The Legal 500

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 5

Philip Rogers is recommended at Clyde & Co LLP.

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

Clyde & Co LLP hired a staggering seven new partners into its corporate practice in 2010, from the likes of Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, Addleshaw Goddard LLP and Hill Dickinson LLP. On the deal front, much of its work came from its continued drive to win foreign mandates; highlights included advising New Age Africa in taking a 25% stake in an oil production and sharing contract in the republic of Congo.

Within Fraud: civil , Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP operates a sector-led practice with particular experience in financial services, insurance, transport, and social infrastructure. Notable recent work includes defending IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG in a claim valued at more than $2bn for alleged fraudulent misrepresentations. Julian Connerty and Paul Friedman are both highly regarded.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

Acting for and against banks, Clyde & Co LLP continues to receive a strong flow of quality instructions, with an increase in work from international clients. Highlights included acting for a major European bank regarding the handling of certain investments and derivatives. Paul Friedman is a ‘proactive, tenacious and measured litigator with a good understanding of commercial realities’.

Within Commercial litigation, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s promotion of Mike Swangard to the partnership and lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic from Halliwells and David Leckie from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP boosted its practice in the commodities and energy sectors. The firm continues to work across its core sectors of trade, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, and has growing capability in banking and finance, and technology matters. Paul Friedman is recommended.

Within International arbitration, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

The team at Clyde & Co LLP worked on cases across its core sectors of trade, commodities, energy, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, but was also instructed in financial institution related cases. It benefits from the firm’s network of overseas offices, and lateral hires in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Middle East and the US. John Whittaker, Ben Knowles and Michael Swangard are key figures.

Within Mediators,

The ‘outstanding’ Jane Andrewartha is a top-flight disputes partner at Clyde & Co LLP who splits her time between her contentious insurance practice and mediation, where she has an absolutely first-class reputation. On top of her experience in insurance and reinsurance, her expertise as a mediator extends across the full range of sectors and disciplines, including banking and finance, commercial, aviation, commodities, employment and construction,.

Within Overview,

The market remains competitive and fluid. Halliwells’ collapse provided Clyde & Co LLP with the lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic, while Stephenson Harwood beefed up with Sean Jeffrey arriving from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Sara George from Allen & Overy LLP. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s former litigation chief Julian Randall exited for Taylor Wessing LLP. Others have been busy consolidating; in 2011, seven partners from Dawsons LLP, plus their assistants, joined Penningtons Solicitors LLP, while Stewarts Law LLP acquired litigation practice Masseys LLP.

Within Public international law, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s PIL practice draws on the firm’s international trade and dispute resolution expertise. The team is increasingly involved in disputes arising under investment treaties, acting for and against governments in relation to expropriation, fair and equitable treatment, discrimination, and denial of justice claims. PIL work is also relevant to the firm’s work concerning contract frustration, sovereign immunity, and international debt issues, and it has expertise in sanctions-related advice. John Whittaker, Ben Knowles and Michael Swangard are key practitioners.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 4

With over 30 lawyers in its London asset finance team, Clyde & Co LLP has one of the largest offerings in the market. Much of its work is for the firm’s extensive roster of shipowners and operators, and it is well equipped to handle cross-border mandates, with a particularly strong offering in Piraeus and Dubai. On the aviation side, the firm continues to flourish across its core areas of commercial aircraft, business aircraft and engines. Recent highlights include advising Westpac on financing the acquisition by a Guernsey special purpose fund of an Airbus 380 leased to Emirates. The ‘very commercial and easy-to-deal-with’ Gavin Hill and ‘very strong’ Philip Perrotta are recommended for aviation finance; Matt Hannaford heads the ship finance practice; and the arrival of Nigel Taylor from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP gives the firm added expertise in rail matters.

Within Commodities: derivatives Leading individuals

Within Commodities: physicals, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP advises investment banks, trading houses and producers including Glencore and Tata Steel. Michael Swangard is ‘responsive and very commercial’; Paul Friedman is ‘a wise person to have on your side in litigation’; and John Whittaker is ‘talented, with strong professional ethics’. Hatty Sumption, Ben Knowles and former commodity trader Clare Hatcher round out a team that is ‘hardworking, quick, and practical: a class act’. Defending sugar trader ED&F Man is among its recent highlights.

Within Overview,

Instructed by a swathe of FTSE 100 corporates, Slaughter and May is the premier borrower-side practice in the market, and scores highly for bank lending and restructuring matters, where it continues to excel in government-led work. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is also very accomplished on the borrower side, in investment grade lending and acquisition finance, where it acts for an oustanding roster of private equity sponsors, and also in more esoteric areas such as derivatives, where it moves to the top tier this year. High-ranking practices outside the Magic Circle include Hogan Lovells International LLP, which moves up in the asset finance ranking having hired Simon Gwynne and Robert Fugard from Linklaters LLP, and also has a strong showing across restructuring, investment funds, and Islamic and trade finance; Ashurst LLP, across acquisition finance, investment funds, securitisation and derivatives; Norton Rose LLP, in asset finance, Islamic finance and emerging markets; SJ Berwin LLP, in investment funds; and Simmons & Simmons, in hedge funds and derivatives. As well as having strong asset finance practices, Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Reed Smith all feature in the top tier of the commodities (physicals) ranking.

Within Trade finance, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

At established commodities player Clyde & Co LLP, Stephen Tricks is valued for his ‘rounded, practical advice’, recently handling deals such as a $60m loan and offtake contract for a Cuban metals producer. Philip Prowse joined from Salans.

Within Employment, tier 7

Insurance sector specialist Clyde & Co LLP recently assisted an Islamic insurance provider in a boardroom dispute, and defended a union claim against an overseas operation of a UK plc. Guildford-based Stephen Blunt is ‘down to earth, practical, accessible at all times, and highly commercial’.

Within Health and safety,

Also of note are: Clyde & Co LLP, for its energy sector specialisation; the ‘pragmatic, sensible’ Anne Davies, now at Crowell & Moring; D avid Egan at Irwin Mitchell LLP; Kingsley Napley LLP, whose criminal law background is an advantage in investigations by maritime authorities, among others; Weightmans LLP’s strong national team; and Plexus Law, which ‘continues to push the boundaries’.

Within Immigration, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP has seen a recent increase in compliance and audit-related work for blue-chip clients wishing to retain A-rated sponsorship status. It also handles personal matters, including political asylum and entry clearance for inter-country adoptions. ‘Superlative professional’ Jonathan Chaimovic and his team deliver ‘commercially orientated solutions that achieve the outcomes the business desires’. Associate Tim Richards is one to watch.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP has ‘strength in depth, including quality individuals at associate level’, and ‘a significant number of major players’. The practice’s insurance expertise includes areas such as aviation, marine, energy, P&C and political risk. It advised Houston Casualty Company (HCC) on a £250m international arbitration relating to property and business interruption claims following Hurricane Ivan. Michael Payton ‘demonstrates almost unrivalled industry knowledge, and universally recognised expertise’, and Nigel Brook is also highlighted for his comprehensive understanding of the field. James Burns, Nigel Chapman, Manoj Vaghela, and ‘rising star’ Jon Turnbull are also recommended.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s corporate insurance team, led by Andrew Holderness, advised EMB on its sale to Towers Watson, and Glacier Group on selling a subsidiary to Torus. The firm has a strong presence in the Lloyd’s market, with clients including Marketform, Whittington, W.R. Berkley, Arch, Canopius, and Randall & Quilter. Clients appreciate the ‘large amount of direct partner input’ from ‘industry experts’. Ivor Edwards is ‘practical and down to earth’, Geraldine Quirk is ‘an expert’, and Andrew Tromans and David Coupe are also recommended.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s Geraldine Quirk is ‘an expert on solvent schemes and Part VII transfers’, and ‘the most knowledgeable lawyer in the City in these areas’. The team advised City General on aspects of acquiring the general insurance business of Generali Assurances Générales. Paul Bugden, David Coupe and senior associate Ravi Masaon are recommended.

Within Product liability: defendant, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s team gives ‘clear, concise advice’, and is flourishing following several hires from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP. Its expertise includes agriculture and food, engineering and automotive, and pharmaceuticals claims. Neil Beresford, Manoj Vaghela and Chris Harris are recommended.

Within Professional negligence, tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP’s ‘first-rate’ team brings and defends claims involving lawyers, accountants, architects, surveyors, company directors, finance and insurance brokers, and healthcare professionals. It is advising London insurers regarding the Madonna concert stadium collapse in Toulouse. Victor Rae-Reeves and Julian Connerty are recommended.

Within Oil and gas, tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘outstanding in every respect’, and made a hat-trick of partner hires to cement its position: Sandra Sinclair-Hughes from Watson, Farley & Williams LLP; David Leckie from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP; and George Booth from Simmons & Simmons. Marine-related matters, insurance and corporate work are all strong areas.

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

Clyde & Co LLP bolstered its team through the hire of George Booth from Simmons & Simmons. The firm is advising African Minerals on a £3bn development, including a power station, in Sierra Leone.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , tier 6

Clyde & Co LLP ‘focuses on the key issues’, with Liz Jenkins and Robert Meakin recommended on the construction side of PFI projects. Clients include Kier Regional, Galliford Try and Skanska.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘very good at negotiating complicated deals even when the property is small’. The practice focuses on development, investment, and work for large occupiers including retailers. Clients include Grosvenor, Tesco Express and Frogmore. Martin Quicke is ‘able to delegate and still be firmly in touch with what’s going on’. Graeme Taylor, David Wyatt and Adam Taylor-Smith are also recommended.

Within Construction, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s team is ‘generally excellent’ and displays ‘good attention to detail’. In 2010, the practice saw an increase in developer-led work and international mandates, including advising African Minerals on a power station project in Sierra Leone. John Morris leads the 11-partner London team, and ‘gets a clear grasp of situations within a short time’.

Within Environment, tier 5

Clyde & Co LLP provides environment advice in the insurance, aviation and energy sectors. Clients include IATA and Marcol International Asset Management. ‘Bright, astute and knowledgeable’ senior associate Georgina Crowhurst heads the practice.

Within Planning Leading individuals

Within Aviation, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Market leader’ Beaumont & Son – Aviation at Clyde & Co stands out for handling everything from commercial and corporate work to insurance and regulatory matters in the aviation field. Recent highlights include successfully defending Air New Zealand against accusations of cartel activity in the air cargo sector; acting for insurers on the total loss of Air France 447; and advising various airlines on slot deals at London airports. The London team is backed by the over 100 aviation lawyers across the firm’s network of international offices, giving the team credible resources in Latin and North America, Asia, and Europe. The team is also notable for its strength in depth, with experts including consultant John Balfour, Tim Brymer, David Willcox, Philip Bass, and Patrick Slomski, who has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry’ Peter Macara and Alex Stovold have been promoted to partner.

Within Overview,

The chapter no longer covers multi-modal work under a separate heading, but a number of prominent firms continue to have healthy practices in the area – notably Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, Gateley, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP and Hill Dickinson LLP.

Within Rail,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP largely focuses on pensions, corporate and technology work, for clients such as Arriva and Go-Ahead, and boosted its technology offering with the recruitment of John Worthy from SNR Denton. Nigel Taylor left to join Clyde & Co LLP.

Within Shipping , Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s ‘quick and responsive’ team represented Merle Wood & Associates in a leading shipbroking case regarding a 110-metre superyacht, and achieved the second-highest Lloyd’s Open Forum salvage award ever for Five Oceans Salvage. Andrew Preston’s ‘strengths are his knowledge of the law, speed of response and ability to assess commercial risk’; Nick Austin ‘explains technical issues with clarity’; and Hatty Sumption is ‘very thorough, commercially minded and persistent’. The firm’s ‘network of worldwide offices proves to be extremely useful’.