The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘invaluable industry knowledge’, and its 25-partner, cross-departmental outsourcing team, make it highly sought after among financial services institutions, FTSE 100 companies, and investors into the UK. Servicing both public and private sector clients, it advises on commercial agreements in the medical, IT hardware and media sectors, and is experienced in joint venture matters across the gas, financial services and retail industries. It assisted the Albanian Ministry of Finance in relation to mission-critical technology outsourcing, while highlights on the BPO side included winning the mandate to advise National Savings & Investments on its £1bn second-generation IT and BPO project. Technology and outsourcing specialist Michael Chissick oversees the commercial group, with Paul Barton providing public sector outsourcing and procurement expertise. Also recommended are: financial services expert Kirstene Baillie; Simon Briskman, ‘an excellent lawyer with good business sense and managerial skills; and Neil Wallis, for his ‘strong understanding of banks ’ needs’.

Within Corporate tax, tier 5

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘user-friendly’ team is ‘knowledgeable, practical and good value’. Areas of strength include media and film matters, transfer pricing and tax structuring. Nicholas Noble has ‘very broad knowledge’ and is ‘commercial and excellent to work with’, and practice head Graeme Nuttall is also recommended. Andrew Prowse recently made partner.

Within EU and competition , tier 5

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is making significant headway in this area, developing a broad practice and winning new clients. Recent work includes successfully clearing All Nippon Airways of any involvement in the air cargo cartel; and advising Orange in a number of appeals in the CAT and Competition Commission regarding Ofcom’s statement on mobile call termination charges. State aid clients include Sector Treasury Services. Practice head Charles Whiddington is praised for his quick and clear advice; and new partner John Cassels is ‘flexible at approaching legal issues from different directions to find the best way to resolve the problem’.

Within Financial services, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s Kirstene Baillie advises on regulatory developments, particularly with regard to new funds, and ‘sorts out complex issues in an efficient manner’. Duncan Black’s work includes market abuse, systems and controls, fitness and propriety, conflicts of interest and money laundering; he ‘relishes the complexities of regulatory work’.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Energy and natural resources remain a key focus for Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. The ‘innovative’ Dominic Gurney-Champion advised RBC Capital Markets on Kea Petroleum’s £40m flotation, and Anthony Brockbank advised KPMG Corporate Finance and Mirabaud Securities on the $60m flotation and placing of Central Asia Metals. The ‘first-class and readily accessible’ team is rated for its ‘commercially sound approach’. Amerjit Kalirai joined from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP completed 21 M&A deals with an aggregate value of £2.6bn in 2010, including advising all of the UK’s public service broadcasters and a number of broadband companies on the YouView venture. Andrew Blankfield is ‘one of the top corporate partners in London’.

Within Partnership Partnership

Within VAT and indirect tax VAT and indirect tax

Within Venture capital, tier 4

The ‘very responsive and focused’ team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides ‘very thorough and precise’ advice to investee clients in the media and technology sectors. ‘Bright and very client-focused’ team head Neil Foster is ‘excellent at dealing in complex areas’, and has developed a specialism in the cleantech sector, as illustrated by his recent work for 2K Manufacturing. Other clients include BBC Worldwide and PacketExchange.

Within Fraud: civil , Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ and ‘always helpful’ team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is increasingly acting in high-value and complex matters. Highlights included acting for Oiax Limited (previously CCH International plc) in relation to a claim by the Dubai Islamic Bank for $500m. Tony Lewis is ‘very calm and reassuring’, and ‘always gives you 100% of his attention’.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Tony Lewis at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is well placed to advise clients on the new Bribery Act. Other recent work includes advising a large financial services business regarding an SFO investigation prompted by an FBI request. It is ‘an impressive firm with a strong work ethic’, and ‘a real pleasure to work with’.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 5

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s team covers all aspects of the contentious finance arena, and is able to call on the firm’s financial services, and derivatives and structured finance teams. It is acting for Lehman Brothers Finance AG in a claim for over $1.3bn relating to client monies. Andrew Lafferty is ‘experienced and tough’; Kit Jarvis ‘brims with enthusiasm and is full of ideas’; and Duncan Black is ‘a real financial regulatory expert, particularly in funds work’.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides ‘quality advice and is responsive to tight deadlines’. The practice advised on the Lehman Brothers client money case, currently on appeal to the Supreme Court, and saw an increase in instructions originating from the CIS and the Middle East. Peter Stewart leads the team; and CIS specialist Simon Moore is ‘a strong intellect and clear thinker on complex pre-litigation matters’. Jonathan Ray-Smith joined from McFaddens LLP, while Michael Mulligan moved to Harney Westwood & Riegels’ BVI office.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration International arbitration

Within Professional discipline, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Led by the ‘very approachable’ Matthew Lohn, the team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP ‘makes a real effort to get to know a client’s business’, and is ‘friendly and helpful to work with’. Key developments for the firm included winning a competitive tender to conduct fitness-to-practise investigations on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It is also currently advising the GMC on its role and participation in the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry. Mary Timms is ‘excellent’, and Judith Chrystie is ‘very professional’.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 6

At Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, Andrew Evans heads a team best known for its capability in aviation finance, where it picks up instructions from the private client divisions of investment banks and high-net-worth individuals. Recent highlights include advising Citibank on the $20.9m refinancing of a Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft. Other clients include Standard Bank, UBS Leasing and JPMorgan.

Within Commodities: derivatives, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is ‘more focused on customer service than other firms’. Guy Usher has a ‘longstanding reputation for his derivatives knowledge’; and Edward Miller and exchange-traded derivatives specialist Pierre Labuschagne are also recommended. Clients include Handelsbanken Markets and Standard Bank.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

The team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is valued for its ‘“can-do” attitude’. Young partner Kit Jarvis comes highly recommeded by clients; he is ‘knowledgeable and enthusiastic’, ‘quick thinking’, and ‘has great client manner’.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 6

Gonzalo Fernandez’s trustee practice at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP advises Bank of New York Mellon. The firm has a growing practice handling arranger work for smaller banks.

Within Derivatives and structured products, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

‘Truly innovative, with a pragmatic approach to complex issues’, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is known for institutional buy-side work, and is lead derivatives counsel to structured equity and fund derivative vehicle Lehman Brothers Finance. Guy Usher is ‘brilliant, and knows the derivatives world inside out’, and Edward Miller has ‘outstanding analytical skills that produce real results’; both are ‘unusually good value, sharp and commercial’. Duncan Black is ‘a top-class contentious lawyer’.

Within Investment funds, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a second tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is excellent for retail funds. It is also undertaking more alternative investment funds work, and Duncan Black is recommended for hedge funds. Group head Kirstene Baillie is highly experienced and efficient, and an expert in UCITS. The firm advised several major clients on fund formation and reorganisations.

Within Securitisation, tier 5

Guy Usher at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is ‘clearly a market expert, pragmatic and user friendly’. Corporate trust specialist Gonzalo Fernandez, ABCP expert Ronit Grant and litigator Duncan Black round out a practice that is ‘very responsive and good value for money’. Regularly advising corporate trustees and SPVs, the firm also represented Danske Bank on the restructuring of the Titan 2006-4 deal.

Within Trade finance, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Andrew Evans’ team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP includes experienced partners including Guy Usher and Oliver Abel Smith. ‘Always prepared to help, providing commercially viable solutions’, the team is experienced in advising banks and corporates on letters of credit. Recent highlights include a £27.5m receivables financing arrangement for Singers Corporate Asset Finance.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s two-partner practice acted on a number of key mandates, including advising Access Intelligence on the share schemes implications of its acquisition of compliance software specialist Cobent, and Sovereign Reversions on the incentives issues arising from its acquisition by Grainger. Mark Gearing is recommended on corporate employee share plans, and Graeme Nuttall on employee ownership matters.

Within Employment, tier 6

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP drafted the employment and equal pay code for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and gained new instructions from organisations including the Bar Council in this area. In addition to public sector clients, the group advises Manpower, TNT and Accenture on TUPE and outsourcing matters. Richard Kenyon and Margaret Davis are ‘excellent’; James Warren provides ‘great customer service and has vast knowledge of employment law’; and newly promoted partner Nick Thorpe is an ‘outstanding lawyer’.

Within Health and safety, tier 5

The corporate risk management group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP not only assesses and provides training on compliance, but also handles corporate defence. It acts for clients in the leisure, retail and telecoms sectors.

Within Pensions, tier 5

At Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, practice head David Gallagher and Michael Calvert handle non-contentious mattters. The ‘quite exceptional’ Simon Moore is a commercial litigator with a growing pensions disputes practice, and the firm rise a tier in the contentious ranking this year.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has ‘impressive infrastructure and talented individuals’, with a diverse practice including claims relating to birth injury, delayed diagnosis, fatalities, and accident and emergency negligence. Practice head Paul McNeil is ‘in a class of his own’, and one of the ‘foremost litigators in the country’. The highly experienced Richard Vallance is also recommended, as is Samantha Critchley, who ‘goes from strength to strength’. Clients also rate senior associates Richard Earle and Mark Bowman, a ‘rising star’ who ‘has the makings of a great forensic litigator’. Several recruits joined from Charles Russell LLP in 2010, including the ‘tenacious and hardworking’ Edwina Rawson, who ‘frequently achieves impressive results’.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, tier 5

Practice head Kirstene Baillie at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is ‘expert and authoritative’, and often advises on investment issues.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a second tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘excellent litigation team’ is ‘particularly strong at industrial disease and catastrophic brain injury work’, and ‘treats clients with sensitivity’. Recent achievements include securing a £5.5m settlement for a girl brain-injured by a road traffic accident, a case led by the ‘exceptional’ Jill Greenfield, who has ‘few equals in getting results’. Practice head Rodney Nelson-Jones is an expert on asbestos claims, and ‘has long been a leader in this field’. Harminder Bains is ‘courageous and dedicated’, Andrew Morgan is ‘innovative, and pushes boundaries’, and the ‘universally respected’ Peter Williams is ‘superb with clients’.

Within Personal injury: defendant Leading individuals

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 6

Graeme Nuttall heads the charities team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, which provides the full spectrum of tax advice to charities, as well as advising on incorporation, mergers and regulatory issues.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 5

The ‘efficient’ Penny Wotton heads the team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, which handles all aspects of domestic and international tax and trusts planning, including UK and offshore trusts and international estate planning.

Within Infrastructure, tier 6

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP advised across a wide range of oil and gas, power and renewables projects in 2010. National Grid is a trophy client, and has awarded the firm several instructions relating to pipeline projects.

Within Oil and gas, tier 6

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP acted for JSC KazMunaiGas on the $330m acquisition of a 50% interest in Mangistau Investments.

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

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s team is led by Roger Sargologo, and is strong on the planning side. It advised Southern Gas Network and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks in 2010.

Within Administrative and public law, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Renowned for its expertise in public inquiry matters, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP was appointed to assist the Al-Sweady Inquiry on witness support matters in 2010. It is also advising the SRA on legal services regulatory reforms. Matthew Lohn is ‘very personable and accessible’, and Martin Smith is noted for his work on the 7/7 inquest. Clients include the General Medical Council and the Human Tissue Authority.

Within Education: institutions, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP advises clients including Ofsted, the Department of Education and the UK Commission for Education and Skills on restructuring, employment and intellectual property matters. Tom Rider leads the team following former joint head David Gollancz’s move to the Bar.

Within Education: schools, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP advises government bodies such as the Department for Education, the UK Commission for Education and Skills, and Pearson Education.

Within Healthcare, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘strong healthcare regulatory industry knowledge’ aids it in advising regulatory organisations such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NHS Direct and the Care Quality Commission. It advised the General Medical Council on matters including the Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, and its merger with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. Within Matthew Lohn’s team, Judith Chrystie ‘shines’, and Mary Timms and Sarah Ellson are also recommended.

Within Commercial property, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP ‘produces high-quality work’, and saw a significant increase in large development and regeneration projects, such as acting for Peel Holdings on the Liverpool Waters development, as well as a growing number of instructions for major corporate occupiers. The hotels and leisure group advises Luminar and Manhattan Loft Corporation, and the public sector practice remains strong. Antony Phillips, Jayne Elkins and Paul Houston are ‘very knowledgeable’.

Within Construction, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides ‘excellent access to partners, and clear, concise, pragmatic advice’. The team recently advised a UK developer on the construction of the Portland Gas underground storage project. Practice head Paul Houston is recommended, and newly promoted partner Alan Woolston ‘has a cool head to deal with complex issues’.

Within Planning,

Winckworth Sherwood is well regarded for its parliamentary expertise and advice, which is ‘commercially focused and tailored to clients ’ business needs’. The firm recruited new practice head Karen Cooksley and two other lawyers from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. The team’s mix of public and private sector clients includes Wimpey, the Department for Transport and the Diocese of Oxford. The practice completed s106 agreements for Barratt Homes’ regeneration schemes, including the £1.5bn Canada Water Basin development. Sara Hanrahan, who has ‘a practical approach to resolving issues and good knowledge of the intricacies of planning issues’, acted for Hanover Housing Association on a mixed-use redevelopment, and is also advising on Crossrail.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP acts on mid and high-value new-lending transactions for longstanding lender clients such as Citibank, Lloyds Banking Group and UBS, and for borrowers including London Irish Rugby Club and KMP Partnership. John Nelmes and Andrew Evans provide ‘solid legal advice’.

Within Property litigation, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘responsive’ practice is ‘value for money’. Lesley Webber OBE, who is recommended for rent reviews, in 2010 led advice to the Department for Transport in a West End rent review arbitration. Practice head Antony Phillips is also recommended, as is Joe Payne for insolvency disputes and professional negligence issues.

Within Brand management, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is commended for its ‘in-depth industry knowledge’ and advice that is ‘always spot-on and pragmatic’. Mark Holah is ‘one of the best trade mark lawyers in London’, and has ‘excellent knowledge and catches on to issues quickly’, and advised more than 100 new clients, notably Publicis, Fabergé and LinkedIn. Allan Poulter represents Best Buy, and newly promoted partner Leighton Cassidy advises Live Nation. David Bond’s advertising and marketing group was boosted by the arrival of Phil Lee from Osborne Clarke. Lewis Cohen advises Tottenham Hotspur FC and Castrol on sponsorship and brand licensing.

Within Franchising, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s dedicated 22-lawyer franchising practice has specialist expertise in areas such as franchising consultancy. The team, led by Mark Abell and Chris Wormald, gained 30 new clients including Pizza Express and Polo Ralph Lauren, and advised River Island and New Look on their international expansion. Clients appreciate its ‘good overall franchising knowledge’, and highlight its rare ability on multi-jurisdictional work. Babette Märzheuser-Wood is dual qualified in English and German law, and is noted for big-ticket franchising deals for clients such as Starwood Hotel & Resorts. David Bond’s clients include Agent Provocateur and Jamie’s Italian. Victoria Hobbs is representing 60 Kall Kwik and Prontaprint franchisees against their joint franchisor, ODC.

Within Intellectual property, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

The recruitment of former Howrey LLP IP litigator Mark Hodgson was a significant boost to Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s practice. Hodgson is representing Eli Lilly in the first patent litigation case in the Supreme Court. Other highlights included practice head Nick Rose handling major trade mark litigation for Google; Rebecca Swindells acting for Viacom in two High Court trade mark disputes; and the team’s successful representation of Elvis Presley Enterprises against an Italian record producer. It also acts for CKx in Europe, and strengthened its European offering through the opening of new offices in Munich and Düsseldorf.

Within IT and telecoms, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Standout firm’ Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP hired John Worthy from SNR Denton and Nick Ball from Wragge & Co LLP. Neil Wallis and James Buckingham were promoted to partner. The team is ‘driving the agenda’, particularly in cutting-edge technology, data protection and outsourcing. Nick Pimlott represented Orange in litigation regarding mobile call termination charges. Practice head Michael Chissick is advising Philip Morris International. Accenture is another longstanding client. The group is recognised for its public sector work advising the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office, and the governments of Albania, Azerbaijan and China. Stewart Room advised new client Sophos on its ‘trusted adviser’ programme and on its sale to Apax Partners.

Within Media and entertainment, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a first tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘strong’ cross-departmental team was bolstered by the arrival of transactional lawyer Barry Smith from Reed Smith and senior associate Phil Lee from Osborne Clarke. The group’s clients include Getty Images, BBC Worldwide, NBC Universal and Aegis Film Fund, as well as film financiers and production companies. Smith and practice head Tim Johnson have been leading the advice to Lions Gate Films on financing and distributing arrangements for various film projects. Corporate partners Christopher Jackson, Christine Phillips and Tim Bee advised Viacom in 2010. David Naylor, Andrew Blankfield, Derek Hill and Hamish Porter are also recommended.

Within Overview,

Key IP hires included Phil Sherrell moving from Eversheds LLP to market leader Bird & Bird; and Howrey LLP’s Mark Hodgson joining Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s team was boosted by the arrival of Clive Thorne from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP; CMS Cameron McKenna LLP hired Fasken Martineau LLP’s Jeremy Morton; and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP recruited Ben Goodger, former head of Rouse Legal’s global IP commercialisation group.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a third tier firm,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘consistent, co-ordinated’ team is recognised for its EU patent litigation capability and expertise in medical devices. The ‘responsive, user-friendly’ Alison Dennis is advising Abbott on procurement and competition law. New clients include Volcano. Matthew Lohn is recommended for healthcare regulation. The practice was strengthened by the arrival of Mark Hodgson from Howrey LLP, who is representing Eli Lilly in the first IP case to be heard in the Supreme Court.

Within Sport, tier 6

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s clients include London Irish Rugby Union Club, Tottenham Hotspur FC and the Beckhams.

Within Rail, tier 5

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP largely focuses on pensions, corporate and technology work, for clients such as Arriva and Go-Ahead, and boosted its technology offering with the recruitment of John Worthy from SNR Denton. Nigel Taylor left to join Clyde & Co LLP.