The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Cambridge: , Birketts LLP is a third tier firm,

Led by the ‘unflappable, considered’ Adrian Seagers, Birketts LLP has ‘quality analogous to a leading City practice’; ‘its experience and skills give complete confidence, and each transaction is partner led’. Seagers advised PetroTechnik on its purchase by Franklin Fueling Systems.

Within Corporate and commercial: Ipswich, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP ‘provides an excellent all-round service’. The ‘clear and concise’ James Austin, who advised on the sale of controlling interests in Take Care Now Ltd, is praised as ‘efficient, understanding, with a straightforward, common-sense approach’. Corporate finae partner Mark Henry advised Cyden Ltd on funding rounds including a £1m working capital facility.

Within Corporate and commercial: Norwich, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s Adrian Possener advised One Broker on its purchase of an insurance broker. Andrew Wood joined from Miller Rosenfalck LLP, bringing an international practice and a notable US and Dutch client base.

Within Corporate tax, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s ‘reliable and cost-effective’ team includes Gavin Birchall and Ben Goodfellow; ‘the expertise is reassuring, the advice first class’. The firm recently advised a UK property company owned by an offshore trust on its reorganisation.

Within EU and competition, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

At Birketts LLP, consultant Andrew Wood has extensive competition law expertise, and acts for a large European client base.

Within Crime, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Malcolm Savory’s criminal defence team at Birketts LLP is ‘extremely thorough’. Employed barrister Laura Thomas handles many road traffic claims.

Within Licensing, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP is appreciated for its good-value and prompt service. Richard Eaton and Ruth Sunaway have ‘great qualities and are good at maintaining client relationships’. Dedicated licensing lawyer Brian Hardie ‘understands the needs of a business and has very good contacts with licensing authorities’.

Within Commercial litigation: Cambridge, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

‘One of the most down-to-earth groups of lawyers’, Birketts LLP’s team is led by Sara Sayer, who has been busy on a number of partnership disputes.

Within Commercial litigation: Ipswich, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s team, led by Matthew Atkins, is ‘excellent, responds very promptly and takes a very commercial approach’. It has notable experience in mediation, and also in shareholder disputes and warranty claims.

Within Commercial litigation: Norwich, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP ‘gets the job done in an efficient and personal manner’; Paul Matthews is praised for his ‘clarity and speed’, and Max Roessler is ‘responsive, and has a strong commercial backbone’. The team’s experience includes major partnership disputes.

Within Debt recovery, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP ‘offers superb advice’. Robert Howard’s ‘knowledge of the legal system is endless’, and Matthew Atkins is also recommended. Clients include Archant and Haven Power.

Within Banking and finance, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Terrier and hardnosed litigator’ Mark Henry heads Birketts LLP’s team, which is newly appointed to panels of HSBC and Santander. Adrian Seagers and Adrian Possener personify the ‘excellent service and personal approach’.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s Matthew Atkins heads a cross-departmental team that includes litigator Paul Matthews. It acts for IPs and administrators such as Baker Tilly and KPMG, and also corporates such as shipping company TPC Korea.

Within Employment, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s team includes Jeanette Wheeler, Jolyon Berry, Matthew Newnham and Abigail Trencher, and is noted for its ‘continuity of care, reasonable prices and realistic advice’, which is ‘more focused than some firms’. Recent highlights include a breach of covenant claim for insurance broker Tyser & Co. Sally Azarmi has a thriving immigration practice.

Within Health and safety, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s specialist regulatory team is ‘discrete and always willing to talk, and its legal knowledge is excellent’, and includes the ‘polite and forceful’ Malcolm Savory and barrister Laura Thomas. It recently advised the National Probation Service and a multi-occupancy landlord.

Within Pensions, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Pensions advice is an element of employment expert Jolyon Berry’s practice at Birketts LLP.

Within Personal injury: claimant, tier 4

Birketts LLP’s team includes Richard Hayes, who is noted as attentive and accessible, and legal executive Martin Squire. It recently settled a £200,000 RTA claim.

Within Professional negligence, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

At Birketts LLP, the highly rated Max Roessler is one of three partners who act for claimants, many against solicitors for negligent property and transactional advice. Paul Matthews is handling a £1m claim for negligent tax planning.

Within Regional review, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

The biggest expansion story, however, remains the aggressive strategy of Birketts LLP, which has taken over popular Chelmsford firm Wollastons, giving it an even stronger regional presence across four offices. It continues to grow its presence in Cambridge, where it has moved to new, larger premises in order to accommodate more lawyers.

Within Agriculture and estates, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘commercially practical’ six-partner team at Birketts LLP includes James Harbottle (noted for his ‘good bedside manner’); Chris Coupland (who is ‘technically excellent, and super-efficient’); and Jack Royall (‘very precise’). Mineral leases are a key specialism.

Within Charities, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP provides ‘an excellent level of service, the highest professionalism’. The team, which features James Hall and Stuart Jones, ‘works well together and provides value for money’. Ecclesiastical work features prominently, while clients elsewhere include Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Within Family, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s team includes the ‘extremely experienced, bright, and warm’ Oliver Gravell, and mediator Stephen Anderson; and Ginny Colman, who is praised for her common sense. Teresa Brown (‘professional and caring’) and Ian Pattinson provide ‘a high level of empathy, making the process as simple as possible’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP, led by Caroline Stenner, has ‘the experience of a London firm but at a greatly reduced hourly rate’. Senior associate Imogen Brown is ‘excellent technically, and has conviction in her advice’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Ipswich, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s Charles Boscawen (‘technically very competent’) and James Harbottle lead a team that has ‘the same level of knowledge and expertise as a City firm; you get a top London lawyer but the rate is significantly less’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Timely, succinct, accurate and sympathetic’, Birketts LLP’s Neil Sparrow has a notable agricultural client base, and ‘vast experience; his technical knowledge is second to none’.

Within Project finance and PFI, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

At Birketts LLP, commercial partner Erika Clarke has broad experience in public procurement, accommodation-based PPPs and other projects for public sector clients.

Within Education, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Erika Clarke and Sara Sayer at Birketts LLP are ‘very professional, and make a point of understanding the client’s business’, and Abigail Trencher is also recommended. The team, noted for its ‘first-rate communication and interpersonal skills’, advises universities, further education colleges, schools, and vocational training institutions.

Within Health, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP has ‘an effective, professional, refreshing approach’. Chris Barker (‘consistent in his attention to detail and enthusiasm’), Erika Clarke and Richard Eaton advise many PCTs, GPs and private sector providers on healthcare reforms.

Within Commercial property: Cambridge, Birketts LLP is a third tier firm,

The advice on offer at Birketts LLP’s young Cambridge office is ‘always thoroughly sound and delivered quickly and clearly’. Kath Herbert is ‘incredibly strong on joint property ventures’, and Jonathan Greenhalgh is ‘diplomatic, and does not bother with trivia’.

Within Commercial property: Ipswich, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Birketts LLP ‘achieves what it sets out to do – provide a London type of service at regional prices’, through partners including Chris Barker, Richard Eaton, Nigel Farthing and Nick Tavener. Hopkins Homes is an active client.

Within Commercial property: Norwich, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP has ‘great business acumen and in-depth knowledge of regional property issues’. Robert Gibbs is ‘personable, efficient, and commercially minded’, with ‘excellent client communication’. Longstanding clients include Bernard Matthews Farms.

Within Construction, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP’s ‘experience is invaluable, especially in the efficient resolution of disputes’. Andrew Rush and Ruth Sunaway ‘provide exceptional service and expertise’. Clients include developer Dencora 2000, and contractors Brooks & Wood Ltd and Jackson Civil Engineering Group.

Within Environment, Birketts LLP is a third tier firm,

Birketts LLP is ‘very good for both public and private sector clients, providing sound and reassuring advice’. Richard Eaton is ‘extremely good at guiding clients through difficult proceedings’.

Within Planning, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP delivers ‘fast responses and practical advice in a calm but firm manner’. Richard Eaton and Graham Wright are recommended, and senior associate Tom Newcombe, who joined from Eversheds LLP, brings experience in large projects.

Within Property litigation, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Praised for its high levels of service, Birketts LLP’s team includes John Scannell, who has ‘a wealth of experience, and is great to work with’; Richard Eaton, who is ‘calm, efficient and organised’; barrister Simon Woodhead, noted for his ‘detailed legal mind, and clarity of expression’; and James Robinson, who is ‘hardworking and commercial’. The firm advises Bernard Matthews Farms and Norfolk Police Authority.

Within Social housing, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Peter Goddard leads Birketts LLP’s multi-disciplinary team of eight, whose expanding RSL client list includes Swan Housing Group and Iceni Homes.

Within Intellectual property, Birketts LLP is a second tier firm,

Birketts LLP has ‘a good, young team’ that is ‘excellent value for money’. Four lawyers, led by Matthew Atkins, handle everything from IP audits to portfolio management, with recent matters including IP due diligence for Elektron plc.

Within Shipping, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Nicholas Woo’s four-partner team at Birketts LLP now includes consultant Neil Everatt, who joined from Lawrence Graham LLP. The region’s dominant practice, it recently handled an $85m withdrawal claim and a $30m contract of affreightment dispute.

Within Transport, Birketts LLP is a first tier firm,

Litigator Alex Davey, barrister Laura Thomas and advocate Richard Eaton at Birketts LLP ‘show great knowledge of the complexities of transport law, and are very good at public inquiries’. ‘More than accommodating, and always able to add specialist advice’, the firm is on the Road Haulage Association’s panel.