The Legal 500

Within M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m, Lewis Silkin LLP is a third tier firm,

Lewis Silkin LLP has strong media sector credentials, and recently advised Publicis Groupe on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw. Corporate head Jo Evans is the standout figure.

Within Partnership, Lewis Silkin LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘wonderful’ Fergus Payne jointly heads Lewis Silkin LLP’s partnership and LLPs department with experienced litigator Clive Greenwood. Its diverse client base spans well-known law firms and financial institutions as well as healthcare and recruitment providers. Miguel Pereira leads advice to international partnerships.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within Defamation and privacy, tier 4

Lewis Silkin LLP’s Rod Dadak and Jonathan Coad have experience in various aspects of media law. New client wins include Haymarket Media Group.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

Sara Cohen is recommended at Lewis Silkin LLP.

Within Employment: employees/unions Leading individuals: Employment

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Lewis Silkin LLP is a first tier firm,

’First-class player’ Lewis Silkin LLP assists numerous City law firms with internal employment issues, and the expertise and commitment to the field of team heads Michael Burd and James Davies have also earned an enviable corporate following including Ford, Marks & Spencer, Nokia and Credit Suisse. The firm’s membership of well-respected network Ius Laboris adds international capability, boosted by the arrival of both Christopher Hitchins, former employment head at Morgan Lewis and Colin Leckey from Baker & McKenzie LLP. The firm is a regular in high-profile cases, acting mainly for employers but maintaining a claimant practice. Clients highlight, among others, the ‘incredibly bright’ Sean Dempsey, ‘tough negotiator’ Ellen Temperton, and Toni Lorenzo, for his experience in High Court litigation.

Within Immigration, tier 4

The ‘pre-eminent’ team at Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP has a track record in representing celebrities in appeals against general grounds of refusal, and also advises a broad array of multinational companies (including Nike and Italy’s Eni) on Tier 2 certificate of sponsorship applications. ‘Persuasive’ and ‘effective’ team head Philip Trott has recently been active in national security cases. Part-time immigration judge Christopher Randall is ‘conscientious’ and ‘committed to getting the right result for his clients’. Barrister Shahram Taghavi* left for Lewis Silkin LLP in 2012. *Shahram Taghavi is now at Charles Russell LLP.

Within Overview,

The pressure on fees has been to the benefit of employment boutiques, where former partners of leading City firms can offer their expertise at a lower price, with the added bonus of being conflict free. Firms such as CM Murray LLP, Doyle Clayton Solicitors and Stewarts Law LLP are strong choices for senior executives needing expert muscle to challenge major institutions, as are broader, more established firms such as Farrer & Co, Mishcon de Reya and Withers LLP. The latter three lead our new Senior Executives ranking, alongside the mighty Lewis Silkin LLP.

Within Education: schools, Lewis Silkin LLP is a third tier firm,

Lewis Silkin LLP is involved in academies work, including advising sponsors on multi-academy structures, and also advises on employment issues.

Within Commercial property, Lewis Silkin LLP is a third tier firm,

Lewis Silkin LLP concentrates on three core areas: corporate occupier, development and people care. Recent work includes the redevelopment and disposal of Bow Street Magistrates Court. Team head Leonard Goodrich has ‘great knowledge and strong client understanding’.

Within Construction, tier 4

Lewis Silkin LLP is a sturdy presence in the domestic construction market. Practice head Clare Reddy is the key figure for non-contentious issues, and acts on regeneration projects, new academy builds and office developments.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Dilapidations specialist Brian Kilcoyne is the driving force behind Lewis Silkin LLP’s team, which advised several corporates on the redevelopment of their respective London headquarters, and continued to guide Pizza Express through contentious issues arising from its property portfolio.

Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, Lewis Silkin LLP is a third tier firm,

The team at Lewis Silkin LLP deals with contentious and non-contentious work, and recently assisted Peabody Trust in its purchase of four housing estates from Crown Estates. Other clients include Notting Hill Housing Trust, Christian Action, Extracare Charitable Trust, Southern Housing Group, and Wandle Housing Association. Gillian Bastow heads the practice.

Within Brand management, Lewis Silkin LLP is a first tier firm,

Lewis Silkin LLP acts for advertising agencies such as Omnicom and Publicis as well as owners of household name brands in sectors such as consumer products, telecoms and automobile manufacturing. Giles Crown successfully acted for the AA in a comparative advertising dispute with Green Flag. Jo Farmer advised Bacardi Martini on contract arrangements to appoint tennis player Rafael Nadal as its global social responsibility ambassador and on launching a Facebook competition, with the winning applicant to appear in its TV commercial. Brinsley Dresden advised a major Olympic sponsor on ambush marketing strategies.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Lewis Silkin LLP advises brand owner clients such as Lush Cosmetics, Reckitt Benckiser, Aston Martin and Omnicom. The team has recently acted in a number of online technology infringement disputes, and practice head Giles Crown acted for the AA in a design invalidity application appeal. Simon Chapman has experience in disputes and internet enforcement.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

Simon Morrissey heads Lewis Silkin LLP’s commercial technology practice, and acts for both suppliers and purchasers. Consultant Marcus O’Leary advises on transactional and contentious matters.

Within Media and entertainment, Lewis Silkin LLP is a second tier firm,

Music lawyer Cliff Fluet heads Lewis Silkin LLP’s team, which was strengthened by Phil Rymer’s recruitment from Rymer Media Law. Highlights included assisting Blogmusik with its UK launch and Radio 1 DJ mistajam with the creation of a new record label and events company with Ministry of Sound. Other clients include VEVO, Bacardi Music and the Royal Albert Hall. Former professional musician Jonathan Coad is recommended, as is Simon Morrissey, who advises on IP and IT licensing.

Within Sport, Lewis Silkin LLP is a third tier firm,

Lewis Silkin LLP provides ‘excellent service, and timely and practical advice’ in relation to football and rugby union, as well as boxing and golf; it advises sports bodies, clubs and individuals on disciplinary matters, rights exploitation, contracts and transfers. Clients include Fulham FC, Saracens RFC, the WRU and the Rugby Players Association. Andrew Osborne carries ‘a very considerable reputation in sports law, for immigration, disciplinary and commercial cases’; practice head Owen Eastwood shows an ‘enviable knowledge and experience of rugby-related matters’; and Dominic Farnsworth is also recommended.