The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a first tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP continues to impress with its ‘excellent service’ and ‘outstanding business acumen and industry knowledge’. Recent work includes acting for three leading national estate agents in a strategic alliance with property website Zoopla.co.uk. ‘No job is too big or too small’ for Ken Woffenden and his eight-partner team, with Beverley Whittaker also recommended for her ‘practical advice and wealth of knowledge’.

Within Corporate tax, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘commercially sensible, technically strong’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP advised on a number of M&A transactions and employee benefits matters in 2010, as well as exit strategy tax planning for its entrepreneur client base. Practice head Kate Schmit is an ‘excellent all-rounder with very detailed knowledge’.

Within EU and competition, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘responsive and business-focused’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP is headed by new arrival Gustaf Duhs from Burges Salmon LLP, who is a former OFT legal adviser. Clients include Rentokil Initial, SAB Miller and KIA Motors.

Within Commercial litigation: Kent, Surrey and Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP acts for both domestic and international clients, and provides advice that is ‘second to none’. Practice head Richard King specialises in shareholder and corporate disputes, particularly those with overseas dimensions. Michael Frisby has a ‘great ability to see beyond the immediate issues’. Clients include Kia Motors UK and G4S.

Within Debt recovery , Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

Michael Frisby’s team at Stevens & Bolton LLP focuses on high-volume debt recovery work for clients such as Atradius, Personal Group and Guildford College.

Within Banking and finance, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP handles work for both lenders and borrowers across acquisition, real estate and structured finance. The team has ‘high levels of relevant industry experience’, and recently advised Rydon Group in a restructuring and refinancing of its £52m of banking facilities with Lloyds. Jonathan Porteous has ‘incredible attention to detail’. Joe Bedford is also recommended.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery Insolvency and corporate recovery

Within Employment: Kent, Surrey and Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a first tier firm,

Appreciated for its ‘flexible and proactive approach’, Stevens & Bolton LLP enjoyed an increase in transactional work in 2010, particularly involving TUPE and outsourcing. Practice head Stephanie Dale is a ‘valued resource’; ‘she has first-class interpersonal skills and is always a calming influence.’

Within Pensions Pensions

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

Within Regional review, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a first tier firm,

In Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP maintains its position as the region’s major heavyweight; Cripps Harries Hall LLP is a recognised leader in real estate and private client work; Clyde & Co remains pre-eminent for shipping and commercial litigation; and on the property and TMT side, DMH Stallard LLP is a key player.

Within Charities Charities

Within Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP advises a variety of clients, particularly high net-worth individuals. Caroline Gordon-Smith’s ‘commitment, support and personal attention is of the highest order’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a first tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP has seen a significant increase in instructions from wealth management divisions of London banks. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Stuart Skeffington leads the 14-strong team, having taken over from the ‘dependable and well-connected’ Nick Acomb in 2010.

Within Education Education

Within Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP won a flurry of new property clients in 2010, including big restaurant names TGI Friday’s and Papa John’s. Department head Michael Laver specialises in property investment, development and corporate occupier matters, while Andrew Steele and Charles Leach have expertise in the retail sector.

Within Construction , Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

The reputation of Stevens & Bolton LLP was strengthened by two key appointments in 2010, namely ‘extremely thorough’ ex-Shadbolt LLP partner Tom Pemberton and associate Chi Smith from Mundays LLP. Practice head Matthew Needham-Laing provides ‘an unmatched level of construction expertise’, handling non-contentious work as well as ADR and adjudication.

Within Environment, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘client-centric’ environment practice at Stevens & Bolton LLP recently advised Holiday Supplies (a subsidiary of Kuoni) on contaminated land issues. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and well-connected’ Valerie Fogleman has expertise in environmental liability and insurance, while Catherine Davey is praised for her advice on waste licensing, statutory nuisance and contaminated land.

Within Planning, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a second tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP handled a number of enforcement matters in 2010 and reports an increase in planning instructions from developer clients. Practice head Catherine Davey continues to advise the University of Surrey on obligations relating to proposed campus developments.

Within Property litigation, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP gained new clients Papa John’s and Rentokil in 2010. Senior associate Helen Wheddon is recommended for her ‘good negotiation skills’.

Within Intellectual property , Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

Stevens & Bolton LLP’s ‘unbelievably commercial’ team is representing Future Publishing in a High Court dispute against Edge Interactive Media and Edge Games. Gallaher and Rackspace US are also clients. David Wilkinson gives ‘strong and sensible advice’ in disputes, and Beverley Whittaker advises on the non-contentious side.

Within IT and telecoms, Stevens & Bolton LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘practical, commercial and pragmatic’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP advised Monitise on software licensing and development agreements related to a joint venture. Beverley Whittaker ‘focuses on the important issues and gives practical advice’, and David Wilkinson is recommended for contentious IT work.

Within Media and entertainment Media and entertainment