The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Valued for its ‘timely, knowledgeable advice’, the diverse team at Browne Jacobson LLP combines expertise in M&A and private equity (Gavin Cummings and Richard Cox), sports law (Nigel Blackwell), and commercial health and social care (Oliver Pritchard). In 2011, it advised Holland’s Macintosh Retail Group on the acquisition of Jones Bootmaker for around £40m. On the commercial side, new clients include Avanti Gas, Pork Farms, and Safeway Services. Caroline Green acted for Louis Vuitton UK on the Young Arts Project, a collaboration between the client and a number of London-based art galleries. The firm also has capacity in EU and competition law.

Within Corporate tax, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Andrew Noble’s team at Browne Jacobson LLP advises on tax-efficient restructuring as well as providing transactional tax support in multi-jurisdictional matters. In 2011, Noble advised Focal & Co on its acquisition of UK-based Naim Audio.

Within Licensing, Browne Jacobson LLP is a third tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP acts for clients such as Nottingham Contemporary, Janet Boutell, and Hyperama. Fiona Carter’s team assisted with a licence for the former in the face of opposition from the Nottingham police.

Within Commercial litigation: Nottingham and Derby, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Telecoms, fraud and international claims specialist Dominic Offord heads the ‘practical and thorough’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP, which undertakes a range of high-value contentious work. The firm recently assisted a company in defending a claim for £200,000 after a tunnel at a hydroelectrical plant malfunctioned, a matter involving complex factual and legal issues. Senior associate Gordon Monaghan is recommended for his employment litigation expertise.

Within Banking and finance, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP is strong in both real estate and healthcare financings, with real estate finance expert Nina Armstrong considered ‘practical and commercial in business decisions, swift in responses, and approachable’. In 2011, a team led by Paul Ray acted for LDC on the secondary buyout of Angel Springs, including advising on acquisition finance facilities provided by RBS. Ray also acted for RBS on a buy-and-build acquisition finance facility provided to Spicerhaart Group. Clients include Lloyds TSB, Santander and Yorkshire Bank.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s contentious insolvency team is ‘a match for the national firms in the City’. Team head Dominic Offord is ‘willing to help’, and ‘one of the most experienced insolvency lawyers in the country’.

Within Employment, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘first-choice’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP is led by the ‘very approachable and knowledgeable’ Peter Jones, and has a strong mix of public and private sector clients. A team led by Edward Benson is currently acting in a case before the Supreme Court involving claims for part-time workers, with European legal aspects.

Within Health and safety, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s practice draws on the firm’s corporate, insurance and public risk departments, under Andrew Hopkin. It advises both public and private sector clients, and is ‘very good at strategy’. In 2011 it advised a hospital trust following a fatal accident after a fall from height.

Within Pensions, Browne Jacobson LLP is a second tier firm,

Victoria Laybourn provides specialist pensions advice at Browne Jacobson LLP, either in the context of corporate transactions or in relation to significant trusts.

Within Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Praised for its ‘overall service’, Browne Jacobson LLP’s practice is headed by Nick Parsons, who is noted for his work defending local authorities in respect of multi-party claims. The team also includes Sarah Erwin-Jones, who is noted for her social services expertise.

Within Professional negligence, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

The go-to firm for ‘complex, high-value, high-risk cases’, Browne Jacobson LLP acted for clients including Hiscox, Bar Mutual and HCC International. Derek Bambury acted for the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in the defence of a £230m conspiracy claim, which was struck out by the High Court in April 2011.

Within Regional review, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP is the pre-eminent firm in the region, with strength not just in core practice areas such as corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, and commercial property, but also in the public sector; it is known, in particular, for its vibrant healthcare and education departments. The firm moved to new offices in 2012.

Within Charities, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s practice head William Colacicchi takes the lead on charity mergers, governance matters, and constitutional reviews. The team advises national organisations such as Natural England as well as regional charities Wyggestons Hospital and Portland College. The firm also provides training for schools and academies.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

William Colacicchi heads the seven-fee-earner team at Browne Jacobson LLP, which is experienced in handling technically complex matters. In 2011, a team led by Stephen Howe advised in connection with the use of trusts and EFRBs for remuneration planning. In another highlight, the firm acted for executors in the administration of a £100m estate.

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

At Browne Jacobson LLP, Craig Elder is ‘committed to delivering the best outcome for the client’, and the team as a whole is valued for its ‘in-depth knowledge’. In addition to its strength in education, the group advises Nottinghamshire County Council in relation to its National Watersports Centre Project. Other clients include Sterecycle, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and Pure Renewables.

Within Education, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP is the undisputed market leader in the education field, particularly in respect of school-to-academy conversions. Mark Blois provides advice to bodies such as the Schools Network; Nick MacKenzie advises on corporate and governance matters; and new partner Laura Hughes specialises in public law with an education angle. Dai Durbridge, also a new partner, specialises in safeguarding and pastoral matters.

Within Health, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Noted for its ‘high-quality, expert, and timely advice’, Simon Tait’s department at Browne Jacobson LLP is a dominant force on the healthcare side. The firm has carried out numerous high-profile inquests, for clients such as Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Nottingham NHST and University Hospitals Leicester NHST. It is also active in the private healthcare sector, and undertakes retail pharmacy corporate work. Oliver Pritchard is also highly recommended.

Within Local government, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Dominic Swift’s team at Browne Jacobson LLP is at the forefront of trends in local government work, and has experience in academy conversions and the disposal of local authority assets. It also sets up companies for local authorities, and advises on consultation obligations, legitimate expectations, and Equality Act matters.

Within Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Headed by Caroline Green, Browne Jacobson LLP acts for luxury-brand household names and value retailers, among other clients. In 2011, the firm acted for different buyers of four properties on New Bond Street, including properties owned by Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Within Construction, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s construction capability was boosted in 2011 by the arrival of Tim Claremont from Hogan Lovells International LLP. Claremont – who joins a team that includes the ‘practical, down-to-earth, and approachable’ Peter Westlake – won some significant instructions in 2011, including a $333m High Court claim brought against client Golder, involving complex issues under both English and Panamanian law. The team is praised for its ‘early identification and management of risk and responsibilities, and alignment of expectation’.

Within Environment, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s environment team is headed by Richard Barlow, who is ‘always down to earth and approachable, and finds innovative solutions’. His team is notable for its nature conservation work, and acts for a number of statutory conservation advisers. In one recent highlight, the firm was instructed by Bassetlaw DC in an odour nuisance action, which may result in new environmental permit conditions.

Within Planning, Browne Jacobson LLP is a second tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s team acts for local authorities, national park authorities and fire authorities, as well as for corporates.

Within Property litigation, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

At Browne Jacobson LLP, team head Mark Aldrich specialises in large land disputes, and is also active in retail matters. New clients include the Homes and Communities Agency and Kirklees Borough Council.

Within Social housing, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s new clients include Bournville Village Trust and Granta Housing Society. In 2011, the firm acted for Methodist Homes on the £11.7m acquisition of a sheltered housing development in Market Harborough. Barry Sully is ‘approachable and helpful’, and his team ‘completes things on time and within budget’. Gabor Taller is recommended on the acquisition side, as is Nicki Clarke on the plots sales side.

Within Intellectual property, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Noted for its ‘clear and balanced advice’, Browne Jacobson LLP was successful in 2011 in defending Daniel Valovin against allegations of infringement of design rights, with the matter brought to settlement after mediation. Other recent work includes assisting a major high street retailer with an IP audit. Peter Ellis is a ‘shrewd negotiator’.

Within IT and telecoms, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

At Browne Jacobson LLP, Mark Snelgrove’s team advises on cutting-edge IT law, in areas such as cloud computing, e-commerce, and online anti-counterfeiting. The firm receives a flow of software licence and supplier instructions from Joules.

Within Sport, Browne Jacobson LLP is a first tier firm,

Browne Jacobson LLP’s offering is constructed around the experience of Peter Jones and Nigel Blackwell. The firm represents cricket, football, and rugby clients including Nottingham Forest FC, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and the England and Wales Cricket Board. The team also provides employment and safeguarding advice to UK and England Athletics

Within Transport , Browne Jacobson LLP is a second tier firm,

Though it does not have a standalone transport department, Browne Jacobson LLP handles transport matters for a range of clients including Avon Cosmetics, Fresh Direct and Delifrance. Caroline Green has ‘extensive knowledge of operating procedures’.