The Legal 500

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 4

The merger of Squire Sanders Hammonds significantly boosted the capital markets team in London, adding three partners to the group. Jane Haxby heads the team from Manchester, and advised GB group on its move to AIM from the Official List. Other clients include Rurelec, K3 Business Technology and Panmure Gordon.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, Squire Sanders LLP is a first tier firm,

Squire Sanders Hammonds handled 27 corporate finance deals in 2010 totalling £1.9bn, for an impressive breadth of clients. A highlight was advising BSS on its takeover by Travis Perkins for £583m, and Care UK on its buyout by Bridgepoint. Trevor Ingle ‘has exactly what you need to be a successful M&A lawyer’. Tim Hewens and James McKay are praised for their ‘exceptional level of service’, and Giles Distin for his ‘knowledge of listed markets’.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 7

James McKay heads Squire Sanders Hammonds’ team, which gained greater international capability through the firm’s recent merger.

Within Fraud: civil , tier 5

The partners at Squire Sanders Hammonds ‘take control and make you feel like you are in safe hands’. Practice head Laurence Winston is highly regarded.

Within Gaming and betting, Squire Sanders LLP is a second tier firm,

A key matter for the team at Squire Sanders Hammonds was advising in relation to the launch of the Health Lottery, involving regulatory, tax and IP issues. ‘Exceptional strategist and negotiator’ Carl Rohsler leads the team.

Within Licensing, Squire Sanders LLP is a second tier firm,

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ licensing department is ‘outstanding in terms of value for money, knowledge, speed of response and approachability’. It continues to act for Select Service Partner Rail, and recently assisted Intercontinental Hotel Group in a number of licence variations for several of its Holiday Inn hotels. The ‘enthusiastic’ Stephanie Perraton has ‘unparalleled sector knowledge’, and ‘always seems to go that extra step’ for clients.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail,

Also recommended are: Glovers Solicitors LLP, which is particularly active in the enforcement of secured loans and follow-on claims against guarantors, valuers and conveyancing solicitors; K&L Gates, which is advising in a dispute between Saad Trading and Société Générale regarding a $50m letter of credit; Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP, where the partners are noted for their experience in complex structured products and multi-jurisdictional litigation; Salans, which is strong in the asset-based lending arena, with Kevin Heath ‘an excellent negotiator and strategist’; Squire Sanders Hammonds, where Laurence Winston and Robert Weekes are well-known names; and TLT LLP, which recruited former Halliwells finance litigation partners David Pacey and Richard Clayton.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Squire Sanders Hammonds is known for media and advertising disputes, as well as sports-related cases, and team head Paul Oxnard is experienced in heavy-engineering and finance cases, injunctive work, white-collar fraud matters, and energy and telecoms disputes. Simon Price leads the contentious financial services and pensions practices in London, and Vicky Brown advises advertising and marketing clients. Sports law head Stephen Sampson handles disputes over players, IPR issues, broadcasting disputes and the full range of contract/tort disputes.

Within International arbitration International arbitration

Within Mediators,

The ‘polite and diligent’ Charles Middleton-Smith of Squire Sanders Hammonds is appreciated for his ‘quietly persuasive and very patient approach’, which is an ‘effective method of unblocking barriers to settlement’. He has a strong track record for large claims, and ‘his style is open and inclusive; he can be quite directional without appearing to be beating the parties into making a deal’.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

Squire Sanders Hammonds is noted for its ‘quality of advice and depth of team’. Cathryn Williams is a ‘first-class operator’.

Within Employment, tier 5

Squire Sanders Hammonds gained new clients including Cath Kidston, Coats and Gucci in 2010. The team provides transactional assistance, tribunal representation and strategic advice to clients from financial and professional services to manufacturing and leisure. Delivering ‘joined-up thinking and not just a silo response to specific questions’, Caroline Noblet, David Whincup, Alison Treliving and Jane Bullen are ‘commercial, and sensitive to the issues ’. Janette Lucas has ‘excellent technical legal knowledge’.

Within Health and safety, tier 4

Squire Sanders Hammonds strengthened its London team with the addition of the former head of Weightmans LLP’s regulatory practice, Andrew Sanderson. The team is particularly experienced in the construction, chemicals, waste, transport, and power generation/distribution sectors, and advises Renewables UK, National Grid, EDF/British Energy, Live Nation, and Veolia.

Within Immigration, tier 4

Squire Sanders Hammonds has seen a recent increase in pre-audit compliance checks; and ‘fights for its clients’ before the UKBA exceptional cases panel. Clients include Gucci; Foster + Partners; and Michael Page Recruitment. The ‘highly professional’ Annabel Mace is now a partner.

Within Overview,

Another consequence of the recession – attempts to enforce more stringent regulation of remuneration in the financial sector – has led to advisory work for firms such as Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy LLP; while others, from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP to Squire Sanders Hammonds and Ashurst LLP, have assisted corporates to consolidate by transferring employees on divestments.

Within Pensions, Squire Sanders LLP is a third tier firm,

Squire Sanders Hammonds climbs a tier in non-contentious this year. It continues to advise the Trustees of the Sea Containers 1990 Pensions Scheme, and recently advised the Trustees of the Alliance UniChem Scheme in its buy-in/buy-out transaction with Pensions Insurance Corporation. Simon Price ‘combines intellect, business acumen and good humour’; and Clifford Sims’ ‘leadership and ability to cover all the aspects of often complex negotiations and tight deadlines is exemplary’. Wendy Hunter heads the practice; national head of pensions disputes Emma King, based in Birmingham, has a ‘highly professional and caring attitude’; and Kris Weber is also recommended.

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

Squire Sanders Hammonds advised Cerigo Développement SARL on the provision of a £50m funding package to establish and develop Windberry Energy, and also on the provision of a £50m funding package to establish and develop e-Gen Partners.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , tier 6

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ team has ‘expertise across all relevant areas including projects, banking, construction and public law’. The firm is advising West Wiltshire District Council on its £76m non-HRA Social Housing PFI project.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Mike Shaw heads Squire Sanders Hammonds’ team, which recently recruited Patrick Ryan; both lawyers are recommended along with Chris Brigstocke. Quintain is a key client for development work, while the investment team represents various Aviva Investors funds on transactions and restructuring.

Within Construction, tier 5

Squire Sanders Hammonds recently advised Quintain on the phased development of the landmark 82-acre site around Wembley Stadium. The practice also acts for other major developers such as the Manhattan Loft Corporation. Olivia Bateman leads on non-contentious matters.

Within Environment, tier 4

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ reputation has been growing since the arrival of national head David Gordon from Eversheds LLP. Gordon, who ‘knows his business and has his finger on the pulse’, advises on regeneration projects and contaminated land issues. New clients include Taylor Wimpey and TRW.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Squire Sanders Hammonds recently advised Close Invoice Finance Limited in a professional negligence action against former solicitors following a failure to exercise a lease break. William Lawrence ‘has the personal touch, and is a proactive team player’.

Within Brand management, Squire Sanders LLP is a first tier firm,

The team at Squire Sanders Hammonds is led by Robert Wegenek, who gives ‘sound, pragmatic, commercial advice’. It advised the WPP group on its social media strategy, Google on the appointment of its global media agency, and Chelsea FC on sponsorship deals. Carl Rohsler and Chris McLeod undertake trade mark portfolio work for Cath Kidson and DAKS. Carlton Daniel and James Hennigan are also recommended.

Within Franchising, Squire Sanders LLP is a second tier firm,

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, Carl Roschler advised Caesar’s Entertainment, the world’s largest casino group, on the franchising and brand licensing of the World Series of Poker across Europe, including the creation of co-brands for relevant European tournaments.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

‘Aggressive, results-driven litigator’ Carl Rohsler heads Squire Sanders Hammonds’ ‘tightly integrated IP and licensing team’. The firm’s recent merger extended the international reach of the group, which represents numerous global luxury brands. ‘Professional, speedy and experienced’ trade mark attorney Chris MacLeod advises Cath Kidston and DAKS, and Mike Butler specialises in e-commerce. Caroline Waite is also singled out for praise.

Within Media and entertainment, tier 5

Robert Wegenek heads the department at Squire Sanders Hammonds, which acts for Live Nation; and advised a number of advertising agencies on television campaigns. Senior associate Nessa McGill is ‘knowledgeable, clear thinking and personable’.

Within Overview,

The legal market saw some significant changes. Howrey LLP and Roiter Zucker Solicitors dissolved, with their key players joining other leading practices. High-profile transatlantic mergers led to the creation of SNR Denton and Squire Sanders Hammonds.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, tier 4

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, qualified pharmacist Adrian Spooner is commended for his ‘depth of technical knowledge’, and advises on regulatory and IP matters, including clinical trials. Carl Rohsler and his team advise on corporate and commercial matters, including IP rights and healthcare marketing matters. Vitabiotics is a key client.

Within Sport, Squire Sanders LLP is a second tier firm,

Squire Sanders Hammonds had a successful year, and attracted new clients including Blackburn Rovers FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC and Birmingham City FC. The team has also recently advised the Scottish Football Association on anti-doping issues. Other clients include UEFA, Chelsea FC and Base Soccer Agency. The team is headed by the ‘calm, analytical, and very committed’ Stephen Sampson, ‘one of the best contentious sports lawyers in the UK’. James Hennigan is recommended for his ‘excellent industry knowledge’, and associates Mike Morgan – a ‘leading doping expert’ – and Alastair Purssell are also recommended.