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DLA Piper UK LLP

INDIA BUILDINGS, WATER STREET, LIVERPOOL, L2 0NH, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 08700 111 111
Fax:
Fax 0151 236 9208
DX:
14103 LIVERPOOL
Web:
www.dlapiper.com
Email:
Zagreb, Washington DC, Warsaw, Vienna, Tokyo, Tbilisi and 78 more

North West : Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial: Liverpool, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘specialists for all areas and provides excellent service’ to corporates, start-ups and private equity houses. ‘A superb lawyer, with immense patience, integrity and technical strength’, Paul Rimmer leads the team, which hired corporate partner Gareth McIntegart from DWF LLP. David Cadwallader became a consultant to the firm.

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP ‘demonstrates a high degree of technical expertise and the ability to provide innovative solutions’ on transactions, and acts for a client base including private equity groups, regional private companies and multinationals. Corporate head Jonathan Watkins, ‘an outstanding professional adviser, a very good relationship manager and highly experienced in the commercial field’, led a cross-office team on the secondary buyout of Meetingzone Limited. On the private equity side, James Kerrigan is recommended, while Neal Shepherd moved to Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Within Corporate tax, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s David Thompson recently advised on tax aspects of Sodexo’s acquisition of WS Atkins’ asset management business. Other clients include Matalan, James Grant Holdings and Gresham Private Equity.

North West : Crime, fraud and licensing

Within Crime, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

Richard Smyth heads the fraud practice at DLA Piper UK LLP, where recent work includes complex VAT and money laundering cases and also international trade control cases. The team was bolstered by the arrival of John Gollaglee from Pannone LLP.

North West : Dispute resolution

Within Banking litigation, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP ‘has a good range of expertise in order to provide the knowledge that is necessary on each case’, and represents asset finance lenders, banks and payment service providers. It defended RBS against multiple claims regarding alleged defects in regulated financial agreements. Ben Johnson ‘can use his own expertise to great effect’.

Within Commercial litigation: Liverpool, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s Mark Goodwin ‘has a knack of demonstrating a calm persona even in the most stressful times’. He leads the team in advising on high-value and often cross-border disputes, and successfully acted for the claimant in the shareholder dispute Hawksford Trustees v Stella Global UK. Andrew Roberts handles complex contractual and warranty claims. John Gollaglee joined from Pannone LLP, and has expertise in regulatory disputes.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP provides ‘a strong commercial outlook, offering good value and sophisticated advice’. Its experience includes advising international clients in high-value cases. Stewart Plant is ‘a lateral thinker and looks for solutions’, and Andrew Harris is ‘a standout choice for shareholder disputes’. Also recommended are Tim Buckingham, who acts for institutional clients; national head of litigation and regulatory David Gray; and Jonathan Eatough, whose practice includes white-collar crime matters.

North West : Finance

Within Banking and finance, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

Recommended for complex, cross-border financings, DLA Piper UK LLP’s Matthew Christmas ‘provides sensible, commercial legal advice during challenging negotiations’, and real estate finance partner Hans Scheiwiller is ‘knowledgeable and commercial’. Recent matters include advising lenders on Betfred’s acquisition of The Tote. It lost Liz Sweeney to EOS Law LLP, but hired Alan Cunningham from DWF LLP to lead on asset finance mandates. Derivatives and structured finance specialist John Delamere joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP acts for UK clearing banks and asset based lending groups, and recently acted for the administrators of Homeform Group and Stanleybet. Practice head Martin Keates provides ‘a balanced view’, and is valued for his ‘strategic forward thinking coupled with practical legal mindset’. Liverpool-based John Vickery leads on restructurings and contentious insolvency matters.

North West : Human resources

Within Employment, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s team handles complex matters, including an increasing number of cross-border instructions. Helen Hall assisted Telefónica UK in relation to an application management outsourcing project which involved complex employment law issues. Department head Mary Clarke is ‘very succinct and pragmatic, and gives practical advice’. Mike Burns is ‘first class’, and Emma Mills is ‘knowledgeable, responsive and commercial’.

Within Health and safety, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

Richard Smyth is the name to note at DLA Piper UK LLP, which hired John Gollaglee from Pannone LLP.

Within Pensions, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘a deep understanding of clients’ schemes’. Recent work includes advising the Universities Superannuation Scheme in a large and complex matter. David Wright has an ‘ability to communicate complex issues’, and is ‘calm and clear’. Ben Miller is ‘professional and approachable’.

North West : Overview

Within Regional overview, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP regularly attracts significant mandates on a regional and national scale, and has strong links to private equity houses, multinationals, major clearing banks and leading corporates. In the Liverpool market particularly, it is perceived to be in a ‘tier of its own’, with a focus on handling significant matters outside the region.

North West : Projects, energy and natural resources

Within Project finance and PFI, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s team provides ‘sound, up-to-date advice delivered in layman’s terms’, and is recommended for major, complex projects. It advises public sector bodies, sponsors and funders on schemes, with a focus on the infrastructure, education and energy sectors. Practice head Liam Cowell advised Halton Borough Council on the Mersey Gateway project. Nick Helm has ‘a wealth of transactional experience’, particularly in the education field. Ian Wood and Darren Walsh have strong expertise in the nuclear sector.

North West : Public sector

Within Education, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP ‘exceeds expectations’. It is particularly strong on project work, and has a broad client base. Nick Helm has a ‘wealth of large transactional experience’ and leads the PFI team, which was reappointed as the sole adviser on PFI academies. Andrew Roberts heads the team in Liverpool.

Within Local government, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s public sector team was reappointed to the North West Consortium panel, which consists of 34 authorities. It assisted Halton Borough Council on the Mersey Gateway Project to develop a 1.2km River Mersey crossing, and acted for Westminster City Council on the procurement of multiple services and systems. Kate Creer is known for her CPO advice, on the planning side, and Sarah Bell is also recommended.

North West : Real estate

Within Commercial property: Liverpool, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

‘A very strong team across all sectors of commercial property’, DLA Piper UK LLP has particular strength in investment work. Mark Beardwood advised Dutch REIT Wereldhave on the £155m acquisition of The Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre; and Philip Rooney acted for Universities Superannuation Scheme on several multimillion-pound purchases. Alison Mills is noted for her ‘quality of delivery, solid practical advice and no-nonsense approach to getting the job done’. Local clients include Elan Homes, Downing Developments and Liverpool FC. Mary O’Hanlon has left the practice.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s four-partner team is led by Anita Weightman, who continues to act for ITV on its relocation to MediaCityUK, while other representative clients include British Waterways and Mapeley. Roy Beckett focuses on investment and development transactions, recently advising investors on the sale of a trust which owned a prominent local retail and leisure scheme. Martin Hallam left to join gunnercooke LLP.

Within Construction, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘service is practical and in tune with client requirements’. The team is led by Jim Pinsent, who is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious matters. It continues to advise on the Mersey Gateway development and Liverpool Central Village regeneration scheme. Associate Earle Brady provides ‘accurate, in-depth advice’ on the non-contentious side. Daniel Jude has relocated to the firm’s Dubai office.

Within Planning and environment, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP offers particular expertise in CPO matters and judicial reviews. Christopher Bowes ‘consistently demonstrates an excellent knowledge of planning legislation, and is calm, measured, and both client and commercially focused’. Kate Creer focuses on regeneration and development. Highlights included advising Halton Borough Council on the Mersey Gateway project, and acting for a developer in cases brought by Tower Hamlets council over a proposed redevelopment. John Gollaglee joined from Pannone LLP on the regulatory side, and associate Emily Williams is also recommended.

Within Property litigation, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘a common-sense approach backed up by professional, in-depth legal knowledge’, with experience in high-value dilapidation claims and other land and development site disputes for national property owners and occupiers. Steven Jennings’ clients include Trillium and Bruntwood Estates, while Liverpool-based Martin Griffiths is appointed to act for Barclays on property matters across the north of England.

North West : TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within Intellectual property, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is led by ‘excellent practitioner’ Graeme Orchison, who has acted on leading patent, trade mark and design cases for GOLA and Argos. Peter Brook leads the team in Liverpool and is recommended for non-contentious issues. The firm was exclusively appointed to act for Molson Coors. Stuart Campbell is now a partner.

Within IT and telecoms, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is jointly headed by Lee Brierley and Peter Brook. It is noted for its ‘strength in depth’, and is experienced in complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional matters. Stephen Wright is a leading figure for outsourcing matters, and ‘tenaciously protects his clients interests’. Highlights included acting on TfGM’s smart-ticketing project. New clients include Fujifilm.

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Legal Developments by:
DLA Piper

  • Sentencing guidelines for corporate manslaughter

    In February 2010 the Sentencing Guidelines Council (the SGC) issued definitive guidelines to courts on imposing appropriate sentences for corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences causing death. The SGC states that fines imposed on companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter should not fall below £500,000, while fines in respect of health and safety offences that are a significant cause of death should be at least £100,000. Crucially, the SGC declined to provide for a fixed link between the imposed fine and the turnover or profitability of the offending company.

    - DLA Piper UK LLP

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