The Legal 500

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 4

Fasken Martineau LLP has expertise across the oil and gas, mining, telecoms and life sciences sectors. June Paddock and Abayomi Akinjide advised Sinclair Pharma on a £19m placing and open offer; and David Smith acted for Kea Petroleum on its incorporation, three equity fundraising rounds and its admission to AIM. Catherine Moss joined from Halliwells in 2010.

Within M&A: smaller deals up to £50m, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is a second tier firm,

Fasken Martineau LLP continued to invest in its corporate practice with the hire of Catherine Moss from Halliwells. June Paddock leads the team, which excels in AIM matters, particularly in pharma and energy. It counts Alliance Pharma and Oando among its key clients.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Fasken Martineau LLP’s ‘advice is always commercial, and based upon a good understanding of the law and the industry involved’. The team advised Kuwait Airways in litigation arising out of the alleged theft of the client’s fleet by Iraqi Airways during the invasion of Kuwait. Robert Paydon heads the group, and Chris Gooding, Adrian Jones and Sukhi Kaler are also key contacts. Alex Ferrari is an ‘aggressive litigator and problem solver who achieves favourable and prompt results’.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy

Within International arbitration International arbitration

Within Employment, tier 8

Cerys Williams at Fasken Martineau LLP provides ‘forthright advice and quick execution, and is very strategic in her thinking’.

Within Mining and minerals, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is a third tier firm,

Fasken Martineau LLP’s London team is strong on the corporate side under Al Gourley, and attracts praise for its ‘strong response times’. The firm advised the underwriters on Platmin’s $385m equity and debenture offering.

Within Oil and gas, tier 6

At Fasken Martineau LLP, global energy head Steven Beharrell advised Star Petroleum on the acquisition of an oil concession in South Sudan.

Within Commercial property Commercial property: retail

Within Construction, tier 5

The team at Fasken Martineau LLP leverages off the firm’s strong reputation in the oil and gas and LNG sectors to win work on major international projects. It has also been busy with several student housing projects. Lawrence Bruce leads the team.

Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Fasken Martineau LLP’s Ralph Cox, who is ‘totally reassuring – calm and collected’, is representing Omnipharm against Merial in a patent revocation action. Roger Loosley is ‘always calm under pressure’, and is noted for his ‘in-depth, up-to-date knowledge’. Non-contentious IP partner Allistair Booth provides ‘high-quality, pragmatic and useable advice’. Jeremy Morton moved to CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

At Fasken Martineau LLP, ‘experienced, knowledgeable’ practice head Roger Loosley and Ralph Cox are recommended. June Paddock leads on the telecoms side, advising IPPlus, Mobilityone and Planet49. Jeremy Morton joined CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, while Catherine Moss arrived from Halliwells.

Within Overview,

Key IP hires included Phil Sherrell moving from Eversheds LLP to market leader Bird & Bird; and Howrey LLP’s Mark Hodgson joining Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s team was boosted by the arrival of Clive Thorne from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP; CMS Cameron McKenna LLP hired Fasken Martineau LLP’s Jeremy Morton; and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP recruited Ben Goodger, former head of Rouse Legal’s global IP commercialisation group.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is a second tier firm,

Fasken Martineau LLP’s clients appreciate practice head Paul Ranson’s ‘strong industry contacts’, and corporate partner David Smith’s ‘sage advice and razor-sharp intellect’. The ‘commercially minded’ Allistair Booth and Gary Howes undertake IP work. In 2010, the team won a raft of new clients, notably Sinclair Pharma, Samsung and Stryker. Ranson and Nigel Gordon represented Alliance Pharma on its complex acquisition of Cambridge Laboratories.

Within Aviation, tier 5

At Fasken Martineau LLP, a ‘prompt considered response is always provided, and the knowledge is broad and deep’, with Alex Ferrari and Christopher Gooding inspiring particular loyalty among clients. The team continues to act for Kuwait Airways in KAC v IAC, and has picked up regulatory work in relation to a substantial airport development in Africa, and the establishment of a new airline in the Middle East. It has also won appointment to a number of aviation insurance panels. Ferrari is ‘on the ball’ and ‘never loses sight of the real objective’.