The Legal 500

Within Corporate tax, tier 4

A market leader in transfer pricing matters, Baker & McKenzie LLP is also strong in cross-border transactional work. It provided tax and structuring advice to Best Buy on its £1.1bn acquisition of 50% of Carphone Warehouse. Alex Chadwick leads a team of 18 fee-earners.

Within Customs & Excise, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Rising to the top tier this year, the team at Baker & McKenzie LLP offers a ‘remarkable service’ which includes customs, VAT and export control advice to large corporate clients. It provided the claimant with customs advice in the Court of Appeal case Eli Lilly v 8PM Chemists Ltd. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Ross Denton is recommended.

Within Equity capital markets -UK capability, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ECM practice has a strong emerging markets focus, with the team recently advising Ma’aden on its US$2.5bn IPO, while key investment bank clients include Citi and ING. Clive Cook is recommended.

Within Equity capital markets -US capability

Within EU and competition , tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP remains at the forefront of international cartels work. Led by Luis Gomez, it obtained full immunity for Shell in relation to the paraffin wax cartel case, and it is also instructed in the renowned freight forwarding cartel investigation. Continuing its progress in the competition litigation sector, the firm brought a complaint for Orange against BT for abuse of a dominant position in residential broadband. Samantha Mobley heads the department, which includes litigation specialist Keith Jones, and experienced consultant Lynda Martin Alegi. Ross Denton is commended for his understanding and knowledge of export controls and customs, while Tom Cassels(‘commercial’, ‘first rate’) is recommended for public law related cases.

Within Financial services, tier 6

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘rapid and impressive advice’ impresses clients. Recent work includes issues arising from Lehman Brothers’ insolvency, while on the contentious side, market abuse remains an active area. The firm advised on the application of the FSA’s Client Money Rules to a creditor of a spread-betting and CFD firm. Arun Srivastava heads the group.

Within M&A - upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+, tier 6

Acting as primary counsel to a growing number of mid-market companies and winning increasingly large mandates from UK multinationals represents a positive trajectory for Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘always excellent’ 22-partner M&A team. Many of its deals have an international element, with Rio Tinto recently using the firm’s London and US offices on a deal and SAB Miller using it in London and the CIS. Michael Caro heads the team, ably supported by global head Tim Gee. Helen Bradley also impresses.

Within M&A - US law capability, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP is ‘particularly strong for tech M&A’, though its London-based US team is better known for its securities work.

Within Outsourcing and procurement, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP continues to lead the way in ITO and telecoms outsourcing work, handling a stream of high-value mandates. The team recently advised Telefonica O2 on its pan-European telecoms service agreement with Deutsche Post World Net. With ‘a genuine weight of expertise on technical and commercial issues’, it regularly advises both customers and suppliers, and recently advised several suppliers on their public sector contracts. Richard Hawtin has ‘a great combination of vigour, accuracy and negotiation skills’, while ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ partner Duncan Reid-Thomas is also recommended.

Within Overview,

New to the chapter this year is the Outsourcing and procurement section, which spans both private and public sector work and covers business services outsourcing in addition to more traditional IT and telecoms work. Baker & McKenzie LLP, Bird & Bird LLP, DLA Piper UK LLP, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP have set the bar as the firms to beat.

Within Private equity , tier 6

Simon Hughes leads Baker & McKenzie LLP’s practice, which is strong in Northern Europe and CEE. Recent highlights include advising Macquarie European Infrastructure on its acquisition of stakes in the airports of Copenhagen and Brussels.

Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s indirect tax team has particular strength in the technology sector and in cross-border work. Clients say it provides ‘a remarkable service’. Mark Delaney is well regarded.

Within Fraud - commercial and regulatory investigations, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP is acting for an overseas Central Bank and the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa to trace multiple assets worth US$50m following an alleged fraud. Andrew Keltie has a ‘well-deserved reputation’ and is ‘very experienced’ in the civil fraud arena.

Within Banking litigation, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP has an impressive client list of overseas banks, a measure of its expertise in relation to multi-jurisdictional disputes, and it is a strong performer in cases linked to fraud and regulatory matters. Andrew Keltie heads the department, which also includes John Leadley; regulatory specialist Arun Srivastava; and Anthony Poulton (noted for his ‘phenomenal intelligence’, ‘common sense’, and ‘experience that belies his age’).

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

Singled out for its ‘good industry knowledge and appropriate advice’, Baker & McKenzie LLP is recommended for general commercial and banking disputes, as well as public law and competition matters, judicial reviews, and product liability and fraud cases. Recently it represented an overseas central bank and national prosecuting authority in a major multi-jurisdictional asset tracing exercise that eventually went to the House of Lords. Andrew Keltie heads the highly rated team.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Praised for its ‘outstanding service’, Baker & McKenzie LLP is ‘extremely knowledgeable, reliable, responsive and professional’, and ‘excellent value for the fees paid’. Team head David Fraser and Jeremy Winter are both very highly respected.

Within Overview,

In the main litigation categories, the top tiers are largely made up of UK firms, or US firms with large UK offices, such as Mayer Brown International LLP, Reed Smith, Baker & McKenzie LLP, and White & Case LLP; these all have the strong full-service capabilities necessary to support successful litigation teams. The one exception is in tax litigation, where US firm Dorsey & Whitney is a clear market leader, despite its relatively small London presence.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP handles fitness-to-practise cases for the CHRE.

Within Public international law, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP has a diverse practice, and is currently acting for the Republic of Uzbekistan in a BIT dispute governed by the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. It also has a strong international trade practice, and has expertise in international corruption and human rights, notably advising the UNHCR on a number of matters. David Fraser and Graham Stuart are recommended, and Sunwinder Mann is ‘excellent’, with a ‘calm’ and ‘very practical’ approach.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP offers a strong service under Bernard Sharp, particularly for transactions within CEE, Scandinavia and Germany. It is winning more lender-side work nowadays via partner Nick Tostivin, who is developing solid banking relationships, notably with JPMorgan. The firms also acts for funds such as Mid-Europa Partners and EQT.

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

‘Technically as good as any’, Baker & McKenzie LLP offers ‘excellent value for money’ to clients on both domestic and international deals. While it is best known for its corporate client base (notably EQT, Daimler and CIT Group), the firm has continued to cultivate some robust banking relationships, with the likes of JPMorgan, HSBC and Standard Bank. Bernard Sharp heads a five-partner team that includes Ian Jack and the ‘approachable, friendly but professional’ Nick Tostivin, who has been the driving force behind the practice’s increasingly dynamic banking practice.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 7

Baker & McKenzie LLP is recommended for cross-border mandates.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 4

Clients and peers note Baker & McKenzie LLP for its global reach. Simon Porter is known for convertibles, and his work in the Middle East and CIS. Christopher Hogan and Roy Pearce advised on Michelin Luxembourg’s €2bn MTN programme.

Within Derivatives and structured products, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘always meets our expectation of quality, speed and fees charged’, say clients, who admire Bruce Somer’s professionalism and in-depth knowledge. Jonathan Walsh and Christopher Hogan stand out in a team busy with interest rate, currency, equity and credit derivatives, plus advisory work, enforcement and disputes management for end users, pensions funds and investment banks. Emerging markets work has included deals involving Russia, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, and National Australia Bank is anew client.

Within Emerging markets, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Having combined its international reach with increased focus out of the London office, Baker & McKenzie LLP joins the ranking this year. Projects partner Neil Donoghue is ‘an exceptional adviser’ to the oil and gas industry, while Nick Tostivin’s acquisition finance practice has attracted high-profile deals in Russia and the CIS. Chris Hogan’s prominent debt capital markets practice saw him representing managers of a US$600m bond offering by the Ukraine.

Within High yield, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP combines relationships with high yield issuers across the European markets, such as ISS, Mauser and Altima Partners, with experience in the form of partner Thomas Philipp, who is ‘first choice for managing difficult issues’.

Within Investment funds, tier 6

Also recommended are: Baker & McKenzie LLP; Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP; Burges Salmon LLP Bristol; CMS Cameron McKenna LLP; DLA Piper UK LLP; Denton Wilde Sapte LLP; Dundas & Wilson LLP; Katten Muchin Rosenman Cornish LLP; Latham & Watkins; Maclay Murray & Spens LLP; Mishcon de Reya; O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Olswang; Osborne Clarke; Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP; Reed Smith; Speechly Bircham LLP; Taylor Wessing LLP; Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Withers LLP.

Within Securitisation, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Jonathan Walsh, Vincent Keaveny, Simon Porter and Rebecca Ford at Baker & McKenzie LLP are praised by peers and clients alike. Having handled significant central bank liquidity work it also saw many transactions in 2008, advising CJSC PrivatBank as originator on its inaugural US$100m deal for Ukrainian auto loans; Santander de Titulización as financial adviser on a €2bn issue backed by residential mortgages; and Deutsche Bank as sole arranger of Piraeus Bank’s first securitisation of SME loans.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP has a strong international practice which clients describe as ‘excellent’. It advised Hewlett-Packard on the UK share plan implications of its acquisitions of both EDS and LeftHand Networks, as well as working for Bank of America on its acquisition of Merrill Lynch. Jeremy Edwards is the name to note.

Within Employment, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP delivers advice that 'bridges the gap between a pure legal view and one that can be interpreted, quantified and used in a business context'. It advised Peter Baker on a pro bono basis in his highly publicised age discrimination claim against National Air Traffic Services, challenging an age limit of 35 set for recruiting trainee air traffic controllers. The ‘extremely committed’ Daniel Ellis was promoted to partner in July 2008. He joins the ‘fiercely bright’ Monica Kurnatowska and recommended practice head Christine O’Brien. BA and Jones Lang LaSalle remain active clients.

Within Immigration, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

The ‘extremely responsive’ team at Baker & McKenzie LLP is led by Peter Knight. Its global immigration practice assists corporate clients, particularly from the software, IT and new media sectors, with their ongoing immigration requirements. It also has a vast Japanese client base, with Shizuko Fujimoto leading the Japanese practice. The ‘helpful and informative’ Tony Haque is praised for his ‘excellent knowledge and professionalism’.

Within Pensions (incl pensions dispute resolution), Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Clients feel that ‘service and solutions’ are ‘paramount’ at Baker & McKenzie LLP, where the team is led by Robert West. The ‘professional’, ‘highly expert’ Jeanette Holland, and ‘approachable’ and ‘knowledgeable’ Chantal Thompson are ably supported by associates Jonathan Sharp, Arron Slocombe, Chris Garrett and Mark Solomon, who provide a ‘Rolls-Royce’ service, and ‘communicate well with the client and other team members’. New clients include Sigma Aerospace, Berkeley Group, and Novar (Honeywell).

Within Product liability - defendant, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP is noted for its ‘excellent overall level of service’ and ‘good response times coupled with industry knowledge’. It continues to act as Mattel’s primary adviser outside the US, and as product safety counsel for Emerson Electric. In the field of product recall, the practice secured new clients, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Ideal Standard, Home Retail and Apple. The ‘experienced’ John Leadley heads the team.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘excellent’ team ‘always provides well-thought-out opinions’, and is ‘incredibly well connected both in the UK and internationally, which is invaluable in the multi-jurisdictional arena’. Andrew Keltie is ‘user friendly and low key’, and Anthony Poulton is ‘helpful, bright, motivated’; ‘clients love him’. Recent highlights include acting for the trustee of the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s team is noted for its ‘high level of service’, and includes Paul Stibbard, who is ‘one of the finest private client lawyers in London; his greatest strength is his ability to gain trust of clients and find practical solutions for them’. The practice benefits from the firm’s international network, and is regularly instructed by clients from Russia/the CIS and the Middle East. Ashley Crossley heads the Russian practice, and regularly assists clients in the UK on cross-border tax and trust structuring.

Within Infrastructure, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Following its involvement in the first segment of the A2 toll motorway in Poland, Baker & McKenzie LLP has won the instruction to advise the concessionaire, Autostrada Wielkopolska, on the €1bn second segment of the project. Mike Webster is recommended for his ‘deep knowledge with respect to corporate project development’. Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries JSC (KPI) are also representative clients.

Within Mining and minerals, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP - ‘one of the best in the area’ - scores points for the excellent service of partner Mike Webster, whom clients praise for his ‘deep knowledge of corporate project development’. In a major headline transaction the firm continues to advise Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) as owner on the development of a major US$5.6bn project, which includes a phosphate mine.

Within Oil and gas, tier 4

In 2008, Baker & McKenzie LLP advised West Siberian Resources on its US$2.5bn merger with Alliance Oil and also acted for Sociedad Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola Empressa Publica on the development of a grassroots full conversion refinery in Angola.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP continues to act for Ma’aden as the project sponsor on the US$3bn development of a combined-cycle power, steam and water plant plus related infrastructure to support its phosphate and aluminium projects. Neil Donoghue is active.

Within Water, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP recently advised on the construction of a waste water treatment plant. Mike Webster is recommended.

Within Administrative and public law, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

The ‘exceptional team’ at Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘has a strong concentration on the interface between administrative law, competition law, telecoms and utilities’. Key clients include the BBC Trust, the FSA and the British Olympic Association. ‘Seasoned public law litigator’ Tom Cassels heads the practice; ‘no matter what the challenge, he remains unfailingly calm’. Clients also praise Michael Hart, who is ‘bright, determined and has relentless energy’, Richard Pike and Ben Allgrove. Len Murray has moved to Taylor Wessing LLP.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP benefits from its excellent network of offices, and promotes a very global outlook. Its clients include numerous corporate occupiers and several leading hotel chains, and the practice has particular experience in acting for management consultancies and international embassies. The ‘calm and approachable’ team advised Canada Life as lender on a number of financing deals. The practice was bolstered by the arrival of Justin Salkeld (‘experienced, swift, with good business acumen’) from K&L Gates in 2008. Group head Stephen Turner is ‘very commercial, and is able to explain the appropriate solutions and legal issues quickly and simply’.

Within Construction, tier 4

The ‘very professional’ Michael Webster leads Baker & McKenzie LLP’s London team, which stands out for the scale of its international projects, sourced from the firm’s network in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The firm has niche expertise in oil and gas processing plants. It also advised Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) on the development of a bauxite mine, alumina refinery, aluminium smelter and other infrastructure in Saudi Arabia worth US$11bn.

Within Environment, tier 4

Deemed ‘one of the best’ for climate change and carbon markets work, Baker & McKenzie LLP’s head of environmental markets Graham Stuart has a ‘comprehensive knowledge of the carbon business’. Trading Emissions is a regular client for carbon transactions, and new clients include Barclays Capital and Rio Tinto Minerals.

Within Brand management, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘exceptional’ Ilana Saltzman has been advising Facebook on the development and use of standard advertiser terms and guidelines in the UK, and on online marketing initiatives. She also advised Polo Ralph Lauren on its selective distribution system and licence agreements with international franchisees. Clients speak of a ‘first-class service’.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Headed by Michael Hart, Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘responsive, pragmatic and business-aware’ team has substantial range and expertise; the firm has a large trade mark filing practice and a particularly strongnon-contentious IP practice. Key clients include Unilever, L’Oréal and Vodafone. Patent litigator Stephen Jones is a highly regarded lawyer who is also qualified as a patent and trade mark attorney.

Within IT and telecoms, Baker & McKenzie is a first tier firm,

The number of leading technology and telecoms companies that trust Baker & McKenzie LLP with their most complex work dwarfs all but a few rivals. The ‘unquestionable leader in his field’, Harry Small, and the ‘technically superb’ Christina Demetriades co-head the department. The wide scope of their expertise, combined with the group’s overall depth of specialist knowledge, delivered several panel appointments and roles on cutting-edge work for clients such as Apple, Yahoo!, HP, Fujitsu, Oracle and Cisco. The telecoms practice, headed by Peter Strivens, an ‘impressive and effective lawyer’, exhibits sharp regulatory know-how as well as transactional prowess. Recent highlights include advising Mobile Broadband Network on its purchase of backhand telecoms services from BT.

Within Media and entertainment, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

At Baker & McKenzie LLP, practice head Steve Holmes advises Freemantle Media on new media projects and Vodafone on music-related matters. Duncan Reid-Thomas represented Arqiva on broadcasting services agreements with major terrestrial broadcasters. Solicitor-advocate Ben Allgrove handles contentious work. Clients include the BBC Trust, PPL, Take 2 and Hit Entertainment.

Within Overview,

Among the City law firms, Herbert Smith LLP in particular has a growing reputation in the TMT sector, and has notable patent litigation prowess. Allen & Overy LLP is also strong in IP, while Lovells LLP and Birmingham-based Wragge & Co LLP both have an international dimension to their practices. Simmons & Simmons has a genuine specialist interest in the TMT sector, while very few firms are able to compete with Baker & McKenzie LLP for its level of expertise on issues surrounding the convergence of telecoms and IT services. DLA Piper UK LLP has strong all-round IP strength, while SJ Berwin LLP is also highly regarded despite closing its top-tier film finance department.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP was one of the law firms whose competition team was instructed by industry body EFPIA to represent its members in the EU pharmaceutical sector enquiry. Regulatory partner Beatriz Pessoa de Araujo is ‘one of the rare lawyers who has the ability to keep the legal framework in mind while looking at the situation with a business slant’. The firm’s patent litigators have been representing Eli Lilly in relation to a multi-jurisdictional IP enforcement programme.‘User-friendly’ corporate partner Jane Hobson heads the team.

Within Sport, tier 5

New entrant Baker & McKenzie LLP represented both the British Olympic Association in its successful defence of an injunction brought by athlete Dwain Chambers against his BOA ban and McLaren in its high-profile trade secrets dispute with Ferrari.