The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s team performs strongly across three core sectors – retail, financial services and the public sector – with high-profile work generated from strategic panel wins. It assisted Sainsbury’s on a range of commercial contract matters from logistics to payment processing, while non-contentious procurement work included advising a PCT in the North West in relation to a new general hospital. Up-and-coming associate James Falle acted in a variety of contentious procurement matters for public sector clients, both on the claimant and defendant side. Mike Lowry advised a major plc on the outsourcing of global IT services. Jonathan Davey leads the group, which was recently reappointed to the British Airways panel; other clients include Diageo, The Co-operative Group, Aviva, and new gain Reckitt Benckiser. Anna Rodbourne was recently promoted to partner.

Within Corporate tax Corporate tax

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘excellent, value-for-money’ three-partner team acts on a wide variety of matters, including competition litigation, OFT investigations and CAT work, and merger control. It acted for Quarmby Construction and its parent company on their successful appeal to CAT against an OFT fine. It also advised Compucredit on the merger control aspects of the sale of Purpose/MEM to Dollar. Phil McDonnell leads the team from Manchester, with Bruce Kilpatrick and Rona Bar-Isaac in London also recommended.

Within Financial services, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP saw the departure of John Ahern to Jones Day; Elizabeth Robertson to K&L Gates LLP; David Blair to Osborne Clark; and Jonathon Watson to a retail bank. David Ellis meanwhile joined from Allen & Overy LLP, together with former FSA enforcement lawyer Chris Brennan. The team advised Norwich & Peterborough on the regulatory side of its merger with Yorkshire Building Society, and saw growth in its mobile and digital banking payments practice. Leeds-based David Heffron is highly rated.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Clare Thomas at Addleshaw Goddard LLP led on the £27m AIM listing of US oil services group MyCelx. Simon Griffiths advised Peel Hunt as underwriter on a £150m placing by FTSE 100 REIT Hansteen Holdings. Philip Goodstone represented Assura on an £11m placing.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP combines a strong financial services capability with a corporate client base that includes Diageo and Associated British Foods, making it a prominent fixture on mid-market deals. In 2011 it acted for Barclays in its £130m acquisition of MBNA’s small business credit card portfolio. Former practice head James Dawson left for Macfarlanes LLP in March 2012. Andrew Rosling is recommended.

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

The dedicated professional practices group at Addleshaw Goddard LLP remains ‘ahead of the game’ for both advisory and contentious partnership work. Practice head William Wastie acted for King Sturge LLP in its merger with Jones Lang LaSalle, and was assisted by Aster Crawshaw, who ‘picks up issues quickly and provides sensible solutions’. Jon Cheney is a ‘thoroughly trusted and relied upon business partner’, and has ‘an ability to translate legal jargon into meaningful and relevant commercial advice’. Rachel Khiara left in November 2011 to establish her own practice, Khiara Law LLP.

Within Private equity: transactions, tier 5

Headed out of London by Andrew Carpenter and with significant regional resources, Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s private equity team excels at advising sponsors on domestic mid-market mandates. Mike Hinchliffe has a burgeoning reputation, in particular for deals in the retail and renewable energy sectors, and recently advised Kurt Geiger on its £215m disposal to Jones Group. Other clients include ECI, LDC and Dunedin.

Within Fraud: civil, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to act for Boris Berezovsky, the exiled Russian oligarch, in a number of high-value claims involving allegations of fraud that he has brought in the High Court. Other clients include Travelodge Hotels. Ian Hargreaves heads the group.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acted for the Pakistan Cricket Board and Mohammad Asif in the disciplinary investigation by the International Cricket Council into corruption allegations. Ian Hargreaves heads the team. Elizabeth Robertson is now at K&L Gates LLP.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is currently representing Mukhtar Ablyazov in relation to a significant number of high-value cross-jurisdictional asset tracing claims before the English High Court. Ian Hargreaves heads the team.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is ‘excellent at managing complex litigation whilst retaining sharp client focus and confidence’. The firm has recently acted in a range of cases reported in the Commercial Court, Supreme Court and the ECJ, covering areas from subrogation rights under guarantees, to regulatory classification of clients, to the Brussels Regulations on jurisdiction. Michael Barnett is ‘a leading expert in finance litigation’, and Mark Gill is ‘never phased by the twists and turns of hard-fought litigation’. Simon Twigden and Pietro Marino left the firm to found Enyo Law LLP.

Within Commercial litigation, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP ‘puts the client first’. The practice led two of the largest actions brought by individuals in the English Courts, acting for Boris Berezovsky and Mukhtar Ablyazov. Richard Leedham is litigation head; Ian Hargreaves is ‘calm under fire’; and Mark Hastings provides ‘rock-solid advice’. John Kelleher, Jamie Harrison, Jon Tweedale are also recommended. Mark Deem joined Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP.

Within Defamation and privacy, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is ‘one of the few remaining large national firms with a proven in-house speciality in this field’. The firm’s corporate client base generates a substantial amount of reputation protection work, and it also defends defamation claims, including recent proceedings brought against Manchester Metropolitan University by a lecturer. It is advising a number of victims of phone hacking by the News of the World. David Engel displays ‘tenacity and diligence in dealing with awkward opponents’.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard LLP opened in Singapore in 2012, and plans to launch in Dubai, with both offices primarily driven by the firm’s international arbitration practice. The team represented a Japanese reinsurer facing claims in relation to World Trade Center aviation liabilities. Simon Kamstra, Mark Pring, Jon Tweedale and Jamie Harrison are key advisers.

Within Mediators Mediators

Within Overview,

More boutique spinoffs have joined the market, following the establishment of Enyo Law LLP, which was launched in late 2010 by former Addleshaw Goddard LLP partners. In 2012, Hogan Lovells International LLP litigation partners Graham Huntley and Helen Brannigan established commercial litigation practice Signature Litigation LLP.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 5

With two dedicated partners in London and a significant regional presence, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a ‘credible’ option for a growing roster of banks on mid-market transactions. John Cutler has handled a series of transactions for HSBC, including advising it as senior debt provider on the acquisition of Blue Square Data Holdings, sponsored by Bridgepoint Capital. Dominic O’Brien is also recommended, together with Leeds-based David Handy.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s Rory MacCarthy stands out as a leading ‘hands-on aircraft leasing attorney’, and is highlighted for his ‘knowledge about the technical aspects of commercial jet aircraft’. Acting mainly for airlines, he has handled a number of deals for Flybe, including advising on the $517m export credit financing of 20 new Embraer ERJ 175 aircraft. The ‘very commercial’ Andrew Maskill, in Manchester, handles general equipment finance matters for a strong lender client base.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP continues to attract a good flow of mid-market instructions from lenders including Barclays Bank, HSBC and Macquarie Capital. John Cutler’s team advised a syndicate of lenders in respect of separate bilateral facilities to auction house Christie’s. Mike Davison is noted for his ABL transactional expertise.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Now with four partners based in London and aided by a strong presence in the regions, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is particularly accomplished on the bank side, with major panel memberships including Barclays and HSBC. It has been active in the care homes sector, and recently represented one of the institutional stakeholders in connection with the restructuring of the Southern Cross group. John Joyce heads the team, which includes Alison Goldthorp, Daniel Redstone and Fraser Ritson.

Within Islamic finance, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP provides shari’ah-compliant real estate, funds and asset management services to Islamic banks and fund managers. Practice head Andrew Petry is recommended.

Within Securitisation, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘highly talented’ Mark Thomas is prominent in CoCo bonds, and worked on numerous Bank of England discount window deals, restructurings and private placements. Clients include a special servicer, for CMBS deals; and the Bank of Scotland, on credit card securitisations.

Within Trade finance, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘impressive’ Claire Denison and Mike Davison at Addleshaw Goddard LLP are ‘very knowledgeable and commercial, and manage clients ’ expectations well’. Clients of the ‘efficient, competitively priced’ practice include leading UK banks, Citibank and Crédit Agricole Commercial Finance. Denison recently advised Barclays on its supply chain programme with Unilever.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acts for clients including Britvic, Max Petroleum, and Stagecoach Group. It advised Assura Group on a review of its remuneration strategy and the establishment of a new senior management share plan, and advised Capita on a standalone co-investment plan for the chief executive of the company. Michael Carter is recommended.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a ‘very good player’, recently earning major client wins such as Morgan Stanley, Accenture and Paramount Pictures, and expanding its significant financial services and blue-chip client base. Michael Leftley ‘redefines the term “business partner”’, and heads the team, which includes eight specialist employment partners nationally. The ‘outstanding’ Alasdair Simpson acted for Aviva on the appointment of Trevor Matthews as its new UK CEO.

Within Overview,

Against this, there is increased competition from in-house teams which continue to up-skill, particularly in the banking sector, and from third-party HR advisers and claims handlers; and the prevailing economic climate is having a heavy impact on the available legal spend. Shrewd clients have sought to commoditise work outside of the City and demand greater efficiency and alternative fee arrangements. National firms – notably Addleshaw Goddard LLP; DAC Beachcroft LLP; Eversheds LLP; and Pinsent Masons LLP – are well placed to capitalise on this while also handling top-end work from London.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has a strong SIPPs and pension products practice. It recently advised the parent company of the Chemtura group of companies on its funding negotiations with the trustees of the Great Lakes Pension Scheme and the UK Pensions Regulator. Recommended individuals include the ‘proactive and commercial’ Catherine McAllister; and Rachel Rawnsley, Jade Murray and litigator Susan Garrett, in Leeds. The team is noted by one client as having ‘performed a complex and difficult job with skill and care’.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard LLP team has ‘impressive strength’ and is headed by the ‘down-to-earth and approachable’ Richard Leedham. It represents clients in the real estate, retail and financial service sectors, and continues to act for Aioi Nissay Dowa, the Japanese reinsurer, in claims relating to the World Trade Center. Mark Pring joined from Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP; and Sonia Campbell was promoted to the role of legal director.

Within Insurance litigation: for policyholders, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acts for clients such as GlaxoSmithKline, Sainsbury’s and RBS. Practice head Richard Leedham successfully acted for Standard Life in a claim against professional indemnity insurers, relating to its liability for alleged mis-selling of a pension fund following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s non-contentious insurance team is based in Leeds and headed by David Heffron. It receives high-value instructions from a broad client base, and often advises insurer clients on restructuring, acquisitions and distribution deals. It acted for Simply Health Group on the acquisition of Denplan Limited, a subsidiary of AXA UK plc, and on a further acquisition of the Groupama healthcare business in the UK and Channel Islands. Neil Woolhouse and senior associate Jayne Bennett are recommended.

Within Product liability: defendant, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises on cross-border matters for major companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline. Recent instructions include representing an international tyre manufacturer on recall and liability issues. John Kelleher heads the practice.

Within Oil and gas, tier 6

Prominent in gas, Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised Centrica/British Gas in relation to partnership agreements and EPC contracts for the UK’s first biogas-to-grid plant at Didcot. Andrew Petry heads the group.

Within PFI and PPP, tier 4

Michael O’Connor’s team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP has a dedicated UK social infrastructure practice, with a particular focus on health, education and waste. The firm has been working with Partnership for Schools on the Priority Schools Building Programme.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice spans finance, planning and regulatory in conventional, nuclear and renewables. Team head Richard Goodfellow also acts as head of legal for the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, which the firm has advised on several matters.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 6

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s recent highlights include acting for Luton Borough Council in a judicial review over the decision to halt the BSF project.

Within Education: institutions, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP provides ‘a pragmatic and commercial yet robust view on instructions’ for its higher and further education clients. James Reynolds and practice head Nancy McGuire are ‘top-notch’ advisers.

Within Education: schools, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Nancy McGuire’s team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP has been advising councils on the completion of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects. The team also advises on academy conversions and gives employment advice to independent schools.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘excellent team’ provides ‘highly focused’ advice to ‘a consistently high standard’. The firm advised on the Transforming Community Services programme, and also acted for Saga on acquisitions, and Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust on redevelopment and regeneration. Michael O’Connor, head of infrastructure, projects and energy, provides ‘highly effective and efficient facilitation and leadership’. Head of the healthcare team Sandra Humphrey and the knowledgeable Andrew Pettinger are also recommended.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP handles contentious and non-contentious work, including various high-value regeneration schemes such as Doncaster’s Waterdale project. The firm also advised Luton Borough Council on establishing a collaborative procurement for external foster care services and outsourcing its facility management provision; and assisted Cheshire West and Chester Council in relation to long-term leisure provision. Andrew Pettinger, Richard Fleetwood and Mike O’Connor lead the team.

Within Commercial property, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team, which has strong relationships with major banks, acted for UPP and Barclays Infrastructure Funds on the largest student accommodation project to debut in 2011. The funds practice advises Threadneedle and F&C Reit, while on the retail and occupier side the firm is sole adviser to Primark and Travelodge. Adrian Collins heads the team, which ‘works well to meet clients ’ needs’, and includes Jane Hollinshead, Peter Hardy and Alan Duncan.

Within Construction, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘proactive’ and ‘pragmatic’ practice handles social infrastructure developments in the healthcare and education sectors. It recently assisted University Partnerships Programme in three student accommodation development projects, and was appointed as sole construction adviser to Volkswagen Group (UK). Andrew McVeigh heads the ‘dynamic and result-driven’ group, which includes non-contentious specialist Simon Palmer.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice, headed by market-leading individual Claire Sheppard, saw an increase in regulatory investigations and contentious actions, acting in cases variously involving water contamination, landfill sites, EU permitting requirements, and phases two and three of the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

Within Planning, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘well-established’ practice won standout new work in retail and infrastructure during 2011, including advising J Sainsbury on the planning aspects of a proposed new store at Bishops Waltham. On the infrastructure side, it advised on two separate planning cases for three multinationals in the energy, waste and transport sectors. Marnix Elsenaar is well known.

Within Property finance, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a second tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s Jonathan Rickard and Paul Salsbury ‘always provide a high level of service, supplying high-quality advice and guidance with significant partner involvement’, and James Salford’s ‘friendly, supportive approach is instrumental in developing strong relationships’. In addition to new lending work, the team continued to act on high-profile debt restructurings, including that of the £800m facility secured on Citibank Tower. Clients include Barclays Bank, Deutsche Hypo and Santander.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP encountered an increase in professional negligence work, and continues to handle contentious asset management and insolvency matters. Andrew Blower oversees the team, which advises Primark on its property litigation.

Within Social housing: finance, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a first tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP ‘provides fantastic service’. The firm recently completed a number of stock transfers and refinancings, and advised several banks on The Guinness Trust’s £490m reorganisation. Key clients include Santander, Barclays and Prudential. Head of banking Richard Papworth, head of social housing Lee Shankland, managing associate Steven Mackie and legal director Chris Drabble are all recommended.

Within Brand management, tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard LLP manages trade mark portfolios for clients such as Harrods, Liverpool FC and Travelodge Hotels. It also advises J Sainsbury on sponsorship matters, recently assisting with an endorsement agreement with David Beckham and advising on its sponsorship of the Paralympics. Paul Bentham heads the practice.

Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard LLP focuses on advising retail and consumer goods clients. Nikki Powell, who joined from Edwin Coe LLP, recently advised the appellants in MMI Research v cellXion & anor. Practice head Monica Burch has experience in soft IP disputes, and Michael Lowry handles commercial work. Jamie Harrison now heads the Singapore office.

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

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s IT practice acts for customers on outsourcing transactions and projects. Michael Lowry leads the technology team. Senior associate Marc Cropper advised Barclaycard on an agreement with Everything Everywhere to launch a mobile payments solution. Other key clients include J Sainsbury, Aviva, Tiscali, and The Home Office. Mark Deem joined Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a third tier firm,

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s John Kelleher advises on product liability matters, including defending major pharmaceutical companies against group actions.

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

‘Very bright and very efficient’, Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s ‘excellent lawyers’ represent sports equipment suppliers, sponsors, governing bodies, rights owners and other industry participants such as bookmakers, including William Hill. The team has been advising FL Interactive on developing the Football League’s next-generation digital platform. Clients include adidas, Barclays Bank, Liverpool FC and the Pakistan Cricket Board. Manchester-based practice head James Whittaker has ‘broad experience across a range of sports’ and is recommended along with London-based Ian Hargreaves and Jonathan Davey, who divides his time between the two offices.

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

Led by the ‘pre-eminent’ Rory MacCarthy, headline clients for the team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP include British Airways, Flybe, LAN Airlines, Iran Air and Liverpool Airport. Leeds-based Simon Kamstra is recommended for litigation matters; and Phil McDonnell and Adam Aldred, in Manchester and Leeds respectively, are singled out for regulatory work.