The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax

Within Financial services, tier 5

LG recently welcomed the arrival of six new partners, including regulatory expert Richard Everett from the FSA, and disputes specialist Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry from Dorsey & Whitney. Non-contentious experience includes advising on how FSA client money rules would affect insurance intermediaries in the event of a bank failure. On the contentious side, the practice acts in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions.

Within Flotations - small and mid-cap, LG is a second tier firm,

India is a particular focus of LG’s ECM team, with recent work including advising Arden Partners on Indus Gas’ admission to AIM. The team also acted for Thalassa Energy on its admission to AIM. Jeffrey Elway heads the practice.

Within M&A - lower mid-marketdeals, £50m-£250m, LG is a third tier firm,

Advising Cygnet on the £340m acquisition of a holding company was the largest of 30 deals completed by LG’s 18-partner corporate team in 2008. Most of the rest were in the sub-£50m bracket, often with an international element; Sunil Kakkad completed a string of India-related deals. Practice head Chris Tite is also recommended.

Within VAT and indirect tax

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, LG is a second tier firm,

LG’s fraud practice is ‘proactive, commercial, accessible’, and ‘responsive’; Andrew Witts has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge in fraud asset recovery, and a good, practical approach’, and Catharine Bell is also highly recommended. The firm recovered US$2m for the Government of Brazil and the City of Sao Paulo following a fraud alleged to have been committed by former mayor of Sao Paulo, Paulo Maluf.

Within Licensing, gaming and betting, tier 4

LG acted for a number of clients in relation to offshore gambling ventures and funding matters in 2008, advising Virtue Fusion on offshore online bingo facilities and In2Games on gaining funding.

Within Banking litigation, tier 5

LG delivers an ‘oustanding’ service and offers ‘sharp’ lawyers who ‘know their stuff’. The team has a good mix of product and regulatory acumen, affording it several new panel appointments. James Curle (‘outstanding’, ‘able to grasp complex issues’), Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry, and Thomas Ross (‘bright’, ‘responsive’, ‘gets to the point’) are highly recommended.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

LG’s ‘excellent’ team has expanded significantly, with partners Richard Everett and Eoin O’Shea arriving from the FSA and Simmons & Simmons respectively. Recent highlights include successfully representing Inbev before the VAT and Duties Tribunal, as well as GSK in complex injunction proceedings. Clients praise the ‘very impressive’ Thomas Ross, while Pam Bryan is singled out for her strong ‘skill set and excellent manner’.

Within Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 6

A dynamic force in the mid-market, the ‘technically strong and approachable’ LG continues to strengthen its ties with the banking community, adding new clients Bank of Ireland and Capmark. Recent highlights include advising KBC Bank on the administration of Electricity 4 Business. Aided by the firm’s property litigation team, the practice has also been active advising a significant roster of landlord clients in retail tenant insolvencies. ‘Very approachable and easy to work with’, Tom Withyman heads a practice that includes recommended partner Steven Cottee.

Within Investment funds, tier 5

Nick Heather heads a strong team at LG that recently advised Terra Catalyst Fund on its £116m fundraising. John Reed, who has a strong focus on closed-end listed funds, was recently promoted to partner.

Within Employment, tier 6

‘Outstanding on all fronts’, LG delivers ‘technical advice and an understanding of broader management issues’ to clients that include Brewin Dolphin Plc and Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe Ltd. Helga Breen is recommended for her ‘tenacious approach and no-nonsense advice’, and Yvonne Gallagher is praised for her ‘strong awareness of business needs’. The practice has also seen High Court work for a large construction client.

Within Health and safety, tier 5

Clients of LG’s environment, health and safety practice include commercial and property companies,local authorities, insolvency practitioners, and manufacturers.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), tier 4

LG partners Robert Smith, Ron Thom and Adam Bushby provide ‘clear’ and ‘comprehensive’ advice, grounded in ‘good commercial sense’. Disputes partner Thomas Ross wins plaudits for his negotiation skills.

Within Insurance - corporate and regulatory, tier 4

LG advised Arthur J. Gallagher on its acquisition of Oxygen Insurance Managers. A year of change at a senior level saw the arrival of Richard Everett from the FSA, and the departure of Martin Mankabady to Mayer Brown International LLP. NFU Mutual and Generali are clients.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 4

LG’s team is ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’, with William Sturge, David Breslin, and head of department Nick Bradley all recommended. Key strengths include property insurance disputes, and financial lines and D&O work, with a particular focus on the reinsurance side. Major clients include Allianz Insurance, Novae, Harel, and Phoenix Life Insurance Company.

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 5

LG’s ‘exemplary’ charities practice is led by the ‘indispensable’ Joanna Bussell, who is valued for her ‘comprehensive knowledge and positive manner’. The group regularly assists on partnerships between public sector and charity sector clients, corporate governance-related matters, and philanthropic giving. The team is ‘excellent, knowledgeable, helpful and responsive’.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, LG is a third tier firm,

LG’s practice head, Catharine Bell, enjoys an excellent reputation in the market and regularly assists with high-value offshore disputes; she is ‘outstanding in her work, helpful, pragmatic and extremely helpful’. Andrew Witts has assisted the Government of Brazil in relation to the alleged corruption of Paulo Maluf, former mayor of Sao Paulo.

Within Heritage property

Within Overview,

LG offers international reach and benefits from the strength of its teams across finance, real estate, corporate and disputes.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, LG is a second tier firm,

LG delivers an ‘excellent level of service’ and is well known for its strong international practice, assisting German, Russian, Indian, and Far Eastern clients. The group also assists a number of Middle Eastern clients, and Andrew Young recently moved to Dubai, to head the firm’s international private capital group. ‘The sheer size of the department’ is a draw for many clients, and ‘their strength in depth coupled with a youthful age average equals a proactive service across the department’. Practice head Anthony Thompson is ‘responsive and knowledgeable’. Nick Rucker was promoted to partner in 2008.

Within Mining and minerals, LG is a third tier firm,

LG is ‘excellent in all respects’, with clients singling out team head Tom Nicholls as ‘efficient’ and Tim Casben as ‘strong on all areas of corporate advice’. Kalahari Minerals instructed the firm on two secondary issues raising an aggregate total of approximately £18.4m.

Within Local government, LG is a second tier firm,

LG has a niche practice in outsourcing leisure services, handling projects for Oxford and Gloucester City Councils among others, as well as covering LSVTs of housing stock, town centre regeneration and public procurement. Simon Randall leads the team, which includes Joanna Bussell and associate Avril Smith, who displays ‘excellent knowledge’. The practice is ‘very efficient’ and ‘excellent in all aspects’.

Within Commercial property, LG is a third tier firm,

LG’s joint department head Jon Lloyd ‘always provides a first-class service’, while the team as a whole offers a ‘very high standard - it retains the feel of an older-style practice in terms of its client relationships whilst providing up-to-date legal advice’. The group’s weighty client list includes Legal & General, while recent highlights include advising the Universities Superannuation Scheme in purchasing a 50% share in an investment portfolio joint venture with Tesco. The team was boosted by the arrival of corporate real estate partner Malcolm Headley from Faegre & Benson LLP at the end of 2008. Rabinder Chagger, who co-heads the practice, is an experienced practitioner.

Within Construction, tier 4

LG’s Hillary Cohen, and newly promoted, ‘very supportive’ partner Philip Baker, are lauded for ‘their willingness to simplify rather than mystify’. The firm’s strength in non-contentious matters extends to institutional clients, such as Canada Life, and internationally to Dubai. The practice advised LaSalle on developments in York, Milton Keynes, Colchester and Nottingham.

Within Planning, tier 5

LG’s group ‘gives a first-class service’ under team head Trevor Blaney. Its recent track record includes town centre redevelopment, inquiries and judicial reviews, with Blaney acting for Avimo in obtaining planning permission following a public inquiry over a commercial development near London’s King’s Cross. Stephen Turnbull is recommended for his ‘tactical ability’.

Within Property finance, LG is a third tier firm,

LG’s property finance team focuses on commercial investment, hotels and development work, and recently advised Helical Bar on the financing of a substantial retail redevelopment in Cardiff. It also acted for Bayerische Landesbank on a £210m loan to Henderson for the acquisition of McArthur Glen outlet centres. Jane Spiers and Stephen Stephens jointly lead the practice. Clients ‘appreciate not being passed from individual to individual’.

Within Property litigation, LG is a second tier firm,

The ‘commercially minded’ team at LG welcomed Carole Peet from Eversheds. The team has a particularly strong investor landlord practice, and a pre-eminent reputation for asset management. Jane Fox-Edwards is recommended.

Within Property litigation, LG is a second tier firm,

Eversheds LLP recently welcomed Will Densham from Linklaters LLP, while Carole Peet left for LG. The team acted on enforcing numerous contracts for the sale of land, and landed a role on Crossrail’s panel. Richard Hanson is recommended.

Within Social housing, LG is a third tier firm,

LG’s Simon Randall is a key ALMO expert. The practice advises local authorities on their housing stock choices, and represents housing associations on mergers and restructuring. Recent highlights include acting on the regeneration of Barham Road Estate. The practice ‘gives good and timely advice.’

Within Brand management, tier 4

LG’s Jonathan Riley is active on franchising work, and advised Optical Partners - which operates a chain of opticians - on UK franchising structures, including the setting up of a joint franchised vehicle. Riley also has a solid commercial advertising practice.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Jonathan Riley is head of commerce and technology at LG.

Within Media and entertainment, tier 4

At LG, Jonathan Riley advises Kraken Sports & Media on its Kraken Opus imprint. Richard Marke advised sports promoter and broadcaster Matchroom. Publishing clients include Derwent Howard Media Group and Wilmington Group. Computer games specialist Anthony Woolich moved to Holman Fenwick Willan LLP.

Within Shipping , tier 6

LG specialises in international shipping and trade litigation. One highlight was representing the Government of Gibraltar in connection with the removal of the FEDRA wreck after her grounding on Europa Point, and the practice is strongly focused on the Swiss market, where several oil trader clients are based. Imogen Rumbold ‘grasps the crux of a problem from the outset, and provides clients with reasoned and sound suggestions’.