The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘outstanding’ group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is noted for its ‘prompt, succinct and practical advice, underpinned by not only sound legal knowledge, but also an in-depth awareness of the client’s industry’. Travelex, Thames Water and National Grid instructed the team across a full range of commercial contract matters, including facilities management arrangements and large-scale outsourcings. It advised longstanding client Tesco in relation to the installation and maintenance of computer equipment across 2,500 stores and distribution centres throughout Europe; and also acted for the Olympic Development Agency on all public procurement issues relating to the construction, development and sale of the Olympic Park. Mark Lewis ‘seems to know everyone and everything in the BPO space’, and acts for clients including Tata Consultancy Services. Richard Shaw, Richard Chapman and Craig Rattray are also recommended.

Within Corporate tax, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘very responsive, creative and business-oriented’ team has notable strength in real estate, funds, securitisation, complex financings, debt funds, and international matters. It acted for RBS on an innovative disposal of commercial real estate debt to a UK fund structure, and for Tesco on a £685m securitisation programme. The team is ‘effective to deal with’, and partners ‘communicate well and provide great advice on practical solutions to business and tax considerations’. Michael Wistow and John Overs are recommended, and Richard Harbot was recently promoted to partner.

Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, tier 6

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team is led by David Collins, and is noted for its ‘collaborative approach’. Benjamin Lee advised Duet Real Estate Finance on the main market IPO of its feeder fund, while Alex Latner represented Playtech on a £100m share offer.

Within EU and competition, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team is ‘expert in the field of competition law, with fine attention to detail and a very good grasp of the overall strategic requirements of cases’. It has particular strength in cartels, mergers and abuse of dominance, and acts for clients including Sports Direct International, the Olympic Delivery Authority, and the Financial Times Group. It acted for a client on the investigation by the European Commission into the supply of automotive electrical and electronic components launched in February 2010. David Harrison and Adrian Magnus are ‘exceptionally able, with a thorough grasp of both strategy and detail’. Litigator Elaine Whiteford joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Within Financial services, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has particular expertise in asset management and payment services, and successfully acted for senior management members in regulatory investigations. Jacob Ghanty has ‘a genuine feel for the technical issues’; Sidney Myers is an ‘excellent tactician for litigation’; and Nathan Willmott ‘develops sound but creative solutions’. Daren Allen is also rated. Nick Kynoch joined from Mayer Brown International LLP, where he was financial services head. Peter McGowan meanwhile joined Proskauer Rose LLP, and Pollyanna Deane left for Simmons & Simmons LLP.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

David Collins at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP heads a team with ‘good, thorough knowledge of law and practice’. Alex Latner is ‘very knowledgeable and dedicated to clients’; Jonathan Morris is ‘very responsive’; and Murdoch Currie gives ‘good, commercial advice’. Alexander Keepin’s arrival from Charles Russell LLP adds experience in the natural resources sector. Highlights included the £50m main market IPO of a feeder fund for Duet Real Estate Finance, and advising Cenkos Securities on Marwyn Management Partners’ £6m listing.

Within M&A: premium deals, £250m+, tier 6

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is highlighted for its ‘ability to leverage cross-functional teams to deliver against challenging timetables’, with 2011 seeing it advise on over 34 deals worth a combined value of £3.95bn. It advised Long Haul and BNBR (the main shareholders in Bumi plc) on the $1bn sale of part of the Bakrie Group’s interest in Bumi to Borneo Lumbung Energy. ‘Superb M&A partner’ Rob Salter is recommended, and was joined by Alexander Keepin from Charles Russell LLP, and Alan Paul, who took on a consultant role following his retirement from Allen & Overy LLP.

Within Private equity: transactions, tier 6

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, under Raymond McKeeve, combines transactional expertise with industry strength in areas such as real estate, energy and healthcare. Recent highlights include advising Mid Europa Partners on its acquisition of a further stake in Energy 21, the Czech-based solar power parks operator. The team was recently bolstered by the arrival, as a senior consultant, of corporate heavyweight Alan Paul from Allen & Overy LLP.

Within VAT and indirect tax, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP provides ‘well-attuned’ advice that ‘meets the client’s expectations’, and acts for Expedia, Balfour Beatty and Tesco, among others. Areas of expertise include real estate and built environment related taxes, and SDLT planning and minimisation. Alan Sinyor is a well-respected figure in the field, but the team saw the departure of high-profile partner Linda Adelson.

Within Venture capital, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP focuses on investors active in the energy, healthcare and IT sectors. It continues to receive regular instructions from Albion Ventures, including in relation to its £750,000 investment in Abcodia. The group saw the departure in May 2012 of team head Geraint Lloyd to Bird & Bird.

Within Fraud: civil, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘very competent’ team continues to act for Access Bank in a major piece of litigation against its former CEO/managing director; the claim includes allegations of misappropriation of the bank’s funds and the operation of an illegal share purchase scheme. Daren Allen ‘works hand in glove’ with his clients, and Segun Osuntokun demonstrates ‘great attention to detail’. Aaron Stephens is now a partner.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s Daren Allen is ‘vastly experienced’. The team assisted Tesco in producing group anti-bribery guidelines and on related due diligence and risk-rating procedures.

Within Gaming and betting, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP saw the departure of Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley to DLA Piper UK LLP, with corporate finance partner David Collins now heading the team. The firm has advised Playtech in relation to various acquisitions, and provided advice to Fox Poker Club in relation to the sale of its business. Jeremy Bark is recommended on the regulatory side.

Within Licensing, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

’At the forefront of this area of law’, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is led by the ‘brilliant’ Craig Baylis. In 2011, the firm assisted Burberry in licensing for the London Fashion Week, and acted for Townlink in a licensing appeal and subsequent judicial review, which clarified the approach to be adopted by a Magistrates Court when conducting a licensing appeal. The firm continues to act for clients including Tesco, Blanc Brasseries, Apple Retail and Selfridges. Jeremy Bark has a ‘strong understanding of the industry’, and a ‘practical and approachable style’.

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

At Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, David Hughes is ‘hardworking and tactically shrewd’, and Oliver Glynn-Jones is ‘a dynamic litigator’. Daren Allen and Stuart Isaacs QC, who has joined the firm from South Square, are also recommended. The firm advised HSBC Private Bank in a $300m money laundering case; assisted Tasarruf Mevduati Sigorta Fonu (the Turkish government) in the Privy Council case TMSF v Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co (Cayman) Ltd; and acted in a $1bn derivatives dispute (OBST v TMT).

Within Commercial litigation, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘pleases with the quality of its service’. The practice acted in a securitisation market and balance sheet insolvency case, set to be considered by the Supreme Court. Nathan Willmott heads the group; and Oliver Glynn-Jones ‘focuses on results rather than the process’. Graham Shear’s ‘judgement is excellent’; Joby Davie is experienced in media and sports litigation; Segun Osuntokun is Africa group head; and David Hughes regularly represents Turkish clients. Head of advocacy Stuart Isaacs QC joined from South Square.

Within Defamation and privacy, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team is ‘very competent, business-like, and not afraid to take the bull by the horns’. It has been acting for numerous claimants in the phone hacking cases.

Within International arbitration, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Noted for its ‘correct, timely, and pragmatic’ advice, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has five full-time arbitration partners in London, and carries out its own advocacy. It recently acted in relation to an application to enforce an Austrian arbitration award. Nic Fletcher is an ‘excellent advocate’; Carol Mulcahy ‘stands out’; and Caroline Pope and Michael Polonsky are also well regarded. Stuart Isaacs QC joined from South Square, and Roman Khodykin joined from Clifford Chance in Moscow.

Within Tax litigation, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s tax litigation team is ‘focused, commercial and strong’: a ‘class act’ and an ‘undoubted leader’ in the field. It offers a broad range of services, and has notable multi-jurisdictional capabilities. It acts for clients including Dreams, Lutea Trustees and the Football Association, and has been acting for ITV in its ongoing dispute concerning the treatment of National Insurance contributions for actors. ‘Masterful’ team head Liesl Fichardt ‘immediately gets to the heart of a problem, exhibits clear strategic and tactical thinking, manages complex dynamics of multi-party litigation well, and sees herself as working as a team with her clients’.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 5

Headed by the ‘experienced and talented’ Andrew Bamber, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s finance practice continues to undergo a transformation, with Paul Simcock and Derek Hrydziuszko recently joining from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP and Allen & Overy LLP respectively. Bamber and Simcock advised Rontec Investments on its acquisition of Total’s UK downstream logistics and marketing operations and the back-to-back on-sale of certain of those operations to Shell and DCC Energy. Other clients include Barclays, Macquarie Bank and Goldman Sachs.

Within Asset finance and leasing, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP continues to gain market share, and is increasingly viewed as ‘capable of competing with the traditional major players in the market’. Team head Russell Clifford provides ‘dynamic and enthusiastic leadership’ and is the key figure for rail financing work, with Angel Trains a key client. The aviation finance practice has shown most growth, and the ‘highly practical and commercially minded’ Keith Wilson and Tom Budgett are particularly admired in the industry. Praised for his ‘excellent industry knowledge’, Wilson represented Engine Lease Finance Corporation on its acquisition of Macquarie’s engine aircraft portfolio. The ship finance limb of the practice has been in a period of consolidation following Nicola Davies’ recent departure to Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

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

Matthew Kellett heads the finance and banking and capital markets practice groups at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, which counts Tesco, Merrill Lynch and RAC among its clients. Marc Palley has abundant experience advising corporates and banks on syndicated and bilateral loans.

Within Commodities: derivatives, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

David Hughes’ team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘has a reputation for getting results’ in transactions and disputes. Nic Fletcher advised in a major carbon trading dispute, while Hughes represented Marine Trade in a $40m forward freight agreement dispute with TMT Asia. Stuart Isaacs QC joined from South Square, bringing extensive experience as counsel and arbitrator.

Within Commodities: physicals, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s head of international arbitration Nic Fletcher is known for physical commodities disputes in the oil and sugar markets, while David Hughes is renowned in the grain, iron ore and coal sectors.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Headed by the ‘technically very strong’ Ben Larkin, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s four-partner team provides ‘user-friendly and pragmatic advice’. ‘Well networked with the UK banks’, it handles work across a range of sectors but is particularly strong in real estate. David Leibowitz is ‘very experienced and wise’, and the team also includes newly promoted partner Ben Jones, who has a ‘loyal following’. Clients include RBS, Lloyds, Macquarie Group and IBRC.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s Tom Church advised African Bank on a $2bn Euro MTN programme; and, with Mark Palley, advised regular client Tesco on renewing its MTN programme and issuing a €750m bond. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Simon Small from Ashurst and Richard Todd from Lloyds Banking Group.

Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 4

Matthew Kellett’s banking and capital markets group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has broad structured finance experience, with James Duncan a standout figure. Lucy Oddy worked on large hedging projects such as Lloyds Banking Group’s £900m Project Royal loan portfolio for Goldman Sachs. The team excels in OTC and securitised derivatives for corporates and financial institutions.

Within Emerging markets, tier 4

At Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, finance partner Robert Gross has particular experience in the Israeli market, recently acting for Israel National Roads Company, and is commended for his ‘personal attention, extremely fast turnaround and availability’. Bosnia Broadband is a new client, joining longstanding clients European Investment Bank, Hellenic Petroleum, Premier Oil and Slovenia Broadband. Andrei Baev and Segun Osuntokun specialise in the Russian and African markets respectively.

Within Investment funds, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is ‘very strong – particularly on the real estate fund side, where it is one of the leading practices’ – it ‘understands the asset class, which is essential’. The team also handles private equity, infrastructure, listed, retail and hedge fund matters. It advised RBS on Project Isobel, RBS and Blackstone’s real estate debt fund; Aviva Investors on restructuring a Poland-focused fund; and UBS Global Asset Management on UBS Triton Property Fund. Other clients include Blackrock, GCP and Hermes. Practice head Antony Grossman is ‘hugely knowledgeable’ about real estate funds, and can ‘find the solution that other lawyers don ’t even think of’. Justin Cornelius is set to join from Nabarro LLP.

Within Islamic finance, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP shows ‘good business sense and good industry knowledge’. It acted on tawarruq and murabaha facilities for an international bank, and has developed shari’ah-compliant investments for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Other clients include ABC Islamic Bank and European Islamic Investment Bank plc. Department head Saleem Malik is recommended. Tamara Box joined Reed Smith.

Within Securitisation, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘has the experience and intellectual resources to deliver at partner and associate level’. Paul Severs advised TPG and Patron Capital on the Opera Finance CMBS, the first to default at maturity. With Lucy Oddy, he also represented a leading investment bank on the sale and subsequent securitisation of the £900m Project Royal commercial real estate loans portfolio. The duo also advised Tesco on a £450m CMBS.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

David Dennison is recommended at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within Employment: employees/unions Leading individuals: Employment

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is ‘ahead of the curve as regards innovation’, and continues to grow in stature under luminary Fraser Younson, who ‘always gives good advice’; the ‘amazing’ Rebecca Harding-Hill; Lisa Mayhew, who ‘knows her stuff but doesn ’t overcomplicate’; the ‘unflappable’ Marian Bloodworth; and the ‘commercially aware’ Rob Eldridge. The firm advised BGC Partners and Cantor Fitzgerald in Tullett Prebon v BGC, now the leading authority on team moves and an indicator of the calibre of the litigation undertaken by the team. UBS, Thames Water, British American Tobacco and Deutsche Bank are also clients.

Within Health and safety, tier 5

Craig Baylis heads the team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, which focuses on transactional health and safety issues; recent examples include the due diligence on Snax 24’s acquisition of 700 petrol stations.

Within Pensions, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

At the ‘outstanding’ Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, the ‘commercial, accurate and timely’ Norman Russell is recommended, as is David Dennison. New to the disputes ranking, the firm has over the years acted in a number of cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal involving the Pensions Ombudsman. The firm also rises in the non-contentious ranking. It acted on the insured buy-out by Pension Insurance Corporation as well as on a buy-in/buy out with Rothesay Life and Goldman Sachs. Clients include the Sara Lee and Roche pension funds; the NRG Pension Schemes; and Thames Water.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has a reputation for handling complex reinsurance claims, for clients including Atrium, Munich Re and Chartis. Anthony Lennox acted in a number of reinsurance claims arising out of the 9/11 attacks, which included conflict of law issues. Jonathan Sacher is ‘a tough litigator with a commercial perspective’. Neil Owen was promoted to partner. The group has benefited from the arrival of Stuart Isaacs QC from South Square, as head of advocacy.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, tier 4

The team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has recently won new panel appointments including Munich Re, and gained new clients such as Tesco Bank and the International Underwriting Association. Adam Bogdanor advised CLAL on its complex sale of Lloyd’s syndicate Broadgate Underwriting Limited to Torus Insurance Holdings; and Jacob Ghanty is highly recommended. Pollyanna Deane is now with Simmons & Simmons LLP.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, tier 4

At Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, David Leibowitz is acting for PwC as liquidators of Digital Satellite Warranty Company, in a matter which is set to proceed to the Supreme Court. Andrew Rose is also a key figure in the team. Other clients include Deloitte and KPMG.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

Within Charities and not-for-profit, tier 5

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP was bolstered in 2012 by the arrival of new department head Janet Turner QC from Taylor Vinters. The firm acts in respect of significant grants in relation to social investment, and is also well known for advice on cross-border philanthropy, sometimes with a shari’ah element. It is currently advising on charitable structures relating to the Olympic Park. Other clients include The Burberry Foundation, Tesco, and Hilton in the Community Foundation.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s offering is built around the expertise of the ‘exceptionally able’ Rupert Ticehurst, who moved from Herbert Smith LLP in 2011 along with ‘rising star’ assistant Jessica Henson; the firm is ‘clearly moving from strength to strength’. The team is currently acting for a high-net-worth industrial family in an application to vary trusts, a matter which involves affected unborn parties.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Jonathan Kropman’s team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has ‘first-class technical expertise’. It advises on high-value and multi-jurisdictional trust, tax, asset protection and succession matters, including shari’ah law issues, and has an impressive list of institutional wealth management clients. Paul Whitehead has ‘excellent people skills’; and Damian Bloom is well respected in the offshore trusts arena.

Within Infrastructure, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s projects group, led by Adam Dann, continues to advise the Olympic Delivery Authority on the delivery and disposal of the Athletes Village at the London 2012 Games. The firm is also advising Thames Water Utilities Ltd on the £3.6bn Thames Tideway Tunnel project, one of the few mega-infrastructure projects in the UK. The group has developed a niche advising on the formation and launch of infrastructure debt funds, acting for Aviva and GCP in this market.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 5

AIM and main market listing specialist Alexander Keepin at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advised new client JP Morgan Cazenove on a placing of new ordinary shares on both AIM and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for Coal of Africa Limited. Keepin was a lateral hire from Charles Russell LLP in May 2011. The group also handles mining disputes.

Within Oil and gas, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Mark Saunders heads the ‘excellent’ oil and gas group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Saunders advised Oil Spill Response on its procurement of a capping device for the UK industry following the Macondo incident; and the firm has been very active in disputes and arbitrations. Deborah Greenwood is ‘a persuasive negotiator and a delight to work with’.

Within PFI and PPP, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advised InterHealth Canada on its contract with the Polish government to build Poland’s first PPP-funded hospital. The firm also acted for the Port of London Authority on its contribution to investment in the development of the London Gateway Port. Robert Gross attracts praise for his ‘personal attention, extremely fast turnaround and availability’.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables), tier 4

In 2011, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP was active in several high-profile arbitration and litigation cases. On the corporate side, Robert Gross advised Mid Europa Partners on a further investment in Energy 21, a Czech-based developer of solar power.

Within Water, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s substantial water group acted for key client Thames Water on a wide range of planning, environmental and regulatory matters, on diverse projects including the Thames Tunnel and the Lee Tunnel. The team is also advising on Thames Water’s claim before the Court of Appeal for judicial review of a competition decision by Ofwat. Team head Patrick Somers is noted for his in-depth knowledge of the sector.

Within Healthcare, tier 5

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘experienced’ team continues to advise the Barchester Group on its portfolio. The ‘proactive’ Michael Anderson is recommended, as are team leaders Jim Buchanan and Candice Blackwood.

Within Local government, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s planning expertise is widely recognised, and it continues to advise London Borough of Tower Hamlets on procurement, planning and housing issues pertaining to the Blackwall Reach regeneration. It is also handling corporate structuring, real estate and other issues regarding a major retail development for Epping Forest District Council. Practice head Andrew Yates is valued for his ability to grasp complex issues, and Timothy Pugh is also recommended.

Within Parliamentary, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘understands the wider commercial context of parliamentary work’. The firm advised the Olympic Delivery Authority regarding its statutory powers and is representing National Grid on its proposed Mid Wales Power Line. Parliamentary counsel Daniel Greenberg ‘knows what he is talking about’, and Andrew Yates and practice head Timothy Pugh are also recommended.

Within Public affairs, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP assists public and private bodies in interpreting statutory powers and campaigning for changes of law. The firm is advising National Grid on the Energy Bill.

Within Commercial property, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Very, very good at what it does’, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP acted on three of the largest UK investment deals in 2011, including advising Tishman Speyer on its £172m acquisition of the Sanctuary Buildings, and RBS on the largest disposal of UK commercial property debt. Hotels work included acting for MWB Malmaison Holdings on the £87m sale and leaseback of four hotels. Robert MacGregor’s growing team shows ‘tenacity, energy and determination’, and adopts ‘a strong commercial approach’. Richard Hopkinson-Woolley is praised for his ‘client understanding’ and ability to ‘marshal the team’. Chris de Pury, Barry Gross and Simon Kenley are also recommended, as is partner Deepa Deb.

Within Construction, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

There is ‘no firm better when it comes to non-contentious work’ than Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The ‘very able’ group handles instructions on large-scale domestic projects for clients including Qatari Diar and the Olympic Delivery Authority. Nazir Dewji advised Land Securities on an equity-led joint venture with Canary Wharf Group regarding the development of 20 Fenchurch Street (The ‘Walkie Talkie’). An uptick in international contentious mandates saw Bob Maynard and Terry de Souza handle arbitrations across the EMEA region. Marc Hanson joined from Ashurst in 2011, and Catherine Gelder was promoted to partner in May 2012.

Within Environment, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s practice covers energy and renewables, toxic tort claims, climate change, waste, environmental insurance, permitting, and contaminated land matters. It advised the Olympic Delivery Authority on its Energy and Sustainability Strategy, as well as on compliance with renewable energy targets for the Olympic Park. The ‘very competent’ Isabelle Laborde provides ‘clear, concise advice’.

Within Overview,

Despite the uncertainty, core office and retail assets in London and other major European cities continued to attract global investors. The high-end residential market in London also continued to thrive. Demand for top-end City properties was led predominantly by Asian and US investors targeting £100m+ core assets and development opportunities. Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, Clifford Chance and Linklaters LLP continue to dominate in commercial property. Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP acted on three of the largest investment deals of the year, including advising Tishman Speyer on its £172m acquisition of the Sanctuary Buildings. Linklaters LLP acted for AREA Property Partners and Delancey Real Estate Asset Management on their takeover and subsequent take-private of Minerva plc, one of the standout deals of the year, and Clifford Chance was kept busy by longstanding client Canary Wharf Group.

Within Planning, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has a comprehensive and prolific planning practice, with a ‘very strong’ team of seven partners and 25 associates providing a ‘first-class’ service to clients. Its work ranges from national infrastructure matters, compulsory purchase orders, High Court challenges, new settlements and central London developments. It has been advising on the Thames and Lee Tunnel projects and the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and continues to advise Tesco on matters including the mixed-use redevelopment of Sittingbourne town centre. The department is co-led by Tim Hellier, who provides ‘great strategic advice’, and Tim Pugh, who is ‘an outstanding planning lawyer’.

Within Property finance, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘brings a strong commercial approach to difficult legal issues, plus a good understanding of insolvency and the related issues’. Its two most significant mandates were advising on the £400m refinancing of Shell Mex House for Dekabank and ING, and advising key client Barclays Capital and Barclays Bank on a new loan of £660m to Maybourne Finance for the purchase of the Maybourne Hotel Group from NAMA. Laurence Rogers’ team was bolstered by Claire Watson’s arrival from Linklaters LLP, and includes the ‘very strong’ Naveen Vijh and Andrew Flemming, valued for his ‘exceptional support and transaction leadership’.

Within Property litigation, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a first tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘top-drawer’ group represents institutional developers, major landlords and tenants. Roger Cohen and ‘class act’ Wendy Miller co-lead the group. Miller assisted a Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group joint venture with rights of light issues concerning the development of 20 Fenchurch Street; and also handled pre-emptive injunctions for JP Morgan and Canary Wharf, linked to the Occupy London protests. Joanna Lampert is ‘at the top of her field’ for professional negligence and insolvency issues, and Michael Metliss is a commercial disputes specialist.

Within Social housing: finance, tier 4

Clients of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP include Notting Hill Housing Association, Berkeley Homes, Octagon Housing and Aviva. Andrew Yates is recommended.

Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is strong on ‘technically challenging’ issues, and continues to act on the delivery and sale of the Olympic Village, which will provide over 2,800 homes after the Olympics. It is also managing the transfer of housing regulatory powers from the Tenant Services Authority to the Homes and Community Agency. Practice head Andrew Yates is ‘the lawyer of choice on larger-scale commercial transactions within the residential sector’.

Within Brand management, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP continues to develop a strong trade mark portfolio management practice, with clients including Tie Rack and the Financial Times Group. It also advises BAFTA and Guardian News and Media on sponsorship arrangements. Ian Gruselle heads the practice.

Within Franchising, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP specialises in franchising arrangements in the hotel and retail sectors. Recent highlights include advising on a franchise agreement relating to a UK fashion brand in China and the Far East, and acting for a celebrity cake shop to develop franchise and trade mark licence relationships. IP department head Simon Clark also leads the franchising team. Associate Natasha Aziz – a former head of legal at Laura Ashley – is also recommended.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s IP team demonstrates a ‘depth of expertise’ in design, copyright and trade mark matters. Practice head Simon Clark provides ‘excellent strategic judgement and insight’, and successfully represented the Newspaper Licensing Agency in a copyright dispute with Meltwater in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The ‘insightful, knowledgeable’ Ian de Freitas focuses on the technology sector.

Within IT and telecoms, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advises clients such as Barclays, National Grid and Stagecoach on commercial and transactional matters. Mark Lewis is ‘an expert in outsourcing agreements and particularly good at finding solutions to difficult problems’. Practice head Richard Chapman acted for Tesco on a pan-European IT project, as well as assisting in relation to its telecoms operations and arrangements with suppliers. Craig Rattray focuses on IT transactions for the utilities and finance sectors.

Within Media and entertainment, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a second tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘commercially pragmatic’ team, which includes Simon Harper and the ‘thorough, responsive and meticulous’ Adam Rose, advises The Guardian on technology and web-related contracts, and the Financial Times Group is another key client. Rose advised China Daily on its UK launch, while Harper advises Peel Media and the PRS. Rose, Simon Clark and Toby Headdon successfully represented the NLA in the High Court in the Meltwater dispute over web licensing models, which has been referred to the Supreme Court.

Within Sport, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

‘Top notch and very experienced’, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is ‘one of the leading firms, particularly in the context of football’. It represents Barclays and Investec in sport-related financings, including the latter’s financing of Tottenham Hotspur FC’s new training facilities. It has designed insurance-backed financings to allow numerous football clubs – including Everton, Fulham and Leeds United – to invest in new players, and the firm’s excellence in real estate has seen it advise The FA on the construction of the National Football Centre in Burton-on-Trent and also act for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Practice head Graham Shear is ‘expert and very experienced in the field, in particular on player transfers, the relationship between players and clubs, and the role of agents. He is pragmatic and highly effective’. Joby Davies is ‘utterly committed’.

Within Trade mark attorneys, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Ian Gruselle leads the trade mark portfolio management team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The firm has a strong reputation in the hotels sector, advising clients such as Marriott and Rocco Forte, and also continues to manage trade mark portfolios for Canonical, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and Financial Times Group.

Within Rail, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a third tier firm,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has a ‘well-resourced team of experienced lawyers’ noted for their ‘in-depth expertise’. It advised Angel Trains at all stages of its £180m bid to finance the Class 350 HLOS rolling stock. Russell Clifford heads the team, and Lisa Marks is also recommended.