The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

The service provided by SNR Denton’s broad commercial team is ‘consistently excellent, customer focused, responsive and practical’. Its client list includes the likes of Argos, Honda, and the Ministry of Defence, and 2010 saw it secure new instructions in the financial services sector. Highlights included advising Baring Asset Management on several outsourcing contracts, as well as on its standard derivative trading documentation. Dan Burge’s knowledge of financial services issues is ‘second to none’, and Catherine Bingham has over 20 years of commercial contracts experience. TMT sector head Scott Singer is recommended for ‘leading complex negotiations and cutting through the detail’.

Within Corporate tax, tier 5

SNR Denton advises on a range of complex and technical corporate tax matters for blue-chip clients including Total, Sainsbury’s, Tata Steel, and RBS. It advised Virgin Money on its takeover of Church House Trust, and Datacash on a recommended £333m takeover (via a scheme of arrangement) by MasterCard/Europa. Alex Thomas and Jeremy Cape are the names to note.

Within EU and competition , tier 6

The team at SNR Denton has been particularly busy in mergers, where it successfully guided The Ambassadors Theatre Group through its controversial merger with the UK theatres of Live Nation. Other recent work includes acting for The Football League in its intervention in the appeal of Ofcom’s decision in the pay TV market investigation before the CAT. Practice head Sam Szlezinger is particularly well known for his work in groundbreaking litigation.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 5

Neil Vickers and Jeremy Cohen at SNR Denton are recommended.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, SNR Denton is a first tier firm,

SNR Denton’s TMT and energy expertise makes for a good flow of work for the likes of EDF, Total and Virgin Group, and the team has had some significant client wins in the sports sector, in Watford Leisure and Group Lotus. Co-head of the practice Jeremy Cohen is ‘very knowledgeable and cool under pressure’, and Richard Macklin is also highly rated. The team advised Virgin Money on the takeover of Church House Trust and the acquisition of Intelligent Managed Services.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 7

Although it is better known for strategic M&A, SNR Denton handles some investment work for private equity sponsors.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

SNR Denton’s transatlantic merger has significantly strengthened the team’s ability to deal with international financial disputes with a US element. Richard Caird, who ‘has huge experience which he keeps at his fingertips’, and associate Sam Coulthard (a ‘first-class assistant’ and ‘rising star’) won a comprehensive victory for RBS in a trial culminating in the first court decision to provide judicial guidance on who can bring claims for breach of FSA rules.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 5

SNR Denton’s Liz Tout is ‘a formidable team leader’, and Richard Caird is also recommended. The firm successfully represented Depfa in a swaps dispute with two Norwegian municipalities.

Within Debt recovery, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

Commercial litigator James Fairbairn heads the debt recovery team at SNR Denton. Recent highlights for the Milton Keynes based practice include acting for several large banks in relation to rent recovery, banking claims and finance agreements, and assisting a prestigious boarding school in recovering tuition fees.

Within International arbitration, tier 6

SNR Denton has ‘strength in depth comparable to a Magic Circle firm but has the feel of a friendly boutique practice’. Known for its energy expertise, the team also won instructions relating to shipping, construction, aviation and IT. Liz Tout heads the team; and senior associate Matthew Vinall is ‘an excellent manager of heavy arbitration work’.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 6

SNR Denton is particularly ‘active in the mid-market’. As well as consolidating its existing relationships with clients such as Lloyds, it has successfully cultivated new ties with banks including HSBC and Barclays. Active in the telecoms sector, the team advised Investec Bank and HSBC on the £30m acquisition financing by LDC of the Easynet Group. Catherine Astruc and Richard Garvan are recommended.

Within Asset finance and leasing, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

Praised for its ‘strength and breadth of knowledge across the team’, SNR Denton has the critical mass to handle a significant volume of transactions across asset finance, for a range of banks, owners and lessors. Nick Chandler heads the aviation finance and leasing group, and is noted for his experience in ECA-supported financings, while Matthew Harvey’s core expertise lies in the financing of corporate jets and helicopters. On the shipping side, Greg Kahn has an excellent reputation, while Serge Sergiou handles rail financing as part of his broad practice.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

At SNR Denton, Isaac Felberbaum has an excellent reputation and heads up the firm’s syndicated loans team. ‘Very active in the emerging markets’, the team’s reach was furthered by the firm’s recent transatlantic merger.

Within Commodities: derivatives, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

‘A regulatory shop that understands trading intimately’, SNR Denton handles transactional, regulatory and disputes instructions, mainly in energy and metals. Brett Hillis moved to Reed Smith, and Robert Finney to Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, but Chris Borg remains, and acts for clients including Shell and Total. Rosali Pretorius advises Citigroup on clearing matters.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton took a hit this year with the retirement of star partner and group head Mark Andrews. Taking a strong share of mid-market instructions, the firm advised KPMG on the administration of social housing group Connaught. Nigel Barnett has been appointed to lead the practice, which includes partners Susan Moore, Neil Griffiths and Graham Paine.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 4

At SNR Denton, Matthew Sapte, David Cohen and James Curtis are ‘incredibly client focused, and provide genuine partner-led transactions’. Primarily focused on issuers, especially in emerging markets, the firm has also recently advised a number of lead managers on sukuk. Highlights included a structured note programme for First Rand Bank, and sovereign issues in Qatar.

Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 4

SNR Denton’s Matthew Sapte has been active winding up complex derivatives positions in restructurings. Other recent highlights include new deals in the Middle East, often focused on equity and shari’ah-compliant derivatives; and a structured note programme for FirstRand. Rosali Pretorius advised banks on prime brokerage and portfolio transfers.

Within Emerging markets, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton has carved out a notable emerging markets practice, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, although it lost Africa practice head Howard Barrie and Nick Grandage in 2010 and 2011. Geoffrey Wynne, who heads the trade and export finance practice, and Jonathan Solomon are key figures.

Within Investment funds Investment funds

Within Islamic finance, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton’s Matthew Sapte led advice to the joint lead managers on IDB’s $750m sukuk issuance and Sharjah Islamic Bank’s $400m sukuk. Paul Jarvis in Abu Dhabi and Richard de Belder are also recommended.

Within Trade finance, SNR Denton is a first tier firm,

SNR Denton is ‘many people’s first thought when looking for a trade finance team’. The dedicated three-partner London team is ‘very sensible, and gets things done’; it includes Jonathan Solomon (‘a very good guy, very strong in trade finance’) and the newly promoted Veronika Koroleva, as well as pivotal figure Geoffrey Wynne. It recently advised on a $1.75bn cocoa financing facility in Africa, and is active in deals in Ukraine. Clients include Standard Bank and Stemcor.

Within Employment, tier 5

The team at SNR Denton advises financial, retail, TMT, energy and infrastructure sector clients on corporate HR matters and disputes. Notable instructions in 2010 included advising EDF Energy on two major IT outsourcing projects, and an investment bank on several tribunal claims. The ‘user-friendly’ team, headed by Pauline McArdle, also advised on the Jarvis insolvency.

Within Health and safety, tier 4

SNR Denton has significant experience in defence matters in the rail sector; and also provides advisory services to the retail and energy sectors. In 2010, senior associate Sam Boileau led the compliance audit of London Overground for MTR, and advised on the health and safety aspects of the administration of Jarvis. Recent highlights include defending Total Waste Limited in relation to multiple charges under the Fire Safety Order 2005.

Within Immigration, tier 4

SNR Denton advises multinational companies and small businesses on the procedures for obtaining work permits, Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications, and Home Office concessions.

Within Pensions, tier 5

SNR Denton recently advised Lehman Bros, defending 32 companies in the Lehman Brothers Group against financial support direction proceedings brought by the Pensions Regulator. Elmer Doonan provides ‘strong, consistent advice’; Andrew Patten is ‘extremely knowledgeable and very helpful’; and Alan Jarvis has ‘good knowledge of UK pensions law and practice’.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring Leading individuals

Within Infrastructure, tier 4

SNR Denton’s practice attracts praise for its transport capability, with roads being a major strength. The firm advised the lenders to Amey Ventures on the £2.8bn Birmingham Highways Maintenance PFI. Matthew Hanslip Ward is recommended, and co-heads the energy, transport and infrastructure team.

Within Mining and minerals, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

SNR Denton’s Tom Eldridge is recommended as ‘hardworking and commercial’, and heads a team with ‘market-leading capabilities’. It predominantly handles corporate work, and recently advised Lucara Diamond Corporation on its takeover of African Diamonds.

Within Oil and gas, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

SNR Denton continues to act for some top-drawer clients, and is advising Total on the disposal of its UK downstream business. Danielle Beggs ‘always provides well-balanced advice’; and Charles Wood is also recommended, recently advising the government of Cyprus on the development of an LNG import terminal and the first importation of LNG to Cyprus.

Within Overview,

Norton Rose LLP draws admiring glances for its market-leading renewables and mining practices, and is working to become the pre-eminent name for energy work. SNR Denton and Trowers & Hamlins LLP field strong Middle East practices, which work alongside London teams to offer excellent global coverage.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

At SNR Denton, Charles Wood is an ‘undoubted leader in the field’, and Danielle Beggs is a ‘very good lawyer who always provides balanced advice’. The firm handles a broad spread of power project financings, regulatory matters and corporate work; recent transactional highlights include advising Ofgem on the second transitional tender round for offshore electricity transmission.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton’s team, led by Matthew Jones, has a longstanding reputation for transport work along with strength in Middle East power and infrastructure projects. In line with its pre-eminent roads practice, the firm advised the lenders to Amey Ventures in relation to the £2.8bn Birmingham Highways Maintenance PFI.

Within Water, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

While SNR Denton attracts praise for its Middle East practice, the firm also packs a punch in domestic mandates. Nick Graham advised Thames Water on the outsourcing of its managed metering services, while Christopher McGee-Osborne continued to advise the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company on the Salalah IWPP.

Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

SNR Denton’s focus remains within the PFI/PPP arena, where clients have included Virgin Rail and Postcomm. Richard Caird is ‘experienced and effective’, and senior associate Zara Skelton is an ‘excellent litigator’.

Within Local government, tier 5

The team at SNR Denton advises local authorities and public bodies on joint ventures, mixed-use developments and compulsory purchase orders, and has acted for the likes of the Homes and Communities Agency, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. Nick Mott heads the team.

Within Commercial property, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton’s team ‘combines technical excellence with a refreshingly commercial approach to complex transactions’. It advised key client Sainsbury’s on the real estate aspects of the transaction with its own pension fund culminating in the £750m transfer and leaseback of trading stores. Large schemes and projects remain a focus for the ‘down-to-earth’ team. Richard Budge, Andrew Bedford, Virginia Glastonbury and Nichola West are recommended, and ‘understand the pinch points on a deal’.

Within Construction, tier 4

SNR Denton ‘keeps the client well informed and provides a personal service’. The team recently advised the Isle of Wight Council on a PFI project to maintain motorways on the island. Practice head Robert Turner is ‘outstanding’.

Within Environment, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

SNR Denton’s practice head Stephen Shergold, who has ‘excellent knowledge and experience on environmental matters’, continues to lead on regulatory advice to Grundon, the UK’s largest privately owned waste management company. Infrastructure and energy projects are a key focus, with newly promoted partner Sam Boileau, who has ‘excellent understanding of client needs’, recently advising Centrica on the Baird gas storage project. It also drafted legislation for the Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland government, and advised J Sainsbury on contaminated land issues.

Within Planning, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

SNR Denton’s ‘proactive team consistently goes beyond expectation’, and is best known for public sector work. Clients include development corporations and retail sector interests. Practice head Stephen Webb advised Three Rivers District Council on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment; and Gladedale in a judicial review regarding its proposed redevelopment of Hampton Court railway station. Retail and housing expert David Cox, who provides ‘very sound and concise advice, and is never afraid to challenge conventional practices’, obtained planning permission for redevelopment schemes by J Sainsbury and Preston Tithebarn Partnership. Emma White is advising Fraser Projects on a planning inquiry.

Within Property finance, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

SNR Denton advised RBS on restructuring residential homebuilder Morris Group’s term and revolving facilities, and acted on financing Hilton hotel acquisitions in Manchester Airport, Stratford-upon-Avon and Wokingham. Lorraine Davis and Andrew Hill are popular with clients. Jayesh Patel joined Stephenson Harwood.

Within Property litigation, tier 4

Highlights for SNR Denton in 2010 included advising Sainsbury’s in a claim for possession against Waitrose in Marlow town centre store. Julian Cridge is recommended.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

SNR Denton’s team has ‘strength at all levels of seniority’, and the firm’s recent merger has given the London IP practice access to international resources and clients. The ‘effective, competent’ John Linneker acted in a high-profile dispute relating to the Lotus brand and, together with ‘extremely thorough’ patent litigator Anthony Trenton, represented Schütz in patent infringement cases in the Court of Appeal and the High Court. Commercial IP partner Scott Singer, who heads the TMT sector group, advised Sainsbury on its banking operations. Anna Copeman is ‘a future star’.

Within IT and telecoms, SNR Denton is a second tier firm,

At SNR Denton, Catherine Bingham and Dan Burge win plaudits for ‘delivering professional advice and responding to challenges and deadlines’. The firm’s recent merger strengthened the group’s resources, which include in-house e-discovery capability, and it maintains a strong focus on the banking and energy sectors. Rod Kirwan handles complex, cross-border outsourcing negotiations for public and private sector clients; Nick Graham advised Thames Water on its hi-tech smart metering plans; and Amanda Lewis is also recommended. Key mandates included regulatory and product compliance advice for Apple’s iPhone 4 launch in Oman. Other clients include Virgin Atlantic Airways, EDF Energy and Vodafone. John Worthy joined Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

Within Media and entertainment, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

Following the firm’s transatlantic merger, SNR Denton’s enlarged practice has won various new clients including Hit Entertainment. Head of the team Ingrid Silver recently led advice to Al Jazeera in an Ofcom investigation and in obtaining a new broadcasting licence to launch on UK Freeview. The team also represented Sony Pictures Television on several matters in 2010. Senior associate Helen Anderson and ‘hardworking and responsive’ associate Stephen Ridgway advised Endemol on various matters, and Ridgway continues to advise the England and Wales Cricket Board on media rights. Consultant Adrian Barr-Smith has ‘excellent knowledge of broadcast matters’. The team as a whole has ‘very good client-servicing skills’.

Within Overview,

The legal market saw some significant changes. Howrey LLP and Roiter Zucker Solicitors dissolved, with their key players joining other leading practices. High-profile transatlantic mergers led to the creation of SNR Denton and Squire Sanders Hammonds.

Within Sport, SNR Denton is a third tier firm,

SNR Denton’s ‘very good’ five-partner practice advises clients on commercial and regulatory issues, as well as litigation, advertising and employment. The ‘hardworking and responsive’ Stephen Ridgway advised Qatar Sports investments on a major sponsorship agreement, and John Linneker worked with the IP department to advise Group Lotus in a trade mark dispute. Other key clients include the ECB and Endemol Sport. Adrian Barr-Smith is knowledgeable and experienced. Sam Szlezinger heads the team.

Within Aviation, tier 4

SNR Denton has an impressive track record of acting for clients such as Emirates, United Aviation, Airbus and United Airlines. The group’s aviation finance expertise has been the initial draw for many of these clients, but the group now advises them on all manner of work from mainstream leasing to employment tribunal work. It has advised Russian airlines such as Transaero and Utair on commercial matters, and United Aviation on the application of EU emissions trading scheme. Nick Chandler leads the 15-partner, multi-disciplinary team.

Within Rail, SNR Denton is a first tier firm,

SNR Denton’s team is valued for its ‘responsiveness, acumen and in-depth knowledge’. Highlights included advising Bombardier on its bid for the Thameslink rolling stock programme, and acting for DB Regio on the successful mobilisation of the Tyne and Wear Metro, the only concession to complete in 2010. Matthew Hanslip Ward ‘can always be depended on for cogent and timely advice’, and Tammy Samuel ‘provides thorough and well-considered advice’. Christopher McGee-Osborne heads the team.