The Legal 500

London: Corporate and commercial

Commercial contracts

Commercial contracts - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Jeremy Schrire’s team at King & Wood Mallesons provides ‘practical and robust solutions’ on outsourcing, procurement and all other types of commercial arrangements. Schrire and Gretchen Scott (who relocated to the London office from Dubai) are advising Ladbrokes on a joint venture to introduce online betting to the Chinese market. James Walsh joined from Eversheds LLP.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

Corporate tax

Corporate tax - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

Gareth Amdor’s team at King & Wood Mallesons regularly handles complex tax structuring mandates for the firm’s private equity and investment fund clients such as Bowmark Capital and Ardian. Recent highlights include advising the UK Green Investment Bank on the establishment of its £1bn fund. Laura Charkin, Stephen Pevsner* and real estate expert Clive Jones are key contacts. Giles Bavister joined K&L Gates LLP and former practice head Heather Corben has left the firm. Following publication, Stephen Pevsner joined Proskauer Rose LLP.

[back to top]

EU and competition

EU and competition - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ ‘excellent’ department is headed by Tom Usher* and Simon Holmes; clients include RBS, Expedia, Diageo and the BBC. Usher advised Ladbrokes on its proposed merger with Gala Coral’s betting and gaming business, a deal which has been fast-tracked to phase two. Stephen Kon* and Christophe Humpe* are praised for their ‘unrivalled commercial acumen and strategic analysis’. The ‘hugely knowledgeable’ Cameron Firth* is also recommended, as is the ‘awesome’ Philipp Girardet. *Since publication, Tom Usher, Stephen Kon, Christophe Humphe and Cameron Firth have joined Macfarlanes LLP.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

Equity capital markets

Equity capital markets - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, practice head Delphine Currie is lauded for her ‘tremendous subject knowledge’ and acted alongside the firm’s Melbourne office for Transurban Group on its A$1bn capital raising. Currie also acted for The Automobile Association on a £200m placing as part of the organisation’s more than £1.1bn debt refinancing. Also recommended are Joseph Newitt and new arrival Greg Stonefield, who joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.

[back to top]

Financial services

Financial services (contentious) - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Financial services (non-contentious/regulatory) - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

Leveraging the firm’s impressive private equity client base, King & Wood Mallesons continues to pick up a significant amount of regulatory work affecting the alternative investment fund sector. The ‘very highly rated’ Tamasin Little has been acting alongside Adrian Brown, a new hire from Nabarro LLP, and Tim Dolan on numerous AIFMD-related issues, including advising Queensland Investment Corporation on the structuring of its first-ever fund managed by an EU AIFM and marketed to EU professional investors under the AIFMD passport. The ‘highly experienced and commercial’ David Calligan has a good reputation advising broker dealers including Plus500, which he is advising on a wide variety of regulatory and compliance matters relating to derivatives. The firm also has ‘strength-in-depth’ on the contentious front; Rachel Couter was recently appointed as a “skilled person” by the FCA in its review of a major bank’s interest rate hedging product sales.

[back to top]

Investment funds

Investment funds: Hedge funds - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

Listed funds - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Private funds - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Real estate funds - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ diverse practice spans a wide range of alternative investment funds. Global practice head Jonathan Blake advises on various private fund structures, including infrastructure, private equity buyout and debt. Blake, Michael Halford, Shawn d’Aguiar and Josayne Gold are ‘exceptionally knowledgeable, and safe partners in negotiations’. Patrick Deasy acts for clients investing in emerging markets, such as Asia and Africa. Steven Cowins, who heads the real estate funds practice, assisted Goodman with forming £1.2bn fund Goodman UK Logistics Partnership, which invests in logistics and industrial development opportunities. Ajay Pathak is a go-to lawyer for hedge funds. Elsewhere, the firm has a strong listed funds practice and acts for clients such as ICG Longbow and RIT Capital; Delphine Currie is a key contact. Adrian Brown joined from Nabarro LLP in 2015.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+

M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+ - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

Michael Goldberg’s practice at King & Wood Mallesons recruited Laura Brunnen from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP, which helped offset Richard Lever’s move to Goodwin. The ‘superb’ Andrew Wingfield, who ‘displays excellent attention to detail’, advised Intermediate Capital Group on the £550m sale of its stake in Quorn Foods to Monde Nissin. Rob Day shows ‘excellent technical skills, commercial acumen and strategic awareness’.

[back to top]

Partnership

Partnership - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

[back to top]

Private equity: transactions

Private equity: transactions – Large-cap deal capability - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

Private equity: transactions – Mid-cap deal capability - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons has strong mid-cap and large-cap deal capabilities. Andrew Wingfield acted for Intermediate Capital Group in its £1.2bn disposal of private equity interests in a portfolio of 34 European companies to a US investor. In the mid-cap space, Jonathan Pittal – who has ‘well-honed commercial skills’ – and others acted for Bowmark Capital in the circa £115m sale of Healthcare Homes to the company’s management team and Omega Healthcare. Centerbridge Partners, Graphite and Investcorp are other notable clients. Rob Day is also recommended along with Warren Allan, who has ‘excellent all-round knowledge of transactions’. Laura Brunnen joined from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP, while Richard Lever moved to Goodwin.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

VAT and indirect tax

VAT and indirect tax - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

Clive Jones is now the key contact at King & Wood Mallesons following Heather Corben’s departure. He is recommended for his real estate expertise and regularly advises clients such as Goodman Real Estate Adviser and The Stage Shoreditch on transactional matters.

[back to top]

Venture capital

Venture capital - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Led by the ‘deeply experienced and pragmatic’ Ylan Steiner, King & Wood Mallesons displays ‘an impressive combination of in-depth expertise and high levels of commitment’. Steiner acted for Blippar.com on a $54m Series D financing and continues to handle work for Vitruvian Partners, including on its Series D financing round of Trustpilot. ‘Extremely dedicated and professional’ associate Janine Suttie is also recommended.

[back to top]

London: Crime, fraud and licensing

Corporate crime (including fraud, bribery and corruption)

Corporate crime (including fraud, bribery and corruption) - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

The corporate crime practice at King & Wood Mallesons is ‘excellent in all respects’. Headed by Ian Hargreaves, the team advises on a range of financial crime matters and has conducted investigations and risk assessments in Africa for several companies.

[back to top]

Fraud: civil

Fraud: civil - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

Ian Hargreaves and Craig Pollack* lead the practice at King & Wood Mallesons. The team’s instructions from Chinese oligarchs and institutions is becoming increasingly voluminous as the London practice works closely with the firm’s ‘market leading’ Chinese offices. *Following publication of The Legal 500 UK 2016, Craig Pollack has joined Covington & Burling LLP.

[back to top]

Gaming and betting

Gaming and betting - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

Tom Usher leads the practice at King & Wood Mallesons, which includes Jeremy Schrire. The team advised Ladbrokes on its highly publicised proposed merger with Gala Coral’s gaming and betting business.

[back to top]

London: Dispute resolution

Banking litigation: investment and retail

Banking litigation: investment and retail - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons successfully represented Morgan Stanley in a case against Tael One Partners, which turned on the interpretation of Loan Market Association terms. Craig Pollack* is global dispute resolution head, Rachel Couter is contentious regulatory head and Ian Hargreaves is global investigations, fraud and compliance head. Greg Lascelles and Louise Freeman* are also recommended. Hilton Mervis joined Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP. *Following publication of The Legal 500 UK 2016, Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman have joined Covington & Burling LLP.

[back to top]

Commercial litigation

Commercial litigation - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons represented Morgan Stanley in a case that turned on the interpretation of Loan Market Association terms. Craig Pollack* is recommended alongside Ian Hargreaves (who is ‘a tough negotiator’), Louise Freeman* (who is ‘one of London’s most effective partners’) and Rachel Couter. *Following publication of The Legal 500 UK 2016, Craig Pollack and Louise Freeman have joined Covington & Burling LLP.

[back to top]

Competition litigation

Competition litigation - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons is noted for its ‘exceptional advice and support’. As well as representing Qantas Airways in follow-on damages litigation stemming from the air cargo cartel investigation and for a leading financial institution in the LIBOR investigation, the practice has represented clients in pharmaceuticals and telecommunications competition investigations. Tom Usher heads the practice, which includes Stephen Kon, who is ‘a real doyen’.

[back to top]

International arbitration

International arbitration - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ team stands out for Russia/CIS work and advises on China-related disputes. Craig Pollack* is ‘a keen strategist’ and Paul Stothard is ‘trustworthy’. Andrei Yakovlev and Dorothy Murray are also experienced practitioners. *Following publication of The Legal 500 UK 2016, Craig Pollack has joined Covington & Burling LLP.

[back to top]

London: Finance

Acquisition finance

Acquisition finance - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, ‘calm and unflappable’ team head Ian Borman provides ‘top-tier technical expertise’ to a range of sponsors as well as direct lenders. As well as new money deals, Borman has been involved in numerous refinancings; recent highlights include advising Lion Capital on a £30m super senior revolving credit facility for GHD Group (one of the private equity sponsor’s recent acquisitions). Lorraine Vaz joined in November 2015 from Clifford Chance LLP, bringing further lender-side credentials to the practice, and offsetting the departure of Simon Fulbrook to Goodwin in July 2015.

[back to top]

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans

Bank lending – investment grade debt and syndicated loans - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, the ‘commercial and pragmatic’ Ian Borman recently represented AA plc on the £1.1bn refinancing of its existing debt package. Robert Andrews and Jeremy Cross handle fund finance work as part of their broad banking and finance coverage.

[back to top]

Corporate restructuring and insolvency

Corporate restructuring and insolvency - ranked: tier 8

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, team head Jeremy Goldring handles domestic and cross-border work for funds and IPs. Goldring is advising FTI as administrators of several companies in the Climate Energy group whose businesses had been adversely affected by policy changes concerning subsidisation of green energy initiatives.

[back to top]

Debt capital markets

Debt capital markets - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons advised Morgan Stanley on updating its $5bn note, warrant and certificate programme. Andrew Bliss led the team on that matter and also acted for Canadian convenience store chain Alimentation Couche-Tard on its NOK675m debut European bond.

[back to top]

Securitisation

Securitisation - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, Andrew Bliss is recognised for his experience in the CMBS market. In 2015, he advised AA plc on the issuance of £735m in Class B notes under its WBS as part of a broader refinancing package. Vanessa Docherty is also recommended.

[back to top]

London: Human resources

Employment: employers and senior executives

Employment: employers - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons is praised for its ‘fantastic work’ on international projects; practice head Carl Richards, who is ‘excellent across the board’, recently advised Golden Gate Capital on the non-US employment elements of its acquisition of The Dow Chemical Company’s global Angus Chemicals business. Other clients include Telstra, Ladbrokes and Universal Music Group. Hilary O’Connor and ‘great’ managing associate Nicola James are other noteworthy names.

[back to top]

Pensions

Pensions (non-contentious) - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ ‘excellent’ team is noted for its ‘high level of technical knowledge’ and its ability to ‘always work well ahead of the deadline’. Practice head Wyn Derbyshire (‘commercial, practical and a joy to work with’) recently advised Brit Group Services on scheme administration issues. Other clients include Amcor, British Land and the trustees of the East London and SELkent Pension Scheme. ‘Thorough and diligent’ associate Stephen Hall is also recommended.

[back to top]

London: Projects, energy and natural resources

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons acts for a wide range of domestic and international clients, and has particular strength advising investors and infrastructure funds in the renewable energy sector. The ‘technically excellent and very approachable’ Rinku Bhadoria assisted a consortium led by Macquarie with the refinancing of a portfolio of power projects comprising the Severn power plants, Baglan Bay and Sutton Bridge. Practice head James Douglass and Ian Wood continue to advise key client China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) on a number of European renewable projects, including its acquisition of a 45MW onshore wind farm in Wales. Neil Upton has retired.

[back to top]

London: Real estate

Commercial property

Commercial property: development - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Commercial property: general - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

Commercial property: hotels and leisure - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

Commercial property: investment - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

Commercial property: retail - ranked: tier 1

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ practice was busy with a number of substantial investments for Asian investors such as China Life and HK CTS Metropark Hotels. On the development side, practice head Edward Page advised joint venture partners AXA and Blackrock on the acquisition, development and letting of 6 Bevis Marks in London. Another name to note is Bryan Pickup, who continued to service key client the Crown Estate. The practice was afflicted by a number of departures.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

Construction

Construction: contentious - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

Construction: non-contentious - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

At King & Wood Mallesons, practice head Julia Court is particularly strong in real estate projects, where it handles contentious and non-contentious work for clients such as the Crown Estate, AXA and Lagos State. The practice’s international work has continued to develop, especially with regard to the Middle East and China, and, in one key mandate, the team has been advising China Nuclear 23 on the EPC contracts for the RAPID oil refinery in Malaysia. Stuart Jordan moved to Baker Botts (UK) LLP.

[back to top]

Environment

Environment - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ practice covers a range of areas including corporate and real estate transactions, and energy and infrastructure projects. The team is able to leverage the firm’s exposure to the Chinese market and, in one highlight, advised China General Nuclear Power Corporation on the environmental aspects of its potential investment in the UK’s new-build nuclear programme. Department head Angus Evers has ‘a very good grip on the detail of environmental law and takes a sensible, strategic approach’.

[back to top]

Planning

Planning - ranked: tier 2

King & Wood Mallesons

The ‘terrific’ Simon Ricketts heads the team at King & Wood Mallesons, where the team was active on a number of mixed-use development projects including assisting British Land with the planning aspects of its Blossom Street scheme in Shoreditch. Residential schemes is another strength of the team and Stephen Webb acted for St Modwen Developments in securing planning permission for 500 new homes at Copthorne, near Gatwick Airport.

Leading individuals

[back to top]

Property finance

Property finance - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons assisted Far East Orchard with the £23m financing of its acquisitions of two student accommodation sites in Newcastle. Jen Yee Chan and Jeremy Cross were particularly active in advising traditional lenders; Ian Borman and department head Steven Cowins were kept busy with work for debt funds.

[back to top]

Property litigation

Property litigation - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons’ practice is overseen by real estate partner Jeremy Brooks following the departure of Jason Juden and a number of associates. Managing associate James MacDonald-Pearce is the key adviser.

[back to top]

London: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Brand management

Brand management - ranked: tier 5

King & Wood Mallesons

Key figures at King & Wood Mallesons include Jeremy Schrire, who acts for Ladbrookes and assisted Associated British Foods with the launch of Primark in Italy and the USA. David Rose joined Mishcon de Reya LLP in May 2016.

[back to top]

IT and telecoms

IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

Key figures at King & Wood Mallesons include Andrew Shindler and Jeremy Schrire, who head the commerce and technology department, and James Walsh, who handles commercial deals, infrastructure projects and regulatory matters. The firm acts for Sky, Ladbrokes, Teléfonica UK and the Department of Culture, Media & Sport.

[back to top]

Media and entertainment (including media finance)

Media and entertainment (including media finance) - ranked: tier 4

King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons acts for Universal Music, Sky, Nintendo and Activision Blizzard. William Holder and Mark Sanders head the team, which handles IP matters and corporate transactions. Jeremy Schrire is also recommended. David Rose moved to Mishcon de Reya LLP in May 2016.

[back to top]

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology - ranked: tier 3

King & Wood Mallesons

Key figures at King & Wood Mallesons include Cameron Firth, Stephen Kon and the Brussels-based Christophe Humpe, who represented Actavis and Mylan in patent settlement cases in which the authorities alleged that generic manufacturers were paid to delay entry. Andrew Shindler advises clients such as Nicox and Metabolic Explorer on commercial agreements. In May 2016, David Rose moved to Mishcon de Reya LLP and Campbell Forsyth joined Dentons.

[back to top]