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Commercial litigation: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Leading individuals
Next generation lawyers

Commercial litigation: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

1
- CMS
- DLA Piper UK LLP
2
- Freeths LLP
- Irwin Mitchell
- Keebles
- Wake Smith Solicitors Limited
3
- Bell & Buxton
- Lupton Fawcett
- Taylor & Emmet LLP

Leading individuals

1
- James Hartley - Freeths LLP
- George Lubega - CMS
- Richard Norman - DLA Piper UK LLP
- Dorrien Peters - Irwin Mitchell

Next generation lawyers

1
- James Berry - Freeths LLP
- Barney Connell - DLA Piper UK LLP
- Mark Gudgeon - Freeths LLP
- Richard Wilson - CMS

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CMS ‘achieves full marks across the board’ and is ‘on par with some of the best firms in the country’, particularly for litigation in the healthcare, technology and infrastructure sectors, as well as cross-border work. Key individuals include George Lubega, Carl Drey and Chris Horsefield; Lubega regularly handles judicial reviews, healthcare litigation and public procurement issues. Recent highlights include representing Consort Medical in multiple disputes over the development and manufacturing of medical devices, acting for Industrial Chemicals Group in commodity supply proceedings against Ineos relating to the failed supply of hydrochloric acid used for water treatment, and defending Cape Intermediate Holdings in a series of claims involving insolvency, contractual, corporate insurance and product liability law. Qatar Airways, United Biscuits and New Balance Athletic Shoes are also clients. Senior associate Richard Wilson is recommended for international litigation. Mark Gudgeon joined Freeths LLP.

DLA Piper UK LLP is praised for its ‘excellent response times, pragmatic solution-oriented advice and incredible business acumen’, with notable expertise in telecoms litigation, cross-border disputes, competition law, construction disputes and finance litigation. Telecoms specialist Richard Norman leads the group; he recently defended The Coal Authority and Wentworth Woodhouse in a mining subsidence damage claim and represented Boots in a claim relating to the historic overcharging for water management services by Severn Trent Water. Arqiva, Atos, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Big Hand are also clients. Other noteworthy practitioners include senior associate Barney Connell, who is experienced in the financial services sector; IT litigator Ashley Mott, legal director Michael Wright, who specialises in mining and minerals issues; and senior associates Mick Lawlor and Harriet Farrant.

Key names in Freeths LLP’s recently expanded Sheffield practice include team head James Hartley, who also works in the Leeds office; James Berry, who joined from Irwin Mitchell in 2018; senior associate Mark Gudgeon, who joined from CMS; and associate Lisa Greenstreet, who has experience in the manufacturing and retail sectors. In a recent highlight, Hartley acted for over 550 postmasters in litigation against the Post Office relating to damages incurred following the failure of its computer system resulting in staff having to repay sums in the form of alleged shortfalls. Travis Perkins Group, Aldo, Peerless Europe and North Tyneside Council are also clients.

Irwin Mitchell’s ‘highly proactive and commercial’ practice ‘stands out in the region’ for its expertise across the manufacturing and insurance sectors and knowledge of injunctive applications and shareholder and derivative claims. Steven Beahan leads the team and regularly handles insurance litigation; clients also praise the ‘brilliant’ Dorrien Peters, who is ‘up there with the best’ and acts in high-value disputes and manufacturing litigation. Clients include Westfield Health, MGS Technical Plastics, Aviva, Allianz and Buchan Concrete Products. James Berry joined Freeths LLP in 2018.

Michael Peacock leads the department at Keebles and regularly acts for regional owner-managed businesses. The team also fields Giles Searby, who focuses on the manufacturing sector; Doncaster-based Sarah Burton, and Andrew McKenzie Smith, who handles property, landlord and tenant, and construction disputes. Highlights included acting for Sharpsmart in a breach of contract dispute and representing Sheffield Sports Stadium in claims relating to various trainers' retention agreements.

Nick Lambert heads Wake Smith Solicitors Limited’s department; he is ‘exceptionally calm, sensible and thoroughly pragmatic’ and ‘provides excellent insight into his cases, analyses the issues with precision and has a keen eye for detail’. Other key names include ‘seasoned practitioner’ Mark Serby, who is ‘an excellent tactician’ and focuses on IP disputes; director Holly Dobson, who handles inquests and data protection work; and property-focused director Elizabeth Shaw, who has ‘great interpersonal skills, excellent legal knowledge and always communicates in a clear way’.

The team at Bell & Buxton has ‘in-depth knowledge of the local market’ and is ‘extremely understanding and reassuring, giving clients confidence in its ability to fight their corner’. Emma Digby heads the group; clients praise her ‘down-to-earth and approachable manner and ability to explain things in layman’s terms’. Digby’s recent work includes defamation issues, property litigation and contract disputes. Alex Ross is also a name to note.

Keys names in Lupton Fawcett’s Sheffield team include Simon Lockley, who ‘listens carefully, formulates a highly practical plan and executes it in an outstandingly professional manner’, and Rob Cooke; Lockley regularly acts in contractual and shareholder disputes, fraud issues, partnership litigation and professional negligence claims while Cooke handles property litigation and professional negligence work. Clients include Seabrook Crisps, Yorkshire Cancer Research, SafeStyle, York Mailing Group and TNT Fireworks.

Taylor & Emmet LLP represents a combination of corporate and private clients with substantial experience in the automotive sector; the team is also active in the retail and manufacturing sectors and handles professional negligence claims and unpaid licence fee issues. Paul Smith is recommended for his expertise acting in commercial contract disputes for organisations and also assists start-up businesses, individuals, SMEs and national companies. Rob Moore focuses on corporate and contentious insolvency matters and solicitor Adam Hollis is the key name for property litigation, particularly residential landlord and tenant disputes and insolvency work.

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