The Legal 500

Within Crime, Russell-Cooke LLP is a second tier firm,

At Russell-Cooke LLP, Jae Carwardine is regularly involved in high-profile cases, and her ‘attention to detail is second to none’. ‘Very responsive and knowledgeable’ senior associate Nicola O’Connor is recommended for her experience in advising clients facing allegations of sexual offences.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP defended Johannes Skulason in a major SFO prosecution for alleged fraudulent trading arising out of a ‘boiler room’ fraud. Jae Carwardine ‘works assiduously for her clients’, and senior associate Nicola O’Connor is ‘extremely capable’.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Russell-Cooke LLP is known for Chancery disputes, financial services litigation, fraud and asset tracing claims, and professional negligence cases. Department head Francesca Kaye is ‘technically strong’; John Gould is ‘good with clients’; and Paolo Sidoli ‘cuts to the key issues’.

Within Professional discipline, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP’s clients include the Institute of Legal Executives, the Architects Registration Board, and the GDC. It recently acted for the SRA in litigation concerning Dean & Dean Solicitors, and in subsequent disciplinary proceedings against former partners. Peter Cadman heads the group.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP is ‘more alive to the issues’ than some competitors, and a regular opponent of heavyweight firms, currently advising an executive in a disability and whistle-blowing claim opposite Lewis Silkin LLP. Practice head and ‘terrific lawyer’ Anthony Sakrouge acts for the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Within Immigration,

Also notable for their work in the area of immigration are: Birnberg Peirce & Partners; Blake Lapthorn; Blakemores; Clifford Chance; Davenport Lyons; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Eversheds LLP; Luqmani Thompson & Partners; Macfarlanes LLP; Paragon Law; Pinsent Masons LLP; QualitySolicitors FJG; RadcliffesLeBrasseur; Russell-Cooke LLP; Simons Muirhead & Burton; Travers Smith LLP; and Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Russell-Cooke LLP is a second tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP is making its mark on behalf of clients at inquests, with the ‘pragmatic’ and ‘sensitive’ Dominic Fairclough recommended. Notable successes in 2011 included a verdict of neglect in respect of a hospital death, and a verdict in relation to a death following anaesthetic complications, which resulted in referral to the police for investigation. The ‘clever, conscientious’ Deborah Blythe leads the team. Also singled out for praise are the ‘shrewd’ Janice Gardner, and ‘meticulous’ and ‘hardworking’ solicitor Lucy Wilton.

Within Personal injury: claimant, tier 4

At Russell-Cooke LLP, Janice Gardner is recommended for her ‘outstanding ability’ and ‘good judgement’ in high-value cases; she is ‘a talented litigator in heavyweight PI’. The ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ Terry Lee has moved into a consultancy role.

Within Charities and not-for-profit, tier 4

Russell-Cooke LLP is ‘excellent value for money’, and delivers ‘superb client care’. James Sinclair Taylor’s team has recently advised on a number of large mergers and funding contracts; and a team led by Andrew Studd and John Gould advised the Association of Charitable Organisations in respect of the Attorney General’s reference to determine the law in relation to public benefit.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘impressive’ team handles cross-border disputes with ‘great aplomb’, and has particular experience in cases with a French dimension. The firm also handles publicly funded work such as Inheritance Act claims, and challenges to wills. Richard Frimston is ‘a cross-border guru, with an unerring instinct’; Alison Regan is ‘resolute’; and Gareth Ledsham ‘holds his nerve when the going gets tough’.

Within Court of Protection, Russell-Cooke LLP is a second tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP’s private client department handles will challenges on grounds of incapacity, and has a track record including Re P, a significant statutory will case. Richard Frimston is a ‘leading man in the field’, and Rita Bhargava is active in day-to-day Court of Protection work.

Within Family, tier 5

Russell-Cooke LLP’s 20-fee-earner team handles the gamut of family work, and also offers fixed-price divorces. In 2011, the firm was involved in a ten-day nullity trial in the High Court.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP is well known for cross-border European Union work. Dawn Alderson is dual UK/France qualified, and heads a team that includes diplômée notaire Veronique Cardon. A team led by the ‘technically strong’ Michael Parkinson is acting as an independent administrator in a probate dispute between the daughter and son of a deceased couple. Richard Frimston’s ‘knowledge of international issues is second to none’. Anne Walter retired in June 2012.

Within Commercial property, Russell-Cooke LLP is a third tier firm,

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘highly commercial’ team acted for Mike Ashley regarding the £84m sale of his investment portfolio of 32 shops to Sports Direct International. Angela Dennis ‘runs a very good team’ which includes the ‘extremely efficient’ Helen Edwards, the ‘very knowledgeable’ Arnold Isaacson, and senior associate Rachael Beaumont.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

The ‘highly rated’ Jason Hunter leads Russell-Cooke LLP’s team, which is notable for its experience in the retail and residential property sectors. Clients include Grainger plc and Matalan.

Within Sport, tier 5

Russell-Cooke LLP’s Peter Cadman is an expert in sports-related disputes and investigations.