The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has a market-leading transactional practice, which has led to significant mandates arising from its role in Geely’s $1.8bn acquisition of Volvo, and also has a dedicated commercial outsourcing capability, through Richard Lister and his 34-strong team. It is particularly strong in the financial services sector, with highlight transactions including advising Nomura on long-term transitional arrangements with Lehman Europe’s administrators following its acquisition of Lehman’s European and Asian businesses.

Within Corporate tax, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s tax team has ‘excellent technical ability’ and is noted for its ‘very good strength in depth’ and ‘well-directed responses’; the client roster includes some of the country’s highest-profile blue-chip names, such as Barclays, Bank of England, Rolls-Royce, and Tesco. It acted for HSBC Bank on the tax aspects of its restructuring and refinancing of Eversholt Rail, and advised on ongoing work for Eurotunnel, and the Galliform Group. IPOs are an important feature of the group’s work; it recently acted on those of Betfair, Promethean World, and Essar Energy. The 12-partner offering is headed by Sarah Falk, who has ‘technical expertise beyond compare’; other recommended individuals include Richard Ballard, David Haworth, and Murray Clayson.

Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Praised as bringing ‘real firepower’ to transactions, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘fantastic team’ is ‘extremely helpful and professional’. Renowned for the strength of its underwriter practice, the team advised Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Cazenove as joint bookrunners, and BNP Paribas, Nomura and Standard Chartered as co-managers in Essar Energy’s £2bn IPO. A notable issuer deal of 2010 was advising Betfair on its £1.3bn IPO. Stephen Revell is ‘among the best in the business’, and leads the team alongside the highly recommended Sarah Murphy.

Within Equity capital markets: US capability, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s integrated securities practice is ‘outstanding’. In 2010, Sarah Murphy represented Amadeus IT Holding on its €1.45bn IPO and listing on the Madrid Stock Exchange, and also led in advising Promethean World in its £185.7m global offering. Elsewhere, the team advised Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs on the £90m IPO and listing of AZ Electronic Materials.

Within EU and competition , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s reputation in this area remains outstanding. The team has considerable strength in depth, and is at the forefront of many significant matters. David Aitman acted for NEC in the European Commission’s investigations into DRAM and SRAM semiconductor products, which was the first case to settle with the Commission under the new regime; and Jon Lawrence successfully defended EWS in the first private damages claim ever to reach trial in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). In mergers, Alex Potter and Andrea Gomes da Silva are advising Sara Lee in the sale of its international household and body care business. Rod Carlton heads the group.

Within Financial services, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘responsive’ team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP includes Michael Raffan, who leads non-contentious matters, with Mark Kalderon and Guy Morton also key figures. It recently provided regulatory advice in respect of the merger of the London Stock Exchange with the TMX Group. David Scott and Sarah Parkes are also recommended.

Within M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, 250m+, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

‘It is rare to find such client focus and talent with a complete absence of arrogance or attitude’, says one client of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s corporate team. Seen as one of the leading lights in City M&A, it won a first instruction from BP, and acted on Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s $1.8bn acquisition of Volvo from Ford. In the UK the team advised on 73 deals with an average deal size of a shade over £1bn. With recommended practitioners Edward Braham and William Lawes increasingly focused on management issues, a new generation of partners has emerged, with David Higgins, Simon Weller and Gareth Stephenson all praised. Mark Rawlinson now heads up the London office.

Within M&A: US law capability, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP lost the highly regarded Presley Warner to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Head of the US corporate group in Europe Sarah Murphy is highly rated, and led a team advising on Qatar Holding’s €2.1bn investment into Iberdrola.

Within Private equity: transactions , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Commercially and technically very strong’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has strong relationships with prominent sponsors such as CVC, Hellman & Friedman, and Warburg Pincus, and is valued for its ability to field multidisciplinary teams, often combining lawyers from numerous international offices. Recent highlights include advising Cinvin on the £251m acquisition of Spice plc, and CVC on the acquisition of a majority stake in Autobar Group. Chris Bown heads the team, which also includes Edward Braham, David Higgins, David Sonter and Adrian Maguire.

Within VAT and indirect tax, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s team demonstrates ‘excellent business acumen and commercial focus’, and has advised clients such as Ford, BMW, and Thomson Reuters on substantial VAT restitutionary claims against HMRC. The group recently assisted Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in relation to its leasing arrangements, and advised a US airline on UK VAT issues arising from its Heathrow operations. Robert Kent is the key name.

Within Fraud: civil , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has impressive international capabilities. Notable recent work includes co-ordinating its London, Hong Kong and Paris offices in ongoing advice to the Brunei Investment Agency regarding its settlement agreement with HRH Prince Jefri, and related actions in London and New York. Paul Lomas and team head Raj Parker are consistently recognised as leaders in the field.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acted in a substantial number of complex multi-jurisidictional investigations for FTSE 100 clients. Highlights included advising a major publishing group on two separate matters involving fraud, corruption and money laundering issues in East and West Africa. Paul Lomas and Raj Parker are well known in the field.

Within Gaming and betting, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘fantastically responsive’ team continues to act for casinos, bookmakers and online betting outfits.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP assists a wide range of financial institutions. Notable recent work includes acting for the British Bankers’ Association in a significant judicial review application against the FSA and FOS regarding mechanisms for customer redress and the misselling of PPI. Regulatory work included acting for Goldman Sachs on the UK aspects of the issues relating to its ‘Abacus’ CDO. Ian Taylor and Simon Orton are highly recommended. The practice was strengthened by the firm’s hire of three additional partners in the US.

Within Commercial litigation, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ‘always remains focused on the objectives’. The practice advised RBS in the high-profile dispute between Liverpool FC and its US owners. The team was also involved in many high-profile global investigations. Christopher Pugh is global practice group head; and Ian Taylor, Geoff Nicholas. Paul Bowden and James Kennedy are ‘efficient and responsive’. Patrick Swain, Raj Parker and Paul Lomas are also recommended.

Within International arbitration, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

A ‘cut above the rest’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ‘prepares rigorously for hearings’. The team advised MTN in its ICSID arbitration against the government of Yemen, marking the first time a UAE investor filed a claim at ICSID. Department head Constantine Partasides is ‘quick to master complex subjects’; Jan Paulsson joined in London from the Paris office, and ‘adds excellent value’; and Geoff Nicholas is also recommended.

Within Overview,

The market remains competitive and fluid. Halliwells’ collapse provided Clyde & Co LLP with the lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic, while Stephenson Harwood beefed up with Sean Jeffrey arriving from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Sara George from Allen & Overy LLP. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s former litigation chief Julian Randall exited for Taylor Wessing LLP. Others have been busy consolidating; in 2011, seven partners from Dawsons LLP, plus their assistants, joined Penningtons Solicitors LLP, while Stewarts Law LLP acquired litigation practice Masseys LLP.

Within Public international law, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP saw growth in investment arbitrations arising out of CIS, Middle East and African countries. The team has also developed an active sanctions practice, and handled state immunity issues arising out of contracting with state or quasi-state entities, and the firm’s international human rights group has been active in relation to corporations’ human rights responsibilities. Highlights included advising MTN in its ICSID arbitration against the government of Yemen, under the UAE-Yemen bilateral investment treaty and Yemen’s Investment Law, marking the first time a UAE investor has filed a claim at ICSID. Global PIL head Jan Paulsson, team head Constantine Partasides and counsel Sylvia Noury are recommended.

Within Tax litigation, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has ‘strength in depth’ and the ‘toughness to deal with the stresses of litigation’, with its ability in corporate tax matters a large component of the strength of its contentious offering. It was recently instructed by a multinational banking group in nine separate disputes involving a leasing transaction. Other clients include AstraZeneca, and Eclipse Film Partners. Team head Helen Buchanan has ‘considerable tactical and strategic skills’.

Within Acquisition finance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Praised for its ‘ability to find solutions rather than problems’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP provides a ‘first-class service’ to a sponsor-oriented client base that includes Cinven, CVC and AEA Investors. Recently promoted partner Sean Lacey wins plaudits for his ‘dynamism and commerciality’, and recently advised Babson Capital Europe on financing Exponent Private Equity’s acquisition of the Ambassador Theatre Group. David Trott heads the team, which includes the ‘exceptional’ Sean Pierce and was recently bolstered by the arrival of Gil Strauss and Simone Bono from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, enhancing its high-yield capability.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 4

Headed by the ‘excellent’ Robert Murphy, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s asset finance practice is smaller than many competitors, and is focused on deals at the highest end of the aviation and rail markets, regularly taking a multidisciplinary approach to deals. It recently advised HSBC Rail on the £2.1bn sale of its UK rail leasing business to a consortium of funds. Richard Phillips is a prominent figure for rail finance, and continues to advise the Department for Transport on matters including the Intercity Express project. In aviation, the team advised Aercap on a number of deals including its first export credit guaranteed bond issuance.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

David Trott heads a ‘strong team’ at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, which has ‘a real sense of commercial issues’ and ‘good all-round knowledge’. Best known for its ‘premier corporate client base’, the team regularly advises blue-chip corporates on their debt facilities, and in 2010 advised Xstrata on its new $4bn facility and Nestlé on its €5bn revolving credit facility. The firm has also handled a number of refinancings on the bank side, including representing the senior lending steering committee on the restructuring of the Panrico group. Alex Mitchell has ‘the ability to appreciate the issues from a banker’s perspective and find really innovative solutions to the issues’; Martin Hutchings provides an ‘excellent service’; and Edward Evans ‘knows the industry inside out’.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Though hit by the departure of Chris Howard, who left for Linklaters LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s 12-partner restructuring and insolvency group continues to perform at the highest level of the market. Among notable recent work, it used an English scheme of arrangement to restructure Spain’s La Seda de Barcelona’s €1bn debt: the transaction was the first of its kind and was led by Richard Tett. The firm also advised the senior lender steering committee, which included ING, ECM, Babson and Harbourmaster, on the restructuring of the Panrico Group, led by global practice head Ken Baird. Other recommended figures in the team are Nick Segal, Adam Gallagher and Catherine Balmond. Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Rothschild, Lazard and RBS are among its other clients.

Within Debt capital markets, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Highly responsive, with the depth to cover all areas’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP can draw on the expertise of key figures such as Steven Revell; the ‘meticulous and thoughtful’ Mark Trapnell; US-qualified Sarah Murphy; and Christopher Barratt, who is ‘highly capable and committed’. Its recent highlights include advising Scottish and Southern Energy on hybrid securities, and Central Bank of Bahrain on a $1.25bn bond. It recruited Peter Allen, who is ‘commercially focused and experienced, especially in emerging markets’, from Linklaters LLP; and the ‘proactive, responsive and client-friendly’ Duncan Kellaway from Clifford Chance.

Within Derivatives and structured products, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

‘The overall level of service is excellent’ at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, which joins the top tier this year. For international structured finance, its ‘business acumen and industry knowledge are first rate’, and it has a ‘practical and commercial approach’. Its recent work includes assisting in relation to longevity products, prime brokerage, liability management and strategic equity deals for investment banks such as JP Morgan, and it also advised corporates including Nestlé and Toyota on derivatives documentation. Notable individuals include James Grand; John Jakeways (‘commercial and responsive, one of the best structured finance lawyers’); Jonathan Shann (‘the best in the business: his intellectual capabilities are first rate’); Flora McLean; and Simeon Rudin.

Within High yield, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s team grew with the hire of Gil Strauss and Simone Bono from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in London and New York, respectively. Work highlights included advising Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs on the €202m high yield bond issue by Kuka.

Within Investment funds, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acts on innovative and high-end matters across the fund spectrum, and, particularly, is ‘at the top of the game in the listed fund arena, for its understanding of both issuer and underwriter pressure points’. It advised Brevan Howard on launching its new investment company, BH Credit Catalysts Ltd; Dragon Capital and certain of its managed funds on lifecycle continuation; and Peakside Real Estate AG on its spinout from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Practice head Mark Watterson, Karen Fountain and David Rouch are recommended, as is Jonathan Baird, who is ‘very good at finding solutions to meet commercial objectives’.

Within Overview,

Instructed by a swathe of FTSE 100 corporates, Slaughter and May is the premier borrower-side practice in the market, and scores highly for bank lending and restructuring matters, where it continues to excel in government-led work. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is also very accomplished on the borrower side, in investment grade lending and acquisition finance, where it acts for an oustanding roster of private equity sponsors, and also in more esoteric areas such as derivatives, where it moves to the top tier this year. High-ranking practices outside the Magic Circle include Hogan Lovells International LLP, which moves up in the asset finance ranking having hired Simon Gwynne and Robert Fugard from Linklaters LLP, and also has a strong showing across restructuring, investment funds, and Islamic and trade finance; Ashurst LLP, across acquisition finance, investment funds, securitisation and derivatives; Norton Rose LLP, in asset finance, Islamic finance and emerging markets; SJ Berwin LLP, in investment funds; and Simmons & Simmons, in hedge funds and derivatives. As well as having strong asset finance practices, Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Reed Smith all feature in the top tier of the commodities (physicals) ranking.

Within Securitisation, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has ‘a very good team that scored well in thinking how the market would pan out’, and draws on the firm’s first-class regulatory, restructuring and transactional expertise to provide a ‘professional, committed and supportive’ service. Stuart Axford ‘gives commercial advice and always makes himself available’; Christopher Barratt is ‘commercial, hardworking and responsive’; and rising star Thomas Cochran is ‘exceptionally good at handling large, complex deals’. Ian Falconer advised a consortium of banks on LyondellBasell’s €450m trade receivables deal; Marcus Mackenzie advised HSBC Rail UK on an innovative financing platform; and Simeon Rudin advised banks including Nomura on the Blue City restructuring.

Within Employee share schemes, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s two-partner offering demonstrates ‘excellent business acumen and commercial focus’, and has garnered a number of new clients, including BT, to add to its impressive portfolio of names such as Ladbrokes, Promethean World, and British Land. Key highlights included acting on Betfair’s London IPO; advising BP on the renewal of its directors’ share plan; and advising Wolseley on the global share schemes issues arising from its redomestication. Simon Evans and Jocelyn Mitchell are ‘exceptionally competent’.

Within Employment, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Kathleen Healy heads Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s team, which advises global employers on advisory, contentious and transaction-related matters. It recently advised on a global investigation for Cattles, and a confidential investigation into financial accounting matters; and assisted Northern Rock, Deutsche Bank and Mitsui on executive pay and FSA remuneration issues. Global EPB head Nick Squire is ‘good to have beside you in a difficult situation’.

Within Health and safety, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is experienced in defence matters, and advised British Pipeline Agency in the Buncefield case. Jonathan Isted’s team has ‘sound industry and specialist knowledge’ which has recently been called on by clients in the oil and gas and nuclear sectors seeking advice on the regulatory environment. The firm also advised an airline in a PACE investigation.

Within Overview,

Another consequence of the recession – attempts to enforce more stringent regulation of remuneration in the financial sector – has led to advisory work for firms such as Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy LLP; while others, from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP to Squire Sanders Hammonds and Ashurst LLP, have assisted corporates to consolidate by transferring employees on divestments.

Within Pensions, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has recently advised Goldman Sachs on its pensions de-risking strategy, and assisted the UK government on the proposed private sector investment in Royal Mail and the consequent transfer of over £30bn pensions liabilities to the government. David Pollard has ‘a complete grasp of the complex regulatory framework underpinning UK pension provision, and the ability to translate said complexities to clients in a clear, authoritative but nevertheless pragmatic manner’. The ‘excellent’ Charles Magoffin is also recommended. Dawn Heath, who was promoted to counsel in 2010, ‘presents very complex issues clearly and calmly’.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s insurance and reinsurance litigation group is ‘easy to work with’, and has ‘strong market knowledge’. Recent highlights include acting for Travelers in a defence and $20m counterclaim against Beazley. A key strength is the team’s contentious regulatory practice, and it recently represented Zurich in multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigations, and in the FSA’s subsequent UK enforcement action. Gillian Eastwood and associate Paul Wortley are ‘bright, hardworking and down to earth’, and practice head Raj Parker is also recommended.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘highly efficient’ team advised Phoenix Group on its London IPO, and Discovery Holdings on its agreement to acquire Standard Life Healthcare. Other clients include Prudential, Generali, Zurich and Swiss Re. Raj Parker and Ian Poynton are ‘very experienced and give commercial advice’, and senior associate George Swan ‘works well under pressure’ and has ‘exceptional knowledge’.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘top-class’ insurance practice displays ‘strong market knowledge’, and has remained busy with restructuring, insolvency and related run-off work. Robert Stirling and Ian Poynton are recommended, as is Neil Golding, who is part of a team advising HIH on the scheme of arrangement implemented to run off the UK group. The firm is also advising JPMorgan regarding the Minster scheme of arrangement.

Within Product liability: claimant Leading individuals

Within Product liability: defendant, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘pragmatic’ team acted for InBev UK on two UK-wide product recalls, and advised JTI on regulatory matters. Other clients include Heinz and Smith & Nephew. The team is highly valued for its ability to advise multinational clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes. John Blain and Paul Bowden are recommended.

Within Professional negligence, tier 5

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ten-partner team, led by Andrew Hart, is ‘highly recommended’ for complex, high-value negligence matters. Clients include Deloitte, Travelers, and Brookfield Construction.

Within Infrastructure, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ‘strikes a good balance between attention to detail and commerciality’, and impresses on volume too, advising on over $21.7bn-worth of infrastructure deals globally in 2010. With particular strength on the corporate and finance side, under global infrastructure and transport co-head Nicholas Bliss, the team advised the lead arrangers on the development of a new facility at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Bermuda, and also advised the sponsors on the €1.8bn St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport PPP.

Within Mining and minerals, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is ‘best in class’ for corporate work, with joint team heads Julian Makin and Graham Watson recommended for their ‘prompt commercial advice’. Representative clients include Alcan, Rio Tinto and Xstrata.

Within Oil and gas, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is ‘excellent on corporate’, with Mark Rawlinson recommended as ‘responsive, creative and approachable’. BP is a major client, and instructed the firm on several matters including its strategic response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and the divestment of all its upstream interests in Pakistan to United Energy Group.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

In 2010, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP hired Alan Rae Smith from Allen & Overy LLP to head its London energy team. It is ‘simply the best for nuclear’, with Sally Roe and Jonathan Isted highlighted for their ‘excellent industry understanding and commercial awareness’. The firm advised Westinghouse on new commercial arrangements with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP may not have the volume of the top-tier firms, but its focus on complex pathfinder projects ensures a healthy deal flow. The firm ‘strikes a good balance between attention to detail and commerciality’, and is advising the DfT on the Thameslink rolling stock project, which comprises a hybrid contractual structure involving traditional rolling stock leasing as well as PPP/PFI elements.

Within Administrative and public law, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘excellent regulatory practitioners’ are experienced in commercial judicial reviews. Paul Bowden leads the team, which recently acted for Japan Tobacco International in the judicial review of the ban on displaying tobacco products. William Robinson advised British Sugar in a challenge regarding the UK implementation of the EU sugar regime. Newly promoted partner Tom Snelling has expertise in food regulation cases.

Within Civil liberties and human rights, tier 5

With ‘hugely impressive attention to detail’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP advises on corporate human rights and the right to property. The ‘careful, thorough and thoughtful’ Paul Lomas continues to advise the All Party Parliamentary Group on Extraordinary Rendition. The team is also active in defending claims in the ECHR. Associate Deba Das is ‘hardworking and committed’. Patrick Doris joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in 2010.

Within Commercial property, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘property team is very strong and resilient with excellent commercial acumen’. It represents four of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and the two largest UK property companies (Land Securities and British Land). Longstanding client Scottish Widow instructed it in relation to a complex mixed-use West End development. Emma Kendall is ‘very commercial and helpful, and drives for results’, and John Fordham and Mark Wheelhouse are also recommended.

Within Construction, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘capacity for work is quite breathtaking’, and is ‘superb’. The team is developing its energy sector and international arbitration expertise, and continued to advise the Department of Energy and Climate Change on a carbon capture and storage plant development. Sally Roe ‘drives to conclude deals, and has brilliant insight into the issues that affect businesses’.

Within Environment, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s environment, planning and regulatory group is most renowned for its contentious work. It represents blue-chip clients in High Court proceedings, and practice head Jonathan Isted continues to act for British Pipeline Agency in investigations pertaining to the Buncefield incident. The practice is a major player in the nuclear sector, and advised the Nuclear Industry Association on its successful application to the government for approval of the nuclear newbuild programme. Paul Bowden leads on carbon finance matters. Counsel Daniel Lawrence has ‘sound environmental law knowledge and tactical reasoning’.

Within Planning, tier 5

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP primarily advises on planning for infrastructure and energy projects, such as the Department for Transport’s Thameslink rail scheme. It also advised Merlin Entertainment Group on sites for family entertainment venue sites. Jonathan Isted heads the practice.

Within Property finance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘service levels are consistently excellent’. The practice advised on new-money financings, significant CMBS restructurings, and some of the largest restructurings of businesses in the sector, including that of Arora Holdings’ £860m facilities. Another key matter was advising Capita Asset Services on restructuring the £1bn Center Parcs CMBS financing. Other clients include JPMorgan, Metrovacesa and Realstar Group. Simon Johnson and Jeffrey Rubinoff are recommended.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Led by the ‘committed, responsive’ Richard Lister, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘world-class, hardworking’ team excels in corporate and contentious IP matters. Avril Martindale is advising China-based Geely on IP issues following its acquisition of Volvo, and patent litigator Justin Watts successfully represented Johnson & Johnson in patent litigation involving contact lenses. Andrew Craig was promoted to partner.

Within IT and telecoms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s headline clients include BT Group, Hutchison Whampoa, LOCOG and Tesco Mobile. Practice head Ben Spiers led an international team advising Vodafone on the £4bn sale of its stake in China Mobile. Telecoms specialist Natasha Good advised longstanding client MTN on renegotiating its global network managed services arrangements and its network sharing deal with American Towers Corporation. Richard Lister heads the IP and IT group, which handles large-scale projects, notably advising BAA on IT separation in connection with the sale of Gatwick airport.

Within Media and entertainment, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP handles big-ticket, cross-border media deals using its international network. Sony is a client of practice head Ben Spiers and computer gaming specialist Justin Watts. Simon Marchant recently advised Pearson Media and The Financial Times Ltd on acquisitions, and antitrust partner David Aitman is also recommended.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Julian Long leads an ‘excellent, sound’ team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. It advised a PE consortium, led by Nordic Capital and Credit Suisse, on the €9.6bn sale of Nycomed to Takeda; and Cinven on the €2.5bn disposal of Phadia to Thermo Fisher Scientific. Justin Watts successfully defended Johnson & Johnson against a patent infringement claim brought by Novartis relating to extended-wear contact lenses.

Within Sport, tier 6

Christopher Mort heads Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s sports practice, which advises commercial organisations and financiers.

Within Aviation, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has an exceptional aviation finance practice led by Robert Murphy, but is also one of the top choices for large-scale aviation-related corporate deals. The group advised Rolls-Royce on its joint venture with GKN to design, develop and manufacture fan blades and containment cases; acted for the Northern Capital Gateway on the construction, operation and financing of the redevelopment of Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg; and represented the Air Transport Association of America in its challenge to the EU’s extension of its carbon emissions trading scheme to aviation.

Within Rail, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP advised HSBC Rail UK on the restructuring and refinancing of its UK rail leasing business; acted for Siemens regarding Eurostar’s procurement of high-speed trains; and assisted the DfT on the Thameslink rolling stock programme. Richard Phillips and Sally Roe co-head the practice, which is most often seen on large transactions and rail procurement matters, and handles rail work for clients such as Deutsche Bahn, Amey and Russian Railways.