The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Olswang is a third tier firm,

‘Invariably good and frequently excellent’, Olswang’s outsourcing team ‘always has an eye on the commercial requirements’, and is a leading choice for contractual matters for many FTSE 100 clients. Highlights included advising Orange on the outsourcing of its fixed and broadband telecoms network to BT, and T-Systems on the renegotiation of a large IT infrastructure outsourcing deal with Centrica plc. Dominic Dryden is recommended, as are the ‘terrific and extremely commercial’ Iain Stansfield, and new arrival Matthew Bennett, who ‘always sees the business objective’.

Within Corporate tax, tier 4

Olswang’s team is ‘very responsive and client focused’, with notable expertise in media, technology, telecoms, gambling and leisure matters, and an increasing international profile. It acted for the management team of Shed Media on their £99.9m takeover of the company, backed by Warner Bros Entertainment. Mark Joscelyne is recommended, and Graham Chase has ‘first-class’ technical knowledge.

Within EU and competition , tier 6

Olswang’s traditional areas of strength are the broadcasting and technology sectors, where clients include the British Horseracing Authority, and Cable & Wireless, and it also has growing expertise elsewhere, with recent work including merger advice to Emirates Group. Head of the group Howard Cartlidge has ‘an exceptional blend of technical EC competition law expertise coupled with an unflappable commercial professionalism’. Alasdair Balfour left for Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP.

Within Financial services, tier 6

Olswang’s work ranges from advising investment banks on regulatory capital matters and the FSA’s Remuneration Code, to advising retailers on consumer credit law. The team has particular expertise in the payments sector. Brian McDonnell ‘combines outstanding legal knowledge with business expertise’.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Olswang is a second tier firm,

The ‘very good’ Max Audley and ‘unflappable and thorough’ Paul Blackmore lead the ‘first-class’ team at Olswang. ‘Well above the average in terms of legal talent and knowledge’, the team is valued for its ‘straightforward advice’ and ‘imaginative and innovative approach’. Paul Guite is a ‘very good all-rounder’; Tony Leifer has ‘strong technical knowledge’; and Simon Morgan is ‘extremely diligent’. Recent clients include Information Technologies and Chrysalis, and brokers Winterflood Securities and Jendens Securities.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, Olswang is a first tier firm,

Olswang had a remarkable 2010, handling 35 UK M&A deals with an average deal size of £108m. The firm is ‘well informed on a global basis, and has a great network’. Its traditional strengths in media, technology and leisure came to the fore with a strong deal sheet, including the sale of Shine to News Corporation for £415m. David Roberts ‘is amongst the best there is’.

Within Partnership, tier 4

The ‘highly impressive’ Graham Barber and Jonathan Lewis are recommended at Olswang.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 6

Olswang operates at the mid-market level, and recently advised Primary Capital on the £30m MBO of Paperchase Products from Borders Group. Team head Fabrizio Carpanini is recommended.

Within VAT and indirect tax, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang’s service is ‘second to none’, and its advice tailored to its clients’ ‘business needs and goals’. SDLT matters and gambling work are specialisms. Real estate matters included acting for Delancey on the VAT aspects of its purchase of a stake in property. The group also advised Chorion on the indirect tax aspects of exploiting publishing rights, while other key clients include The Walt Disney Company and BBC Worldwide. Mark Joscelyne heads the team, and Graham Chase has ‘first-class technical knowledge’.

Within Venture capital, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Driven out of London and now aided by a nascent presence in Madrid and Berlin, Olswang has strong credentials for domestic and pan-European deals in the technology and life sciences sectors. Recent highlights include advising Convergence Pharmaceuticals on its spin-out from GSK, and representing Kymab on its £20m Series A fundraising. Team head Fabrizio Carpanini is recommended.

Within Fraud: civil , tier 4

Olswang ‘acts for a wide variety of clients and has the expertise to handle them’. Recent work includes acting for Ildar Khazhaev in actions brought by JSC BTA Bank regarding allegedly sham loans totalling almost $500m. Department head Richard Bamforth has ‘good strategic appreciation and is prepared to argue tenaciously’.

Within Gaming and betting, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang provides ‘quality’ advice to large sports groups on regulatory matters, and gambling duty and other taxes. David Zeffman’s team assisted At The Races on its joint venture with Racing UK and the subsequent launch of GBI racing. The team saw the departure of Lisa Hoffman to client Sportech.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

The ‘solutions-driven’ Richard Bamforth was appointed litigation head at Olswang, succeeding Martin Davies, who left for Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP with Alex Gerbi. The practice’s reputation extends beyond the media sphere in which it has traditionally been pre-eminent, and it recently advised in Commercial Court proceedings that relate to an allegedly sham loan of $120m and loan facility of approximately $345m. Steven Baker’s ‘unflappable presence is a boon in any big case’. Andrew Aglionby joined from Baker & McKenzie’s Hong Kong office.

Within Defamation and privacy, Olswang is a first tier firm,

Geraldine Proudler heads an ‘excellent team’ at ‘leading firm’ Olswang, which includes the ‘standout’ Dan Tench and Ian Felstead, who was promoted to the partnership in May 2010. Key work included advising Ernst & Young LLP and several of its partners in a high-profile libel claim. It also advises Tom Cruise, Tamara Mellon, Microsoft, Expedia and ITV.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Olswang’s ‘advice is promptly given’. The team welcomed Andrew Aglionby from Baker & McKenzie LLP, where he was Asia Pacific international arbitration head, and its international profile should develop further with the firm having recently established offices in Madrid and Paris. Department head Richard Bamforth and Steven Baker are recommended.

Within Tax litigation, tier 4

Hartley Foster at Olswang is noted for his ‘rare ability to balance commercial tactics within the litigation process’.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

Olswang’s advice is ‘very practical, and always focused on the client’s business, needs and goals’. The firm ‘provides a high level of service, with deals being led by commercially minded partners’. Alicia Videon leads the group.

Within Investment funds Investment funds

Within Securitisation, tier 5

Olswang’s Charles Kerrigan focuses purely on the real estate and TMT sectors, where he sees large and innovative deals. He advised Chrysalis on the securitisation of various music catalogues.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

Michael Deeks at Olswang provides advice that is ‘always on time and appropriate’.

Within Employment, tier 5

Olswang continues to support household names in the media and technology sectors on restructurings and litigation. The ‘extremely proactive and commercially astute’ Melanie Lane advised on several major outsourcings in 2010, for clients such as BBC Worldwide and Sony. Recent work for practice head Daniel Aherne includes assisting a national finance house in Court of Appeal litigation involving constructive dismissal claims. Sarah Keeble moved to Mishcon de Reya.

Within Pensions, tier 6

David Farmer’s pensions team at Olswang recently advised the BBC in relation to its programme of pensions reform. Andrew Campbell is also recommended.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

Olswang’s public procurement team, led by Melanie Collier, advises on public tenders, assisting on pre-procurement planning through to bidding and related disputes. The ‘very clever’ Dan Tench is recommended.

Within Commercial property, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Recommended for its ‘good commercial approach’, Olswang ‘brings business acumen and a wider experience to property matters’. The real estate group acted on investment transactions worth over £4bn in 2010, and advised a Swedish life insurance fund on the lease surrender and simultaneous grant of a new lease of a flagship New Bond Street store. Tim Westhead is ‘commercial as well as providing sound legal advice’; Jonathan Lewis demonstrates ‘good attention to detail, experience in development matters’; and Alan Karsberg, Stephen Slater, practice head Gary Watson and senior associate Andrew Harding are also recommended.

Within Construction, tier 4

Highlights for Olswang in 2010 included advising INTO University Partnership on £35m of new student accommodation at the University of Newcastle. Practice head David Weare and the ‘clever and diligent’ Nick Lane are recommended.

Within Planning, tier 4

Olswang’s planning law practice is ‘strongly rooted in advice to commercial clients’, and CPO matters are a key focus. It acted for Evolutions Television in a compensation claim pertaining to the purchase of its premises for Crossrail. It is also acting for ING Real Estate and HSBC on out-of-town retail schemes. Other clients include F&C Reit, Royal Mail, Nationwide, and new clients HMV Group and Maybrook Properties. Practice head Richard Keczkes is ‘very efficient and refreshingly commercial’.

Within Property finance, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang’s Eleni Skordaki has an ‘affable personality which encourages a swifter, more consensual documentation process’. The firm has very strong links with key lenders (predominantly German banks such as Westdeutsche ImmobilienBank), and it advised Eurohypo as agent, arranger and underwriter of a seven-year facility to Legal & General UK Property Income Fund. On the investor side, the team advised Heron International on its joint venture with a fund advised by AREA Property Partners.

Within Property litigation, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang handles high volumes of property litigation for clients such as UBS and Legal & General. The ‘excellent’ team recently successfully represented Goldacre in a claim against its administrators. Marcus Barclay and Cameron Lawes are recommended.

Within Brand management, Olswang is a first tier firm,

Olswang’s ‘responsive, knowledgeable’ team advised LSE-listed marketing services group Creston on the £28m sale of its advertising business, DLKW, and the establishment of Intensity Digital. Joel Barry, who heads the trade mark prosecution practice, advises M&C Saatchi; head of marketing services Iain Stansfield advises Yell and new client Aegis Media; and Sarah Wright is advising new client Paddy Power. Ian Felstead was promoted to partner.

Within Intellectual property, Olswang is a third tier firm,

At Olswang, joint IP head Paul Stevens is defending Absolute Radio against a trade mark infringement and passing-off action brought by the makers of Absolut Vodka, while Stevens is representing ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 in a high-profile copyright case, and Yahoo! against the Premier League in the CJEU. Patent clients include Microsoft, CSR and GSK. David Zeffman is also singled out for praise. Patent litigator Campbell Forsyth joined from Forsyth Simpson. The firm also has an in-house patent filing practice, led by Dr Robert Stephen, and trade mark filing expertise.

Within IT and telecoms, Olswang is a first tier firm,

Clients appreciate Olswang’s ‘pre-eminent industry knowledge and commercial advice’. Highlights included advising Orange on outsourcing its fixed and broadband network to BT; and successfully representing a consortium of operators in a dispute with BT over the cost-orientation of BT wholesale access circuits and in BT’s subsequent appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Nigel Swycher heads the technology group. Clive Gringras, who leads the internet and e-commerce team, advised Microsoft on the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360. The ‘commercial, focused’ Rob Bratby heads the telecoms practice. Matthew Bennett joined the team from HP Enterprise Services.

Within Media and entertainment, Olswang is a first tier firm,

Tony Leifer’s publishing team at Olswang provides an ‘excellent level of service’, and is the key adviser to Guardian News & Media for content issues and commercial matters relating to the Guardian. Reader’s Digest is also a client. The music team, led by John Enser, acts for Universal Music subsidiary Globe Productions regarding music-related television shows. Mark Devereux and Victoria Gaskell regularly advise on music deals and represent industry talent. Head of department Lisbeth Savill and tax partner Cliona Kirby advised The Walt Disney Company on selling Miramax, and the film and TV team continues to advise ITV in relation to The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. BBC Worldwide and Microsoft are also clients. Jacqueline Hurt, Selina Potter, Paul Guite, Geraldine Proudler, David Zeffman and Mark Bertram are all recommended.

Within Overview,

The Legal Services Act and client demand for one-stop shops for IP law have driven convergence between law firms and PATMA firms, with some law firms, notably Olswang and Squire Sanders Hammonds, including patent and trade mark attorneys in their teams. PATMA firms are starting to hire lawyers, with D Young & Co LLP recruiting Ashurst LLP’s IP litigation team. Ipulse hired trade mark head Julius Stobbs from leading PATMA firm Boult Wade Tennant and, more recently, patent attorney Justin Hill from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.

Within Patent attorneys: London, Olswang is a third tier firm,

‘Providing excellent, business-focused, practical advice’, Olswang’s patent group acts for clients including GSK, Xerox and The Wellcome Trust, and also handles all patent applications for Microsoft’s European operations. Group head Robert Stephen provides ‘high-quality and carefully considered advice’, and is building a team with strong biotechnology expertise. James Kinnaird joined from Potter Clarkson LLP, and is ‘one to watch’.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang’s ‘responsive, practical, knowledgeable’ team is strong in VC work, with team head Stephen Reese and Stephen Rosen recently advising on the establishment of Convergence Pharmaceuticals, which involved a $35.4m Series A financing. The breadth of the team’s capabilities is illustrated by its work for biopharmaceuticals company Kymab, which includes venture capital, licensing and patent prosecution work. Dr Robert Stephen advised Vectura Group on its extensive patent portfolio. Other key clients include Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline and the Wellcome Trust.

Within Sport, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang’s ‘excellent’ group advises on sports media rights and sponsorship deals, and represents broadcasters, sports clubs and governing bodies such as the British Horseracing Authority and FIFA. Team head David Zeffman – a sports media expert – and corporate partner Simon Morgan recently advised Tottenham Hotspur FC on its shirt sponsorship agreement with Investec. Managing partner David Stewart recently advised the ICC. Corporate partner David Roberts is also recommended.

Within Trade mark attorneys: London, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang’s trade mark prosecution team handles global portfolios for clients such as Sky, ITV and CSR plc. Other household-name clients include Tate & Lyle and Stella McCartney. Joel Barry heads the group.