The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

One of the market’s key players, Pinsent Masons LLP regularly acts opposite the Magic Circle and major US firms, and delivers ‘excellent value for money’ and ‘practical advice’. The firm’s strong background in mid-market M&A and public company work has attracted new clients including Go Ahead, the enlarged Friends Provident. 2010 highlights included the flotation of new investment vehicle Horizon, established by leading entrepreneurs including Pizza Express founder Hugh Osmond. The ‘excellent and responsive’ Andrew Kerr co-heads the department alongside Martin Priestley.

Within Corporate tax, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is highly rated by clients for its ‘ability to bring new ideas and go beyond the brief’. The team, led by the ‘excellent’ John Christian, advised AMEC on its £61.2m acquisition of Entec Holdings. An example of cross-border M&A work was its advice on a £31m business disposal by DCC Healthcare. The firm’s share schemes practice adds a further dimension, and includes Judith Greaves and Rory Cray, who are ‘both very good’.

Within Banking litigation, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s national head of fraud Mohan Bhaskaran has a growing reputation in heavyweight litigation cases.

Within Commercial litigation: Leeds, West Yorkshire, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP counts Asda, Nestlé, Tesco and William Hill among its blue-chip clients. It is appreciated for ‘taking the time to understand clients’ businesses’, and is ‘proactive’ and provides ‘appropriate advice’, with ‘excellent response times’. Damian Crosse heads the department.

Within Banking and finance, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Under the leadership of John Cleland, Pinsent Masons LLP continues to act on significant transactions, including advising a syndicate of banks on revolving credit facilities for KCOM. It also advised Babcock Pension Trust on a longevity swap with Credit Suisse; and Barclays Private Equity on the debt aspects of the secondary MBO of Allied Glass.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly called on to advise the major banks and accountancy firms, as well as various other blue-chip clients. It recently advised Ernst & Young as the liquidator of PAL SC Realisations, and acted for Proventec on a creditor scheme of arrangement. Jonathan Jeffries heads the department.

Within Employment: West Yorkshire, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for a number of universities throughout the UK, and also counts Aviva, O2 and Northern Rail as clients. The team has ‘excellent industry knowledge’; it includes local employment head Chris Mordue, who has particular experience in the education sector, and national employment head Chris Booth, although the highly rated Philip Titchmarsh has recently left the firm.

Within Health and safety, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is experienced in multimillion-pound matters for high-profile clients. The ‘excellent’ team, led by ‘very business aware’ legal director Pauline Munro, works for major corporations in the manufacturing and retail sectors, including two major supermarkets.

Within Pensions, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

The well-regarded 14-fee-earner team at Pinsent Masons LLP has recently been instructed by new clients including Fujitsu Services, International Personal Finance plc, and the trustees of the Valliant Group pension scheme. The team is led by the ‘very knowledgeable’ Jacqui Timmins.

Within Regional review, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has a well-established reputation in the local market, and is a trusted adviser to household names such as Asda, which instructs the firm’s well-regarded employment team. On the corporate side, it has a strong background in mid-market M&A and public company work. Other strengths include construction, where clients include Balfour Beatty, Shaw Group and South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

Within Charities, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Janet Hoskin continues to head the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which in 2010 advised a China-based international business school on its plans to open a school in London. It also advised a national land-holding charity, and various universities and government departments.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Janet Hoskin leads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, whose clients include the trustees of a large offshore commercial unit trust, and a major insurer.

Within Project finance and PFI, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is ‘responsive’ and ‘always competitive on quality’. Recent highlights include acting for West Yorkshire Police Authority on its multi-site serviced accommodation PFI project. It is also advising on a strategic partnership residual waste disposal procurement by five local authorities in Wales. Practice head Kate Orviss is ‘very proactive and loyal to clients’.

Within Education, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Christopher Mordue leads the 38-fee-earner team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which counts Nottingham Trent University and UCL as clients. The team is noted for its ‘sound’ sector knowledge and ‘high quality of service’.

Within Health, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Led by Michael Boyd, Pinsent Masons LLP works closely with the NHS on its transformation, and advised Serco Healthcare in its bid for the franchise of Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust in 2010. Other clients include the Department of Health, First Assist, and Orchard Care Homes.

Within Local government, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Anne Bowden leads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which is advising Newcastle City Council on a major regeneration project, as well as handling a £1bn planning, development and restructuring matter for Leeds City Council.

Within Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Mark Owen heads Pinsent Masons LLP’s well-respected practice, which attracts high-profile instructions from quality clients. Recent examples include advising Evans Property Group on a joint venture with the University of York for the co-investment, management and operation of the newly built Goodricke College. Other new client wins include Aviva, Standard Life and Whitbread.

Within Construction, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Mark Harris heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which has an enviable client base including Balfour Beatty, Shaw Group and South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority. The team is experienced in complex projects in the waste, health, power, education and rail sectors. Alongside Harris, Nigel Blundell and Simon Plunkett are well-respected figures in the market.

Within Environment, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has a highly regarded practice led by Helen Peters. The team was involved in advising Yule Catto & Co on its €443m acquisition of PolymerLatex from Towerbrook Capital Partners. Other clients include Hanson Group, Cargill, and Veolia Environmental Services.

Within Planning, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice is led by Jonathan Riley, and is regularly called on to advise key institutions in the region such as Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds. Recent highlights include advising the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust on a CPO for the 17-acre site of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital.

Within Property litigation, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Under Matthew Baker, Pinsent Masons LLP has a broad practice that includes property cases with public law aspects and complex property disputes. Recent work includes representing Marcus Heaney in the substantial rights of light case concerning the Toronto Square property in central Leeds, which has come to be recognised as the current authority on rights of light injunctions.

Within Social housing, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is one of the principal advisers to the Homes and Communities Agency.

Within Intellectual property , Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team has recently advised Christys’ & Company on the disposal of a division of the brand involving complex cross-licences. It also counts Laura Ashley and Dixons retails as clients.

Within IT and telecoms, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘absolutely excellent’ team at Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly instructed on complex ICT projects, working for international clients and public sector bodies. The team provides ‘commercial advice’, and is ‘helpful and demonstrates good sector expertise’.