The Legal 500

Within Commercial contracts, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

Kit Burden heads the UK technology, sourcing and commercial group at DLA Piper UK LLP and is ‘extremely experienced’, particularly in large-scale outsourcing mandates, and brings ‘insight and value to complex deal structures and troubled projects’. ‘Top practitioner’ Richard Bonnar leads on the public sector outsourcing side, which sits alongside the firm’s broader distribution, global logistics and facilities management work. In 2011, Iain Bowler advised OJSC Sollers in the negotiation and implementation of 32 commercial agreements that underpin Ford’s $4bn joint venture with the client in Russia. Tata Communications, Honda, Barclays and the Department for Work and Pensions are all clients.

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Within Corporate tax, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘knowledgeable team which works with clients to meet their expectations on time and on budget’. It has strength in M&A, structured finance, asset finance, funds and real estate property, and recently advised Deutsche Bank on the disposal of structured ROSCO assets to a new fund as part of a spin-off of assets. Simon Gough is recommended, and Richard Woolich has ‘incredible client focus and attention to detail’.

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Within Customs and Excise Customs and Excise

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Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, tier 6

Alex Tamlyn’s team at DLA Piper UK LLP includes John Hayes, who advised Better Capital on its £170m conversion to a protected cell company and subsequent issue of shares. Charles Severs advised Chemring Group on a £112m secondary placing.

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Within Equity capital markets: US capability, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP set up a US ECM team for EMEA deals with the hire of George Barboutis and Sarah Knight from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. Barboutis brings extensive experience advising banks on IPOs in emerging markets.

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Within EU and competition, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s team is ‘experienced, highly knowledgeable and very competent’, and is ‘well placed to act on any matter with a multi-jurisdictional dimension’. Clients including the FA Premier League and Pure Circle. Mike Pullen has expertise across international trade disputes and investigations, anti-subsidy matters, countervailing duties, trade safeguards, and WTO law.

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Within Financial services, tier 4

Notable for its international reach, DLA Piper UK LLP advises on the regulatory implications of bank acquisitions, and handles multi-jurisdictional reviews of regulatory requirements. It also advises regulators, and assists with allegations of market abuse, insider dealing, mis-marking and mis-selling. Michael McKee leads non-contentious matters, and the ‘tenacious’ Elisabeth Bremner has returned from secondment at Barclays Bank to lead the contentious group. Simon Wright joined from Barclays Wealth.

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Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

Alex Tamlyn’s versatile team at DLA Piper UK LLP remains busy. John Hayes advised Better Capital PCC on its conversion to a protected cell company and its subsequent issue of shares. John Campion acted for Arden Partners as underwriter on Nandan Cleantech’s £16m AIM IPO.

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Within M&A: premium deals, £250m+, tier 6

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘pragmatic, skilled’ team acted on 119 UK M&A deals, by a wide margin the largest UK transactional output of any firm. In an illustration of its premium deal capability, Jon Hayes and Polly Owen advised Banco Santander on its acquisition of Polish entities Bank Zachodni WB and BZ WBK AIB. ‘Extraordinary’ practice head Robert Bishop leads a ten-partner team that was joined in 2011 by George Barboutis from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and Jonathan Lisle from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.

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Within Private equity: transactions, tier 4

Praised for its ‘ability to bring issues to their essence’, DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘very experienced in the mid-/lower-mid market’ and is able to resource deals effectively out of London and its regional offices. ‘Very sensible and pragmatic’ team head David Raff recently advised the management of CPA Global on its proposed acquisition by Cinven. The practice has also handled a raft of work for Sun Capital, including its acquisition of the Alexon Group. The ‘hardworking and committed’ Edward Griffiths is a ‘pleasure to work with’. Leeds-based Wendy Harrison is ‘very attentive’, and Manchester-based James Kerrigan provides ‘excellent advice on the key risks’.

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Within VAT and indirect tax, tier 4

Richard Woolich is recommended at DLA Piper UK LLP.

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Within Fraud: civil, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP bolstered its practice with the addition of three new partners from Lawrence Graham LLP: Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry, who is ‘adept’ at handling complex multi-jurisdictional litigation; and the ‘very experienced’ Jeremy Andrews and Jamie Curle. The firm is acting for CP Credit in complex proceedings relating to an alleged $500m fraud and conspiracy. Nick Marsh is a ‘brilliant tactician’.

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Within Fraud: corporate crime, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has the ‘very experienced and practical’ Jo Rickards. The team is advising MW Kellogg in connection with allegations of bribery relating to an LNG project in Nigeria. Simon Airey and others are advising more than a dozen global organisations on the new bribery legislation.

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Within Fraud: white-collar crime, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has been representing Andy Coulson in the criminal investigation into phone hacking and payments to police, and also represented Silvio Berlusconi in proceedings in Milan via video link. Jo Rickards and Simon Airey are recommended.

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Within Gaming and betting, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice has real momentum following the arrival from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP of new group head Hilary Stewart-Jones, a ‘beacon’ in the industry, and Stephen Ketteley. In 2011, the ‘outstanding’ Stewart-Jones provided regulatory advice to Sportingbet on the disposal of its Turkish online gambling business.

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Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP is investing heavily in its banking litigation practice, adding Jamie Curle, Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry and Jeremy Andrews from Lawrence Graham LLP to an already impressive team. Nick Marsh is ‘frighteningly bright’, and Ioannis Alexopoulos is also highly recommended. Recent cases of note for the team include the $12.5bn Belmont noteholder priority dispute, and Fortis Bank and Stemcor v Indian Overseas Bank.

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Within Commercial litigation, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘roster of Russian clients that most City firms would kill for’. The practice represented the owner of one of Russia’s largest supermarket chains in a $150m fraud and conspiracy High Court claim. Litigation head Matthew Saunders and Philip Chong specialise in energy-related disputes; ‘brilliant litigation lawyer’ Nick Marsh is noted for Russia/CIS and Eastern Europe cases; and Lee Gluyas is ‘versatile and experienced’. Mark Franklin, Ioannis Alexopoulos, Jeremy Andrews, Janet Legrand, and Charles Gordon are well-regarded practitioners. Jeremy Andrews, Jamie Curle and Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry joined from Lawrence Graham LLP.

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Within Defamation and privacy, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has been advising major media clients such as Random House and Macmillan on pre-publication clearance, and is regularly instructed by corporate clients in actions against social media sites, as well as handling reputation management matters.

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Within International arbitration, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP ‘deals with complex and high-value cases’. The practice is noted for its energy and telecoms sector expertise, and its emerging markets practice, especially in matters related to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Matthew Saunders ‘exudes calm competence’, and Nick Marsh ‘works terrifically hard for his clients, who love him as a result’. Also recommended are Philip Chong, who has expertise in project and infrastructure disputes; and Ioannis Alexopoulos, Kate Knox and Jeremy Andrews. Jamie Curle and Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry joined from Lawrence Graham LLP.

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Within Public international law, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP saw an increase in advisory work, in the context of the potential collapse of the euro and the prospect of sovereign debt defaults in Europe. The team includes Matthew Saunders, whose focus has been Russia and the former Soviet Union; and Kate Knox, who has significant investment treaty experience. Jamie Curle and Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry joined from Lawrence Graham LLP; both have advised governments in relation to regime change, and associated fraud and asset recovery matters.

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Within Tax litigation, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP advises on direct and indirect tax, tax fraud and tax investigations, acting for clients including Barclays Capital, Kore Line Corporation, and De Vere Group. It recently advised Brunel Motor Company on the validity of credit notes issued by Ford.Recommended partners include Simon Airey and Leslie Allen.

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Within Acquisition finance, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP is valued for its ‘sensible approach’, and focuses on mid-market, UK-based club deals. Peter Crichton advised a lender club including RBS on the £300m senior debt funding for TeleCity Group. Philip Butler has ‘a common-sense approach’, and heads a team that also includes the ‘very technical’ Alexander Griffith. Clients include RBS, Santander, HSBC and Lloyds.

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Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘long experience in the area’, and was bolstered by the recent arrival of Debra Erni and Alan Cunningham from White & Case LLP and DWF LLP respectively. Cunningham has ‘extremely good aviation knowledge’, and adds to the firm’s capabilities on mid-market UK deals. The ‘technical, client-focused and practical’ Siddharth Sharma has expertise across a range of asset classes including rail, where he is part of a team advising Eversholt Rail on a number of matters including the restructuring of its internal leasing structures. Team head Graham Tyler has a ‘great overview of the aviation market’, and is advising Emirates on a variety of financing and leasing deals.

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Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP’s Charles Morrison acts for banks, arrangers, lenders and corporates in an extensive range of national and cross-border deals.

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Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s 12-partner team has the critical mass to handle a tremendous volume of domestic and cross-border deals, largely in the mid-market, and is on the panel of every significant UK bank. It advised RBS, along with Zolfo Cooper, on the consensual and non-consensual options for a troubled high street retailer which ultimately led to a pre-packaged sale. Team head Michael Fiddy is a ‘shrewd lawyer who always grasps the key issues’; Simon Neilson-Clarke is ‘pragmatic and effective’; and Paul Fleming is ‘thorough and strategic’.

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Within Debt capital markets, tier 5

The ‘service and advice are top class’ at DLA Piper UK LLP. Alex Tamlyn’s team includes David Eatough, who ‘brings legal experience into the commercial rationale’. Sharon E Smith advised Places for People on its first retail bond issue, raising £140m. George Barboutis joined from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, adding US capital markets expertise.

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Within Derivatives and structured products, tier 5

The team at DLA Piper UK LLP continues to expand; Martin Bartlam joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP, along with Mark McGiddy from Deutsche Bank and John Delamere from Shearman & Sterling LLP. The firm advised Pilkington Group on a £1bn longevity swap.

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Within Emerging markets, tier 5

Charles Morrison leads the team at DLA Piper UK LLP, which has recently completed high-profile work in Central America, Brazil and Russia, and also has an established Africa-focused team of specialists.

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Within Investment funds, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

‘One of the stronger firms’, DLA Piper UK LLP’s private and listed funds practice is ‘value for money and technically good’. It advised Better Capital on its conversion to protected cell company status and the creation of a parallel protected cell. Other clients include Invista, EIB, Matrix Group and RREEF. Practice head Gawain Hughes and Jon Hayes are the key figures. The team recruited Richard Reilly from White & Case LLP, while former practice head David Williams joined Simmons & Simmons LLP.

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Within Trade finance, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘very strong’ team at DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘very good at understanding trade’. Charles Morrison and Alex Monk feature in a team that has been active in relation to pre-export credit facilities, and counts Crédit Agricole, Standard Bank and Trafigura as clients. Louise Gates advised a consortium of banks on a £220m asset-based lending facility for Speedy Hire. The firm is highly rated for oil and gas financings in emerging markets.

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Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 4

With ‘international coverage that makes them hard to beat’, DLA Piper UK LLP acts for clients of the calibre of Pfizer, De Beers, British Airways, Lloyds and UBS. The large team was joined by ‘top-quality lawyer’ Tom Kerr Williams from Baker & McKenzie LLP, to bolster the firm’s new industrial relations unit. Global group head Tim Marshall ‘instils great confidence’.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP’s four-partner team has ‘a deep understanding’ of the area and of clients’ business pressures. Its 2011 work covered both contentious and non-contentious matters for clients across the energy, residential, retail, finance and medical sectors. It continues to represent Eurocopter in the public inquiry relating to a helicopter crash in the North Sea. Roy Tozer, based in Birmingham, is ‘tactically excellent and very easy to speak to’, and Paul Burnley can seamlessly ‘connect with business managers and directors’.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP has recently advised a number of clients in relation to the industry-wide Electricity Supply Pension Scheme. Michael Cowley is ‘a pragmatic solver of problems with exceptional technical capability and excellent communication skills’. Tamara Calvert and Matthew Swynnerton are also recommended. Leeds-based David Young is noted for his expertise in e-disclosure, and is ‘excellent at leading and co-ordinating a team in the biggest cases’. The firm advised extensively in IBM, acting for the representative beneficiaries of the IBM Pensions Scheme, and rises in the dispute resolution ranking this year.

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Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP’s insurance team was boosted by the arrival of Andrew Symons from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Prakash Paran from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. The team has strength in energy, commercial property and business interruption matters, and provides ‘service of the highest quality’. Recently promoted partner Leon Taylor is able to ‘present highly complex topics in an easily digestible manner’. Head of insurance Charles Gordon has ‘knowledge and understanding’; and David Murphy and John Curran are also recommended.

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Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP’s corporate team benefits from the firm’s global coverage. Recent work includes acting for Inter Hannover on its sale and transfer of a portfolio of business to Enstar. Mel Sims is recommended, and the team received a significant boost with the arrival of Prakash Paran, Roger Loo and of counsel Melanie James from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

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Within Infrastructure, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP is acting on several high-profile mandates in Africa. On the UK side, it is advising Agility Trains in relation to the procurement by the Department for Transport of a fleet of up to 1,400 train coaches to replace the current fleet of rolling stock. Nigel Drew and Dimitri Papaefstratiou are recommended.

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Within Mining and minerals, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP specialises in real estate, planning and litigation, primarily for UK clients. The firm acted for Tata Steel on the transfer of a significant part of its Teesside works as part of the sale of its core products business to Thai company SSI. Birmingham-based Roger Collier is recommended, along with Sheffield-based Petra Billing and Teresa Hitchcock.

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Within Oil and gas, tier 5

Charles Morrison’s team at DLA Piper UK LLP has gained some significant African mandates, including acting for a major on its PSA agreements with the Nigerian government.

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Within PFI and PPP, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

With a cross-office practice, DLA Piper UK LLP provides ‘excellent projects support in all sectors’, and has ‘a wealth of knowledge of the waste market’. London group head Colin Wilson is part of a team advising Agility Trains on procurement issues in relation to the Intercity Express Programme, one of the largest PPPs in Europe.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP advised sponsors and lenders on an impressive list of projects in 2011. Dimitri Papaefstratiou acted for Eaga plc on Project Bright, the UK’s first large-scale rooftop photovoltaic project.

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Within Water, tier 5

In 2011, DLA Piper UK LLP was appointed to the legal panels of Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water. Other highlights included acting for a consortium of Kelda Water Services and Morgan Sindell on two procurement bids for water projects in Wales.

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Within Administrative and public law, tier 5

DLA Piper UK LLP handles advisory and contentious work across a broad spectrum, and has a strong presence across England and Scotland. It is acting for the Student Loans Company in judicial reviews relating to student funding rules for non-EU students. Edinburgh-based Hazel Moffat and Leeds-based Paul Stone are recommended.

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Within Healthcare, tier 4

The ‘excellent’ team at DLA Piper UK LLP represents public and private sector clients including United Health, Spire Healthcare and Kings College Hospital. The ‘practical’ Stephen Atkinson is recommended. The team was bolstered by Jonathan Lisle joining from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Jacqueline Bore from Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP.

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Within Local government, tier 6

DLA Piper UK LLP is advising Halton Borough Council on its £2bn Mersey Gateway project. Birmingham-based Peter Taylor leads the team.

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Within Public affairs, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s public affairs and media relations service is advising Standard Life on policy decisions affecting pensions and long-term savings. Other clients include AstraZeneca, Guernsey Association of Pension Providers and TUI Travel. Mike Pullen heads the team, in which Eben Black and Francis Morgan are also recommended.

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

Ashurst’s ‘excellent’ practice is lead adviser to Westfield on the £4bn Stratford City project, one of the largest developments in Europe. The ‘very strong’ team is also acting for developer Teighmore/Sellar Properties in relation to The Shard, The Place and the New London Bridge Quarter development. David Jones (‘one of the most dedicated lawyers in the City’), team head Richard Vernon, Hugh Lumby and Sarah Sivyour (who is ‘excellent at finding the right solutions’) all show a ‘profound understanding of the property business’. Simon Cookson joined DLA Piper UK LLP.

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Within Construction, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP’s team is ‘personable’ and ‘extremely good at organising complex procedures’. Stephen Haller defended a large employer in an extension of time and extra costs claim brought by a contractor, and Cecily Davis provided non-contentious advice on international energy and resources projects. Alstom Power is a new client. Graeme Bradley’s move to Squire Sanders LLP in February 2012 was a blow to the contentious practice.

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Within Environment, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

Providing an ‘exemplary’ service, DLA Piper UK LLP’s UK-wide team represents an international client base on a broad range of matters, including emissions trading allowances, civil litigation, compliance advice on Environmental Agency rules, and transaction-related environmental advice. Department head Teresa Hitchcock is recommended along with associate Penny Simpson, whose advice is ‘always accurate and relevant’; both are based in Sheffield.

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Within Planning, DLA Piper UK LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP was instructed by Halton Borough Council on a £2bn development to create a six-lane toll bridge across the River Mersey. It has been active in energy matters; it advised National Grid regarding the company’s largest project, promoting the electrical 400kv connection to Sellafield to enable a new nuclear power plant to be built; and also acted on energy projects for C.Gen. and Covanta Energy. The London team added two associates to its ranks, to support Howard Bassford.

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Within Property finance, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘proactive and commercial while always protecting the lender’s risk position’. Key mandates included advising HSBC as part of a six-lender syndicate on the £400m refinancing of the Airport Property Partnership portfolio. Toby Barker ‘remains close to a transaction and provides prompt commercial input’; Christian Francis and Helen Dyer ‘impress with their specialist knowledge’; and solicitor Christopher Chan is ‘very hardworking and commercially minded’.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘efficient’ and ‘organised’ team provides a ‘very high-class’ service. It acts for banks including Barclays and UBS, recently advising the latter on possession proceedings against Occupy London protestors. Team head Ian Brierley is ‘a fine litigator’. He represented Humber Oil Terminal Trustees in Court of Appeal proceedings concerning the contested lease renewal of the Immingham oil terminal and jetty.

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Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, tier 4

DLA Piper UK LLP represented the Tynecare Consortium in its bid to construct 1,000 homes for the elderly. It is advising Leeds City Council on all aspects of the Little London, Beeston Hill and Holbeck social housing project.

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Within Brand management, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s Siân Croxon handles trade mark and advertising matters, and advises clients such as Air France/KLM, Church & Dwight and NBTY on marketing campaigns and regulatory issues. Nick Fitzpatrick continued to advise The FA Premier League on sponsorship negotiations with Barclays Bank, and on a partnership arrangement with Electronic Arts. Other clients include HSBC, Zazzle and Dr Martens Airwair.

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Within Data protection, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP provides ‘top-notch commercial advice’ on regulatory compliance matters, including for online products, international data transfers and security breach issues. Sheffield-based practice head Cameron Craig leads on co-ordinating privacy projects for blue-chip clients.

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

The global footprint of DLA Piper UK LLP makes it an attractive choice for franchisors. In 2011, head of IP Bonella Ramsay advised on the UK roll-out of the Jamie Oliver restaurant brand. Iain Bowler led successful pitches to win big-name clients Mothercare, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hertz.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP’s global IP head Simon Levine is ‘a lateral thinker who simplifies the complex for clients’. IP litigator Ruth Hoy is ‘a highly competent technical lawyer’ on copyright and trade mark issues. The team acted for various football associations in a copyright litigation matter which involved CJEU and High Court hearings, and also advises clients such as Blackstone, Philip Morris and Virgin Atlantic Airways on commercial IP and patent matters. Bonella Ramsey co-chairs the life sciences group.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP’s clients include Barclays, Tata Communications, RBS, STC-Viva and HCL Technologies. Kit Burden leads on IT outsourcing matters for corporate and banking clients, while Richard Bonnar focuses on advising the public sector. In the telecoms group, Mike Conradi advised Hibernia Cable on contractual matters regarding the construction of a high-speed transatlantic cable. Richard Norman handles contentious matters.

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Within Media and entertainment, DLA Piper UK LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘smart, user-friendly’ team, led by ‘trusted business partner’ Chris Hanson, represents major studios Paramount Pictures and Universal, and producers Clerkenwell Films, Abbottvision and Fremantlemedia. Video on demand (VOD) mandates included advising Entertainment One on its deal with LOVEFiLM, and Lionsgate UK on its tie-up with Netflix. TV and broadcasting specialist Michael Ridley demonstrates ‘industry knowledge and pragmatism’. Nicholas West and Nick Fitzpatrick advise the FA Premier League, the Football League and the NBA, and sports broadcasters ESPN and Sony Entertainment. Duncan Calow advises Macmillan, Orion and Random House on ebooks and digital publishing. Associate Lee McGuirk is singled out for praise. Online gaming specialists Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley joined from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

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

At DLA Piper UK LLP, Chris Hanson and his team ‘combine international corporate experience with media expertise’, and advise film studios and producers (such as Paramount Pictures, FremantleMedia and Universal) and banks (such as Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Comerica Bank). The London team worked with the firm’s Dubai office on the financing of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and with its Hungarian office on In the Land of Blood and Honey. Clients appreciate Michael Ridley’s ‘industry knowledge and pragmatism’, and Nick Fitzpatrick and Philip Butler also attract praise. The group’s capabilities were enhanced by the recruitment of online gaming experts Hilary Stewart-Jones and Stephen Ketteley from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

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Within Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, DLA Piper UK LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Particularly strong on general commercial advice’, DLA Piper UK LLP’s cross-office department recently acted for Pfizer, GE Healthcare, Roslin Cells, Human Genome Sciences and ViroPharma on regulatory, licensing and transactional matters. Co-chair of the global life sciences group Bonella Ramsay has ‘an excellent, pragmatic approach’ on IP and commercial matters. Edinburgh-based Philippa Montgomerie led the successful defence of Aircraft Medical in a £40m patent infringement case.

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

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘excellent: very responsive and very knowledgeable about the sports industry’, and represents sports bodies, event organisers, broadcasters, sponsors and gaming companies on regulatory and commercial matters. Broadcasting and audio-visual rights expert Nicholas West advised the FA Premier League on its broadcasting and media rights strategy, including the decoder card litigation, and the team also advises the Football League on its media rights programme. Other clients include the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Practice head Nick Fitzpatrick and associate Patrick Mitchell are ‘excellent on contracts, IP, data licensing, and gambling – they are responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’. Consultant Huw Roberts is an expert in sports regulations. Mark Gay joined Burges Salmon LLP.

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

Noted for its ‘considerable expertise’, the team at DLA Piper UK LLP recently advised Allianz, as lead reinsurer, regarding the liabilities of the operator of an ATR72 aircraft which crashed in November 2010; and also advised BMI in relation to a claim by Durham Tees Valley Airport against bmibaby. Team head Mark Franklin ‘remains a fount of knowledge on the regulatory side’, and the ‘impressive’ Kathryn Ward was recently promoted to the partnership. Richard McGrane is recommended for aviation liability work.

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

The ‘dedicated, professional team’ at DLA Piper UK LLP has ‘excellent knowledge of the regulatory and contractual framework governing the rail industry’. It advised Agility Trains on a multibillion-pound project to replace the existing fleet of high-speed trains on the East Coast Main Line; and assisted Kenya Railways in the renegotiation of its railway concession for passenger and freight services in Kenya. Paul Hirst heads the rail practice and has ‘excellent industry knowledge’, and Colin Wilson is also recommended. Clive Smith recently joined Osborne Clarke.

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Within Shipping, tier 6

With particular expertise in the Korean and Chinese markets, DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘fantastic’ contentious practice. It recently advised Korea Line Corporation (KLC) in a $22m a High Court appeal from an arbitration award arising out of a charterparty dispute; and advised Eukor Car Carriers, as charterers of a ship detained by pirates in Somalia. Michael Kim is ‘at the top in his field’, and ‘excellent for shipping litigation’.

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