Richard Coates > Freeths LLP > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile
Freeths LLP Offices
3RD FLOOR, THE COLMORE BUILDING
20 COLMORE CIRCUS, QUEENSWAY
BIRMINGHAM
B4 6AT
England
- Firm Profile
- Go to...
Richard Coates
Work Department
Dispute Resolution
Position
Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, Birmingham office
Richard has acted for individuals to PLCs in disputes up to £500m, both at home and abroad. He has particular experience in representing clients in complex chancery/commercial and corporate disputes. He also acts for companies and individuals in prosecuting and defending restrictive covenant claims within an employment context.
Recent cases include acting for:
an independent UK manufacturer of diesel generators and power generation systems in successfully defending a claim issued by a company based in the Caribbean;
several defendants (including corporate and individuals) in relation to a multi-million pound, multi-jurisdictional shareholder dispute;
an equity partner in the dissolution of a law firm;
a partner in a multi-party high value partnership dispute;
an exiting an equity partner from a law firm;
a finance director summarily removed from his position and the consequential dispute arising over his shares;
a European wide provider of specialist care in dispute with a supplier; and
various individuals/companies in relation to professional negligence disputes in the building, surveying and legal sectors.
In addition to providing strategic and focused advice in the context of litigation, Richard understands the importance of avoiding litigation and has acquired a wealth of experience in advising clients in relation to methods of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation.
Client feedback:
“Having engaged the services of Richard Coates and his team over the past 30 months to support me with a number of commercial legacy issues I inherited I can highly recommend him.
He is not only fiercely strategic and crucially proactive but also objective and pragmatic.
He is without doubt the solicitor you should have on your team”.
“Confidence in the ability and integrity of your most senior legal adviser is paramount in managing a successful commercial organisation in today’s ever moving business environment. Richard Coates provides unerring confidence to our board members whenever legal advice is required ensuring business decisions are taken from a trusted legal position”.
Duncan Williams Excool CEO
Legal guides
Recommended in Legal 500, 2015.
Described as “pragmatic” and “focused”, Legal 500, 2014
Career
Trained – The Wilkes Partnership, Birmingham
2004 – 2002, Assistant, Associate – Cobbetts LLP
2012 – 2016 – Director of Litigation Services, Emms Gilmore Liberson
2016 – Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, Freeths LLP
Education
King Edward VI
University of Hull
College of Law, Birmingham
Lawyer Rankings
West Midlands > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Birmingham
The commercial litigation practice at Freeths LLP consists of a ‘high proportion of really effective lawyers with a commercial approach,’ who are ‘agile, pragmatic litigators’. The firm utilises the Baker Tilly International Network to collaborate with legal, auditing, and advisory companies to provide an integrated approach for its clients. Head of the team Richard Coates is commended for being a ‘excellent litigator with a great eye for client care’ and he is supported by the ‘extremely effective‘ Louise Wilson is integral to the group, regularly leading on matters for high-profile clients. Managing associate Josh Middleton is another name of note.
Lawyer Rankings
Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Birmingham
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Birmingham
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy, project finance and PFI
- Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Public sector > Local government
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Real estate > Construction
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Employment > Employment
- Real estate > Commercial property: Birmingham