The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Led by Daniel Hall, Eversheds LLP’s ‘fantastic’ ten-partner team has coped relatively well in the downturn, thanks in part to the plethora of cash-rich quoted companies on its roster. Hall led on the team’s high-profile representation of Vancouver Airports Group on its £200m acquisition of Peel Airports Group; the ‘superb’ Simon Masters advised Booker Group on the £20m acquisition of Ritter-Courivand and £4m acquisition of Classic Drinks; and Edward Pysden is also recommended. Other clients include Flybe, Multisol, Bodycote and Renold.

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

Eversheds LLP’s Deneze Hastings has particular expertise in advising on the tax aspects of private equity transactions. She is an integral part of a pan-Northern team, supporting the firm’s corporate and real estate practices.

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

Eversheds LLP’s four-partner team has the strength and depth to provide advice across the gamut of issues from merger control to state aid matters. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Adam Collinson is ‘very skilled in his dealings with the OFT’, and recently achieved a favourable outcome for the Reckitt Benckiser Group in an abuse of a dominant position investigation. Clients include Dairy Crest, Specsavers, Securitas and PPG.

Within Licensing Licensing

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Lauded for its ‘commercially focused advice’, Eversheds LLP represents an impressive array of corporates across a broad spectrum of commercial litigation. Headed by the vastly experienced Michael Clavell-Bate, the team is praised for its ‘strength and depth’, and includes senior associate Kath Livingston. Clients include BAE Systems, Phones 4U, Shop Direct and Weatherseal.

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

Leveraging off an impressive corporate client base, Eversheds LLP is best known for its borrower-side financing capability, and has started to pick up some new-money deals, such as advising Bodycote International plc on its £110m syndicated finance agreement with a related accordion facility of £15m. On the bank side, the group has an excellent reputation for invoice finance and asset-based lending, with the ‘able and amenable’ Simon Prendergast particularly well regarded.

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

At Eversheds LLP, David Gray is the sole partner in the team and is at the forefront of its most significant mandates, including advising the Co-Operative Bank on the restructuring and solvent sale of Sheffield Wednesday FC. ‘Technically strong and robust’ senior associate Michelle Shean advised KPMG as administrator on the sale of Antler Luggage to a newco backed by LDC.

Within Employment, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP has a particular emphasis on the education sector, where new clients include Manchester Metropolitan University. Practice head Michael Thompson continues to act for a number of household names, and Peter Norbury is well known for trade union and industrial relations work. Diane Gilhooley excels in the education sector; and Naeema Choudry ‘gives pragmatic advice with a strong commercial edge’.

Within Pensions, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP attracted numerous new clients in 2010 and continues to advise on complex issues. Clients include the Umbro Pension Plan. Ronald Graham, who ‘adds gravitas to any advice given’, leads the team, working alongside associate Sarah Lown.

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

2010 was a year of consolidation for Eversheds LLP following a period of a significant rationalisation nationally. Its strong roster of cash-rich public company clients helped in keeping the firm busy, on a significant number of major refinancings as well as some fairly sizeable acquisitions. Its balance of public and private sector clients has also assisted the firm in withstanding the vagaries of the economic downturn better than most.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), Eversheds LLP is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP saw the departure of Mike Mousdale to Trowers & Hamlins LLP, but can still call upon the expertise of the well-regarded Jackie Heeds, who specialises in PFI/PPP work across a range of sectors including housing, education, defence and leisure.

Within Education, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Eversheds LLP operates a large multi-disciplinary education practice. Recent work includes advising on the restructuring of Barnfield College; and advising University College London on a £600m joint venture for a medical research centre. The well-known Diane Gilhooley leads the team.

Within Health, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

Eversheds LLP is particularly strong in litigation, and recent work includes successfully defending NHS Hull PCT in a judicial review challenge to its decision to transfer its provider function to a social enterprise. Other clients include Mid Staffordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry.

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

The substantial and dynamic team at Eversheds LLP won a number of key clients, including 38 North West authorities. Recent work includes advising on collaborations and strategic partnerships. Suzanne Gregson joined from Howarth Goodman, while Michael Mousdale left for Trowers & Hamlins LLP.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

Headed by Nancy Brown, Eversheds LLP’s team has a ‘“can-do” attitude’ and takes ‘a joined-up approach to advice’. With a strong sector focus (in areas including chemicals and education) and a broad cross-section of expertise (across occupier, investor, corporate support, restructuring, development and regeneration work), the team has gained new clients such as SEGRO plc, which it advised on the Heywood and Trafford Park industrial estates.

Within Construction, Eversheds LLP is a third tier firm,

With one Manchester-based partner in Simon Chamberlain, Eversheds LLP provides a ‘first-class’ service across a range of complex projects, and has ‘excellent knowledge’ in an array of sectors. Particularly active in the education sector, the team is advising Stoke-on-Trent City Council on a £250m BSF project, and also advises major regional entities such as Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Within Planning and environment, Eversheds LLP is a first tier firm,

‘The best in his field’, Richard Lloyd is the lynchpin of Eversheds LLP’s ‘very effective planning team’; his ‘knowledge of planning and CPO matters never fails to impress’. Aided by ‘exceptional’ associate Michelle Naylor, Lloyd is advising Thurrock Thames Gateway Development on the Purfleet new community project; utilising a multi-disciplinary approach drawing on team members from across the firm’s network, the mandate exemplifies the firm’s ability to handle sophisticated planning matters. A separate environment team includes ‘excellent’ senior associate Jane Southworth.

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

Headed by James Batham, Eversheds LLP provides high-end litigation expertise to an ever-growing client roster including JD Sports Fashion, Mitchells & Butlers, and SEGRO. A ‘formidable outfit’, the team recently secured a notable victory before the Supreme Court in the Tradegro litigation. The arrival of Suzanne Gregson from Howarth Goodman gives the firm added housing litigation expertise.

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

Eversheds LLP’s team was strengthened by the hire of Suzanne Gregson from Howarth Goodman on the contentious side.

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

Eversheds LLP’s is well placed to advise on branding and technology licensing transactions. Head of contentious IP Antony Gold ‘brings an assured confidence and calmness’ in complex matters. Tom Bridgford joined from Squire Sanders Hammonds.

Within IT and telecoms,

The team at Squire Sanders Hammonds acts for both customers and suppliers. Highlights included advising AppSense on a £70m outsourcing deal with Fujitsu to provide desktop management solutions to the DWP. Other clients include Cooperative Bank and INEOS. Tom Bridgford left for Eversheds LLP.