The Legal 500

Within Financial services, tier 5

Known for retail financial services matters, TLT LLP welcomed former Addleshaw Goddard LLP managing associate Clare Hughes as its new team head. Hughes’ expertise includes Consumer Credit Act matters. Former practice leader Suzanne MacDonald is highly rated.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 5

TLT LLP rises a tier in the ranking. Richard Clayton is ‘knowledgeable and experienced, and takes a practical approach’. David Pacey, who was once global head of Barclays Retail Financial Services litigation team, is ‘very commercially sensitive’. Charles Spragge has recently moved to Starr & Partners LLP.

Within Mediators Mediators

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 7

At TLT LLP, Annette Newport has a good reputation among banks for cross-border ship finance transactions.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency,

Also recommended are: the ‘commercial’ Louise Verrill, who heads the ‘professional, effective and personable’ six-partner team at Brown Rudnick LLP, which specialises in representing funds as bondholders; Collyer Bristow LLP’s team head Steven Heffer, who is praised for his ‘commerciality, excellent judgement and knowledge’; Richard Baines at Druces LLP, for his ability to ‘effectively explain complicated technical matters’; Edwin Coe LLP’s ‘tactical and skilful’ team head Ali Zaidi; Farrer & Co’s practice head David Fletcher, who is ‘easy to deal with and technically sound, and provides practical solutions’; Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP’s practice head Emma Menzies; the ‘technical, commercial and practical’ Vernon Dennis, who heads a property-focused team at Howard Kennedy; Manches LLP’s team head Alex Fox, who is praised for his ‘assiduity, commerciality and creative thinking’; and the ‘very client-focused’ team at TLT LLP.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

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

Notable for its experience in renewables, TLT LLP ‘offers an excellent service’. Team head Maria Connolly and associate Kerri Ashworth are praised for their ‘diligence, experience, and speed of service’.

Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, tier 4

TLT LLP is advising London Borough of Lambeth on transferring housing stock on three estates to one tenant-managed registered provider. New clients include Gentoo Group, Alliance Homes and Wandle Housing Association. Paul Butterworth heads the practice nationally, with Lynne Murray leading the London team.

Within Brand management, tier 4

TLT LLP has ‘an ability to quickly gain understanding of brand positioning situations and its importance to clients ’ business models’. The team manages numerous international trade mark portfolios, and advises on sponsorship, advertising and marketing. Clients include Accolade Wines and Comparethemarket.com. Practice head James Touzel is ‘an exceptionally focused and able commercial lawyer’. Kerry Gwyther and Alison Deighton are also recommended.

Within Franchising, TLT LLP is a second tier firm,

TLT LLP’s Bill Hull is ‘a first-class lead’ for the specialist franchising team, which is ‘very practical in its approach, giving exactly the right level of knowledge and advice’. It recently advised on a programme of international franchising for WHSmith stores at travel hubs and retail destinations. Other clients include nationwide pub franchise Greene King as well as various automotive dealer franchises, including IM Group.

Within Shipping, tier 5

Led by the ‘very thorough’ Duncan Bateson, who has ‘excellent problem-solving skills’, TLT LLP’s ‘quick and efficient’ practice has a ‘wealth of experience’. With a strong reputation for dry shipping and superyacht work, its clients include Britannia P & I Club, Coastal Zone Services, Maersk Line, Osprey Maritime and Global Ship Lease. Nigel Willson is ‘calm, immensely experienced and pragmatic’, and Jeremy J Thomas is recommended for disputes work.