The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a second tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP strengthened its corporate offering with the hire of Richard Marke from Lawrence Graham LLP, adding to its already significant technology sector expertise. In 2011, the firm advised the shareholders of Finalta Enterprises Limited on its sale to a global management consultancy. Practice head Mark Tasker comes highly recommended.

Within Partnership, tier 4

Peter Bohm heads the full-service team at Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP. William Garnett has a ‘no-nonsense, robust approach’.

Within Defamation and privacy, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a third tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP acts for a mix of media companies, charities, regulators and individuals. It continues to advise Dominic Kennedy of The Times concerning the Charity Commission’s three inquiries into the Mariam Appeal. Rupert Earle ‘turns work around very promptly’, and is ‘excellent – very knowledgeable about this area of the law, but also realistic and practical in his application of that knowledge’. Martin Kramer, Sean Egan and solicitor Alex de Jongh are also recommended.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s practice spans the accountancy, health, sport, and education sectors. Longstanding clients include the BASW and the GDC. Team head Melanie Carter is recommended.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a third tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP has an ‘exceptional calibre of solicitors’. ‘Huge asset’ Lucy McLynn led on the reported case Mahood v Irish Centre Housing, concerning the status of agency workers; Martin Bunch has a ‘reputation for dealing with sensitive issues such as injunctions’; and practice head William Garnett has a notable roster of senior executive clients.

Within Immigration, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a first tier firm,

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 Charities and not-for-profit, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Class act’ Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is ‘second to none’ in terms of ‘experience, wisdom and knowledge’. In 2011, the firm acted on the establishment of Big Society Capital; the conversion of British Waterways; and significant high-value work for Goldman Sachs. Stephen Lloyd is a ‘great leader who works with policy makers to bring change’; Rosamund McCarthy has ‘a passion for justice’; and Philip Kirkpatrick is ‘a natural choice’. The firm acts for over 2,000 charities clients, among them Barnardo’s, Christian Aid, the RSPCA, and Samaritans.

Within Administrative and public law, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a third tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is ‘excellent’, and ‘very effective at solving clients ’ legal problems’. The firm is synonymous with the public and not-for-profit sectors, and has a strong presence in media and telecoms. Practice head John Trotter remains the preferred lawyer for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and is ‘a highly experienced and seasoned lawyer who goes out of his way to understand and respond to the client’s needs’. Rupert Earle is ‘unflappable, intelligent, experienced, and pragmatic’, and Melanie Carter is also well regarded.

Within Education: individuals Leading individuals: Education

Within Education: institutions, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a second tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s ‘highly competent’ team represents higher and further education clients. William Garnett continues to advise Goldsmiths College, and recently advised on a contentious matter regarding exam results. In 2011, the team also represented Tower Hamlets College in litigation brought by two students, and advised on freedom of information and data protection. New clients include King’s College London and Hammersmith & West London College. Practice head Julian Blake is ‘highly knowledgeable’ and gives ‘pragmatic advice’. Selman Ansari was recently promoted to the partnership.

Within Education: schools, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a first tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP provides ‘exceptional service’ to free schools, academies, independent schools and studio schools. The firm continues to advise the CfBt Education Trust on academy conversions. ‘Star performer’ Mary Groom is extremely active in advising free schools. Julian Blake heads the team.

Within Healthcare, tier 4

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is ‘excellent in all respects’. The ‘unflappable’ team acts for representative and regulatory bodies, commercial healthcare entities and government bodies, handling advisory work and litigation. In 2011 it defended South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in a case of alleged unlawful detention, and advised on a joint working arrangement between an NHS trust and local authorities. Stuart Marchant and Abbie Rumbold head the team. Consultant David Hunter joined from Bevan Brittan LLP.

Within Local government, tier 4

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is ‘excellent in all aspects’. Practice head Melanie Carter, who ‘always delivers on promises’, specialises in external audits, and Abbie Rumbold focuses on mutuals and social enterprises. Solicitor Matthew Orme is also recommended. The firm advised in relation to the judicial review of Eastleigh Borough Council’s plans to fund a new hotel, and is working with various local authorities to develop a national pilot scheme for social work practices.

Within Commercial property, tier 6

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP has a leading reputation for real estate work for charities and social enterprises. It advised YMCA London South West on a £30m development, and Turner Contemporary on a new building in Margate. Nick Ivey and Tony Cartmell are recommended.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice represents various charities, including YMCA and ActionAid, in property disputes. Practice head Lesley Robinson is ‘professional’ and ‘courteous’, and the ‘hardworking’ William Scott is also recommended.

Within Brand management, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a second tier firm,

At Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP, the ‘unflappable, intelligent, experienced and pragmatic’ Rupert Earle is highly regarded for his regulatory expertise, with clients including the ASA and the Direct Marketing Association. The practice also draws on the firm’s experience in the third sector, with Lawrence Simanowitz advising Christian Aid on re-branding its international operations and acting for the rights owners on developing the Guess2Give fundraising brand. It also advises Samaritans on trade mark matters.

Within Data protection, tier 4

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s practice focuses on information law matters, and impresses clients with its ‘creativity in the face of complex and time-limited matters’. It acts for media and third sector clients, such as Amnesty International and Times Newspapers. Team head Lawrence Simanowitz is ‘insightful and client-focused’, and Melanie Carter, who advises public sector authorities on data subject requests, is also recommended.

Within IT and telecoms,

Lawrence Graham LLP’s Peter Brudenall is ‘knowledgeable, instils confidence, can rapidly understand objectives, and explains issues and solutions clearly without legal garble’. He now heads the practice, following Richard Marke’s departure to Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP. Clients include McDonald’s UK and NIIT Technologies.

Within Media and entertainment, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a first tier firm,

The talented Sean Egan at Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP provides specialist theatre and performance advice. Clients include West End producer Bill Kenwright, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Random Dance. Highlights included advising the Young Vic on World Stages London, and MJE Productions on Ghost – The Musical. Erica Crump advises the National Association of Choirs and the Big Art Project. Former film producer Lawrence Simanowitz advises on copyright, freedom of information and alternative financing. Philip Trott’s clients include Endemol.

Within Media finance, Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is a second tier firm,

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s media practice head Sean Egan assists with the development and financing of film projects, notably the crowd-funded The Age of Stupid, through subsidy and quasi-governmental sources. New clients include Future Shorts and ROTA.

Within Sport, tier 4

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP advises on regulatory issues, including sports governance and anti-doping matters, and has a notable niche in sports charity work. Clients include The Football Foundation, the ECB, the RFU and Rugby Football Foundation, and consultant Mike Townley has been working part-time with the International Paralympic Committee in the lead-up to London 2012. Sports-associated immigration work is another significant specialism, through Philip Trott. Thea Longley and Kevin Groome are also recommended. Richard Marke joined from Lawrence Graham LLP.