The Legal 500

Within Financial services, tier 5

Kingsley Napley LLP saw Stephen Pollard leave for WilmerHale, but remains active in a range of regulatory investigations.

Within M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m, tier 5

WilmerHale has a focus on the life sciences and technology sectors, and recently advised Thermo Fisher Scientific on its $3.5bn acquisition of Phadia Group from European private equity firm Cinven. The ‘bright and thorough’ Michael Holter and ‘highly effective’ Tim Corbett are recommended.

Within Venture capital, tier 6

WilmerHale has ‘a number of bright lawyers who quickly get to the heart of the commercial issues’. Joe Pillman heads the team, and recently promoted partner Timothy Corbett has a ‘non-aggressive negotiation style that serves clients well’.

Within Fraud: civil Leading individuals: Fraud

Within Fraud: corporate crime Leading individuals: Fraud

Within Fraud: white-collar crime, WilmerHale is a third tier firm,

WilmerHale’s offering has been enhanced by the addition of the ‘very bright and tenacious’ Stephen Pollard from Kingsley Napley LLP. The practice has been active advising individuals under investigation by the SFO.

Within International arbitration, WilmerHale is a first tier firm,

WilmerHale’s team, led by the ‘stellar’ Gary Born, is ‘outstanding’. It recently represented an energy company in a multibillion-dollar dispute relating to a supply contract. Steven Finizio is a ‘top-quality advocate’, and Wendy Miles is also highly rated.

Within Public international law, WilmerHale is a second tier firm,

Known for its leading international arbitration practice, WilmerHale has recently been involved in state-to-state disputes, groundbreaking intra-state arbitrations, and investment arbitrations. Department head Gary Born and Wendy Miles are widely praised.

Within Employee share schemes, tier 5

Paula Holland at WilmerHale is ‘always on call and ready to deliver, which she does without fail’.

Within Aviation, tier 4

Notable for its aviation-related corporate expertise, recent highlights for the team at WilmerHale include continuing to advise the Star Alliance and a number of its member airlines. Michael Holter is recommended for corporate matters, and Duncan Speller for aviation disputes.