The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Osborne Clarke is a first tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ Osborne Clarke continues to dominate the transactional market, with a large team that is praised for its ‘tireless efforts’ and ‘reliable, reasonable and pragmatic advice’. It advised new client Kerridge Commercial Systems on its £12.4m management buyout, and also represented Affiliated Computer Services in its £8.75m acquisition of the share capital of Spur Information Solutions. In July 2010, James Massy-Collier advised Avanti Communications on its £70m AIM placement to repay a PIK bond and fund a new satellite. Sara Valentine and Russell Bowyer lead on the corporate and commercial sides respectively. Robert Wood made partner in 2010, and is noted for private equity and venture capital work.

Within EU and competition EU and competition

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

Osborne Clarke is rated for its ‘City-style service’, and is advising the Bank of Ireland in a multimillion-pound dispute. The team also advised new client Isotrak on an IT project dispute. Peter Sheppard is an ‘excellent commercial litigator with very strong strategic skills’, and associate Dawn Troman is ‘intelligent and enthusiastic’. New clients include Verint, Avanti Communications and Mphasis.

Within Banking and finance, Osborne Clarke is a first tier firm,

The pre-eminent practice in the region, Osborne Clarke provides a ‘first-class service’. The ‘wholly reliable and experienced’ Hugh Jones leads the team, which is particularly rated for its leveraged finance experience. In 2010 the ‘knowledgeable’ group advised RBS and LBG on the financing of a sales and letting agency; added NAB Clydesdale and the Bank of Montreal to its impressive client roster; and was newly appointed to the Santander Group and Investec Bank panels.

Within Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Osborne Clarke is a first tier firm,

The ‘proactive’ Osborne Clarke has a formidable reputation in the arena. The team, led by Danielle Kingdon, recently advised HCL Axon regarding an unfair dismissal claim. New clients in 2010 included UST Global and MphasiS UK. Senior associate Lloyd Davey is ‘100% focused on finding workable solutions’ and is particularly noted for his data protection expertise.

Within Regional review, Osborne Clarke is a first 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 Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Osborne Clarke is a first tier firm,

‘One of the strongest mid-market regional players’, and ‘as good as any West End firm’, Osborne Clarke has ‘high levels of proficiency in all areas’ and ‘invaluable expertise’, and advises the likes of Invesco Real Estate and Santander. Elizabeth Sturgess is a ‘very proactive all-round development lawyer’, and acts for Barratt Strategic and Persimmon. The ‘very capable’ Andrew Clayton handles property finance work.

Within Intellectual property , Osborne Clarke is a second tier firm,

Osborne Clarke advises clean tech and renewable energy sector clients, and in 2010 was appointed to the panel of the Carbon Trust. The team, led by Russell Bowyer, advised Liquavista on IP collaboration and supply agreements. It also advises First Water, Ubiquisys, Zotefoams, Novusmodus and Intersurgical.

Within IT and telecoms, Osborne Clarke is a first tier firm,

Osborne Clarke delivers a ‘very good service’ and advises Xyratex regarding its open-source software. Russell Bowyer is advising new client Kerridge Commercial Systems in software licensing and development matters relating to its MBO. Mark Webber is ‘excellent’.