The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax

Within Customs & Excise, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP remains active in this area through its fraud and financial crime team.

Within EU and competition , tier 5

Eversheds LLP consolidated its fine position in the cartel sector during 2008. It advised Cemex in the ongoing European Commission investigation into the cement sector, as well as obtaining key roles on a number of UK and European cartel investigations. The immensely experienced and highly respected Ros Kellaway heads the team, which includes Stephen Rose, James Robinson and Andrew Chandler.

Within Financial services, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s Pamela Thompson is a buy-side regulatory expert. The team advised on all aspects of the launch of Novia Financial, and acted for buy-side firms on the regulatory impact of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and Icelandic banks.

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

At Eversheds LLP, Neil Matthews’ team advised Norcon on its AIM listing. Other clients include Libertas Capital, Islamic Bank of Britain, and Arden Partners. Keri Rees is recommended.

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

Eversheds LLP, with a 40-partner team, is regularly among the leading firms by volume of completed UK M&A deals. In 2008 its average deal value was £33m, with its advice to Bodycote on the £417m sale of an international testing division to CDR Tabasco (advised by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP) stands out. Mark Spinner is the London contact.

Within Outsourcing and procurement, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Across its UK offices, Eversheds LLP has a spread of outsourcing and procurement capabilities that make it ‘a leading national practice’. Rex Parry heads an outsourcing group that in 2008 added WNS, Hermes and Equitini to an already impressive client roster. The procurement team, headed by Leeds-based Mike Mousdale, counts the Department of Transport, the Highways Agency, the Ministry of Justice and the NHS as clients.

Within Partnership, tier 4

Paul Fontes at Eversheds LLP is ‘pragmatic and commercial’.

Within Private equity , tier 6

Eversheds LLP’s practice, under Richard Moulton, benefits from the firm’s active regional network and an excellent volume of mid-market deal flow. New clients include Inflexion Private Equity and Endless LLP.

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

Eversheds LLP strengthened its indirect tax team with the hire of Clive Jones from Clifford Chance. Real estate is a particular strength and the firm is developing an urban regeneration tax practice, including instructions from London Thames Gateway Development Corporation on the regeneration of two key areas of the Thames Gateway. Alan Connell is recommended.

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, tier 5

Eversheds LLP’s head of financial crime, Neill Blundell, is ‘high on delivery’. The firm is acting for Symmetry Inc in a US$26m internal accounting irregularity investigation.

Within Fraud - crime , Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Neill Blundell - head of financial crime at Eversheds LLP - is ‘very able’. The firm is acting for a Canadian company facing parallel FBI and SFO investigations into alleged corruption.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

The highly rated Mark Davenport has succeeded media expert Nick Valner as head of Eversheds LLP’s well-regarded disputes practice. The firm boasts its own in-house advocacy unit, headed by barrister Tom Keith, which acted on close to 90 cases in 2008. One of the firm’s largest cases was for Lion Apparel Systems, a supplier of personal protective equipment, in challenging the public procurement process adopted by Firebuy, which is part of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Other clients include Dairy Crest, JPMorgan, Legal & General, and Transport for London.

Within Debt recovery, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Based in Cardiff, Eversheds LLP’s debt recovery team is highly regarded for its mortgage work, which includes complex disputes. The practice has wide debt recovery experience, acting for banks, building societies, insurers and other financial institutions. The team also undertakes asset and auto finance collections for lenders.

Within Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Eversheds LLP commands a strong reputation in the market, and team head Stewart Shackleton is very well regarded. The firm is involved in several major international disputes across a range of sectors, both for state governments and major corporations.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

Eversheds LLP is noted for its work before the GMC.

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

Eversheds LLP’s London practice is led by Stewart Shackleton, who frequently handles arbitrations (including proceedings pursuant to the ICSID Convention) involving investors and states. He is currently involved in litigation relating to state immunity on behalf of the Government of Argentina, against a German company. The other London partner in the team, Stuart Dutson, has expertise in international commercial and BIT arbitrations, and in 2008 was involved in telecoms and defence arbitrations relating to Eastern Europe and Africa.

Within Acquisition finance

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 7

Eversheds LLP is recommended for its aviation finance practice.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 6

Sitting as part of its wider national offering, Eversheds LLP’s three-partner London group receives an impressive flow of predominantly middle-market instructions from a robust clearing bank client base that includes HBOS, Barclays and HSBC. Particularly active in the property arena, the firm advised HBOS in relation to lending to the Highmore Homes Group and, in conjunction with Ernst & Young, during the company’s administration. Simon Waller heads the team.

Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 5

Eversheds LLP ‘always delivers, even when turnaround times are tight’. Antony Thomlinson’s team acts for buy-side clients such as Legal and General, and it has also been advising fund manager trade body the Investment Management Association.

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

Headed by Pamela Thompson, the team at Eversheds LLP is the undoubted leader for retail funds, including OEICs and unit trusts. Ronald Paterson is also recommended for hedge funds, and the firm recently advised Threadneedle on the formation of two European and Asia focused funds. The firm also has a good track record for property funds. Michaela Walker comes highly recommended.

Within Employment, tier 5

Paul Fontes leads Eversheds LLP’s London practice, which was instructed by ABN Amro to advise on redundancies in Scandinavia. The team also defended several high-value discrimination claims for large financial services clients, while other clients include Virgin Atlantic, T-Mobile and Volkswagen.

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

Eversheds LLP boasts a ‘strong’ team that consistently impresses clients. It recently advised on a fatality and subsequent investigation for a pharmaceutical company, and is acting for Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd following the Buncefield explosion. Other clients include Centrica and EDF Energy. David Young and Kevin Elliott are recommended.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s national head of pensions Anthony Arter leads a team that provides ‘seamless advice’ to clients of all sizes, on the employer and trustee side. Giles Orton and Harold Lewis are highly respected by peers for their handling of disputes.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Now headed by Wendy Hunter, Hammonds LLP has a ‘strong team’ that is ‘willing to put itself out to find solutions to problems wherever possible’ and ‘provides reasonable value for money’. Clifford Sims is ‘highly responsive’; associate Emma King wins praise; and Simon Price is recommended for disputes, which include Sea Containers. Former practice head Jay Doraisamy has joined Eversheds LLP.

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

Eversheds LLP’s Michael Wainwright is well respected in the market and was the lead solicitor advising on the closure of AIG Enhanced Fund, which entailed advising AIG Life on the emergency suspension of redemptions and the restructuring plan put forward by the company. American Express and AXA are also clients. Pamela Thompson is another key contact.

Within Insurance - insolvency and restructuring, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s clients include PwC and Ernst & Young. Simon Waller is the lead partner.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 4

Simon Brooks leads the insurance/reinsurance team at Eversheds LLP. Recent work includes representing Scor Re in a reinsurance dispute arising out of product liability claims written under a catastrophe excess umbrella wording in favour of Merck & Co (value US$33m), while other clients include XL and Royal & SunAlliance. David Webster left the team to join Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP.

Within Product liability - defendant, tier 5

Eversheds LLP has a multinational client base that includes Samsung, Canon, SPX, DuPont and Meyer. Heading the practice, Richard Matthews is experienced in crisis management spanning the consumer goods, chemicals and medical device sectors. Simon Brooks and David Young are also recommended.

Within Professional negligence, tier 4

Eversheds LLP’s well-regarded professional negligence practice is led by Simon Brooks. Praised for its ‘can-do attitude’, highlights for the five-partner team included acting for leading broker Miller in a multimillion-pound dispute regarding claims against a major accountancy firm in relation to tax avoidance schemes.

Within Overview,

National heavyweights such as Eversheds LLP and Pinsent Masons have capitalised on the commoditisation of domestic PFI to make a real splash in the sector, particularly on the procurement side, in line with both firms’ strength in local government.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , tier 5

Marcus Trinick at Eversheds LLP is well known for his renewables experience.

Within Private finance initiative(PFI) , tier 4

At Eversheds LLP, team head Jonathan Cripps is leading the advice to Romanian Government department the National Roads and Highways Company, on the procurement of the €1.5bn A3 Highways PPP.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

Eversheds LLP represents the North West Development Agency, the Homes and Communities Agency, TfL and the Welsh Assembly Government. The practice advises on state aid, public procurement and international public law. Key figures include Stephen Cirell and Alun Cole.

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

Eversheds LLP acts on a vast number of campus development projects for the likes of Oxford University and Manchester University. Key players are Glynne Stanfield, John Hull, and John Boardman, who is experienced in corporate governance matters. John Hall is ‘highly respected for his vast knowledge’.

Within Electoral, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Led by Stephen Cirell and Judith Barnes, Eversheds LLP advises local authority clients on electoral matters, including member misconduct, eligibility for office and election petitions.

Within Healthcare, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP advises a range of public and private sector clients including Accent group and Papworth Hospital NHS foundation trust. Bill Gilliam heads a ‘responsive’ team, which features Rebecca Carter, Jonathan Cripps, Richard Moulton and Ruth Connorton.

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

The ‘excellent’ team at Eversheds LLP has ‘strong national reach’, handling most local government work through its regional offices. Lead partner Stephen Cirell, ‘the biggest figure in local government’, is assisted by Judith Barnes, and the team includes specialists across regeneration, planning, projects, transport, shared services, and powers and governance, acting for over 200 local authorities. The team is expanding, despite Neil Logan Green’s departure to K&L Gates.

Within Overview,

A strong regional presence is a definite advantage in this area, since cost-conscious public sector clients can be serviced at lower rates than the London firms can offer. This works in favour of firms such as Eversheds LLP, Martineau and Beachcroft LLP. Another distinguishing feature of public sector work is that the market tends to remain fairly steady compared to other practice areas, with a preference for longstanding client relationships and long-term commitment to the sector.

Within Parliamentary , Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Monica Peto and Stephen Collings lead Eversheds LLP’s practice, which continues to advise TfL on Crossrail. The practice also began promoting a TWA order for Chiltern Railways to extend the Oxford-Bicester railway line, and acted on numerous harbour and ports projects.

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

Eversheds LLP had a successful year, and continues to demonstrate its expertise across the board. Achievements included advising the London Development Agency (LDA) on its £450m joint venture with Laing - the UK’s first local asset-backed vehicle for regeneration - and acting for Qatar Bank on the £1.5bn equity restructuring of the Shard. The group is also vastly experienced in private sector regeneration, representing clients such as Hammerson, Land Securities and Thornfield. The team notably won a leading position on Legal & General’s panel. Bruce Dear ‘a first-rate technical lawyer with pragmatic, commercial sense’, group head William Naunton, Stephen Sorrell and Tim Webb are all recommended. Clients say the firm is ‘at the front of the innovative service provision league’.

Within Construction, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP targets purchaser clients and boasts a strong infrastructure and transport practice, including key clients Transport for London and London Underground. Headed by Simon Oats, the practice advised an international mining company on a potential dispute and represented the ODA on an underground power-lines project.

Within Environment, tier 5

Eversheds LLP’s clients include easyJet, Taylor Wimpey, Boeing and DuPont. The national team, which includes partner Michael Woods, is able to ‘meet all the requirements’, but is best positioned to assist on environmental aspects of acquisitions, for example advising Tyco on energy legislation including WEEE and REACH.

Within Planning, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Paul Wootton heads a national practice at Eversheds LLP that includes partner Judith Damerell. The group has a strong record in infrastructure and transport, and targets construction purchaser clients. Key representations include Crossrail, Transport for London and London Underground. In tandem with the firm’s new parliamentary team, Wootton is advising on all planning aspects of the Dover Terminal 2 project, including the construction of a new ferry terminal and marina, and the regeneration of the historic Wellington Docks. The firm also advised Land Securities on the redevelopment of the 30 Old Bailey site in London for mixed office and retail use.

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

Eversheds LLP is experienced in loan origination transactions, and has a good track record in Islamic finance. It acted for Bank of Scotland on £291m senior term facilities to Evans Randall for the acquisition of Commerzbank’s headquarters and other high-profile London City assets. Simon Mead leads the team, which was boosted by the arrival of Colin McKay from McGrigors LLP in 2008. Daniyal Ansari and Nick Swiss are also recommended.

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

Linklaters LLP recently carried out cutting-edge work for PwC/Lehman and Deloitte/Woolworths. The group also acted for BP in damages claims arising from the Buncefield oil storage facility explosion. Will Densham left for Eversheds LLP, but Katie Bradford remains the key contact.

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

Eversheds LLP recently welcomed Will Densham from Linklaters LLP, while Carole Peet left for LG. The team acted on enforcing numerous contracts for the sale of land, and landed a role on Crossrail’s panel. Richard Hanson is recommended.

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

Eversheds LLP recently welcomed Newcastle-based affordable housing expert Mitch Brown from Dickinson Dees LLP. Barclays is a client, and Cardiff-based Kevin Booth is also recommended.

Within Brand management, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP’s international franchising practice has been advising Palletways on the amendment of master licence agreements in several European jurisdictions. Richard Little handles contentious franchising work, while Phil Sherrell heads the advertising team and has been active advising on ASA and comparative advertising disputes.

Within Intellectual property, tier 6

Eversheds LLP’s London IP practice is headed by John Hull, who has been advising Costa on trade mark issues.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Rex Parry is head of IT at Eversheds LLP.

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

Eversheds LLP represents The Beatles, U2, Sir Elton John and James Blunt. Group head Nicholas Valner advised Apple Corps on an interactive computer game featuring The Beatles’ music. Patrick Gardiner successfully represented Experience Hendrix in litigation brought against the Sunday Times. Phil Sherrell successfully represented a consortium of industry bodies in a Copyright Tribunal reference concerning fees for playing background music. David Glover advised games publisher Capcom Entertainment.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, tier 4

At Eversheds LLP, transactional partner Janet Knowles has been advising DxS Ltd in relation to licences from Genzyme Genetics of worldwide rights for diagnostic testing, and Indian pharmaceutical company Famy Care on a development and manufacturing agreement.

Within Aviation, tier 5

Richard Prowse’s commercial and competition expertise, coupled with practice head Ruth Connorton’s experience in airport transactions, means Eversheds LLP offers extensive regulatory expertise, particularly in relation to airport infrastructure projects. The team has been advising the aviation directorate at the DfT on the Secretary of State’s decisions whether to remove or retain price control at Stansted and Manchester airports. The team has also been retained as principal legal advisers to the Flybe Group, including advising on its acquisition of BA Connect from BA.

Within Rail, Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

In addition to Mark Brunton and Anne Harris’ commercial and regulatory rail expertise, Eversheds LLP fields a strong construction and engineering specialist in Donald Warnock, who has been seconded to head up Tube Lines’ legal department. In 2008 the team successfully tendered to advise Chiltern Railways on a £200m project to upgrade the Chiltern main line, and continued to act for TfL on the extension of Oystercard to the national rail system.

Within Shipping , tier 6

Eversheds LLP has witnessed an increase in contentious work of an FD&D nature, including charterparty and shipbuilding disputes. The team acted for Stocznia Gydnia Shipyard on a US$90m shipbuilding dispute.