The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has niche expertise in oil and gas, shipping, and cross-border matters, and delivers ‘extremely high-quality advice’. Michael L’Estrange gives ‘straight answers’, and Chris Comyn stands out for his ‘attention to detail and ability to interpret and draft contractual tax clauses’. Tonnage tax expert Richard Stephens was recently promoted to partner.

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is a second tier firm,

‘An obvious “go-to” firm’ distinguished by its ‘sector expertise and international reach’, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is ‘highly regarded, particularly in the natural resources sector’. Jan Mellmann ‘combines excellent technical knowledge and attention to detail with commercial acumen’, and recently represented Wildhorse Energy in its fast-track AIM listing. Chris Kilburn, who ‘always works in a collaborative manner, and is clear and persuasive’, advised Tangiers Petroleum on its £40m AIM listing.

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

Noted for shipping, energy and natural resources sector strengths, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP advised MRI Trading on the $94m sale of a majority shareholding in the company to CWT Limited, in an illustration of the cross-border capability of Chris Kilburn’s team. Jan Mellmann and Mark Tooke are also well respected.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 5

At Watson, Farley & Williams LLP, Andrew Savage’s team recently secured a victory in the Commercial Court, upheld by the Court of Appeal, for Britannia Bulk (in liquidation), in a forward freight agreement dispute.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has a ‘small but powerful practice’. The team acted for HSH Nordbank in a claim against an Italian bank relating to interest rate swaps. Andrew Savage is recommended.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has niche specialisms in shipbuilding, offshore construction and commodities-related disputes. It was recently successful in defending the appeal of an arbitration award. Andrew Savage is ‘excellent with clients’; Olga Baglay is ‘particularly good with Russia-related cases’; and Andrew Hutcheon ‘spots problems and deals with them’.

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

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP provides ‘good service on commercial matters and litigation’. Andrew Savage and Andrew Hutcheon feature in ‘a very good team that is very pleasant to work with, taking the time to explain each stage’. Recent work includes acting for Concept Oil Services in an $11m dispute over deceit and conspiracy, against En-Gin Group. Hydro Aluminium, ING and Zeus Petroleum are also clients.

Within Islamic finance Islamic finance

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

The ‘pragmatic, responsive’ Celia Gardiner at Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has ‘good, practical experience and a depth of sector knowledge’, and recently advised BNP Paribas and Natixis on a $643m syndicated borrowing facility to Consorcio Minero. Michael Kenny, who advises Afreximbank and RBS, is also recommended. Other clients include ABN AMRO, Société Générale and Vitol.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 7

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP advises a diverse mix of international companies with cross-border needs and senior individuals, in relation to high-profile exits and discrimination claims. Liz Buchan and Angharad Harris are ‘excellent’, and ‘easy to work with’.

Within Immigration,

Also notable for their work in the area of immigration are: Birnberg Peirce & Partners; Blake Lapthorn; Blakemores; Clifford Chance; Davenport Lyons; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Eversheds LLP; Luqmani Thompson & Partners; Macfarlanes LLP; Paragon Law; Pinsent Masons LLP; QualitySolicitors FJG; RadcliffesLeBrasseur; Russell-Cooke LLP; Simons Muirhead & Burton; Travers Smith LLP; and Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 5

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s corporate natural resources group advised Universal Coal on its listing and AU$20m placing on the Australian Stock Exchange. Celia Gardiner is ‘pragmatic, responsive and a pleasure to work with’.

Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Strong in capital market fundraisings, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s recent work includes advising Zeus Petroleum on its disposal of interests in two UK petroleum production licences. Jan Mellmann heads the natural resources group.

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

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP acted on an impressive list of wind-related transactions in 2011. Practice head Evan Stergoulis advised DONG Energy on its divestment of transmission assets at the Walney I offshore wind farm.

Within Commercial property, Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is a third tier firm,

Energy and natural resources are strengths of Watson, Farley & Williams LLP, which acted for a market leader in offshore wind energy and its joint venture partners in the transfer of transmission assets to successful bidders. The firm also has a growing hotels practice, with Felicity Jones recommended. Mark Prevezer leads the team.

Within Property finance Property finance

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP provides ‘trusted advice’ on telecoms regulatory and competition law matters. Emanuela Lecchi and Jason Logendra advise authorities and governments in emerging markets on legislative issues. Private sector clients include Tesco, and Cable & Wireless.

Within Shipping, tier 6

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP’s ‘strong and very experienced team’ is headed by the ‘outstanding’ Nigel Thomas. Firm chairman Frank Dunne is ‘first rate’, and Andrew Savage, Andrew Hutcheon and Charles Buss are also recommended.