The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

David Isaac heads the outsourcing practice at Pinsent Masons LLP, which is ‘very responsive and provides an excellent overall level of service’. It has a very strong reputation in the infrastructure sector, with a strong public sector following, and combines that with a commercial client base that includes Alliance Boots and Balfour Beatty. In 2010 the team advised the Ministry of Defence on its global IT logistics outsourcing programme, and Dixons Retail on a joint venture with Phones4U. Among the 17 partners who focus on commercial outsourcing, Charles Park ‘provides an excellent service’; and Garfield Smith is ‘particularly strong on the strategic side, and invests considerable time and effort in building up effective long-term relationships’.

Within Corporate tax Corporate tax

Within EU and competition , tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP delivers ‘a first-class service’. The team includes practice head Guy Lougher, who is now based full time in London; and Alan Davis, who is ‘a star: approachable, pragmatic, and thoughtful’. Davis recently advised Galliford Try in its appeal to the CAT, obtaining a significant reduction of the OFT’s fine for its alleged participation in the construction cartel, and is also acting for MBNA regarding the ongoing Visa and MasterCard UK credit card interchange fee investigations at UK and EU level.

Within Financial services, tier 6

Pinsent Masons LLP advises on regulatory obligations and investigations, and has a dedicated insurance-sector regulatory team. Tim Dolan is a key contact. Al-Harith Sinclair joined from DLA Piper UK LLP, while Jacob Ghanty left for Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons ‘pulls out all the stops’ for clients. It acted for Horizon Acquisition Company on its £417.7m IPO and admission to the main market in 2010. The ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Jon Harris is ‘one of the most effective lawyers in the AIM market’. Rob Hutchings and Stephen Levy both relocated to the firm’s London office in 2010, from Leeds and Manchester respectively.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP ‘pulls out all the stops when the need arises’, and is one of the leading advisers to FTSE clients in the mid-market, completing over £3bn-worth of deals in 2010. The team advised a group of Chinese investors on a $185m investment into AIM-listed company Oxus Gold. The nine-partner team in London includes leading names Gareth Edwards, who heads the practice, and Jon Harris, who is ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic, and gets the job done’.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 6

With a growing presence in London and aided by significant regional capability, Pinsent Masons LLP excels in mid-market deals in the healthcare, energy and retail sectors. Andrew Masraf advised Ashridge Capital and Core Capital on their investment in Ark Home Healthcare.

Within Fraud: civil , tier 5

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP has ‘a pragmatic and practical approach’. Group head Mo Bhaskaran is recommended.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons’ sector-led approach has led to an increase in instructions from clients requiring advice on anti-corruption and money laundering issues. Barry Vitou leads the team, which has been busy on advisory work and investigations for major clients in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, transport and technology sectors.

Within Gaming and betting, tier 4

The ‘commercially aware’ betting group at Pinsent Masons is led by the ‘unsurpassed’ Susan Biddle, who is considered a ‘fountain of knowledge’ in the area. The team advised William Hill on the outsourcing of its telephone-betting operation.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP is ‘cost effective’, and noted for its construction and IT disputes experience. Nigel Kissack heads the practice; Rob McCallough is ‘without equal for IT disputes’; David Barker is ‘good at solving complex problems’; and Stefan Paciorek ‘gets the job done’. The firm recently welcomed Richard Slaven and his team from Halliwells.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Most of Pinsent Masons LLP’s arbitration practice is construction and energy related. Although the number of dedicated partners in London decreased from 15 to 12 in 2010, the team is ‘excellent for legal strategy’ and ‘resolves disputes on a cost-effective basis’. Mark Roe heads the practice, and Jonathan French is ‘responsive, without overlawyering every issue’.

Within Mediators,

Andrew Paton divides his time between mediation and his role as partner in charge of risk management and professional indemnity at Pinsent Masons LLP. While he might not be as active as some of the mediators on this list, he has established a ‘top-tier’ reputation among clients, and was involved in 52 mediations in 2010. He mediates on all manner of commercial disputes, and has been heavily involved in professional negligence, insurance and construction matters.

Within Tax litigation, tier 4

Ian Hyde is recommended at Pinsent Masons.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 6

Pinsent Masons LLP continues to pick up market share, and is developing a significant roster of banking clients. Team head Martin Bishop has ‘valuable experience of deal structures’, and has handled a number of deals for HSBC including advising it on the £27m facilities necessary for Lyceum Capital to acquire McKinnon & Clarke.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 4

‘One of the best mid-market firms’, Pinsent Masons LLP is gaining increased traction in the London market, acting for key clients such as Lloyds and Barclays. The ‘excellent’ Chris Tart handles a significant volume of work for HSBC, and recently advised it along with Rabobank International on a €75.4m and £65m facility for the German-headquartered Gerber Emig Group.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

Pinsent Masons continues to advise the trustees of Nortel on the communication group’s restructuring. The firm ‘goes the extra mile to deliver for its clients’. Richard Williams leads the London restructuring group.

Within Investment funds Investment funds

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Noted for its ‘pragmatic, cost-effective’ advice, Pinsent Masons advised longstanding client Pace on its complex and strategic acquisition of Latens Systems, and Misys on the share scheme implications of its disposal of interest in a US subsidiary company, while other clients include Allianz Insurance, Portmeirion Group, and Henderson Group. Judith Greaves is ‘very good’, and ‘finds a solution, not a problem’.

Within Employment, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team is structured around sector specialisms, and works with clients such as Allianz, Kier, Morgan Stanley and Wal-Mart. Helen Farr is ‘good at analysing complex matters and relaying them in lay person’s terms’, and recently defended a Lloyds Banking Group client in the £1m Constantine whistleblowing case; and Bob Mecrate-Butcher is noted for TUPE issues. Team head Michael Ryley is ‘excellent, with a great deal of experience’. Lisa Patmore and Tom Flanagan left during 2010.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP is the first firm to have taken a charge of corporate manslaughter to trial under the new legislation, defending Cotswold Geotech. It advises other clients in the retail, education and engineering sectors on regulatory matters and in investigations. Kevin Bridges is noted for his ‘understanding of real underlying issues and practicalities’; and Simon Joyston-Bechal for his ‘legal knowledge and application’.

Within Immigration,

Also notable for their work in the area of immigration are: Clifford Chance; Davenport Lyons; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Eversheds LLP; Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP; Macfarlanes LLP; Paragon Law; Pinsent Masons LLP; RadcliffesLeBrasseur; Russell-Cooke LLP; Simons Muirhead & Burton; Steeles Law LLP; Travers Smith LLP; and Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Overview,

The most significant aspect of the change of government for health and safety lawyers came with the Young report and the 35% cut in the Health and Safety Executive’s budget, leading inevitably to less regulation in the area. However, the passing of the first custodial sentence for a workplace death, together with the potentially bankrupting level of fines which the first corporate manslaughter prosecution (defended by Pinsent Masons LLP) demonstrated, should mean that teams at firms such as Bond Pearce LLP, Kennedys, DLA Piper UK LLP, and Eversheds LLP remain in demand.

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

Representative clients of Pinsent Masons LLP include Nortel, Mercer and the trustees of Heinz and the Ericsson pension schemes. National head of pensions Alastair Meeks is ‘a high-profile individual in the pensions world’; Christopher Berkeley ‘provides quality advice in a commercial and timely manner’; Iona Whitaker is able to ‘explain complex legal issues’; and Matthew De Ferrars has ‘excellent client skills and is a strong communicator of technical detail’. Carolyn Saunders is ‘knowledgeable, responsive and thorough, and has a sense of humour’; and Isabel Nurse-Marsh is ‘tough and knowledgeable but user friendly’. Raj Sharma is also recommended.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP ‘holds its own in a very competitive market’, and provides ‘an excellent, personal level of service’, ‘strong partner support’, ‘tailored advice’, and ‘value for money’. It represented a leading general insurer in a multimillion-dollar reinsurance dispute. Colin Read is ‘very knowledgeable in reinsurance’; Fiona Heyes is ‘able to problem solve the most complicated of matters’; and Alexis Roberts is also recommended. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Richard Slaven, formerly of Halliwells.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

‘Holding its own in a very competitive market’, Pinsent Masons LLP provides ‘an excellent personal level of service with strong partner support’ across general, life and pensions insurance matters. Alexis Roberts and Bruno Geiringer are recommended, as is new partner Iain Sawers, ‘a real rising star, and definitely one to watch’.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP advised RBSI on restructuring part of its UK corporate group structure in preparation for Solvency II, and QBE Insurance on restructuring part of its UK business. Recent client wins include Cooperative Financial Services, Just Retirement and Unum. Bruno Geiringer is recommended.

Within Product liability: defendant, tier 4

Andrew Masterson leads Pinsent Masons’ national team, which advises on the preventative, crisis management and recovery aspects of product liability. Clients include IMI, Dixons Retail, Schneider Group and Saint Gobain.

Within Professional negligence, tier 4

The ‘sensible and knowledgeable’ Fiona Heyes heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which gives ‘excellent advice and guidance on tactics’, and is praised for its ‘great response times’. It advised Barbican Syndicate 1955 in a claim against its insured following implementation of a new IT system. Jim Richards is ‘outstanding’. Richard Slaven recently joined from Halliwells.

Within Infrastructure, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP’s Simon Mumford is highlighted as ‘unflappable and solution focused’, and Catherine Workman is ‘pragmatic and able to use her great sector experience to best effect’. The firm is advising Thames Water Utilities and United Utilities Water on £8bn-worth of capital works programmes for the next AMP period.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP’s Sarah Thomas attracts praise for her ‘good negotiation skills’. The firm acted for a consortium of Chinese investors on a $185m investment in AIM-listed Oxus Gold.

Within Oil and gas, tier 6

Pinsent Masons LLP ‘knows the industry well’, with Adrian Elliott highlighted as ‘tenacious and proactive’. The oil and gas group specialises in contentious construction matters.

Within Overview,

Outside of the major City firms, national specialists have seen their piece of the pie increase as projects become more standardised. Practices at Pinsent Masons LLP, Eversheds LLP and Addleshaw Goddard LLP all continue to rise in profile.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s historical construction strength ensures a good flow of power mandates. Paul Rice heads a group that is advising London Array Limited on the procurement of phase 1 of the £2bn London Array scheme, the first 1GW offshore wind farm. Matthew Collinson, formerly in house at Inexus, joined as a consultant.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , tier 4

In 2010, Pinsent Masons LLP welcomed the arrival of Daniel Tain from Shadbolt. They bolster a ‘committed team’ led by waste specialist Simon Mumford, and including the ‘very experienced’ Barry Francis. The firm is advising Veolia on the Staffordshire Waste PFI.

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

With notable strength on the construction side, Pinsent Masons LLP was recently instructed by the Degremont, Sumitomo and Aljomaih Power and Water Company consortium in relation to its bid for the $250m financing and development of a new sewage treatment plant in Bahrain. Mark Lane is highly recommended.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 6

Pinsent Masons LLP is noted for local government and public procurement work.

Within Education: individuals Leading individuals

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

Pinsent Masons has an ‘extremely competent’ team led by the ‘remarkable’ and ‘brilliantly minded’ Nicola Hart. Praised for its ‘technical sector knowledge’, the group continues to act for the London School of Economics and City University, and recently advised Nottingham Trent University on the provision of 700 new bed spaces.

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

Pinsent Masons continues to lead in the field of commercial healthcare, and in 2010 acted on a joint venture between The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and a global private healthcare company. Michael Boyd’s team also advised Serco in connection with its bid for the franchise of the Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust. Other clients include Active Assistance, the Department of Health, and Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust. Barry Francis and Joanne Ellis are recommended.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team has a ‘breadth of knowledge’ and a ‘strong, pragmatic and commercial approach’. The team represents half of the London boroughs, and won two new panel appointments in 2010. It is advising Sutton London Borough Council on its groundbreaking HR shared services project with Merton London Borough Council. Alan Aisbett heads the team. Senior consultant David Taylor has joined the team from DLA Piper UK LLP. Associate Didar Dhillon ‘engenders confidence, respect and trust’.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘excellent and provides a quick response without a drop in quality’. Highlights included the sale of 100 Middlesex Street for the Blackstone Group and the letting of 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, for MF Global. The practice’s strength in retail work attracts clients such as Burberry and LK Bennett. David Taylor’s move to Pinsent Masons LLP was a loss, but team head Catherine Usher and Richard Wilkinson are ‘both impressive’, and Paul Jayson has the ‘ability to think commercially but retain an awareness of contractual risks and commitments’.

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

Richard Foley heads Pinsent Masons LLP’s 18-partner team, which is known for its expertise acting for contractors on infrastructure projects and in international arbitrations. Highlights for 2010 included advising Willbros in a $275m claim relating to onshore construction aspects of the West African Gas Pipeline project, and representing Thames Water on a £6bn asset management programme.

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

Pinsent Masons, which is well regarded for its business acumen and industry understanding, acts across the waste, real estate and manufacturing sectors. Energy is a growing focus, with client gains including NuGeneration. Waste sector clients include Veolia, Viridor and WRG. Practice head Paul Rice is recommended, as is Gordon McCreath, who has ‘strong knowledge of specific disciplines and a very high level of contacts’. Richard Ford is leading on environmental work for the 2012 Olympic Park.

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

Pinsent Masons advises on major public and private sector developments, with national practice head Richard Ford advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on the Olympic Park and Stratford City development scheme, and the Westfield retail project therein. Energy infrastructure projects are a growing focus for the team, which is advising Nugeneration on the Sellafield nuclear power station project. Ford and Iain Gilbey, who joined from Shoosmiths, are co-leading a team on the Earls Court and Olympia mixed-use redevelopment.

Within Property finance, tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP’s William Oliver is ‘excellent’, and associate Frances Mallender is ‘professional, with a personal approach’. In terms of deal volume and fee income, the firm is number-one adviser to HSBC’s real estate finance team.

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

‘A breath of fresh air’, Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice is developing strong expertise in rights of light matters, and recently advised Lloyds in various dilapidations claims. Stuart Wortley has an ‘instant grasp of everything and consistent accuracy, which make him a pleasure to instruct’.

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

The ‘knowledgeable’ group at Pinsent Masons LLP acts for the HCA in all aspects of social housing. It is advising Portsmouth City Council on regenerating three sites for extra care housing. Practice head Alan Aisbett is recommended and David Meecham ‘builds and maintains trust’.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team was strengthened by the arrival of patent litigator Clare Tunstall and her team from Roiter Zucker Solicitors. Iain Connor, who is representing Interflora in the Google AdWords case at the ECJ, is advising 123 Närhmittel in the defence of an action brought by Hasbro for infringement of its ‘Play Doh’ trade marks. The ‘knowledgeable and commercially aware’ Kim Walker handles non-contentious IP work for clients including Waitrose and Jack Wills.

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

Pinsent Masons LLP recruited Mike Pierides from Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Barry Vitou and Danvers Baillieu from Winston & Strawn London. Clive Seddon heads a ‘first-class team’ which wins plaudits for ‘excellent service, client commitment and industry knowledge’. Recognised for its transactional prowess, the group assists public and private sector clients, including Fujitsu Services, Royal Mail Group and the Ministry of Justice, with transformational IT projects and cross-border solutions. John Salmon has ‘excellent judgement’; Iain Monaghan has a ‘sharp intellect and brilliant industry knowledge’; and Robert McCallough is ‘without equal for IT disputes’.

Within Media and entertainment, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP’s six-partner publishing practice, led by Susan Biddle, advises Macmillan Publishers on competition law. Other clients include AOL and the Associated Press. Iain Connor and head of IP Kim Walker recently advised Orion Publishing Group in matters including a cross-border trade mark and copyright dispute. Walker is well regarded for his archive work, for companies such as Ancestry.com.

Within Overview,

In life sciences, Covington & Burling LLP hired four partners from Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP; Howrey LLP’s Marjan Noor joined Simmons & Simmons; Paul Inman joined Wragge & Co LLP; and Claire Tunstall and her patent litigation team joined Pinsent Masons LLP from Roiter Zucker Solicitors.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Clare Tunstall and her patent litigation team joined Pinsent Masons LLP from Roiter Zucker Solicitors. Commended for its ‘business acumen and industry knowledge’, the team wins instructions from public and private sector clients including AstraZeneca and Teva Pharmaceuticals. The corporate team acts for life sciences venture capital funds.

Within Sport, tier 6

Pinsent Masons is the principal adviser to the Rugby League.

Within Aviation, tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP focuses on projects work in the aviation sector, regularly advising on airport extensions and major PPPs. The group is currently advising the operator of London Ashford Airport on two planning applications for a runway extension and new terminal building. Other clients include BAA, Edinburgh Airport, and Leeds Bradford International Airport. Martin Harman heads the group.

Within Rail, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons LLP continues to act for Córas Iompair Éireann and Ianród Éireann on the procurement for the DART Underground project, and also counts the Railway Procurement Agency, Balfour Beatty and Siemens as clients. Raymond Beven is recommended for PPP work, and Jonathan Hart is noted for his knowledge of light rail.