The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, tier 4

At Beachcroft, the ‘first-class, commercial and charming’ Leila Porter is the sole partner in a team acting for an impressive roster of high-profile corporates, among them Topps Tiles, Keycom and Braemer Group.

Within Licensing, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft acts for a range of clients in industries including consumer/industrial goods and services, real estate and construction, and also the public sector. Clients of the team, headed by Jan Levinson, include Manchester United Limited and Westfield Shoppingtowns Limited.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, tier 4

Headed by Jan Levinson, the team at Beachcroft is noted for its ‘thorough approach’, and advises clients in the technology, financial services, sports, healthcare and local authority sectors, among others. Best known for its insurance litigation expertise, the team recently picked up a plethora of instructions from insurance broker Bollington.

Within Employment, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft won appointments to the Royal Mail’s new commercial panel and to Balfour Beatty plc’s panel. Paula Cole has ‘the ability to see the next step and prepare a plan of action to deal with it at an early stage’. Many members of the team are praised for their commitment to getting to know their clients’ business, including Deborah Hely, and Sue Jenkins.

Within Health and safety, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft has a growing presence in this area, having recently acted for a number of major corporate clients in high-profile HSE investigations. Iain Moore leads the team.

Within Personal injury: defendant, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft acts for a broad range of UK and international insurers, household name corporates, and public bodies. Practice head Iain Moore has particular experience in the industrial goods and services sectors; and Corrinne Sinker acts for clients in the financial services sector. The team also has growing expertise in fraud cases.

Within Professional negligence, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at Beachcroft has seen an increase in instructions relating to construction professionals and educational establishments. Practice head Ian McConkey is recommended.

Within Regional review, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft goes from strength to strength in the region, reflected in its move to new offices in June 2010. It is well known for the quality of its employment and insurance practices, and grew its property team with the hire of Eve Gregory from Eversheds LLP.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI), DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft advised Liverpool City Council on a high-profile deal in the city centre.

Within Health, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Recent work for Beachcroft includes advising on the integration of PCT provider arm services into foundation trusts; employment and pensions issues; and the property aspects of Transforming Community Services. New clients include a number of PCTs and foundation trusts, and also RBS.

Within Local government, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft has a strong track record in this area, and was recently appointed a partner firm to advise all 28 authorities comprising the North West Legal Consortium. The team is ‘easy to contact, tenacious, and able to get the deal done to tight deadlines despite a myriad of complications’.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘responsive, thorough and methodical’ five-partner team at Beachcroft has a balanced practice advising public and private sector clients. As well as handling local matters, the team often works as part of a broader national offering, as with its ongoing work on Westfield’s new shopping centre development in Stratford, London. On the public sector side, the firm was recently appointed to the North West legal consortium. Eve Gregory ‘takes charge and gets on with things’, and Alison Key is ‘experienced, approachable and down to earth’.

Within Construction, tier 4

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP is best known for its disputes expertise for a wide range of clients including developers and engineers. A chartered quantity surveyor, Barry Goodall is recommended.

Within Property litigation, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft represents a mix of institutional and entrepreneurial clients in a range of litigation including service charge and break clause disputes. The team has handled a number of matters for HM Courts Service, including a potential nuisance claim and a boundary dispute. Regional senior partner Robert Moss heads a two-partner team that also includes the ‘determined and thorough’ Lesley Hughes.

Within Intellectual property, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft acts for a number of multinational companies and public sector bodies. Recent work includes advising on IP litigation for INFOR. Head of the team is associate Harald Loeffler.

Within IT and telecoms, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft acts for a number of multinational companies and public sector bodies. Recent work includes advising on IT litigation matters for INFOR, and advising a number of telecoms clients. Harald Loeffler heads the team, and has valuable international experience.

Within Sport, tier 4

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP advises sports clients on a range of issues, and insurers in sports injury matters.