The Legal 500

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP has experience advising issuer clients. Highlights of 2010 included practice head Simon Gilbert advising Origo Partners on a $30m placing and a $60m placing and listing on AIM, and also acting for Mwana Africa on two cash placings totalling £16.8m. Clive Hopewell acts for clients including Centamin Egypt.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, tier 4

Charles Russell LLP’s total deal value exceeded £1.5bn in 2010, with many deals over the £50m mark. Simon Gilbert’s team continues to advise ITV on corporate matters, while other notable clients include Actis, Zeus Private Equity, the government of the Bahamas, and Exillion Energy.

Within Fraud: civil , Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP is a growing presence in the area, and is developing its cross-border capabilities. It continues to act for Awal Bank BSC (in administration) in Bahrain in a complex multibillion-dollar fraud; and is advising a charity on the civil aspects of a $200m fraud case. Stewart Hey is praised for his ‘fantastic client skills’ and ‘first-rate network of contacts’.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Charles Russell LLP advised Enigma in a multimillion-pound dispute involving a complex IT software contract, and John Sykes led a team litigating complex matters of banking practice in its role as external administrator of Awal Bank (In Administration) in Bahrain. Stewart Hey is ‘shrewd and has a first-rate network of contacts which he can bring into play’, and the team is noted for its ‘ability to operate in multiple jurisdictions’.

Within Defamation and privacy, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘excellent’ team at Charles Russell LLP has ‘strength in depth’, and stands out for its expertise in television matters, acting for ITV, Channel 4, ITN and APTN, among others. It also advises on defamation and privacy matters, for clients such as The Football Association. Team head Duncan Lamont and Nick Armstrong are ‘incredibly experienced’, and associate James Quartermaine is ‘an excellent lawyer’.

Within Professional discipline, tier 4

David Reissner leads the team at Charles Russell LLP, which acts in relation to fitness-to-practise hearings and investigations brought by the General Pharmaceutical Council, as well as handling criminal prosecutions and inquests involving healthcare professionals.

Within Investment funds Investment funds

Within Employment, tier 4

Michael Powner now heads Charles Russell LLP’s 30-lawyer team, and added the FA to his list of sports and retail clients. David Green is a key adviser to corporates and law firms on restructurings and senior team reorganisations; Nick Hurley impresses with his ‘strategic and commercial approach to complex and highly sensitive issues’; and Helen Brooks is a tribunal specialist with a technology and media focus. In 2010 the team assisted Arquiva on a major restructuring, and wagamama on due diligence in preparation for sale.

Within Pensions, tier 6

Charles Russell LLP’s clients include the government of the Bahamas. Caoimhe O’Neill is noted for her ‘knowledge, energy, and responsiveness, and is very practical. She has the ability to quickly understand the issues’. Newly promoted partner Michael Jones ‘provides clear and well-reasoned advice’.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence

Within Agriculture and estates, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘highly skilled’ Christopher Page heads the team at Charles Russell LLP, which provides considerable tax and trusts expertise to its client base of landed estates, substantial farms and agricultural business clients. Representative instructions included advising Lord Sandys and the Ombersley Conservation Trust on strategic, fiscal and property matters.

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 4

Charles Russell LLP has an admirable commitment to its charities practice, which can draw support from the firm’s expertise across the private client sector. The ‘knowledgeable and technically excellent’ Michael Scott heads the practice, which acts for both institutional and not-for-profit clients, including City of London Guilds Institute, the People’s Supermarket and the RNLI as well as individual clients who wish to establish UK or international charitable foundations. Sarah Rowley is valued for her ‘meticulous approach’.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Senior partner Patrick Russell heads the practice at Charles Russell LLP after the departure of Morven McMillan to Mourant Ozannes in the Cayman Islands in 2010. Suzanne Marriott is ‘an excellent practitioner with good judgement: she fights on pivotal issues, but shows flexibility where needed’.

Within Family, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP has a strong, internationally focused family practice aided by its offices in Geneva and Bahrain. The ‘extremely sound’ Sarah Higgins and ‘unerring’ William Longrigg co-head the team, which includes children’s case specialist Tanya Roberts, who has ‘an extraordinary work ethic’, and ‘strong act’ Erica Shelton. Sarah Whitten and Miranda Fisher are also recommended. The family team also benefits from the firm’s strength in all aspects of private capital.

Within Heritage property, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP has dedicated expertise in heritage property, advising private individuals, trustees and art galleries on matters such as tax arrangements, loans, and sales and purchases. Robert Blower is well respected by clients and peers alike, for his ‘knowledge and skill’ in the sector. Bart Peerless and Suzanne Marriott are also considered ‘commercially and legally on the button’.

Within Overview,

The market is divided between firms with international offices in fertile hunting grounds for wealthy individuals such as Geneva or the Middle East – the likes of Withers LLP and Charles Russell LLP – and those which operate, very successfully, from a UK office, such as Macfarlanes LLP and Farrer & Co. Withers LLP stands out for its superb international reach, with offices in Milan, Hong Kong, Zurich, Geneva, the British Virgin Islands and the US, and covers every conceivable aspect of private client: multi-jurisdictional pre-nups, charitable legacies, landed estates, complex tax and trust structuring, cross-border probate, succession planning and international trust disputes. Macfarlanes LLP is unusual in its dedication to maintaining market-leading corporate and private client practices, and has a strong entrepreneurial client base. Farrer & Co is well known for advising members of the Royal Family and aristocracy, and is also a forward-looking and comprehensive private client practice with international expertise.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP has a comprehensive and ‘user-friendly’ private client practice capable of advising on complex domestic and international trusts and tax structuring, aided on the international side by the firm’s offices in Geneva and Bahrain. Robert Partridge heads the team, which gives ‘pragmatic and timely’ advice to its stable of institutional and high-net-worth clients. Also recommended are the ‘personable and highly competent’ Bart Peerless; ‘perfect homme d ’affaires’ Piers Masters; the ‘vastly experienced’ David Long; and the ‘technically excellent and insightful’ Robert Blower.

Within Mining and minerals, tier 4

Charles Russell LLP is ‘excellent on general corporate advice’, and team head Clive Hopewell ‘consistently pleases’. The firm acted for Centamin Egypt on a $135m fundraising in the UK and Canada. Tau Capital and Energybuild Group are also representative clients.

Within Education: schools, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice uses ‘creativity and innovation’ when advising its independent school clients, which include Lord Wandsworth College and Merchant Taylors School. Within Andrew Cameron’s team, Michael Scott provides ‘excellent, experienced advice’, and Lynn Povey is ‘absolutely outstanding’.

Within Healthcare, tier 4

Charles Russell LLP’s team deals with both contentious and non-contentious healthcare matters, acting for individuals and organisations. Work highlights included challenging the legality of six PCT decisions, and advising Sainsbury’s on its growing pharmacy chain. Practice head David Reissner is a ‘leader in this field and is very good at interpreting the regulations’.

Within Commercial property, tier 5

Charles Russell LLP advised GM Investment Trustees on acquiring a £30m retail portfolio, and continues to advise Eton College regarding development and venue use agreements for the 2012 Olympics rowing events. Lynn Povey, Simon Davies and Simon Ewing are recommended.

Within Property finance Property finance

Within Property litigation, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP is building a credible commercial practice alongside its traditionally strong residential expertise. The ‘meticulous’ Robert Highmore heads the practice, which ‘goes the extra mile’ for clients and has some excellent institutional clients including the Church Commissioners for England and the Dulwich Estate. Emma Humphreys is well regarded.

Within Brand management, tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP has niche expertise in the operation of loyalty card schemes. It recruited Jonathan Radcliffe from Nabarro LLP, but lost Mary Bagnall to Charles Russell LLP.

Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Charles Russell LLP’s team is led by Patrick Gearon, who successfully represented MMI Research in a High Court patent claim. It was strengthened by the arrival of Mary Bagnall and Ian Wood from Mayer Brown International LLP, and Vanessa Barnett from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

Charles Russell LLP is ‘a cut above the rest’ for its ‘transactional skill’. Practice head Vincenzo Lanni advised Virgin Media on outsourcing arrangements. Mark Moncreiffe and David Berry are also recommended, as is litigator John Sykes, for his ‘quality and clarity of advice’. International clients include Cable & Wireless. The team was strengthened by the lateral hire of Vanessa Barnett from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within Media and entertainment, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s Nick Armstrong and James Quartermaine advised BSkyB on a format claim relating to Sky One’s music show Must Be The Music. Paul Stone and Elora Mukherjee advised ITV on participating in Project Canvas; Jason Saiban and Jonathan Walters advised Nike on setting up and operating its running event, The Grid; and the team also advises Channel Four, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and physical theatre DV8. Duncan Lamont heads the practice, which was significantly enhanced with several notable hires: Vanessa Barnett from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP; Mary Bagnall from Mayer Brown International LLP; and computer games expert Jaclyn Wilkins from Marriott Harrison.

Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology,

Mayer Brown International LLP’s cross-practice group, which was boosted by lateral hire Jonathan Radcliffe from Nabarro LLP, represented Mölnlycke in a high-profile patent revocation action. Clare Canning defended BASF against a cartel damages action related to vitamins pricing. Sangeeta Puran was promoted to partner, while Ian Wood joined Charles Russell LLP.

Within Sport, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s ‘first-class’ practice has been acting for the British Horseracing Authority in various High Court matters, and also represents the Hurlingham Polo Association. The ‘excellent’ team also advises other regulatory bodies, including the FA and new client the RFU. Jason Saiban and solicitor Chris Evans advise Manchester United FC on merchandising issues. Keir Gordon heads the department. The ‘excellent, responsive and commercial’ Ian Lynam, employment practice head Michael Powner, and solicitor Will Nash advised Gerard Houllier on his appointment as manager of Aston Villa FC in 2010. ‘Exceptional’ litigator Jonathan Ellis is valued for his ‘sensible, pragmatic advice’, and his ability to ‘always think of the bigger picture’. Jonathan Walters is an ‘up-and-coming’ associate.