pena represented NHP – the largest landlord of the Southern Cross Healthcare group – in relation to the high-profile restructuring of the group. The team acts for all of the UK clearing banks, and, although best known for domestic mandates, is starting to pick up international mandates; examples include advising the German office holder following the collapse of Lehman Bankhaus. Simon Waller heads the four-partner team.

Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 4

Predominantly a buy-side practice, Eversheds LLP increasingly acts for sell-side clients including Santander on hedging matters. Structured finance specialist Paul-Michael Rebus and derivatives experts Jonathan Master and Antony Thomlinson count easyJet and BNP Paribas as clients. Master recently advised Co-operative Bank on derivatives documentation and regulation.

Within Investment funds, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP shows the ‘ability to integrate good advice into business practice and to understand and influence strategy’. It has a leading retail funds practice and robust capability in private equity, real estate, listed and hedge funds, and has helped to pioneer property authorised investment funds (PAIFs). It acted on the merger of the Henderson and Gartmore fund families, and advised Schroder Property Investment Management Limited on converting to PAIF status and establishing its feeder fund. Ronald Paterson advised Numis Securities as sponsor on Better Capital’s conversion to protected cell status and the creation of a parallel cell. Department head and retail funds expert Pamela Thompson demonstrates ‘business acumen and industry knowledge, and the ability to produce practical and commercial solutions’. Julian Brown, Michaela Walker and Sarah Bion are also recommended. Tax partner Camilla Spielman has ‘gained considerable knowledge of fund structuring through her recent PAIF work’. Antony Thomlinson is ‘experienced, technically strong and commercial’. Jonathan Master is recommended for listed funds.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Mathew Gorringe’s three-partner team at Eversheds LLP acts for clients including United Utilities Group, Flybe Group, and Greene King. It advised Morningstar on an international incentives scheme review in 21 jurisdictions, and Waterlogic on a performance share plan on initial public offering for employees in multiple jurisdictions.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 4

Continued momentum at Eversheds LLP earned a number of significant panel wins in the financial services sector and three new partners including industrial relations expert Marc Meryon, who joined from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP and advised on many of the headline union disputes of the past year. London head Paul Fontes ‘really knows his stuff’’. Fiona Bolton led the advice to NHP on the takeover of care homes operated by Southern Cross Healthcare. ‘The whole team is not only excellent, but a really nice group of people to deal with.’

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

The ‘first-rate’ team at Eversheds LLP is ‘exceptionally reliable’, and available around the clock to assist with crisis management; it is noted for its willingness to attend accident sites and in providing rapid response. In 2011, it defended Marks & Spencer in a 14-week asbestos-related trial, which saw the company acquitted on four out of six charges. The firm continued to add to its impressive list of clients, gaining DHL, GlaxoSmithKline, E.On and Northern Rail. Kevin Elliott has ‘huge breadth of experience’ and a ‘superb instinct when advising clients’.

Within Immigration,

Also notable for their work in the area of immigration are: Birnberg Peirce & Partners; Blake Lapthorn; Blakemores; Clifford Chance; Davenport Lyons; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Eversheds LLP; Luqmani Thompson & Partners; Macfarlanes LLP; Paragon Law; Pinsent Masons LLP; QualitySolicitors FJG; RadcliffesLeBrasseur; Russell-Cooke LLP; Simons Muirhead & Burton; Travers Smith LLP; and Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Overview,

Against this, there is increased competition from in-house teams which continue to up-skill, particularly in the banking sector, and from third-party HR advisers and claims handlers; and the prevailing economic climate is having a heavy impact on the available legal spend. Shrewd clients have sought to commoditise work outside of the City and demand greater efficiency and alternative fee arrangements. National firms – notably Addleshaw Goddard LLP; DAC Beachcroft LLP; Eversheds LLP; and Pinsent Masons LLP – are well placed to capitalise on this while also handling top-end work from London.

Within Pensions, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Up a tier in the non-contentious ranking, Eversheds LLP has a sizeable national pensions team that advised the Trustees of the British Airways Pensions Schemes on the £1.3bn buy-in with Rothesay Life; and advised Interserve on asset-backed security arrangements. Other clients include the John Lewis Trustees and Accenture globally, which includes the three UK Accenture pensions schemes. National head of pensions Anthony Arter, Stuart Earle and Sarah Swift, who recently joined the firm from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, are recommended. Jeremy Goodwin is ‘an absolute master of pensions law’. On the disputes side, the firm acted in Box Clever, representing Box Clever Trustees Limited, and continues to advise the Port of Tyne Authority in Pilots. Giles Orton, who is ‘an exceptionally gifted lawyer’, and newly promoted partner Claire Carroll, who ‘thinks strategically’, are recommended. Jay Doraisamy has left the firm.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 4

Eversheds LLP represent insurers and policyholders in high-value disputes, with particular expertise in D&O, brokers E&O, and business interruption claims. Head of department Simon Brooks recently acted for Rolls-Royce plc in a product liability insurance coverage dispute concerning propulsion systems in cruise liners; the case has brought jurisdictional issues before courts in Florida and the UK. Also recommended are Matthew Allen, who is a ‘very good negotiator’, and Jeremy Irving.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Simon Brooks heads the team at Eversheds LLP, which has a focus on the nuclear, energy and power sectors. Jeremy Irving advised the Malta-domiciled Northcourt Limited on the establishment of a nuclear risk underwriting agent; the matter was unusual as such risks are historically underwritten by government entities. Michael Wainwright is recommended for his life insurance expertise, and recently advised British Airways Pension Services Ltd on a £1.3bn longevity insurance contract with Rothesay Life. Jonathon Crook adds expertise on the regulatory side.

Within Product liability: defendant, tier 4

Richard Matthews heads a large national team at Eversheds LLP, whose recent high-profile work includes acting for Rolls-Royce in the Mermaid Pods litigation, and for Tyco and ADT in a £100m claim concerning failed fire suppressant systems.

Within Professional negligence, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

The team at Eversheds LLP provides an ‘excellent’ service, and ‘really knows what it is doing’. The ‘commercial’ Simon Brooks heads a six-partner team, and is valued for his ‘detailed and practical advice’. It has notable experience in matters involving insurance brokers, accountants and lawyers, and clients include the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, Miller Insurance and KPMG. Jeremy Irving and Matthew Allen are also singled out.

Within Infrastructure, tier 5

Heavily involved in domestic public/private partnerships, Michael Grimes’ team at Eversheds LLP is active in a variety of projects including PFI mandates in social housing and waste. Jonathan Cripps and Rebecca Carter left for Stephenson Harwood in August 2011.

Within PFI and PPP, tier 5

Stephenson Harwood significantly bolstered its offering with the hire of Jonathan Cripps, former head of projects at Eversheds LLP, and Rebecca Carter from the same firm. The duo advised North London Waste Authority on its £3bn waste services procurement. Associates Ian Pumfrey and Jennifer Westall are also recommended.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables), tier 4

As well as having a prolific onshore and offshore wind practice, Eversheds LLP handled some high-profile nuclear mandates in 2011, including advising Nuclear Power Delivery UK on its proposed tender to Horizon Nuclear for the construction of new facilities at Wylfa and Oldbury.

Within Water, tier 5

Eversheds LLP is advising a major UK water company on a wide range of issues including the transfer of sewerage operations and the implications of a recent Supreme Court decision on sewerage infrastructure.

Within Administrative and public law, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s large, cross-departmental practice regularly attracts high-profile instructions. The ‘very experienced and astute’ Peter Watkin Jones has an outstanding track record in public inquiries; he advised in relation to the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, and advised the Metropolitan Police Authority regarding the Leveson phone-hacking inquiry. Judith Barnes joined DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Within Education: individuals Leading individuals: Education

Within Education: institutions, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team has been appointed as the main legal adviser to New College Nottingham, and recently advised the University of Bradford on a collaboration with a private sector developer for campus redevelopment. Other clients include the University of Manchester and the University of Bradford. Glynne Stanfield has ‘unrivalled expertise’ and is ‘a robust and dogged negotiator’, and practice head Diane Gilhooley is also recommended.

Within Education: schools Leading individuals: Education

Within Healthcare, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP advises public and private sector clients, including several from the life sciences industry. The firm advised NHP, Southern Cross’ largest landlord, and the inquiries and investigations team acted as legal adviser in the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Inquiry. New clients include United Drug and Ramsay Healthcare UK. Bill Gilliam leads the group, which recruited the ‘outstanding’ Clive Lampard from Macfarlanes LLP as a consultant, and Richard Lewis from Hogan Lovells International LLP, to lead the firm’s corporate practice in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

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

Eversheds LLP’s ‘professional’ and ‘dedicated’ practice advises over 200 local authorities. The firm represented Oxford City Council in its formation of a co-investment partnership, acted for five Welsh authorities in equal pay litigation, and helped Carlisle City Council to transfer Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery’s management to a charitable trust. Consultant Frances Woodhead and associate Denis Cooper now lead the team, following Judith Barnes’ departure. Jackie Heeds is ‘an effective team player’ with ‘strong leadership skills’. Stephen Cirell left private practice.

Within Overview,

The Administrative and public law table ranks claimant and commercial firms together. Of the City firms, Herbert Smith LLP, Hogan Lovells International LLP and Baker & McKenzie LLP provide strong representation of commercial clients, while Bindmans LLP and Leigh Day & Co remain leaders on the claimant side. The latter two also have market-leading human rights and civil liberties practices, where other renowned firms include Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, Tuckers Solicitors and the newly merged Deighton Pierce Glynn. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Eversheds LLP each have recognised expertise in public inquiries, and Trowers & Hamlins LLP and Clifford Chance are among the leaders for public affairs work.

Within Parliamentary, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s ‘very high-calibre team’ is strong on rail and ports projects, and has a growing energy sector practice. The firm acted on a harbour revision order for the £400m Dover Terminal 2 project. Monica Peto has ‘strong intellectual capability and creativity’, senior associate Raj Gupta is ‘outstanding’, and department head Stephen Collings is also recommended.

Within Commercial property, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP is ‘very competent on nuts-and-bolts property law and its commercial application’. The firm is on the panels of all the key banks, and is lead adviser to Legal & General Pensions; it manages more than £6bn of its property portfolio and advised on its £305m purchase of the new Commercial Court at Rolls Building. Practice head Bruce Dear is ‘very practical and always reliable’, William Naunton is ‘tenacious, competent, attentive’, Clive Jones is ‘highly innovative’, and Stephen Felstead and senior associate Clare Rudd are also recommended.

Within Construction, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP strengthened its national practice by hiring McGrigors LLP’s construction team in 2012, as well as recruiting Nigel Proctor from Addleshaw Goddard LLP. The group has particular expertise in domestic rail projects, and also benefits from the firm’s energy strengths. Jonathan Bowley is ‘very good’ on complex funding issues, and Richard Ward provides contentious and non-contentious advice. Practice head Simon Oats acts for Microsoft, among other clients.

Within Environment, tier 5

Eversheds LLP’s national environmental practice handles work for domestic and international clients, including Halliburton and GlaxoSmithKline. It has seen an increase in non-contentious work over the past year.

Within Planning, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s sizeable team is appreciated for its ‘skills and depth of resources’, and its ‘very competitive fee structure’. It is advising Covent Garden Market Authority on the £2bn redevelopment scheme in Vauxhall, and also advised North London Waste Authority on issues associated with bids submitted by potential operators of large waste sites in the area. The team includes the ‘very accessible’ and ‘highly experienced’ Marcus Trinick, as well as two parliamentary law partners acting on related legislative issues.

Within Property finance, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

At Eversheds LLP, Simon Mead is ‘the star of the practice – a top-class lawyer with personality to match’. The firm has a great array of lender clients, and advised HSBC and Santander on the £100m Grainger refinancing. Clients also value senior associate Nicola Louise Smith.

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

Eversheds LLP’s ‘very professional’ group acted in several high-profile cases in 2011 and 2012. Will Densham ‘handles the complexities of large-scale litigation brilliantly’, and is highly sought for his rent review expertise. He advised Associated British Ports on the contested repossession of Immingham gas jetty, and assisted the Olympic Park Legacy Company in a judicial review. Senior associate Kate Poole is ‘phenomenally hardworking’.

Within Social housing: finance, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP acted as UK counsel for the investors in Metropolitan Housing Trust’s £40m US private placement. Department head Mitch Brown and associate Fraser Macrae are recommended.

Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, tier 4

Eversheds LLP advised Home Group and Galliford Try on their £347m joint venture, Evolution Gateshead LLP, and also advised Victory Housing Trust in relation to joining the Circle Group consortium to bid for an HCA grant. Practice head Mitch Brown is recommended.

Within Brand management, tier 4

Eversheds LLP handles trade mark, sponsorship and advertising matters. Highlights included advising Links of London and Coca-Cola on sponsoring major sporting events, and representing Northern Foods and Novartis in comparative advertising disputes. Neil Mohring and Andrew Terry are the key contacts.

Within Data protection, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Paula Barrett leads Eversheds LLP’s international data privacy practice, which handles global compliance projects and advises extensively on data security breaches and privacy issues, including online behavioural advertising. Clients include Rolls-Royce, eBay, Comet Group, and United Technologies.

Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Eversheds LLP handles trade mark and patent matters, including transactional support, for clients including BAE Systems, DuPont, Coca-Cola and United Therapeutics. Practice head Neil Mohring advised Apple Corps on an OHIM appeal regarding an application for the word ‘beatle’.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Eversheds LLP has notable experience in handling software-related deals for financial services clients. New practice head Simon Gamlin has ‘an uncanny balance of legal expertise, industry knowledge and the ability to provide commercially astute, workable solutions’; and James Walsh has ‘really good overall telecoms business knowledge’. Clients include Cincinnati Bell, Wolseley and Anglo American. Gamlin took over from Rex Parry, who left to set up his own consultancy.

Within Media and entertainment, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

‘First-class negotiator and communicator’ Neil Mohring leads Eversheds LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice, which focuses on international and cross-jurisdictional work. The team, which includes consultant Nicholas Valner, advised Apple Corps on its exploitation of The Beatles’ catalogue; HSBC Private Bank on the securitisation of a music publishing catalogue for a joint venture; and US publisher Spirit Catalogue Holdings on the acquisition of a major music catalogue.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, tier 4

Eversheds LLP handles a range of regulatory, competition and commercial matters, for clients including Shire, Alere, Covidien, Roche, and United Drug. Janet Knowles leads the team, and was recently involved in advising Cochlear Ltd on a global technology licensing agreement with GN Resound. The group hired Richard Lewis from Hogan Lovells International LLP, who is experienced in transactional matters.

Within Sport, tier 5

Eversheds LLP has experience advising governing bodies, event organisers and sponsors.

Within Aviation, tier 4

Eversheds LLP acted for Flybe on the acquisition of Finnish Commuter Airlines; advised Birmingham International Airport on a proposed runway extension development; and represented Blackpool Airport in proceedings brought by jet2.com regarding permitted take-off and landing hours. Head of department Richard Prowse is singled out.

Within Rail, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s ‘outstanding’ rail team is led by the ‘brilliant’ Anne Harris and the ‘experienced’ Mark Brunton, who is ‘calm and able to make considered decisions in the time available, clearly recognising the strategic and commercial implications’. It advised the Department for Transport on the letting of the Greater Anglia franchise agreement and the extension of the Virgin West Coast franchise. Marc Meryon recently joined the team from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP.

Within Shipping, tier 6

Key clients of Eversheds LLP include Thomas Miller P&I, Gard P&I and Steamship Mutual P&I. Stephen Mackin heads the team. Jessica Maitra was recently promoted to the partnership and is recommended for dry shipping matters.