The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘very good’ seven-partner team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises a ‘very nice blend of private equity sponsors and public companies’, such as Lloyds Development Capital, Inflexion, Endless, United Utilities and PZ Cussons. The diversity of its client base has, to some extent, insulated the firm against the vagaries of the economic downturn, as has the tendency of corporates to seek a flight to quality. Roger Hart handled a number of transactions for new client Daisy Group, including its takeover offer for BNS Telecom Group. Richard Lee is recognised for his strength advising plc clients, while on the private equity side Jim Tully recently advised Inflexion on the secondary buyout of Fish Insurance from Mosaic. Tim Hamilton is also recommended.

Within Corporate tax, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

At Addleshaw Goddard LLP, Ed Jenkins has vast experience across all areas of business and real estate tax, and is regularly involved in most significant M&A mandates handled by the firm’s Manchester office. Clients include British Airways, Diageo and the Capita Group.

Within EU and competition , Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

At Addleshaw Goddard LLP, ‘brilliant competition lawyer’ and ‘sound adviser’ Phil McDonnell is ‘a very personable character and can communicate across all levels’, and regularly handles high-profile merger filings. Jonathan Davey is also recommended, in particular for procurement matters.

Within Banking litigation , Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

An integral part of Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s national banking litigation offering, Michael Isaacs’ Manchester team has capability across a spectrum of matters including retail banking, and financial regulatory. The team is regularly involved in cases of industry-wide significance, such as the OFT bank charges cases. Panel appointments include Barclays, HSBC and GE.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to invest in a team instructed by local, national and international corporates across a raft of high-value commercial disputes, hiring several associates in the past 12 months. Recently appointed partner Mark Molyneux is a ‘good, steady litigation lawyer’ and recently led a cross-office team acting for a FTSE 100 company in a major commercial arbitration in Africa. ‘One of the best commercial litigators in the region’, John Gosling ‘always negotiates a tactical pathway through every case he handles’, and has been particularly busy handling large professional negligence claims for lenders. Department head Susan Garrett is also recommended, in particular for pensions disputes.

Within Banking and finance, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s three-partner team has deeply entrenched relationships with a strong cadre of lender clients including Barclays, HSBC and Santander. The ‘accessible and sensible’ Martin O’Shea is ‘one of the best banking lawyers in the region’, and advised Lloyds on providing the financing on LGV’s acquisition of Snow + Rock: one of the few leveraged finance deals completed in 2010 in the region. ‘One of the most technically respected lawyers in the North’, Amanda Gray is also recommended for corporate banking and real estate financings.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

John Joyce’s three-partner team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP acts for the majority of the main banks including Barclays and HSBC, as well as IPs such as Grant Thornton and Deloitte, and provides an ‘exceptional service’.

Within Employment, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has recruited seven new associates, as well as Kate McGough from DLA Piper UK LLP. Jamie Hamnett (‘a fantastic all-rounder’) now manages the team alongside other key partners Andrew Chamberlain and Malcolm Pike, who all win exceptionally high praise from clients. New clients include Daisy plc, Liverpool City Council, and ArcelorMittal.

Within Health and safety, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has expanded its blue-chip client list. In addition to prosecution work and investigations, it also gained work from high-profile UK and multinational companies requiring advice on safety governance and management. Adrian Bever has ‘good knowledge of both criminal and civil law’, and leads the team.

Within Pensions, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s team operates predominantly from Leeds with strong support from the Manchester office. Paul Carney leads a strong public sector practice; and Susan Garrett leads a growing pensions litigation practice. Rachel Rawnsley heads the team from Leeds.

Within Professional negligence, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acts mainly for claimants, including UK high street bank and building society lenders. John Gosling is recommended, and the team is also noted for its ‘robust and competent fee-earners at assistant level’.

Within Regional review, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has strength and depth across the commercial piece, and has the resources to consistently handle many of the region’s most significant matters. Able to tap into the firm’s wider national network, its Manchester-based lawyers are by no means limited to handling work in the region, and are regularly to be found driving work in other geographical areas or as an integral part of a national offering.

Within Agriculture and estates, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘outstanding’ team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP specialises in advising on agricultural and rural issues arising out of tax planning, wills, estates and inheritance tax matters. Alan Sturrock is recommended.

Within Charities, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s team is ‘prompt, clear and pragmatic’. Led by the highly experienced Alan Sturrock, it acts for charities and commercial clients, including advising charities seeking to increase their involvement with non-charitable commercial parties such as lenders and sponsors.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Highlights for Addleshaw Goddard LLP included advising on restructuring offshore trusts and wills, for Indian clients with cross-border issues and a UK business worth over £100m. Alan Sturrock leads the team, and is ably supported by Sean Williams and Jane Lee.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Headed by Michael O’Connor, Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘well-balanced’ team represents a mix of developers, sponsors, funders, contractors and operators in some of the most significant regional and national infrastructure projects. Richard Fleetwood continues to be involved in a number of projects in the education sector, including the £450m Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council BSF. The team is also very strong in social housing and regeneration, where Caroline Hilton has an excellent pedigree.

Within Education, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to act for both public and private sector bodies on BSF schemes throughout the UK. Clients include Salford City Council, Hochtief, and Manchester Metropolitan University. Nancy McGuire leads the team, and Leeds-based Andrew Pettinger is also recommended.

Within Health, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to act on many major PFI/PPP health and LIFT projects. In the private sector, the team is advising on a number of social enterprise arrangements, and Assura Group and Mouchel Group plc are clients. The firm is noted for its willingness ‘to deploy the full resources of its team and to make facilities available’. Head of projects Michael O’Connor is currently on a part-time secondment to the NWSHA.

Within Local government, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

As well as maintaining a strong presence in the BSF market and enjoying a leading position on LIFT projects, Addleshaw Goddard LLP has also significantly developed its profile in core local government work. New mandates in 2010 included advising Cheshire East Council in relation to a proposed development at Tatton Park; and North East Lincolnshire Council regarding a strategic partnering arrangement.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has the strength and depth to provide expertise to a broad range of clients including developers and end users; examples include Travelodge, Sainsbury’s, Muse Developments and Peel Holdings. Although the firm has the capacity to handle work outside the region, it is also regularly involved in marquee mandates in the North West, such as its ongoing work for Peel on the development of MediaCityUK. ‘Determined to negotiate a transaction through in a thoughtful and non-aggressive manner’, Peter Kershaw handles numerous property investment development projects, and recently advised Guardian Media Group on the transfer of a prestigious property in Spinningfields to a major local law firm. The ‘superb’ Mark Haywood heads the practice.

Within Construction, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has ‘great strength in depth’ across numerous sectors, in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Led out of Manchester by Jonathan Tattersall (‘an extremely good all-rounder’), the team was involved in the high-profile litigation arising from the construction of Wembley Stadium. On the transactional side, Nancy McGuire has handled a raft of work for the University of Oxford, including the refurbishment and extension of the Ashmolean Museum. Other clients include Punch Taverns, Alstom Power, Carillion and Manchester City Council.

Within Planning and environment, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

At Addleshaw Goddard LLP, Grant Anderson leads on planning matters, and has been at the forefront of the firm’s highest-profile work in the arena. He has been particularly active in the retail, waste and development/residential/regeneration sectors, and recently provided strategic advice to Sainsbury’s on a number of proposals for new stores and extensions. On the environment side, the ‘extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Michelle Headridge is a ‘leading light’ in the low carbon and renewable energy arena.

Within Property litigation, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP provides ‘clear, decisive and understandable advice’ to a broad swathe of landlords and tenants, mortgagees and receivers, and developers. Asset management work for corporate occupier and funds clients accounts for a large proportion of the group’s instructions, although it is increasingly active advising banks on insolvency-related matters. Charles Jagger ‘gets right to the root of the problem’, and heads a team whose clients include Admiral Taverns, Assura, Sainsbury’s and Standard Life.

Within Intellectual property, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has significant strength in depth across IP. Recent work includes brand protection advice for Liverpool FC; and trade mark infringement advice for Piaggio & C. Spa. Practice head Paul Bentham stands out for his ‘real technical excellence’, and James Whittaker and Martin Lewis are also recommended.

Within IT and telecoms, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has significant strength in depth across IT. The team acts for financial services clients and advises on large-scale IT outsourcing projects in the public sector. Martin Lewis, Paul Bentham and James Whittaker are all recommended.

Within Media and entertainment, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acted for Tiger Aspect Productions in the successful defence of High Court litigation. Practice head James Whittaker also advised a number of large blue-chip corporate advertisers, including Travelodge and Bathstore.

Within Sport, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised adidas on sponsorship and advertising matters; and The Football League on various banking, governance and litigation matters. Team head James Whittaker is experienced in acting for governing bodies and sponsors.