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Finers Stephens Innocent LLP

179 GREAT PORTLAND STREET, LONDON, W1W 5LS

What we say about the firm's legal practice in London

Corporate and commercial

Within Financial services, tier 5

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP advises hedge fund managers, brokers, and investment bankers in relation to enforcement proceedings, ‘demonstrating an impressive grasp of complicated technical issues’. Philip Rubens ‘inspires confidence’.

Within Flotations - small and mid-cap, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a third tier firm,

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP acts for a number of brokers and Nomads, including Daniel Stewart. Ashley Reeback is recommended.

Within M&A - smaller deals up to £50m, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a second tier firm,

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP completed around 20 deals with values up to £30m in 2008. Sara Wax’s advice to NASDAQ-listed Global Traffic Group on its long-running £14.5m acquisition of a radio business was a high-profile highlight.

Within Partnership

Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, tier 5

Sue Thackeray at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is ‘extremely good, very able and very dynamic’. The practice successfully settled a case for Jonathan Danos, a defendant facing allegations of bribery and corruption.

Within Fraud - crime , Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a third tier firm,

Ian Ryan, a former director at Bankside Law, set up a business crime practice at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP in 2008 and continues to represent a Cabinet Minister in the Abrahams arm of the cash for honours investigation. He is ‘experienced and knows what he’s doing’.

Dispute resolution

Within Defamation and privacy, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a second tier firm,

Mark Stephens leads the team at Finers Stephens Innocent. The firm represented The Wall Street Journal Europe in a claim against a hedge fund. Other clients include The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, which the firm represents on ‘libel tourism’ matters.

Human resources

Within Employment, tier 8

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP continues to advise a large newspaper group.

Insurance

Within Personal injury - claimant, tier 5

Daniel Marks heads Finers Stephens Innocent LLP’s two-partner team which in 2008 saw an increase in High Court cases, including cases relating to the construction industry and tunnel mining. Leon Marks is also recommended.

Private client

Within Family, tier 5

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP’s practice head Alan Kaufman is widely recommended and ‘very experienced’. The group is recognised for both its money and children work, and regularly assists celebrities and clients in the sports industry.

Within Heritage property, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a third tier firm,

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP assists both commercial institutions and individuals. Recent standout cases include advising an artist on art fund arrangements in a dispute with a London gallery. Nicola Solomon has ‘wonderful sector experience’, and is ‘personable and knowledgeable’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 4

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP’s ‘efficient and well informed’ team provides a ‘personal service’ and assists some very high-profile clients in the media, music and sports industries. Practice head Liz Palmer and Michael Lewis ‘speak with authority and are extremely personable’. Emily Mailer was recently promoted to partner.

Public sector

Within Education - institutions, tier 4

With a focus on property acquisition, planning and construction work, Michael Kutner at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP acts for Newham College of Further Education, for the University of East London, and other institutions on property matters.

Real estate

Within Commercial property, tier 4

The property department is a cornerstone practice at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP. Clients say the group is ‘responsive and highly competent, very strong and certainly led from the top’. Michael Kutner is recommended for advising higher education institutions on development projects, while Chris Allan leads on compulsory purchase work. Martin Smith, who leads the team, is ‘commercial with on-tap, in-depth knowledge’.

Within Property finance, tier 5

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP provides ‘superb service and value’. The team has good links to some leading banks, including Clydesdale Bank and RBS, and is recommended for its growing expertise in the creation of property funds. Graham Reid is ‘very responsive and willing to find solutions’, while Mark Johnstone is ‘outstanding in terms of attention to detail and client relationships’.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

The ‘commercially minded’ team at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP includes Amanda McNeil, who is ‘thorough, easy to work with, and clear in her advice’. The team advised the tenant of large restaurant premises in Sloane Square in relation to its opposed application for a new tenancy.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Media and entertainment, Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is a second tier firm,

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP offers ‘strong entertainment business experience and legal knowledge’ to clients ranging from international media groups to high-profile individuals. Group head Robert Lands, an expert in media convergence and user-generated content, advised Dangerous Films on docudramas Moonshot and Rocketmen. ‘Lawyer’s lawyer’ Mark Stephens advised CNN, Express Newspapers and Fashion TV Russia, and successfully represented author Salman Rushdie. ‘Approachable and trustworthy’ consultant Nicola Solomon, who represents publishing trade bodies including the Society of Authors, as well as authors, publishers and personalities, provides ‘expert IPR advice that has relevance and pays dividends’.

What we say worldwide

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