The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Birmingham, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has been involved in some high-value and complex transactions. It advised longstanding client Halfords on the strategic acquisition of Nationwide Autocentres, and continues to advise CareTech on its strategic ‘buy and build’ acquisition programme. Andrew Hornigold has considerable expertise in advising technology companies, and Joanne Ellis is recommended for her healthcare work. Peter McHugh heads the commercial team. Key clients include Homeserve, Saint-Gobain and Glanbia. The team is recognised for its experience in advising public companies, and has a growing profile in the energy sector.

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

The practice at Pinsent Masons LLP was enhanced by the addition of ‘technically excellent’ senior associate Kate Featherstone from Addleshaw Goddard LLP. The team advises on contentious and non-contentious tax matters, for clients such as Avon Cosmetics and Royal Mail. Ian Hyde is the national head of property tax, and Janet Hoskin has moved to the Birmingham office from Leeds.

Within EU and competition, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has a diverse practice across contentious and non-contentious matters. The team was appointed by Manchester United FC to advise on competition law issues, and advised National Grid on the substantial reduction of a fine by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Other clients include Siemens and IMI. Giles Warrington’s advice is ‘highly valued’ by clients, and Guy Lougher (now based in the firm’s London office) provides ‘structured and specific advice’.

Within Commercial litigation: Birmingham, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for clients such as Britannia Building Society, Telent and Mitie. Greg Lowson, an accredited mediator, is highly regarded, as is the ‘calm and practical’ Jonathan Fortnam, who is also a qualified solicitor advocate. Jim Richards led the team in acting for Müller, the yogurt manufacturer, in a major contractual dispute with robotics company RTS over the automation of its production lines at Market Drayton. The group includes an in-house forensic accounting team.

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

At Pinsent Masons LLP, the ‘very experienced’ Alice Broadfield and Matthew Heaton provide ‘grounded advice’, and legal director Graeme Walton ‘works towards a solution with clients’. The firm advised Santander and RBS on facilities for Birmingham International Airport, and advised Barclays Bank on corporate facilities for the University of Leicester. Other clients include Matrix and Lloyds Banking Group. The diverse practice is noted for its expertise in leveraged financing transactions, and in cross-border transactions.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery , tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice is primarily focused on bank-led transactional restructuring and insolvency work involving mid-market businesses, and acts for Deloitte and Barclays. Alastair Lomax heads the department.

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

‘Absolute class act’ Linda Jones at Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly identified as one of the best employment lawyers in Birmingham. The group advised Asda on the employment aspects of its bid for Netto Foodstores, and subsequently represented Asda on the required disposal of 47 stores. Senior associate Charles Rae is a ‘personable and experienced lawyer’, and comes highly recommended.

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

Senior associate Sean Elson at Pinsent Masons LLP successfully defended Stephen Luckett, a crane operator, against a charge of manslaughter, and is currently representing a member of the UK Constructors Group in an ongoing investigation by the HSE.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP’s ‘strong, balanced team’ is ‘pragmatic, quick to respond, well networked and extremely valuable’, with Daniel Shelley singled out as ‘particularly good’. Clients include Cadbury Pension Scheme, AXA and GKN Group Pension Scheme.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP has a broad range of expertise in the region, and has been involved in some significant regeneration projects. Its banking and EU and competition practices remain very strong, and on the corporate front it has particular expertise in the technology and healthcare sectors.

Within Charities, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP proves ‘a huge asset in all aspects of business’. Janet Hoskin’s team recently advised a China-based international school on setting up a business school as a charity in the UK.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP largely acts for trust companies, and recently advised the trustees of a large offshore unit trust on issues arising from a proposal to refurbish the trust property. Janet Hoskin leads the team.

Within Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP has particular expertise in the waste sector and public/private partnerships. It is also experienced in street lighting projects, and recently advised Nottingham City Council on the procurement of its street lighting PFI project. Other clients include London Borough of Croydon, Covanta Energy and Babcock. Practice head Patrick Twist is recommended, along with Alan Aisbett for his knowledge of local authority procurement matters.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP has ‘a variety of departments engaged in the education sector, so has a depth of knowledge across a broad range of subjects’. The team advised the University of Lincoln on establishing a foundation college. Nicola Hart’s ‘advice is sound and practical’, while Linda Jones on the employment side has ‘huge knowledge of the education sector’. Selwyn Blyth is also recommended.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP is advising Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust on its £450m new hospital project, and continued to act for CareTech Holdings plc, Craegmoor Healthcare Company and Avery Healthcare on their expansion plans. Joanne Ellis heads the team.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP is noted as having ‘the leading practice in waste management projects’, and recently advised Lincolnshire County Council on its procurement of an energy-from-waste treatment facility, which will be the first project to be 100% funded by prudential borrowing. It is also acting for Bath and North East Somerset Council regarding the Bath Transport Package. Alan Aisbett is ‘a top PFI lawyer’.

Within Commercial property: Birmingham, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP is advising Waitrose on its national new stores programme, and also advised new client Orascom on a property option agreement for its acquisition of over 600 hectares of former china clay mining land in Cornwall. Other clients include Calthorpe Estates, Corus and Birmingham City University. Tom Johnson, who has considerable retail sector expertise, heads the practice.

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

At Pinsent Masons LLP, newly promoted partner Anthony Bradley and Peter Clayton on the contentious side ‘get up to speed very quickly’, while Nigel Blundell is noted for his ‘quick responses’ on the transactional side. The team has diverse sector expertise, in areas including rail, education and utilities, and acts for names such as Carillion Construction, Royal Mail Group, Lovell and Kier.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP continues to advise on all the environmental aspects of the remediation strategy for the London Olympic Park, while other highlights included acting for IM Properties in its acquisition of a former manufacturing facility in the Midlands. The firm also acts for English Partnerships, Carlton Power, and new client West Somerset District Council. Richard Ford heads the group.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP’s excellent team was enhanced by the addition of Iain Gilbey from Shoosmiths, who co-heads the group with Richard Ford. The team has considerable expertise in the nuclear sector, and was appointed to advise the three key local authorities on planning, highways, compulsory purchase and consenting matters relating to the £15bn Hinkley C New Nuclear Power Station. New clients include Waitrose.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP acted for Lichfield District Council in defending a claim by an adjoining landowner for substantial damages as a result of the closure of a property at short notice, while other clients include Poundland, Fortnum & Mason, and Tesco Bank. Alicia Foo has carved out a niche in disputes arising out of the Electronic Communications Code.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP is one of the principal advisers to the Homes and Communities Agency. It also acts for registered social landlords and is experienced in advising on social housing PFI. It is advising Portsmouth City Council on the regeneration of three sites in Portsmouth for extra care housing. Alan Aisbett heads the group and, together with David Meecham, provides ‘intelligent and tailored advice’. Other clients include Accent Housing Group.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP successfully represented Nanjing Automobile in High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings related to the infringement and passing off of the MG trade mark and octagon logo. Other clients include Kraft Foods, LG and Aviva. Rupert Bent joined from Bond Pearce LLP to head up the contentious IP practice. Cerys Wyn Davies is recommended.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for clients such as BAA Airports, Boots and Siemens, and is noted for its experience across outsourcing deals, procurement, data protection, telecoms regulatory issues and data centre services. The team ‘provides solid commercial support’, with Jonathan Fell singled out as a ‘persuasive negotiator who knows his stuff’.