The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, tier 4

Fladgate LLP’s team specialises in operational matters and commercial agreements across a wide range of sectors, and is led by e-business and IT expert Eddie Powell. It assisted Cambridge Assessment with the transfer of its outsourcing for personalised print production, and acted for Hitachi Zosen Inova AG in the design and construction of energy-from-waste plants throughout the UK. The team also advised a leading medical professional body in negotiations with Premium Credit, a Bank of America subsidiary, relating to a multimillion-pound subscription credit scheme. Procurement and outsourcing specialist Anthony Lee is recommended, and Andrew Kaufman has an extensive international client base.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 4

Fladgate LLP ‘always provides good service on competitive terms’. The ‘diligent, tenacious and practical’ David Robinson has ‘a very deep understanding of commercial and legal issues’, and recently advised BidTimes on its re-admission to AIM as Powerhouse Energy Group.

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Fladgate LLP is a first tier firm,

Fladgate LLP ‘consistently outperforms the competition’ on deals, for a largely entrepreneurial client base. In 2011 it advised Abriand Limited on its £20m takeover of Blanc Brasserie. David Robinson is ‘extremely intelligent, has huge knowledge and experience, and doesn ’t seem to ever make a mistake’.

Within Gaming and betting, tier 4

Fladgate LLP advised on a number of acquisitions in the sector in 2011. Grant Gordon is recommended.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 6

At Fladgate LLP, Paul Howcroft’s team is acting for a high-net-worth Saudi in a claim for the mis-selling of leveraged structured notes.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

Fladgate LLP’s team head Jeremy Whiteson is ‘very commercial, pragmatic and streetwise’.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 8

Clients of Fladgate LLP include Force India Formula One and Green Pilgrim. It advised the latter on its acquisition of Plymouth Argyle FC from its administrators, led by practice head Nick Tsatsas.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 5

Fladgate LLP’s Antonia Brandes is well known for property tax structuring, and David Way has a superb reputation for advising entrepreneurs on international philanthropic giving.

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

Fladgate LLP ‘excels in giving clients substantially more partner time’. The team advised on the sale of the Dalton Park retail outlet centre in Durham, and advised Esporta on the £179m sale of a portfolio of freehold and long-leasehold racquet clubs. Allen Cohen and the ‘outstanding’ Philip Turner are recommended, as is Mark Saunders, whose ‘understanding of complex leases is as good as it gets’.

Within Construction, tier 5

Renewable energy projects are Fladgate LLP’s forte. The group defended Hitachi Zosen Inova against a £1.8m claim by a contractor relating to an energy-from-waste plant. Gillian Birkby leads the practice, which was joined by David Weare from Davies Arnold Cooper LLP.

Within Planning, tier 6

Fladgate LLP’s planning practice is ‘developing a strong reputation’ in the London market, and team head Mark Harnett has an ‘excellent grasp of strategic issues’. The group is advising University of East London on applications for a new campus and library.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Fladgate LLP’s property finance practice provides a ‘very good overall service’, and has gained several significant new clients following Richard Reuben’s arrival from Macfarlanes LLP. The team acted for Weston Homes as borrower on the rearrangement of its group financing. Kim McMurray is recommended.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Fladgate LLP provides ‘clear’ and ‘pragmatic’ advice, and acts for clients including Odeon Cinemas. Janet Keeley and Alison Mould are noted for their advice on matters ranging from vacant possession to easements.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

Fladgate LLP acts for clients such as CryptoCard, Sovereign Business Integration and Cambridge Assessment in IT transactions, providing ‘good, pragmatic advice at a competitive price’. Anthony Lee leads the team.

Within Media and entertainment, tier 5

Fladgate LLP’s ‘pragmatic and responsive’ practice head Lawrence Abramson represented News International in a dispute with games company Double G Communications, and is advising the producer of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in a dispute over proceeds from Spamalot. Eddie Powell is acting for Devilfish, and David Robinson advised social networking site Sports International on its sale to Convers Sports Initiatives.

Within Sport, tier 5

Fladgate LLP has a significant motor sport practice, but also notably advised Green Pilgrim on its takeover of Plymouth Argyle FC.