The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Offering ‘ very professional and commercial advice’ in property and private equity matters, a highlight for Olswang was advising the management of Delancey Real Estate Asset Management on the establishment of property investment fund DV4 Limited. Graham Chase, Stephen Hignett, and the ‘ very impressive’ Mark Joscelyne are all well respected. Hires include Sidley Austin LLP’s Gerald Montagu and SJ Berwin LLP’s Jill Hallpike.

Within EU and competition, tier 6

Olswang has contested a series of High Court cases and reached the Court of Appeal in the high-profile attheraces case. Howard Cartlidge has attracted a loyal client following, while Alasdair Balfour became engaged in several major cartel proceedings in 2007, including representing a major airline on the European Commission air cargo cartel investigation.

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

Olswang has continued to invest in its ECM group. Having recruited ‘ competent and on-the-ball’ practice head Adam Fenner from Halliwells LLP in 2006, the team was further boosted by the arrival of Faegre & Benson LLP’s London managing partner and corporate head Max Audley, who has ‘ genuine standing in the industry’. Recent highlights include American Leisure Group’s US$150m IPO, and Dawnay Day Sirius’ €300m AIM listing.

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

Olswang’s mean average deal size is over £150m, though the mode is in the £70m-£100m bracket. The firm is now regularly hitting significantly bigger deal values than it is used to, including one deal for Freedom Holdings, a US cheque company, on its US$3.4bn acquisition of GLG Partners. Key sectors for the firm are media and technology, which contributed more than 50 of the firm’s 86 deals in 2007. Stephen Hermer, Simon Morgan and David Roberts are recommended.

Within Partnership, tier 4

Olswang acts for clients in the financial services and real estate sectors, and is also experienced in media-related matters, advising on partnerships as a means to finance the creation of content and other vehicles, often for broadcasting clients. Julia Palca leads the team, and clients point to David Stewart and Alex Gerbi as other key individuals. ‘ All the people we deal with from partner down are consistently impressive and very client focused’; ‘ they are quick to get to the heart of issues’.

Within Private equity, tier 6

Praised for its ‘ experience and calibre’, Olswang boasts several strong partners including Fabrizio Carpanini, Chris Mackie, Stephen Rosen and Richard Clifton.

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

Olswang is a leader in SDLT and property work, and has a specialism in indirect gambling tax matters. Graham Chase advised on the £556m sale of the operating business and lease of the Paramount Hotel Group to Barceló International. Mark Joscelyne and Cliona Kirby are well regarded, and have been joined by Gerald Montagu from Sidley Austin LLP.

Within Venture capital, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang has a distinguished track record advising TMT companies and is increasingly advising funds such as Seven Spires, which it represented on ten transactions in 2007. Tina Cowen, Andrew Peddie and Stephen Rosen are recommended.

Within Licensing, gaming and betting, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang has a strong client base in the remote gambling sector, and acts for Ladbrokes, PartyGaming, Racing Post and Tote. David Zeffman and Luisa Hoffman advised German gambling operator Jaxx on its UK launch. Clients appreciate the group’s ‘ commercial approach’.

Within Arbitration, tier 6

Olswang has developed a strong reputation in the past couple of years, particularly in the media and telecoms sectors. Its range of expertise is broadening into energy and commodities, and group head Richard Bamforth is widely admired by clients and peers alike.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 7

While maintaining its pre-eminence in media work, Olswang has emerged as a very credible general commercial litigation practice. Recent work includes defending Winterthur in a Commercial Court claim by RBS for alleged breach of warranty, and carrying out two independent investigations for ITV into programmes it had broadcast. Martin Davies(a ‘ fantastic resource’ whose ‘ judgement is second to none’) heads the litigation department, while Steven Baker leads on commercial litigation. The team provides an ‘ excellent level of service’, and is ‘ always willing to recommend a strategy’.

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

Clients express ‘ complete confidence’ in Olswang’s team, a hefty portion of whose work is reputation management for clients such as ITV, Microsoft, Tom Cruise and Jon Snow. The firm is experienced in tracing anonymous internet users on social networking sites and discussion boards, and obtained the first order for an anonymous user to identify himself. ‘ The team’s response times are very good, its industry knowledge perfectly adequate, and it always fields the people necessary to get any job done’. Practice head Geraldine Proudler and Dan Tench are recommended.

Within Acquisition finance

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 7

Also of note are: John Joyce, who heads the business support and restructuring team at Addleshaw Goddard and Peter Knight, who forms the backbone of a team at Baker & McKenzie LLP particularly recommended for cross-border restructurings; Robin Tutty at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP; Fladgate LLP’s Rupert Connell, who is acting for the joint administrative receivers of the Po Na Na chain; Hammonds LLP’s department head Alistair Bacon; K&L Gates’ Tony Griffiths, who is best known for his work in the financial services sector; Olswang’s Graeme Levy, who provides ‘ meticulous and thorough’ advice to a diverse portfolio of clients, including media and entertainment companies such as ITV and the Weinstein Company; Richard Williams at Pinsent Masons LLP; Salans’ department head Bryan Green, who provides ‘ excellent and proactive approach to turnaround funds’ including RCapital and Hilco; and Paul Gordon-Saker at Stephenson Harwood, who heads a diverse practice including mid-market restructurings and small bankruptcies.

Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 5

Olswang’s clients praise the ‘ technically excellent’ Charles Kerrigan as ‘ taking the time to understand commercial aspects’. His complex structured products knowledge complements the talents of Moni Mannings, ‘ a first-rate banking lawyer’ who gives ‘ astute commercial advice’.

Within Investment funds

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

Assisting clients ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100 companies, Olswang’s team works closely with the firm’s M&A and employment groups, as well as carrying out standalone work. Highlights included advising Australian-listed Photon Group on its acquisitions of four private UK companies. Michael Deeks is noted for his ‘ in-depth knowledge of share schemes’.

Within Employment, tier 4

Olswang’s team was involved in some high-value transactions in 2007, advising the Post Office on the employment aspects of its £750m strategic partnership with BT for broadband and converged services, and Freedom Acquisition’s US$3.4bn acquisition of the GLG Partners. The team, under Sarah Keeble, is noted for impressive strength in depth, and provides ‘ well-informed and focused’ advice.

Within Employment, tier 4

Also recommended are: Bircham Dyson Bell LLP for its work with transport clients; boutique practice CM Murray LLP and partner Clare Murray, acting for a healthy balance of employer and employee clients; Finers Stephens Innocent LLP, which advised Darrell Hair after his highly publicised removal from the ICC; Fladgate LLP, which has experience in high-value AIM- and fund-related issues; H2O Law LLP(including the ‘ extremely personable’ David Greenhalgh), for its work advising luxury brand clients; Kennedys, for its work for the NHS on equal pay claims; the ‘ formidable team’ at Kingsley Napley, which offers a ‘ wealth of experience’; Latham & Watkins’ ‘ first-class’ team, who demonstrate ‘ vast industry knowledge supported by genuine commercial nous and understanding’; Adele Martins at Magrath LLP, for her tribunal and appeal tribunal work; the ‘ strong double act’ of Simeon Spencer and Angela Gill at Morgan Lewis, for their ‘ pragmatic, business-focused approach’; the ‘ excellent’ Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP, which provides a ‘ great one-stop-shop for all EU-wide exercises’; RadcliffesLeBrasseur, for advice that is ‘ always tailored to suit the organisation/culture’; Simons Muirhead & Burton, for Makbool Javaid’s discrimination work; and Thomas Eggar LLP, following the addition of Bob Cordran, formerly of Olswang.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

Dan Tench heads an ‘excellent, expert and commercial’ team at Olswang. The firm has advised on numerous judicial reviews and regulatory matters for clients such as Post Office Ltd, Cable & Wireless, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Within Commercial property, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang boasts some impressive property lawyers who attract praise from peers and clients alike. Work handled is typically high value, and 2007 saw the team advise longstanding client REIT Asset Management on the £400m acquisition of a portfolio of properties from Evans Property Group. Other highlights included acting for Delancey Estates on the £325m sale of Mid City Place in High Holborn. Head of department Tim Westhead is admired, along with the highly rated David Saunders and Martyn Needham. The team attracts praise from the market.

Within Construction, tier 4

Under Richard Wilson’s leadership Olswang has increased its contentious ability, with clients attracted by the firm’s ‘ growing reputation and service on disputes’. Acting in burgeoning areas such as hotels and university development, the ‘ excellent’ team acts for UBS, Kier Property and Aspinall’s. These ‘ masters of their subjects’ have recently been appointed sole construction advisers for Thornfield Properties’ £3bn property portfolio and also successfully mediated and settled a multimillion-pound delay and disruption claim on behalf of the University of Surrey.

Within Planning, tier 5

Olswang maintains its development-focused practice, acting for Delancey Estates in a joint venture mixed-use development, and the successful appeal of a refused planning permission for REIT Asset Management. Richard Keczkes heads the practice.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Olswang is on the up, with some high-class client wins over the past year, notably in the lender sector. Eleni Skordaki leads the team, which includes leading individuals such as Michael Benster, Susan Draper and Steve Clark, whose recruitment from Sidley Austin LLP at the end of 2007 was a real boost. Standout work over the past year includes acting for international clients of REIT Asset Management on a £215m real estate financing of a group of companies from Evans Property Group. International work included advising Hypo on a series of transactions funding investment and development properties in the UK and across Europe. Tim Westhead, who leads the real estate team, and Martyn Needham are also recommended.

Within Property litigation, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang’s Marcus Barclay is recommended for his rent review acumen. He advised Central London Investments on a rent review arbitration, while Cameron Lawes successfully acted on an injunction connected to Delancey Estates’ Portman Square redevelopment. The team also deals with enfranchisement matters, and is noted for its ‘ quality advice at commercially competitive rates’ ;‘ they are technically very good and - equally importantly - they all happen to be nice people’.

Within Brand management, Olswang is a second tier firm,

Olswang has a strong composite offering, acting for some high-profile brand owners on advertising and sponsorship issues. It has a marketing services-sector practice that advised Photon, one of Australia’s largest communications companies, on numerous acquisitions. Clients recommend Joel Barry, who specialises in advertising litigation and clearance work. Corporate partner Mark Bertram, a recent hire from Harbottle & Lewis LLP, has a strong advertising practice. Head of marketing services Iain Stansfield acts for agencies and companies including Guardian Newspapers.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

At Olswang, group co-head Paul Stevens led advice to FIFA in its dispute with a UK company regarding the Jules Rimet and Jules Rimet Cup trade marks. Punching above its weight, the team was boosted recently by the lateral hire of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP’s former head of international IP Helen Newman, who joined with a team of five. The ‘ excellent, approachable, pragmatic and commercial’ Dr Robert Stephen, one of the firm’s seven in-house patent attorneys, recently took on partner status. Although 50% of its IP work is in the life sciences sector, it is known for its strong media and trade mark practice, recently winning a competitive pitch for Sky’s trade mark portfolio management work.

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

Olswang’s client base has grown from a strong position among suppliers such as Microsoft and Xerox to encompass a range of customer clients, including Post Office and the London Olympic Committee. The partners’ focus on the convergence space, and the breadth of their technology offering, makes them ‘ first-choice’ for clients. Robert Bratby, recently hired from Mayer Brown International LLP, brings a valuable telecoms and technology practice to the team. The technology team, described as ‘ successful in realising the pressure points in a deal and getting the right people for the job’, is headed by Nigel Swycher, while Clive Gringras heads the internet and e-commerce practice. The telecoms group, headed by Colin Long, has a fine reputation in regulatory matters and digital convergence work.

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

Mayer Brown International LLP lost Robert Bratby to Olswang but maintains a notable outsourcing component to its IT practice. Mark Prinsley heads the outsourcing practice, and led a competitive negotiation for ICI’s implementation of its new customer relations management system, while another highlight was advising AT&T in managing the outsourcing of Shell’s global managed network services operations. ‘ Resourceful and adept at finding practical solutions’, Peter Dickinson heads the telecoms group.

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

Olswang’s ‘ experience in media and technology is second to none’, and welcomed Mark Bertram from Harbottle & Lewis LLP this year. In addition to representing the BBC, ITV and Sky, Selina Potter acted for BBC Worldwide on Project Kangaroo, a joint venture with ITV and Channel 4 to create a combined video-on-demand (VOD) service. Lisbeth Savill heads an ‘ excellent’ film team that advised Eon Productions on the financing arrangements for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Jacqueline Hurt advised Aramid Capital Partners, and Mark Devereux advised Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. David Zeffman and James Kay continue to impress. John Enser heads the ‘ first-class’ music group. Tony Leifer and his publishing team represent BBC Worldwide, Lexis Nexis and PPA, and are advising Guardian News & Media on its acquisition of Kable. Litigator Geraldine Proudler is universally respected.

Within Overview,

Among the UK firms whose reputations are built on technology and media clients, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP stands out for matters involving technology and trade marks, and has the UK’s leading franchising practice after hiring Eversheds LLP’s head of franchising and his team. Well known for its media practice, Olswang recently hired an IP partner with a large team from Kilpatrick Stockton LLP and a media partner from Harbottle & Lewis LLP. Lewis Silkin LLP’s leading advertising practice has been advising Hutchison in its dispute with 3G, and is strong on brands, as is Bristol’s Osborne Clarke, which has a strong TMT team, and recently made a major media-sector lateral hire in the shape of Wiggin LLP’s former senior partner.

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

Led by litigator Michael Burdon, Olswang is strong on patents and regulatory matters, where clients include Biogen Idec and the key partner is the ‘ highly knowledgeable’ Stephen Reese. It is also busy acting for life sciences-focused venture capitalists such as MVM Life Science Partners. Stephen Rosen has ‘ excellent business acumen’; the team recently hired pharmaceutical disputes specialist Michelle Sindler from Bär & Karrer.

Within Sport, Olswang is a third tier firm,

Olswang’s practice is centred around advice on broadcasting issues in the sector. Led by David Zeffman, the team advised Setanta Sports on the launch of its ‘Setanta Sports News ’ joint venture with Virgin Media, and the National Football League on the sale of its UK and ROI audio-visual rights package to BSkyB, while its regulatory workload has continued to increase. New client wins for 2007 included Locog and the England and Wales Cricket Board. Broadcast rights specialist Luisa Hoffman is highly recommended.