The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Pitmans LLP is a third tier firm,

The highly regarded Andrew Peddie heads up the team at Pitmans LLP, which has particular strength in the technology sector. It advised 2e2 Group on the terms of its joint venture with O2 and Telefónica, and added Luther Pendragon Holdings to its client roster in 2010. Stephanie Perry acted for car dealership group Ridgeway on its £4.5m acquisition of VW dealerships, and the ‘very good’ Adam Dowdney advised on the management buyout of Guralp Systems backed by Primary Capital. Former practice head John Hutchinson remains at the firm, but now focuses on private equity work.

Within Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Pitmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Pitmans LLP handles disputes with ‘ease, professionalism’ and a ‘commercially realistic approach’, and is particularly rated for its mediation capabilities. The team has expertise in IT, property and finance disputes, and also advises on professional negligence cases, shareholder disputes and pensions cases. ‘One of the best litigators in the business’, the ‘multi-skilled’ Sue O’Brien is ‘realistic and consultative’. Tim Clark and the ‘extremely personable’ Suzanne Brooker are also recommended. Clients include Marshalls and AMT Coffee.

Within Debt recovery , Pitmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Pitmans LLP’s team is headed by Suzanne Brooker and has expertise in a range of sectors including accountancy, construction and retail. Donna Goddard has ‘excellent recovery rates’.

Within Banking and finance, Pitmans LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘proactive and experienced’ team at Pitmans LLP includes four partners and is led by Patrick Long, who is ‘willing to go the extra mile’. The practice delivers ‘accurate and timely advice’, and has ten bank panel appointments.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Pitmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Pitmans LLP provides ‘prompt commercial responses’ which are ‘technically spot-on’. The large team is noted for advising asset-based lenders, and clients from the construction, property and automotive sectors. Insolvency practitioner Suzanne Brooker has ‘excellent communication skills’; and the ‘first-class’ Nicola Kirk has ‘industry knowledge that is second to none’ and ‘gets to the crux of the matter quickly’.

Within Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Pitmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Pitmans LLP provides ‘prompt, factual and common-sense advice’, and recently added ToshibaTech, Cohort and 2e2 UK to its client roster. Mark Symons leads the group. The team advised Ridgeway Group on the employment issues relating to its £4.5m acquisition of VW dealerships. Richard Devall provides ‘quick responses’.

Within Pensions, Pitmans LLP is a first tier firm,

David Hosford’s ‘proactive’ and ‘high-quality’ team at Pitmans LLP advises clients on issues arising from mergers, scheme closures and legislative changes. The team’s client base ranges across a variety of sectors including education, automotive and electronics, with active clients including Londis, CitiFinancial and Canon UK. New clients wins include TTL Chiltern and the Royal Agricultural College.

Within Personal injury: claimant Personal injury: claimant

Within Personal injury: defendant Personal injury: defendant

Within Regional review, Pitmans LLP is a second 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 Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Within Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40, Pitmans LLP is a first tier firm,

With a ‘depth of knowledge’ and ‘excellent commercial awareness’, Pitmans LLP has an impressive roster of housebuilder clients that includes Banner and Linden Homes. The team advised on several acquisitions deals in 2010. Andrew Davies is ‘as good as you can get’, and Sally Sharp is also recommended. Paul Murray is an ‘exemplary communicator’ and ‘consummate negotiator’.

Within Construction Construction

Within Environment, Pitmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Sue Crowther’s team at Pitmans LLP specialises in waste, asbestos and contaminated land issues, and the environmental aspects of corporate and property transactions.

Within Planning, Pitmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Pitmans LLP advises on all aspects of planning, highways and compulsory purchase for high-profile clients including RBS, Urban Outfitters and Banner Homes. Sue Crowther is well known for her advice on major redevelopment projects and handles all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning law.

Within Intellectual property Intellectual property

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

David Tighe and Chris Shelley now lead the IT practice at Manches LLP, following Jonathan Oddy’s departure to Veale Wasbrough Vizards in August 2010. ‘Responsive and commercial’ senior associate Rustam Roy has also left recently, for Pitmans LLP.