What we say about the firm's legal practice in London
Corporate and commercial
Within Corporate tax Corporate tax
Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, tier 6
Dorsey & Whitney moved once again to boost its London corporate team, hiring Roger Gregory and Chris McFadzean from Brown Rudnick LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP respectively. A strong mid-market performance included advising Shed Media on its £100m takeover by WB Bidco, with a team led by practice head Mark Taylor.
Within M&A: US law capability, Dorsey & Whitney LLP is a third tier firm,
Barry Glazer is the standout partner at Dorsey & Whitney, and recently advised Osteotech in the sale of its European subsidiaries, valued at over £100m.
Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4
Michael Anderson and the ‘technically proficient’ Paul Farmer are recommended at Dorsey & Whitney.
Within Venture capital, tier 5
At Dorsey & Whitney, Frances Doherty has a strong reputation representing technology and pharma companies. The firm is also praised for its ‘excellent work in relation to university spinout companies’. Clients include Microsaic Systems, Cambridge Consultants, and Chrysalis VCT.
Crime, fraud and licensing
Within Fraud: civil , tier 4
Dorsey & Whitney’s practice head Nicholas Burkill is a ‘cool-headed and determined litigator’. With strength in the US, the team is particularly well placed to advise clients with trans-Atlantic interests. Clients include National Grid plc.
Dispute resolution
Within Commercial litigation, tier 6
Known particularly for tax and fraud disputes, Dorsey & Whitney has expanded its London commercial litigation practice. The team acted for 3M Company in its defence of a claim brought in the Commercial Court for revenues due under an earn-out provision in a share purchase agreement. Nick Burkill is ‘a determined litigator’, and Tim Maloney is also highly rated.
Within Tax litigation, Dorsey & Whitney LLP is a first tier firm,
The ‘excellent’, three-partner team at Dorsey & Whitney provides ‘comprehensive, all-round’ advice to a variety of high-profile clients including Pirelli, Marks & Spencer, and Siemens. Areas of expertise include Group Litigation Orders and EU tax matters. The team has acted in numerous big-ticket cases, including ongoing advice to test claimants following a case against HMRC contending that the UK’s legislation on thinly capitalised companies was in breach of the EC treaty; and is also acting for 24 multinationals in a challenge to the UK’s CFC and dividend taxation rules. Head of the group Simon Whitehead has an ‘excellent grasp of the subject’; EU expert Paul Farmer ‘really listens to the client’s input’; and Michael Anderson gives ‘sound’ advice.
Real estate
Within Commercial property Commercial property