The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Collyer Bristow LLP is a second tier firm,

Highlights for Paul Sillis’ team at Collyer Bristow LLP included acting for Clode Group in its acquisitions of Clode Funding Limited and V-12 Holdings Limited. Oliver Drennan left the firm in 2011 to take up an in-house position, and Gary Withey has also left the firm.

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Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 6

Stephen Rosen’s team at Collyer Bristow LLP has particular expertise in handling claims against banks arising out of interest rate swap derivatives.

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Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

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Within Defamation and privacy, Collyer Bristow LLP is a second tier firm,

Collyer Bristow LLP ‘fields a strong, professional and committed team’, and its ‘expert advice enables clients to navigate the stormy waters of reputation management’. Consistently praised for ‘outstanding levels of client care’, it represents an extensive list of high-profile individuals, including Charlotte Church and JK Rowling in relation to the Leveson Inquiry, and Max Mosley in libel, harassment and privacy matters in the ECHR. Steven Heffer ‘works tirelessly to ensure that his clients ’ aims are met’; he and Dominic Crossley are ‘class acts’. Rhory Robertson also has ‘considerable experience’, and is highly recommended.

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Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency,

Also recommended are: the ‘commercial’ Louise Verrill, who heads the ‘professional, effective and personable’ six-partner team at Brown Rudnick LLP, which specialises in representing funds as bondholders; Collyer Bristow LLP’s team head Steven Heffer, who is praised for his ‘commerciality, excellent judgement and knowledge’; Richard Baines at Druces LLP, for his ability to ‘effectively explain complicated technical matters’; Edwin Coe LLP’s ‘tactical and skilful’ team head Ali Zaidi; Farrer & Co’s practice head David Fletcher, who is ‘easy to deal with and technically sound, and provides practical solutions’; Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP’s practice head Emma Menzies; the ‘technical, commercial and practical’ Vernon Dennis, who heads a property-focused team at Howard Kennedy; Manches LLP’s team head Alex Fox, who is praised for his ‘assiduity, commerciality and creative thinking’; and the ‘very client-focused’ team at TLT LLP.

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Within Emerging markets, tier 5

Silvia Fazio is a leading light at Collyer Bristow LLP, which focuses on the Brazilian market and acts for clients including Greenwood Management, Banco do Brasil and Banco Santander Totta.

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Within Art and cultural property, Collyer Bristow LLP is a third tier firm,

At Collyer Bristow LLP, Andrew Dixon advises on transactions such as the loan of high-profile paintings to major museums. Daniel Simon advises on offshore trusts and tax efficiency matters.

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Within Family, Collyer Bristow LLP is a third tier firm,

Collyer Bristow LLP’s ‘excellent’ team includes Toby Yerburgh, who ‘puts emotional clients at ease’; the ‘determined’ Michael Drake; and Gillian Rivers, who is ‘firm but sensitive’. The firm is seeking UK citizenship for twins born under an illegal surrogacy agreement; and is advising a married couple regarding the English aspects of an ongoing case against the Spanish government.

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Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, tier 4

Rosamond McDowell heads the team at Collyer Bristow LLP. Noted ‘technician’ John Saner is active in the traditional private client sphere; and Daniel Simon has a thriving cross-border practice. In 2011, the firm was appointed by Goldman Sachs for the referral of numerous high-net-worth clients, and also acted for an Egyptian-Russian couple in respect of succession and tax planning requirements. Andrew Dixon retired as partner in 2012.

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Within Commercial property, Collyer Bristow LLP is a third tier firm,

Collyer Bristow LLP handles everything from large portfolio sales and purchases to complex mixed-use and town centre developments, and is ‘increasingly strong in acting for residential developers’. Clients include Crest Nicholson, Bewley Homes and Clapham House Group. Alex O’Connor is ‘great at dealing with complex issues’.

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Within Construction, tier 5

Disputes specialist Jonathan Pawlowski now heads the practice at Collyer Bristow LLP having joined from DAC Beachcroft LLP, with Jane Hughes having left private practice. The firm has a roster of supplier clients.

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Within Property litigation, tier 5

‘Class performer’ Collyer Bristow LLP lost a valuable adviser when Matthew Marsh became Master of the High Court Chancery Division in 2012. Michael Grace acts for Crest Nicholson plc.

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Within Brand management, tier 4

Collyer Bristow LLP acts for Boardman Bikes on sponsorship and licensing agreements, recently advising on the supply of its product range to the British Olympic Cycling team, and also advises Sanrio on brand protection. Patrick Wheeler heads the team. Annsley Ward joined Allen & Overy LLP.

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Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Collyer Bristow LLP’s Joe Cohen and Patrick Wheeler advise on copyright and trade mark infringement matters for clients such as Omega Engineering and Timesource. Howard Ricklow handles non-contentious work. Annsley Ward is now with Allen & Overy LLP.

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Within Media and entertainment, tier 4

Litigator Steven Heffer, who heads Collyer Bristow LLP’s 16-lawyer team, is representing more than 50 claimants in the News of the World phone-hacking case. Music lawyer Howard Ricklow is advising composer David Arnold in relation to the London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. The team represents musicians, actors and artists, recently advising on an exhibition by Korean photographer Ahae.

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Within Sport, tier 5

Collyer Bristow LLP provides contentious and commercial advice to cricket, football, cycling and horseracing clients.

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