The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP prides itself on its standalone commercial capability, and is appreciated for its ‘impressive level of knowledge, efficient and effective working relationships’, and ‘response times that are carefully calibrated to clients ’ needs’. Dedicated commercial contract matters make up a large proportion of the work for ‘forensically rigorous’ practice head Jeremy Schrire and his team, with 2010 seeing it act for Marks and Spencer plc on the planned restructuring of its logistics supply chain; the ‘terrific’ James Gill led on the deal. Andrew Shindler is also recommended.

Within Corporate tax, tier 4

Strengths of SJ Berwin LLP’s team include real estate and private equity funds matters. It acted for Pantheon on the $775m acquisition of the Pantheon business by AMG from Russell Investments and the reorganisation of the business into a UK LLP. Practice head Heather Corben is well respected in the industry, and Gareth Amdor is also recommended.

Within EU and competition , SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

Despite a number of departures in 2010, SJ Berwin LLP can still call on the expertise of Simon Holmes and Philipp Girardet, who are ‘extremely insightful and diligent ’; Tom Usher, ‘a real solutions based lawyer’; and Stephen Kon, who is for some ‘the best competition lawyer in Europe’. The practice spans the entire spectrum of competition matters, with recent highlights including acting for Lloyds in its £7bn disposal of assets to Coller Capital, and advising a consortium of tyre manufacturers in claims in the High Court arising out of the synthetic rubber cartel.

Within Financial services, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

Standing out for its European offering, SJ Berwin LLP advised on regulation-led trends such as de-consolidation and non-core asset disposals, corporate transactions pursuant to regulated sector consolidation, the Remuneration Code, the AIFMD, and the European Market Infrastructure Regulations. Tamasin Little leads the team; David Calligan advises on compliance; and Gregg Beechey is ‘the rising star’.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 4

Delphine Currie at SJ Berwin LLP led in advising Zimbabwean company Masawara on its IPO and placing on AIM raising $25m. Also active in underwriter deals, Victoria Younghusband acted for Cenkos Securities as sponsor on the £460m IPO of Fidelity China Special Situations.

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

SJ Berwin LLP ‘listens to what the client wants’. The team racked up an enviable deal sheet in 2010, including advising Apax Partners on the sale of a stake in the buyout house to Chinese sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation, led by the highly rated Steven Davis. Other representative matters included advising Boparan Holdings on its £342m offer for Northern Foods. Michael Goldberg and Tim Wright are recommended.

Within Private equity: transactions , SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

‘One of the best full-service private equity firms in the market’, SJ Berwin LLP combines ‘good general corporate advice with strong commercial skills’. In a deal that married up the firm’s funds and transactional expertise, it advised Apax Partners on the sale of a stake in the business to Chinese sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation; and on the more traditional buyout side, it advised Duke Street on the €104m acquisition of Payzone. Team head Steven Davis ‘provides excellent general deal advice’. Also recommended are the ‘creative and highly commercial’ Jonathan Pittal; Ed Harris, who has ‘a great grasp of the detail’; and the ‘extraordinarily dedicated and hardworking’ Tim Wright.

Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4

Heather Corben is noted for her strong private funds VAT and SDLT practice at SJ Berwin LLP.

Within Venture capital, SJ Berwin LLP is a first tier firm,

A traditional area of strength for the firm, SJ Berwin LLP’s six-partner practice stands at the vanguard of the industry. It has deeply entrenched relationships with key investors and investees, and regularly advises on regulation and legislation affecting the industry. The practice remains heavily involved in the secondary market, and recently advised Apax Partners on its disposal of two funds with holdings in 16 growth and development stage technology companies to Azini Capital; the ‘well-respected’ Perry Yam led on this deal, and is a core member of a team that also includes Ylan Steiner, who acts for a balanced mix of investors and investees including Kennet and Alertme.com.

Within Fraud: civil , SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

Craig Pollack heads the team at SJ Berwin LLP, where work has included acting for a Russian billionaire in a multibillion-dollar arbitration. Pollack’s clients include major investment banks, hedge funds and public companies.

Within Gaming and betting, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP acts for a number of prominent bookmakers and gaming groups including Ladbrokes, which it recently advised on the sale of its Italian business; Bet365; and the Bookmakers’ Committee. EU competition and regulation partner Tom Usher heads the practice.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP has a growing number of investment bank panel appointments, and has been acting in complex litigation matters involving derivatives and structured products, as well as in high-profile litigation regarding the rights and legitimate expectations of subordinated debt holders. Alex Leitch is ‘one of the finest lawyers in his field in the UK’; his ‘work ethic and dedication are exemplary’. Nick Brocklesby is ‘very bright and strategically astute, an excellent person to have on your side’. Craig Pollack leads the team.

Within Commercial litigation, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP ‘puts a great team together for cases’. It acted for GMWDA in a claim brought for loss of a contract valued at approximately £4bn. Nicola Bridge has ‘that rare combination of being diligent and calm under pressure, whilst able to be aggressive when needed’; litigation head Craig Pollack ‘gets into the nitty gritty of a dispute’; and Tim Beale is ‘a strong communicator’. Nick Brocklesby is ‘experienced in complex litigation’. Rachel Couter joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Led by Justin Michaelson, SJ Berwin LLP ‘top-notch lawyers’ are well known for acting in specialist private equity arbitration disputes, and continues to focus on Russia, Central Asia and CEE work, including politically sensitive commercial disputes in Russia. Per Runeland is also a key practitioner, and Mark Hoyle joined as a partner in Dubai. David Goldberg left for White & Case LLP.

Within Mediators,

Phillip Howell-Richardson of Independent Mediators has an excellent track record in mediations, particularly those with an international dimension. A former commercial litigator, he has 20 years of experience acting as a mediator, and has been full time since 2005. He covers the full range of sectors, and is regularly involved in major, multi-party disputes. He is also a consultant at SJ Berwin LLP, where he heads the firm’s alternative dispute resolution unit.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 6

SJ Berwin LLP provides ‘excellent advice and high-level partner attention’ to an increasingly balanced array of borrower and lender clients, on largely mid-market transactions. Sponsor-side engagements, nevertheless, remain the at the heart of the practice; recent work includes advising Lion Capital on the €975m senior and high yield bridge financing for the acquisition of Picard Surgeles. Ian Borman and the ‘very commercial’ Jeremy Cross are recommended.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 4

‘Really good and user friendly’, SJ Berwin LLP is ‘always available and always willing to go the extra mile’. An all-round powerhouse for funds work, it has a niche in funds financing, where it is instructed by a slew of major banks including Barclays, RBS and Lloyds. On the more conventional corporate lending side, Ian Borman acted for Hiscox plc on its $750m refinancing. Robert Andrews heads a ‘strong team’ that includes Jeremy Cross, who is ‘very commercial, and has the ability to explain in simple language often difficult concepts’; and Jen Yee Chan, who is ‘quickly able to advise on the pros and cons of different options’.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Jeremy Goldring and Mike Woollard are recommended at SJ Berwin LLP. The team saw a spike of work coming out of the Icelandic crisis, including taking a lead role advising the creditors of the Bakkavör Group.

Within Investment funds, SJ Berwin LLP is a first tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP is ‘excellent – advice is to the point and very commercial’. Its greatest strength is in private equity, complemented by its expertise in hedge funds and real estate funds. The group acted on 49 fundraisings totalling €22bn in 2010, including Pantheon Ventures’ $3bn Global Secondaries Fund, and the £1.9bn HgCapital 6 fund. Other clients include Apax, Cheyne, Hermes, and Macquarie. Senior partner Jonathan Blake heads the team, which is ‘consistently strong, right down into the junior level’. Nigel van Zyl is ‘a star – always calm and capable, with an impressive knowledge of his area, shrewd, and astute at leading negotiations’; and Duncan Woollard has ‘very strong knowledge of mezzanine funds’. Ajay Pathak co-heads the hedge fund with Victoria Younghusband, who also heads the listed funds team; and Simon Witney, Josyane Gold, Michael Halford and David Ryland are also recommended

Within Overview,

Instructed by a swathe of FTSE 100 corporates, Slaughter and May is the premier borrower-side practice in the market, and scores highly for bank lending and restructuring matters, where it continues to excel in government-led work. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is also very accomplished on the borrower side, in investment grade lending and acquisition finance, where it acts for an oustanding roster of private equity sponsors, and also in more esoteric areas such as derivatives, where it moves to the top tier this year. High-ranking practices outside the Magic Circle include Hogan Lovells International LLP, which moves up in the asset finance ranking having hired Simon Gwynne and Robert Fugard from Linklaters LLP, and also has a strong showing across restructuring, investment funds, and Islamic and trade finance; Ashurst LLP, across acquisition finance, investment funds, securitisation and derivatives; Norton Rose LLP, in asset finance, Islamic finance and emerging markets; SJ Berwin LLP, in investment funds; and Simmons & Simmons, in hedge funds and derivatives. As well as having strong asset finance practices, Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Reed Smith all feature in the top tier of the commodities (physicals) ranking.

Within Securitisation, tier 5

Vanessa Therrode at SJ Berwin LLP advised Apex Credit Management on a £50m warehouse line for SPVs to fund the acquisition of discounted distressed consumer debt. The litigation team often represents investment banks, with Nick Brocklesby the key figure.

Within Employment, tier 5

The partners at SJ Berwin LLP are ‘thorough, patient and go the extra mile’. Carl Richards advised Lloyds Banking Group on the transfer and spin-off of Bank of Scotland Integrated Finance’s business assets and management function; and Hilary O’Connor assisted a financial services giant on a recent acquisition. Nicola Kerr is experienced in defending tribunal claims in the financial services sector.

Within Pensions, tier 5

At SJ Berwin LLP, practice head Wyn Derbyshire is recommended for his ‘fantastic technical knowledge and formidable intellect, combined with a feet-on-the ground, pragmatic and client-friendly approach’. New client wins include Premium Aircraft Interiors, Boporan Holdings, and Crest Nicholson Pension Scheme.

Within Oil and gas, tier 7

SJ Berwin LLP advised First Calgary Petroleum on its admission to AIM and its eventual £492m takeover by Eni SpA.

Within Public affairs, SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP provides ‘expertise and leadership’ across many areas. It advises the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association in relation to the Alternative Investment Managers Directive, and also advises on the implications of the Localism Bill. Practice head Simon Holmes and Simon Witney are recommended.

Within Commercial property, SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP remains a ‘first-class firm full of intelligent lawyers whose business acumen and industry knowledge is very good’, notwithstanding the departure of Jon Vivian and three other partners to Irwin Mitchell LLP in November 2010. Bryan Pickup and Simon Ricketts head the team, which continues to act for British Land on numerous major lettings; and for the Crown Estate, notably on the Regent Street regeneration. New partner Steven Cowins is ‘intelligent, commercial and personable’, and Pat Jones and William Boss are ‘solid and always available’.

Within Construction, tier 4

Julia Court heads the team at SJ Berwin LLP, which works closely with the firm’s top-notch real estate department on complex development, urban regeneration, hotel and leisure projects. The team is geared towards non-contentious work, and in 2010 advised AXA Sun Life on developing a 215,000sq ft building at 60 Holborn Viaduct.

Within Environment, tier 4

SJ Berwin LLP advised Amcor on selling its Spanish business; and London City Airport on its lease grant to Shell for a fuel farm development. It provides regulatory advice to clients such as Hilton Hotels, Marks and Spencer plc and Macquarie Bank. The team is well regarded for its technical know-how, and practice head Angus Evers is ‘well versed in a range of environment policies, and understands the implications of legislative changes on real estate matters’.

Within Overview,

There has been some movement among firms, notably Jon Vivian’s move to Irwin Mitchell LLP, along with three other partners, to build a London presence. Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP recruited James Knox from Linklaters LLP and Michael Metliss from SJ Berwin LLP, but also lost three property finance partners to Simmons & Simmons.

Within Planning, SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP has ‘a good understanding of complex elements for planning and large-scale developments’, and is ‘an obvious choice for commercial clients’. It continued to act for Quintain Estates on its Wembley City regeneration, and won appeals for The Crown Estate and Coin Street Community Builders. Simon Ricketts, who is ‘highly imaginative and very calm, and has an absolutely first-rate legal mind’, is representing Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside in its campaign against the HS2 railway proposals. ‘An absolute pleasure to work with’, Duncan Field won a judicial review claim for London City Airport.

Within Property finance, SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP displays ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘always ensures sufficient resources and experience are provided on transactions’. The team advised Evans Randall on its £242.5m acquisition of the Drapers Gardens office complex, and Schroders on matters including a proposed debt origination fund. David Ryland, Raji Bartlett and Ian Borman are recommended.

Within Property litigation, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

SJ Berwin LLP’s lawyers ‘worry away at a problem until they find the answer, and don ’t take anything for granted’. The practice’s excellent pedigree is reflected in blue-chip clients such as the Crown Estate, Axa and British Land. The group took a hit with the move of practice head Michael Metliss to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. However, new practice head Jason Juden is ‘always on the ball’, and senior associate Natalie Johnston is the ‘definition of grace under fire – cool, calm and confident’.

Within Intellectual property, SJ Berwin LLP is a third tier firm,

Taylor Wessing LLP has pan-European and cross-jurisdictional strength, and is recommended for its ‘excellent, prompt service and value for money’. Niri Shan heads the soft IP practice, which has particular expertise in colour marks, recently obtaining a trade mark registration for Tiffany. ‘Respected for his expertise and professionalism’, Roland Mallinson leads a substantial trade mark filing practice with Jason Rawkins; clients include KPMG. Patent litigator Simon Cohen successfully represented Abbott, and James Marshall is representing Generics UK. The team’s transactional and VC work includes advising Vifor Pharma and Lime Microsystems. Clients also recommend the ‘proactive, precise’ Timothy Pinto. Richard Price joined Winston & Strawn London, and Chris Thornham joined from SJ Berwin LLP.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

SJ Berwin LLP’s team, led by Andrew Shindler and James Gill, provides ‘clear, solid advice’. It advised Logica on its ten-year, €300m contract to support Shell’s commercial fleet fuel cards programme. Other clients include Jane Norman and Electra Partners.

Within Media and entertainment, tier 4

William Holder heads SJ Berwin LLP’s department, which counts Nintendo and Universal Music as clients. Holder advised a private equity house on its bid for Shed Media; and ‘brilliant corporate and M&A partner’ Mark Sanders and associate Nadim Zaman advised the shareholders of music publishing business Stage Three Music on its sale to BMG Rights Management.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, SJ Berwin LLP is a second tier firm,

Taylor Wessing LLP delivers ‘excellent, prompt advice and good value for money’. Practice head Dr Malcolm Bates advised next-generation antibody company f-star on its collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. Simon Walker, David Mardle and Howard Palmer handle VC work, recently advising Xention on its £8m Series D financing. The firm has particular strength in patent litigation. James Marshall, who ‘really understands the business’, is representing Generics (UK) against Cephalon. Tim Worden heads a strong regulatory practice. Richard Price joined Winston & Strawn London, while Chris Thornham joined from SJ Berwin LLP.