The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s team is headed by the well-respected Michael L’Estrange, and saw an upturn in renewable energy related matters, while cross-border tax-based asset finance is another significant specialism. Clients include Seaspan Corporation and Bayerngas UK, which the firm recently assisted on two acquisitions relating to gas development projects. Chris Comyn is also recommended.

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is known for its work in the oil and gas sector. Notable mandates of 2010 included advising Madagascar Oil on its £50.5m IPO on AIM, a transaction led by Chris Kilburn. Jan Mellmann advised Equatorial Palm Oil on its £6.5m IPO on AIM.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, tier 4

The ‘excellent’ Watson, Farley & Williams LLP gives ‘very high partner attention’. Its continued push on the recruitment front saw the arrival of Mark Evans from Constellation Energy, and David Cooke from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP. Jan Mellmann heads the practice, which has a premier shipping and natural resources focus. Christina Howard has a ‘refreshingly common-sense approach to negotiations and drafting’.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s practice benefits from the firm’s strong asset finance capability, particularly in the shipping and energy sectors, generating complex and high-value work for the litigation team. Highlights for practice head Andrew Savage included securing a victory for Lloyds TSB in a complex action concerning the termination of a ship finance lease.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is experienced in handling disputes in the shipping, energy, offshore construction and finance sectors. The team secured victory in a Commercial Court action concerning the termination of a ship finance lease, and also obtained a decision of the English Supreme Court in favour of the Government of Pakistan. Andrew Savage is ‘a great strategic thinker’. Robert Platt joined from Curtis Davis Garrard LLP.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP secured victory for the Government of Pakistan in the Supreme Court of England, the dispute reportedly only the third recorded case in which English courts refused enforcement of an international arbitration award under the New York Convention since implementation in England 35 years ago. Andrew Savage is ‘an excellent strategist’. Robert Platt joined from Curtis Davis Garrard LLP, and focuses on the shipbuilding, offshore construction and power sectors.

Within Asset finance and leasing, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is a third tier firm,

Within a relatively short period, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s asset finance team has become recognised as a ‘major player in the market’, and continued its expansion with the hire of Keith Wilson from Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP. Lisa Marks is the relationship partner for new client Bombardier, and recently advised it on numerous transactions with European operators in multiple jurisdictions. Although the team saw the departure of Andrew Baird to Watson, Farley & Williams LLP, it has still handled some significant shipping work, particularly in the offshore marine market; Nicola Davies is well regarded in that area, and recently advised Pacific Drilling on the $1.8bn financing of four new deep-water drill ships in Korea. Praised for his ‘impressive knowledge of the rail industry’, Russell Clifford provides ‘clear technical advice, balanced with commercial pragmatism’ and heads a team recently strengthened by the return of aviation finance expert Tom Budgett following a stint as managing partner of the firm’s Singapore office.

Within Commodities: physicals, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is recommended for commodity-related disputes. Andrew Savage gives ‘fast and concrete advice’; and he and Andrew Hutcheon are ‘a pleasure to deal with, always competent and effective problem-solvers’. The firm recently advised Nordea on a demand guarantee claim.

Within Islamic finance,

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s clients include ABC Islamic Bank, Dar Capital and European Islamic Investment Bank plc. Tamara Box and department head Saleem Malik are the key figures in the practice. Andrew Baird joined Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Trade finance, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is a third tier firm,

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP ‘gives good advice at commercial rates’. Celia Gardiner is ‘very good, highly experienced, knowledgeable and calm’. Michael Kenny is advising Standard Chartered Bank on a $50m reserve-based lending facility to fund offshore drilling projects.

Within Employment, tier 7

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s recent caseload includes advice to an individual on dismissal from EDF Energy, and to businesses in the shipping, education and property sectors. Elizabeth Buchan and Angharad Harris ‘offer workable solutions within a prompt timeframe’.

Within Immigration,

Also notable for their work in the area of immigration are: Clifford Chance; Davenport Lyons; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Eversheds LLP; Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP; Macfarlanes LLP; Paragon Law; Pinsent Masons LLP; RadcliffesLeBrasseur; Russell-Cooke LLP; Simons Muirhead & Burton; Steeles Law LLP; Travers Smith LLP; and Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s team advised Brinkley Mining on Eurogold’s offer for the remainder of the shares in Brinkley. Corporate partner Jan Mellmann is the main contact.

Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s team is led by Jan Mellmann, and impresses with its ‘proper, client-orientated service’. Highlights included acting for Madagascar Oil on its admission to AIM, which raised over £50m.

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

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has established a leading record for wind matters, and in 2010 it advised a syndicate of lenders on the largest financing ever closed in the offshore renewable energy sector: the €1.289bn financing of the second and third phases of Thornton Bank.

Within Commercial property, tier 6

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is ‘prepared to go the extra mile’ for clients. Energy and hotels and leisure are areas of expertise. The team advised on the sale of a majority interest in Monaco’s Columbus Hotel, and advised DONG Energy on acquiring a 50% stake in an offshore wind farm project. Felicity Jones, Gary Ritter and the knowledgeable Mark Prevezer are recommended.

Within Property finance Property finance

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

Telecoms regulatory and competition partner Emanuela Lecchi and her team from Charles Russell LLP joined Watson, Farley & Williams LLP in 2010.

Within Shipping , tier 6

The group at Watson, Farley & Williams LLP ‘exceeds expectations’. Andrew Savage’s team covers contentious and non-contentious ship finance and shipbuilding matters, and was recently successful in representing Lloyds TSB on the termination of a ship finance lease. Andrew Hutcheon produces ‘structured and convincing arguments’, and Charles Buss is ‘intelligent, with a deep knowledge of the law’. Robert Platt joined from Curtis Davis Garrard LLP.