The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a third tier firm,

Manches LLP’s ‘very strong’ practice provides ‘clear and trusted advice’, and is split into a six-partner corporate team led by the ‘experienced’ David Tighe, and a three-partner commercial team headed by the ‘decisive and clear’ Chris Shelley. On the corporate front, the team recently advised Williams F1 on its proposed listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and continues to advise a host of universities in funding deals and related venture capital work. The commercial group advises clients from the IT, life sciences and technology sectors. The Reading office fields ‘very good’ partners Justin Starling and Rob Hayes, and in Oxford Patrick Baddeley is ‘excellent’. Catherine Rohll made partner in 2010.

Within Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Providing ‘exceptional service’, Manches LLP’s ‘very efficient and competent’ team is ‘particularly thorough’: ‘expert litigator’ Julie Bond is ‘absolutely first class’ and has a ‘completely commercial attitude’; on the property side, John Morrison has a ‘high level of knowledge’ and gives the ‘best possible advice’; and Steven Maier is also rated for contentious IP and IT matters. Recent highlights include advising on a £1.5m professional negligence claim.

Within Banking and finance Banking and finance

Within Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Shoosmiths provides ‘practical and commercial advice in a timely manner’. Kevin McCavish is ‘unbelievably commercial’ and ‘knows the law inside out’. Key clients include Hewlett-Packard and Calor Gas, and in 2010 the team also won work from Arthritis Research UK and Prudential Health Services. Eugene Wojciechowski left for Manches LLP in May 2011.

Within Regional review, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

In the Thames Valley, Osborne Clarke remains top tier in banking and corporate work, with Manches LLP standing out for its family law and TMT expertise. Boyes Turner also stands out for employment, real estate, dispute resolution and insurance, and Pitmans LLP is noted for its litigation, pensions and property practices. In Essex, Birkett Long LLP has the strongest overall profile.

Within Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

‘In a different league’, Manches LLP retains a pre-eminent family practice, noted for its ‘rapid, courteous and professional’ approach. The ‘outstanding’ Jane Mitchell advises high-net-worth clients on ancillary relief and child cases. Kerry Fretwell joined the Reading office from Blandy & Blandy LLP and is particularly experienced in cohabitation matters. ‘Brilliant in every way’, Alexandra Lewis provides ‘sound consideration in a crisis’. Senior associate Ruth James is ‘very supportive’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP’s team expanded significantly in 2010, with practice head Anna Burnside joining from Thomas Eggar LLP, and two further recruitments at associate level. It is ‘exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable and considerate’. Tom Gilman is ‘capable and diplomatic’.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Providing a ‘very high level of service’, Giles Clifford’s team at Manches LLP has capabilities in the renewable energy sector, and assists both developers and landowners. The team advised Susenco in relation to its onshore wind and solar photovoltaic projects, and provides advice to TfL on infrastructure matters.

Within Education, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Manches LLP’s ‘excellent’ multi-disciplinary team provides property, commercial litigation and employment advice to clients including The Queen’s College, Oxford Brookes University and the Royal Agricultural College. Practice head Daff Richardson is ‘outstanding’.

Within Health, Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Giles Clifford heads the cross-disciplinary team at Manches LLP, which deals with PFI, property and regulatory work for numerous pharmaceutical clients, including The Institute for Animal Health.

Within Local government Local government

Within Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP provides ‘commercially sound advice’ and is on the legal panels of Siemens and Oxford University. The ‘competent and professional’ team, led by Richard Smith, advised Bouygues Development on a £17m library and housing scheme development in Maidstone. Giles Clifford delivers an ‘excellent service’, and associate Dan Cowley has a ‘pragmatic approach’. John Castell joined Faegre & Benson LLP in 2011.

Within Environment, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP advises household-name clients such as HSBC, Siemens and WH Smith on environment issues. The team is led by Richard Smith, while senior associate Susie Hilton is at the helm of the sustainability practice.

Within Property litigation, Manches LLP is a third tier firm,

In 2010, Manches LLP was retained on real estate panels for major multinational companies such as EDF Energy and Siemens. John Morrison heads the team.

Within Social housing , Manches LLP is a second tier firm,

Elizabeth Hussain’s team at Manches LLP advises clients such as LHA-Asra Group and Bouygues UK on acquisitions and developments of multimillion-pound sites and residential units. The firm also provides banking, construction and tax advice.

Within Intellectual property , Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Good in negotiations’, the five-partner IP team at Manches LLP was boosted in 2010 with the arrival of associate Rachael Parman from Shoosmiths, who brought several retail and fashion clients, including Jimmy Choo, IKEA, Oakley and TK Maxx. The team advises science, technology and publishing sector clients, and recently acted for Oxford Biodynamics in a licensing deal with an Australian healthcare provider. Chris Shelley gives ‘business-orientated advice’.

Within IT and telecoms, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

David Tighe and Chris Shelley now lead the IT practice at Manches LLP, following Jonathan Oddy’s departure to Veale Wasbrough Vizards in August 2010. ‘Responsive and commercial’ senior associate Rustam Roy has also left recently, for Pitmans LLP.

Within Media and entertainment, Manches LLP is a first tier firm,

Manches LLP retains its top-tier position for media work, and reports an increase in television and film-related matters, often advising US-based clients. Cathleen Blackburn handles non-contentious publishing and media matters, and Steven Maier leads on the contentious side. Clients include the Tolkien Estate and Oxford University Press.