The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester , Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP is active in the mid market, and recently acted for Chevron Limited on the sale of part of its business to GB Oils for £21.9m. Amanda Howlett has acted for Kellogg’s on a range of contracts. In 2008 George Maynard joined the team from Addleshaw Goddard LLP; Stephen Roper joined from DLA Piper UK LLP; and Claire Alden was promoted to partner.

Within Corporate tax, Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Pannone LLP advised the shareholders and directors of Taylormade Betting on the tax aspects of investment into the company. Simon Moulden is the lead partner.

Within EU and competition , Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Amanda Howlett is the lead partner at Pannone LLP, where clients include Chevron, Stirling Lloyd and The Society of Podiatrists. In 2008, Tim Hayes continued to act in relation to the SFO prosecution’s of an alleged cartel in the pharmaceutical industry.

Within Crime, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Anthony Barnfather leads the three-partner team at Pannone LLP, which recently successfully defended an IFA charged with fraud after alleged breaches of FSA rules. The team regularly deals with criminal, corporate and civil fraud.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester , Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s team includes a number of highly rated individuals including Kit Sorrell. Elizabeth Rigney’s ‘great strength lies in her ability to quickly understand the most difficult brief, explain the legal position clearly and succinctly, and to bring a very strong commercial awareness to her advice‘. Nicholas Gee was recently promoted to partner. New client wins include Cheshire Building Society and Enterprise Power Services.

Within Debt recovery, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s ‘thorough and professional team‘ gives ‘excellent value for money‘, and ‘is extremely knowledgeable about the legal process and fully aware of clients’ needs‘. The team, led by Karl Williams, has been appointed by a high street bank to undertake a project to recover debts relating to unsecured loans and credit cards.

Within Banking and finance, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s largely lender-driven practice was appointed to HSBC’s commercial panel and Lloyds TSB’s corporate and corporate finance panel in 2008. Rob Fawke and Andrew Gosnay have ‘complementary skills‘ and lead a team of five that is commended for its ‘professionalism‘ and ‘wide-ranging experience and expertise‘.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s recent highlights include a sequence of major retail sector restructurings and administrations, and an appointment to Nationwide Building Society’s business recovery panel. Richard Glithero heads the four-partner department, which is also recommended for personal insolvency work.

Within Employment, Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s David Carmichael is ‘pragmatic and knowledgeable‘; Ian Tranter is ‘a shining light in the department‘; and Jim Lister provides ‘speedy responses and practical advice‘. The team has advised Reebok on issues relating to its merger with Adidas.

Within Employment - employee/union firms, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

David Carmichael is the partner contact at Pannone LLP.

Within Clinical negligence - claimant , Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Emma Holt took over leadership of Pannone LLP’s clinical negligence practice in 2008. Highlights include the recovery of £7.9m in one birth claim, led by John Kitchingman and Gill Edwards. Chris Gawne and Brendan Hope have been promoted to partner. Stephen Jones is recommended.

Within Personal injury - claimant, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s personal injury practice is led by Carol Jackson, and includes a number of niche areas such as the actions against police, led by Nadia Kerr, while Richard Scorer is a specialist in claims arising from physical and sexual abuse of the vulnerable. Richard Crabtree recently settled a serious brain injury case for £2.5m for a client who had a below-knee amputation and brain injury.

Within Professional negligence, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP was particularly active in 2008, being appointed to the Cheshire Building Society panel, and undertaking a large amount of professional negligence work for sub-prime lender Excel Securities plc. Paul Jonson leads the practice.

Within Regional review, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Hill Dickinson LLP has strength across both Liverpool and Manchester. In the Manchester office a Far East business team was established, including new arrival Edward de la Billière . The firm assisted with the acquisition of Crown Paints, from Akzo Nobel

Within Regional review, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s family and insurance teams really stand out. The firm has welcomed a number of new partners including Keith Davidson, who leads the environmental team, and Simon Foy in the projects team, who has previously had in-house roles in the energy and waste sectors.

Within Charities, Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Hugh Jones leads Pannone LLP’s private client practice, which advises a number of charities.

Within Family, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP has a leading family practice and regularly handles high-value ancillary relief cases. The 24-fee-earner team has strength in handling financial settlements, parental responsibility issues, adoption and wardship issues. Catherine Jones is well known and highly recommended.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Pannone LLP is a first tier firm,

Pannone LLP has seen a marked increase in Court of Protection work in the last year. The department also deals with the setting up of trusts, inheritance tax planning, and domicile issues. Hugh Jones leads the practice.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), tier 4

Pannone LLP advises on PFI and PPP projects focused on waste and waste energy facilities.

Within Local government , Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Also recommended are: Aaron & Partners LLP, where Simon Carter leads the team; Beachcroft LLP, whose team, led by Alison Key, was recently re-appointed to the Chester City Council panel, and where Stephen Birchall is also recommended; Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, where Jonathan Clay is the key partner; Pannone LLP, where Udo Pope heads the public sector group; Pinsent Masons LLP, where Scot Morrison is the key figure; Slater Heelis Collier Littler, whose team is ‘professional and keeps clients updated with developments in all areas of practice‘; and Stephensons Solicitors LLP, which has particular strength in child care issues.

Within Local government , Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Udo Pope heads the public sector group at Pannone LLP.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP has a ‘proactive‘ team known for its development and regeneration work. Stephen Chalcraft demonstrates both ‘intellectual‘ and ‘entrepreneurial‘ strengths, and represented Bluemantle on one of the largest mixed-use regeneration schemes in the North West in 2008. Public sector work is also a key feature.

Within Construction, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Pannone LLP provides a ‘very good overall service‘, ‘quick responses‘, ‘practical advice‘, and ‘value for money‘. It continues to advise on many of the landmark projects in the region, including the Manchester Metrolink light rail system and the £350m Lancashire Waste PFI development. The ‘diligent‘ and ‘practical‘ Sean McCay is the lead partner.

Within Planning and environment, tier 4

Pannone LLP is recommended for environmental work thanks largely to the presence of ‘insightful‘, ‘pragmatic‘ and ‘responsive‘ partner Keith Davidson. Clients highlight Davidson’s clarity of thought and understanding of environmental clauses in sale and purchase agreements.

Within Property litigation, Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Pannone LLP has an excellent reputation and continues to represent Persimmon Homes (North West) in connection with disputes arising from the Leftbank development in Manchester. Litigator Kate Hamilton Ryan is experienced in this sector.

Within Social housing

Within Intellectual property and information technology, Pannone LLP is a second tier firm,

Pannone LLP’s non-contentious IP practice is led by the ‘immensely reassuring‘ Samantha Livesey, while contentious work is handled by Bill Lister, who is ‘experienced in IP and defamation‘ and is ‘personable and charming‘. On the IP side, clients include Lectus Therapeutics Limited, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. IT clients include the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive.

Within Media and entertainment, Pannone LLP is a third tier firm,

Bill Lister heads Pannone LLP’s media practice. Recent highlights include acting for journalist Brent Sadler in relation to an article which was set to be published in the Daily Mail.