The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s specialist commercial practice handles the full range of contractual and advisory work for an array of household names across a breadth of sectors. The ten-partner team has a wealth of experience in distribution and agency agreements, outsourcing and procurement, with a particular aptitude for international and cross-jurisdictional instructions. Ilana Saltzman, who is ‘reliable, very pragmatic and extremely knowledgeable’, and the ‘very impressive’ Duncan Reid-Thomas co-head a team that ‘gets actively involved to drive a transaction forward’. It acts as primary commercial counsel on a pan-European basis for Carlsberg, and advises Porsche UK on contractual and regulatory matters. Steve Holmes is ‘practical, highly responsive and collaborative’, and in 2011 advised Accenture, Arqiva and Google. David Halliday has experience negotiating particularly sensitive outsourcing transactions.

Within Corporate tax, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘provides strong, practical advice in all areas of corporate tax, and has a particular aptitude for complex restructurings with an international flavour’. The team advised Ensco on the $7.3bn acquisition of Pride International. Geoffrey Kay is recommended, and Alex Chadwick is ‘consistently calm, measured, and creative, and is not afraid to express an opinion’.

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

The ‘excellent’ three-partner team at Baker & McKenzie LLP is praised for its ‘global scope’, and offers a seamless, fully integrated service to clients. Practice head Ross Denton advises on the public regulation of international trade, customs, export controls and sanctions. Senior associate Jennifer Revis ‘provides timely advice tailored to business needs’.

Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Edward Bibko at Baker & McKenzie LLP leads ‘an excellent, client-friendly practice, strong in emerging markets’, with partners highlighted for their ‘local knowledge and strong communication skills – they are the best for client relationship management’. Roy Pearce advised Bank of Georgia on its redomiciling to the UK and admission to the LSE Official List. Adam Farlow advised Nyrstar on a €490m rights offering.

Within Equity capital markets: US capability, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP has ‘a good, useful US practice’, with Edward Bibko, Tom Philipp and Adam Farlow recommended. Strong in emerging markets, the ‘flexible and creative’ team’s recent work includes a €490m Rule 144A rights offering for Nyrstar.

Within EU and competition, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP has a ‘strong’ and well-rounded practice, with ‘excellent global reach and co-operation’. Clients include AXA Private Equity, British American Tobacco, Carlsberg, and Cable & Wireless Worldwide. It acted for Mitsubishi Electric in an appeal before the European Union’s General Court to overturn fines of €118.5m related to a cartel investigation. In merger control, it acted for Rio Tinto on the sale of its talc business to Imerys. Department head Samantha Mobley is recommended along with the ‘assured, suitably reassuring and focused’ Luiz Gomez, and of counsel Lynda Martin Alegi, who ‘instinctively understands the commercial issues’.

Within Financial services, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP is increasingly strong on retail financial services, and stands out for its work on Middle East issues. Arun Srivastava is an ‘absolutely top-notch financial services lawyer’. Ian Mason left the firm.

Within M&A: premium deals, £250m+, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘superb project managers deliver complex technical structures without a hitch’. The firm continues to grow its FTSE 100 client base, recently advising Ensco plc on its $7.3bn acquisition of Pride International. It also advised Smiths plc on its acquisition of its Brazilian distributor from EBCO Systems. Tim Gee leads a 16-partner corporate team that ‘always comes up with the goods, no matter how hard it is pushed’, with the ‘committed, responsive and efficient’ Peter Strivens, the ‘indefatigable’ Kirsty Wilson and Richard Blunt all attracting praise.

Within Private equity: transactions, tier 6

Headed by the ‘balanced, calm and methodical’ Simon Hughes, Baker & McKenzie LLP provides a ‘professional and responsive’ service to clients such as Apax Partners, Platinum Equity and Innova Capital. Particularly strong on mid/upper-market international mandates, the team has handled a raft of transactions for EQT in the Nordic region, including advising on its acquisition of Atos Medical. Peter Strivens provides ‘clear advice’ to clients in the telecoms sector.

Within VAT and indirect tax, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP is ‘technically excellent’ and offers a ‘very good level of client service’. The firm has expertise in international restructuring, IT and outsourcing, securitisation and IP. It acted for AXA Private Equity on the indirect tax aspects of a series of complex secondary market private equity acquisitions totalling $2.5bn. Mark Delaney is ‘technical strong and a good communicator, and is sympathetic to commercial realities’, and Mark Agnew is ‘responsive and diligent’.

Within Fraud: civil, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP continues to act for Grupo Torras in relation to the ongoing multimillion-dollar recovery of stolen goods from a bank. It is also representing Bank St Petersburg in multi-jurisdictional litigation against Russian businessman Vitaly Arkhangelsky, a debtor client who has made various allegations against the bank. Andrew Keltie is ‘very measured’, and Anthony Poulton ‘very knowledgeable’. Senior associate Charles Thomson is also highlighted as one to watch.

Within Fraud: corporate crime, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP provides a ‘top-class service, from the most senior individuals to the most junior’. The group advises the firm’s corporate clients on a broad range of issues with a criminal element, and remains on the panel for the FSA. Ross Denton is ‘incredibly proactive’; Andrew Keltie is ‘very efficient’; and senior associate Charles Thomson is ‘very incisive’.

Within Fraud: white-collar crime Leading individuals: Fraud

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘highly valued and very much appreciated’ team includes Edward Poulton, who has ‘outstanding expertise in the field, and focuses on efficiency’, with Arun Srivastava, Anthony Poulton and Andrew Keltie also recommended. The firm is currently acting for Landesbank Baden Wurttemberg (LBBW) in proceedings against UBS relating to sums due under a swaps contract. Other clients include Gruppo Torras, Jyske Bank, and the FSA.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP is known for large, international, complex cases. The team advised Bank St Petersburg in multi-jurisdictional litigation with Vitaly Arkhangelsky, who made allegations of fraud and conspiracy against the bank. Practice head John Leadley is an ‘experienced, canny litigator’, and Andrew Keltie is also recommended.

Within International arbitration, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP is experienced in Eastern European and CIS disputes, and also in Middle East cases, the latter often construction related. Jeremy Winter, John Leadley and Edward Poulton are key figures. The firm’s opening of offices in Doha and Istanbul is expected to bring further opportunities to the practice.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s team is ‘dedicated, hardworking, straightforward, and extremely pleasant to work with’. Led by the highly respected Tom Cassels, it counts the FSA and the British Olympic Association among its clients.

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

The team at Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘quickly understands the key elements of clients ’ requests’. It advised De La Rue in connection with its contract to print and deliver Libyan dinars for the Central Bank of Libya, with approximately £1bn claimed by both the Gaddafi regime and the newly established National Transitional Council. It was also active in investment treaty disputes, and environmental and climate-related public international matters. Practice head Edward Poulton ‘reaches goals’. London arbitration head Jeremy Winter, leading trade practitioner Ross Denton and Sunwinder Mann are also highly rated.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s strength is in handling multi-jurisdictional mandates, for a predominantly sponsor client base. Noted for its ‘commercial and reactive’ advice, it has a particularly strong reputation for financings in the Nordic region, and recently advised EQT on the financing of its acquisition of Norwegian data and telecom provider Ventelo Holding. Other clients include Axa Private Equity, Dubai Investment Group and ING. Bernard Sharp, Ian Jack and Nick Tostivin are recommended.

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

Bernard Sharp at Baker & McKenzie LLP now heads the firm’s global as well as London banking practice, and recently led the advice to Carlsberg in the negotiation of a revolving facility agreement. Nick Tostivin acted for Standard Chartered Bank and Citibank. Marc Fèvre joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in August 2011.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

The forte of the team at Baker & McKenzie LLP, headed by Ian Jack and Louise Webb, is complex international work, where it can draw on the firm’s vast international network. The firm recently advised a number of banks including Raffeisen Bank and Standard Chartered in relation to the Indover Bank bankruptcy, led in London by Bruce Somer and with input from the firm’s Dutch and French offices. Other clients include EQT, Kraft Foods and Oracle.

Within Debt capital markets, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP delivers a ‘consistently strong performance’. Simon Porter is ‘one of the few real trustee experts in the City’, and recently acted for Akbank on a $500m issue. Also recommended are Adam Farlow and Christopher Hogan, along with the ‘pragmatic and effective’ Edward Bibko, who ‘does a good job of finding solutions in emerging markets’.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP provides ‘solid advice backed by in-depth industry knowledge’. Bruce Somer gives advice ‘tailored exactly to clients ’ needs’, and acts for a variety of end users, funds and financial institutions including Agricultural Bank of China, UBS and Carlsberg. The firm’s emerging markets focus enables it to handle ‘any asset class in exotic jurisdictions’. Jonathan Walsh and Christopher Hogan are also recommended.

Within Emerging markets, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP has long prided itself on its dedication to high-growth markets and as such has been involved in many groundbreaking mandates, particularly in the natural resources, energy and infrastructure sectors. New offices in Istanbul, Doha and Johannesburg have recently boosted the firm’s footprint. EMEA capital markets head Edward Bibko is praised for his ‘expertise’ and ‘client relationship management’, and recently advised the Bank of Georgia on its re-domiciliation to the UK. Other significant mandates include advising HSBC in relation to a facility for the acquisition of a fleet of 1,000 buses in Panama City. Calvin Walker acted in a $1.3bn integrated petrochemical project in Kazakhstan. Also recommended are Frances Okosi, who ‘leads discussions, suggests solutions and ensures all matters are handled promptly and appropriately’; and Simon Porter, who is ‘always available and responsive’.

Within Investment funds, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP shows ‘superior proactivity and negotiation skills’, and its ‘international network is a clear advantage’. The primary focus is on transactions relating to private funds. It advised AXA Private Equity on its $740m purchase of a fund portfolio from Barclays, and assisted Citadel Capital SAE Platform Company Africa Railways Ltd with a fundraising. Practice head James Burdett is ‘very commercial’ and has ‘very sound private equity experience’.

Within Securitisation, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Clients praise the ‘partner-level commitment’ at Baker & McKenzie LLP, which is ‘excellent in every regard’. Vincent Keaveny is praised for his ‘knowledge, responsiveness, reliability and value for money’, and recently represented Banco Santander Totta on a €1bn securitisation of Portuguese consumer loans. Jonathan Walsh advised new client Investec on an innovative RMBS deal; and Simon Porter advised the note trustee on the default of the Opera Finance CMBS. Rebecca Ford is noted for her experience in CMBS restructurings.

Within Trade finance, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Frances Okosi’s team at Baker & McKenzie LLP is noted for its ‘international reach and ECA finance capability’. Okosi advised HSBC on a $193m ECA facility for Transporte Masivo de Panama. Also recommended are project finance and energy specialist Calvin Walker; and Ian Jack, for cross-border work, especially in CEE jurisdictions. The firm is now on the panels of Société Générale and BNP Paribas.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP provides ‘outstanding value for money and service’, and acts for a range of high-profile international clients including Catlin Group, BAE Systems and Coca-Cola. It advised Ensco on the assumption and replacement of existing schemes in its acquisition of Pride International; and assisted Deutsche Bank in relation to share plans and financial services remuneration regulations. Jeremy Edwards is singled out for praise.

Within Employment: employees/unions Leading individuals: Employment

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s unrivalled global reach and ‘outstanding’ London team have attracted a raft of multinational clients including British Airways, Sony, Accenture and PepsiCo. The firm continues to represent BA in the multi-party action concerning pilots’ pay, with the advice led by the ‘user-friendly’ John Evason. Christine O’Brien’s 38-strong team includes Sarah Gregory, who has ‘excellent client relationship skills’; of counsel Paul Harrison, who is ‘intellectually one of the best while maintaining a pragmatic approach’; and the ‘very proactive and client-focused’ Monica Kurnatowska.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP handles global immigration and employment matters for corporates in the defence, aviation and engineering sectors, and also advises a growing number of financial services clients. The team continues to work closely with colleagues in the firm’s wealth management practice to advise high-net-worth individuals on investor applications to the UKBA. It is acting for an American retailer on the co-ordination and transfer of staff in the EMEA region. Senior associate Tony Haque oversees the team, and Shizuko Fujimoto heads up the London-based Japanese immigration practice.

Within Pensions, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP represents Kimberly-Clark, the Alstom Pension Scheme, the Royal Mail Executive Pension Scheme and the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund, and has recently acted in numerous High Court actions, including Cemex, IMG, and Pioneer. ‘A real guru in the industry’, department head Robert West is ‘a brilliant man – he is able to bring a wider perspective to difficult situations’. Arron Slocombe is ‘very thorough and proactive’; and Jeanette Holland and Chantal Thompson are also recommended. ‘The team consistently gives excellent practical advice that can easily be understood by those whose knowledge of the field is limited’.

Within Product liability: claimant Leading individuals: Product liability

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s broad practice is headed by leading individual John Leadley, who is noted for his expertise in TMT, pharmaceuticals/healthcare, and toys. The firm handles product recall and operational risk matters on an international scale as well as defence litigation for well-known brands; clients include Sony, Mattel, Hewlett-Packard and Invensys.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘combines informality with an impressive legal infrastructure’. In 2011, the team drew on the firm’s international resources in acting for a major US industrial family in respect of a $2bn trust, a matter involving Bermudan and Swiss aspects. It is praised for its ‘huge intellectual firepower’; Anthony Poulton is ‘bright and robust’, and Andrew Keltie is ‘superb’.

Within Overview,

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, Boodle Hatfield LLP, Charles Russell LLP, Farrer & Co, Forsters LLP, Macfarlanes, and Withers LLP all have superb reputations across the gamut of private client work. Internationally oriented firms such as Baker & McKenzie LLP and Clifford Chance stand out for multi-jurisdictional contentious trusts work.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP is ‘excellent at all levels’. It continues to build on its reputation for major cross-border restructurings, and provides advice to international families in the EU and the Middle East, with experience including the creation of limited partnerships as a means of asset protection in volatile jurisdictions. It recently advised the Liechtenstein government on the UK/Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility. Ashley Crossley is recommended, and the team has made a number of hires at senior associate level.

Within Infrastructure, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP has been particularly active in deals in emerging markets. The firm is currently advising Sonangol in relation to the development of a greenfield refinery site in the country. Mike Webster heads the infrastructure group, and project finance lawyer Marc Fevre joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in August 2011.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘excellent’ mining group includes Mike Webster, who continues to advise Ma’aden on three separate projects in Saudi Arabia, including a bauxite and aluminium smelter and a magnesite mine. Webster specialises in projects and construction law, and attracts praise for his ‘business acumen, understanding of the client’s requirements, and attention to detail’.

Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP is well known for advising national oil companies and chemicals companies entering the sector. Richard Blunt attracts praise for his communication skills and experience in project finance.

Within PFI and PPP, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP has experience in the use of PPP models in international infrastructure deals. Calvin Walker is recommended.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables), Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Neil Donoghue at Baker & McKenzie LLP continues to act for KEPCO on the project financing and development of a $30bn nuclear power plant in the UAE. The firm has also been active in conventional and renewable projects domestically and internationally.

Within Water, tier 4

Mike Webster at Baker & McKenzie LLP is advising Southern Water on contractual issues relating to capital expenditure and asset maintenance arrangements for its UK water networks. Richard Pike is acting for Independent Water Networks in a judicial review case brought by Thames Water regarding an Ofwat decision; and also in relation to a complaint under the Competition Act 1998.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP ‘stands out for its dedicated knowledge’, particularly within media and telecoms, and increasingly within life sciences. The firm remains sole adviser to the BBC Trust, which it advised on an appeal against the exclusion of the Scottish Green Party from the leaders’ debate that was televised in Scotland. Other matters included Primark’s high-profile appeal concerning a Panorama programme on the garment trade. Tom Cassels is ‘expert at tailoring his advice to suit the audience’, and his ‘sound experience and instincts relating to potential media implications make him an obvious choice’. Joanna Ludlam and Richard Pike are also recommended.

Within Overview,

The Administrative and public law table ranks claimant and commercial firms together. Of the City firms, Herbert Smith LLP, Hogan Lovells International LLP and Baker & McKenzie LLP provide strong representation of commercial clients, while Bindmans LLP and Leigh Day & Co remain leaders on the claimant side. The latter two also have market-leading human rights and civil liberties practices, where other renowned firms include Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, Tuckers Solicitors and the newly merged Deighton Pierce Glynn. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Eversheds LLP each have recognised expertise in public inquiries, and Trowers & Hamlins LLP and Clifford Chance are among the leaders for public affairs work.

Within Commercial property, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP provides ‘an excellent service’, and Justin Salkeld and practice head Stephen Turner are ‘very competent, client oriented and a pleasure to work with’. The group acted for Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia on the acquisition of Tower Bridge House, and advised Edwardian Group on the acquisition of Free Trade Hall Hotel, Manchester. Retail work included advising Michael Kors on new leases.

Within Construction, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s expertise includes international arbitration arising from energy and resources projects. Mike Webster leads the global energy, mining and infrastructure group, and advises Ma’aden on billion-dollar mining developments. Jeremy Winter handled two separate ICC arbitrations for contractors involved in joint ventures. Marc Fèvre joined the group from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in September 2011.

Within Environment, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s global environmental team is highlighted for its ‘longevity of involvement and leading personnel’. The practice is built around providing climate change advice for major clients, particularly in the areas of clean energy and low carbon. It advised the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI) on the development of legislation and policy in this burgeoning area, and is increasingly active in waste management and regulatory advice. It was reappointed as outside environmental counsel to Hewlett-Packard. Group head Graham Stuart ‘understands carbon business’. Renewable energy expert Marc Fevre joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in 2011.

Within Brand management, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a first tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP draws on its cross-office network to manage global trade mark portfolios and advise on advertising and marketing matters, including contentious work, for household name brands in sectors such as technology, media, retail and fashion. It advises Carlsberg on marketing campaigns, while other clients include Abercrombie & Fitch, L’Oréal and London Symphony Orchestra. Ilana Saltzman advises consumer goods and IT sector clients on advertising and marketing matters, while Paul Rawlinson focuses on trade mark work.

Within Data protection, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP advises household name clients on compliance issues, particularly in the context of cross-border projects. The practice is underpinned by firmwide strength in sectors such as technology, luxury consumer goods and telecoms, with representative clients including Google and You Tube, Hutchison 3G, Porsche, and Sharp. Ilana Saltzman is ‘an expert in her field, and is prepared to advise clients on what she thinks they should be doing in practice’.

Within Franchising, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Reliable, very pragmatic and extremely knowledgeable’, Ilana Saltzman leads Baker & McKenzie LLP’s franchising group, which is part of a wider commercial department and draws on the firm’s global capabilities. Fashion brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Polo Ralph Lauren instruct the firm, as do Porsche UK, the Body Shop, Starbucks, and Carlsberg. IP and licensing specialist Michelle Blunt is recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie LLP focuses on soft IP and transactional matters, and acts for global brand names such as Google, Sony, Pfizer and Cargill. Michael Hart and Ben Allgrove represented Meltwater in the appeal of a copyright case against the Newspaper Licensing Agency. Allgrove also advises digital media and new technology companies on IP licensing arrangements. Stephen Jones handles patent and trade mark matters.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP is particularly recommended for cross-border matters, and ‘understands the European telecoms market’, with capabilities spanning regulatory, litigation, outsourcing and contractual matters. Peter Strivens heads the telecoms team, and provides ‘a solid, sensible view of the world based on deep experience’; and Harry Small and Christina Demetriades together head the IT and communications practice. Richard Pike acted for Hutchison 3G in mobile termination rate appeals, and Steve Holmes and Ben Allgrove advised cloud video gaming company OnLive on its UK launch. Other clients include Accenture, Google, Arqiva and Telefónica.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘diligent, responsive’ group is ‘supported by a worldwide network’. Practice head Steve Holmes, who focuses on transactions, led the successful competitive panel tender for Virgin Media. IP regulatory and disputes lawyer Ben Allgrove, who shows ‘exceptional wisdom, insight and instinct’, represented Meltwater in the Court of Appeal and the Copyright Tribunal in its challenge to the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA)’s attempts to license specialist news search engines. He has also been advising online cloud video gaming company OnLive on its UK launch. Tom Cassels and Joanna Ludlam advise the BBC Trust, and also act for Turner Broadcasting and Sovereign Films. Duncan Reid-Thomas advises Arqiva on commercial broadcasting contracts.

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

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s clients include Pfizer, Amgen, Baxter and Astellas. Practice head Jane Hobson acts on transactional matters, and advised Prestige Brands on the UK law aspects of its £420m acquisition of healthcare brands from GlaxoSmithKline. John Leadley handles product liability work, and Keith Jones advises on competition law matters.

Within Sport, tier 4

Baker & McKenzie LLP has notable expertise in competition law, sponsorship, IP rights and regulatory matters. It has been advising sponsors on Olympic rules, and Tom Cassels represented the British Olympic Association in its CAS arbitration relating to its byelaw on drug cheats. The team is the FA Premier League’s anti-counterfeiting and brand enforcement adviser. Other clients include Nike and McLaren Group. Keith Jones heads the practice.

Within Aviation, tier 5

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘thorough, responsive and professional’ team advised British Airways on a range of matters, including multi-party litigation following industrial action, and EU competition matters relating to its proposed joint business with Japan Airlines. Peter Strivens heads the team, and Gavin Bushell recently joined the Brussels office from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.