Firm Profile > Pinsent Masons LLP > London, England

Brexit Tier 1

Under the leadership of Clare Francis, Pinsent Masons LLP's national cross-departmental Brexit advisory team leverages the firm’s government affairs and public policy strength, a key area of expertise for Andrew Henderson, to assist  corporates, governmental departments and industry bodies with Brexit-related legislative issues and the practical application of Brexit strategies. Francis is also the key contact for the firm’s Brexit contracting solution offering, which advises clients on the Brexit risk in their current contracts and the wider risk this poses to the supply chain. In the firm’s Edinburgh office, Euan Smith handles corporate immigration work, while Birmingham-based Cerys Wyn Davies leads the IP and information law Brexit work. Iain Connor is noted for his IP expertise with a particular focus on the soft IP issues faced by clients in the IT, pharmaceuticals and retail sectors, Liz Budd handles financial regulation and investment funds work, and Alan Davis leads the competition, EU and trade group. In a recent highlight, Hammad Akhtar advised Royal London on its Brexit strategy and implementation including a cross-border reorganisation. Former team head Guy Lougher retired.

Commercial contracts Tier 1

The sourcing and commercial expertise of Pinsent Masons LLP particularly focuses on the technology, manufacturing and energy sectors, with a speciality in bet-the-business transactions. Simon Colvin, known for his TMT work, leads the team, which includes advanced manufacturing and technology expert David Isaac. Also notable are Natalie Trainor, who is experienced in advising on large and complex IT, technology and business process transformation projects, and associate Ben Gardner, who acts for large corporates and disruptive start-ups on a range of commercial arrangements.

Commercial property: hotels and leisure Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP is home to a ‘well-coordinated team that covers all aspects of development, construction and investment’. It represents institutional UK investors, commercial and residential developers, local authorities and financial institutions on a variety of high-profile investment and development projects within the UK and abroad. Student accommodation, build to rent and retirement living are sectors where the team, headed by Claire Hughes, is particularly well-versed. The practice also has a market-leading reputation in the hotel and leisure sector where core strengths include management contracts, franchising and transactions, as well as the full range of related issues. Recent highlights for the team have included advising Heathrow Airport on the third runway expansion project.

Construction: contentious Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP handles a range of big-ticket construction disputes, and is regularly involved in matters in the nuclear, offshore wind, solar, rail waste and residential construction sectors. The firm advises a range of very broad range of clients including developers, contractors, investors and owners. Neal Morris, who co-heads the team, is recognised for his expertise in PFI and works with many of the UK's largest construction companies. Helen Waddell, who co-leads the team, is experienced in various forms of dispute resolution and has advised on major projects such as Wembley Stadium. Other key team members include Richard Laudy, Mark Roe, Shy Jackson and Kevin Joyce.

Contruction: non-contentious Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP's non-contentious team, which is highly regarded among market peers, is headed up by John Woolley, who joined from Dentons in September 2018. His work is primarily across the energy and infrastructure sectors. The London team works closely with its international offices in China, the Middle East and South Africa. Another notable name is Jonathan Hart, who has decades of experience as an infrastructure specialist with strong expertise in construction contracts.

Education: institutions Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP is a key name for the higher education sector. The team, led by Leeds-based Victoria Goddard, is known for its high-profile, complex, international and often sensitive work for universities, and has advised a number of market-leading players on regulatory concerns and handled litigation for these clients. The group is adept at advising on the creation and registration of universities, restructuring and financial developments. The wider team includes Julian Sladdin, who heads the university litigation group;  Helen Corden; and Gayle Ditchburn in Birmingham, who is recommended for her expertise on complex merger work and commercial projects.

Equity capital markets – small-mid cap Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP has noted a marked decrease not only in IPO activity, but also in listing activity more generally. However, where the team has been kept busy are with moves from the standard to the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and public company takeovers. The practice group has a number of strong broker relationships, but stands out in particular for its client roster of AIM listed-companies, a metric by which it is regularly listed among the market's top firms. Further, 'the team made an excellent strategic decision' in 2018 with the hire of Roberta Markovina from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. Markovina is the group's first US securities lawyer based in London. Other key figures include corporate head John Tyerman, Jon Harris and Gareth Jones.

Health and safety Tier 1

Corporate defence work is a mainstay of Pinsent Masons LLP's health and safety practice, which has a strong track record on cases with a cross-border element. The team is also regarded as 'an industry leader in fire related health and safety matters'. Manchester-based Kevin Bridges leads the team and has a reputation for handling cases related to the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors. Associate Laura White has been active in handling work for SMEs.

Infrastructure (parliamentary) Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP is actively involved in the promotion and opposition of a wide range of nationally significant projects in the railway, urban transit, ports and harbours, aviation and waterways sectors. Parliamentary agents Robbie Owen and Richard Bull are experienced in matters involving the planning and consenting process through development consent orders, Transport and Works Act (TWA) orders, and hybrid bills. Francis Tyrrell advises the public and private sectors on the powers and correct procedure of public authorities, judicial review and consultations.

Insurance: insolvency and restructuring Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP has a strong offering in insolvency and restructuring; practice head Hammad Akhtar has a track record of work on cross-border Part VII transfers and regularly works with large insurance groups on their Brexit strategies, including Royal London Group, which he recently advised on the cross-border transfer of life insurance business. He is assisted by legal director Matthew Brewer, who joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in late 2017 and has been leading on the Part VII transfer process relating to Zurich's sale of its UK workplace pensions business to Lloyds Banking Group, involving assets under administration of £15bn.

IT and telecoms Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP is singled out for its expertise in advising public sector clients on IT projects, with recent clients including the Department of Health and the National Employment Savings Trust. Private sector clients include technology companies, service providers and non-tech corporates. Practice head Simon Colvin handles a range of IT transactions, while David Barker is a key name to note for contentious matters; he recently led a team which successfully defended Google in a data protection class action relating to the use of browser cookies for targeted advertising. Head of the telecoms, gaming and gambling team Diane Mullenex and David Isaac, who is instructed in large IT renegotiations, are also names to note.

Local government Tier 1

The 'consistently reliable' national offering at Pinsent Masons LLP  includes  real estate, housing, planning, commercial structuring and governance.  It advises on issues in the areas of education, health, energy and IT in conjunction with its understanding of political or regulatory factors. Anne Bowden heads the practice and has a focus on regeneration/housing projects and new funding, and Scot Morrison is especially skilled in structuring public sector joint venture vehicles and partnership structures in relation to property/regeneration schemes and procurement matters. Didar Dhillon has advised on large-scale projects and regional investment funds and real estate partner Nicholas Berry is also noted for his work with local authorities.

M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP has a broad international M&A practice, focused predominantly on cross-border deals within the energy and infrastructure, manufacturing and technology, healthcare, retail, financial services and real estate sectors. Across these sectors, the firm has handled complex mandates, facilitated through a strong international presence, in addition to US lawyer expertise, especially in the capital markets and securities areas. As part of this  push into US law, the firm recently recruited Roberta Markovina from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, an expert in the US securities space. The firm also hired Madhu Jain from Linklaters LLP, who is highly experienced in the insurance sector, and has a strong track record acting for clients in transactions by way of both share and portfolio transfer. The department is headed by John Tyerman, who divides his time between the London and Birmingham offices.

Pensions: dispute resolution Tier 1

Planning Tier 1

Pinsent Masons LLP’s market-leading, nationwide presence enables the team to handle some of the largest NSIPs on the market, with names including Richard Griffiths and Robbie Owen being leaders in the field. Iain Gilbey and Richard Ford regularly handle large-scale regeneration projects, residential and mixed-used development schemes, commercial planning projects and garden city settlements. Through the leadership of Nicholle Kingsley, the team has a major presence in the sporting sector, with a solid list of mandates involving stadium and associated infrastructure redevelopment proposals. Gareth Phillips is the go-to name for planning projects in the energy and renewables sectors, having handled the DCOs for significant offshore windfarms, solar projects and energy storage parks. The team takes on contentious applications in the higher courts when planning challenges are brought against clients, as well as acting on health and safety prosecutions and licensing issues. Through notable client Highways England, the team also leads on large-scale road projects, with Emma Harling-Phillips a stand-out name in this field.

Private equity: transactions – mid-tier – up to £250m Tier 1

'Clear and commercially-minded', the private equity practice at Pinsent Masons LLP is led by Edward Stead. Stead concentrates on transactions involving companies operating in the technology, business services and professional services industries. The firm prides itself on assisting clients through the entirety of the PE life cycle, from initial investments through to secondary transactions and eventual sales. Highlights include a team led by Andrew Masraf advising senior management of Ammeraal Beltech on its sale by Advent International to Partners Group in a deal worth $1.2bn. Masraf often acts for management on upper-mid-market transactions of this kind. Elsewhere, Manchester-based practitioners Gregg Davison and Amie Norris represented the shareholders of Key Travel on its MBO, which was backed by Elysian Capital Partners. PE tax adviser Peter Morley joined the group from Squire Patton Boggs in September 2018.

Tax litigation and investigations Tier 1

Jason Collins leads Pinsent Masons LLP's tax litigation department, which is noted for its instructions in the financial services sector and experience taking cases to the Supreme Court and Court of Justice of the European Union. The group has expertise in diverted profits tax issues, as well as work stemming from the Criminal Finances Act 2017, such as failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion. On the advisory side, it advises clients on preparations for the new IR35 legislation. Other key names include contentious VAT experts Stuart Walsh, legal director Clara Boyd and Manchester-based Steven Porter.

VAT and indirect tax Tier 1

The group at Pinsent Masons LLP excels in matters relating to VAT disputes and VAT fraud, as well as having an outstanding customs and excise practice, which is instructed by major international corporates on a wide variety of excise duty matters. Practice head Stuart Walsh is acting for RBS in two VAT disputes arising from missing traders in its supply chain, with a total exposure of £300m. Clara Boyd, who was promoted to partner in March 2019, specialises in VAT and excise duty disputes with HMRC. Legal director Jake Landman has experience advising corporates on supply-chain tax issues.

Commercial property: development Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP is home to a ‘well-coordinated team that covers all aspects of development, construction and investment’. It represents institutional UK investors, commercial and residential developers, local authorities and financial institutions on a variety of high-profile investment and development projects within the UK and abroad. Student accommodation, build to rent and retirement living are sectors where the team, headed by Claire Hughes, is particularly well-versed. The practice also has a market-leading reputation in the hotel and leisure sector where core strengths include management contracts, franchising and transactions, as well as the full range of related issues. Recent highlights for the team have included advising Heathrow Airport on the third runway expansion project.

Commercial property: investment Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP is home to a ‘well-coordinated team that covers all aspects of development, construction and investment’. It represents institutional UK investors, commercial and residential developers, local authorities and financial institutions on a variety of high-profile investment and development projects within the UK and abroad. Student accommodation, build to rent and retirement living are sectors where the team, headed by Claire Hughes, is particularly well-versed. The practice also has a market-leading reputation in the hotel and leisure sector where core strengths include management contracts, franchising and transactions, as well as the full range of related issues. Recent highlights for the team have included advising Heathrow Airport on the third runway expansion project.

Environment Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP regularly assists with environmental transactions as well as with regulatory and litigation matters. The firm also provides advice on energy projects, including on regulatory, project, and carbon and energy efficiency issues. Practice head Georgie Messent has expertise in regulations, transactions and disputes in the waste and manufacturing sectors, including arbitrations on treatment outputs.

Fintech Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's fintech group represents a number of banks, financial institutions and fast-growth companies invested in the payments space. The team has particular expertise advising on regulatory issues, including the implementation of Open Banking in line with PSD2, API licensing agreements, applications to become a regulated financial services entity to provide 'account information services', and compliance with the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. In the commercial space, the group advises on investments, acquisitions, contractual agreements, product development, white labelling and service agreements. Yvonne Dunn, whose clients include banks and start-ups, brings specialist Open Banking knowledge to the team. Angus McFadyen is the firm's go-to payments lawyer; in a recent case he advised Yolt on the pan-European development and roll out of its financial management product. Junior partner Thilo Schneider focuses on corporate work in the sector, including M&A, venture capital investments and joint venture transactions. Financial services regulatory lawyer Andrew Barber (who joined the firm in 2019 from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP) has broad experience in payments, e-money and, in particular, the regulation and risks of ICOs and DLT.

Fraud: civil Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP works with clients including financial institutions, professional services firms, liquidators, manufacturing and technology companies and government agencies on a wide range of civil fraud matters. The team, which 'has excellent experience of all forms of fraud litigation', has  expertise in areas including worldwide freezing orders, asset recovery, multiparty litigation, cyber fraud, as well as employee fraud, deceit and conspiracy. The team is led by Alan Sheeley, who is 'unafraid of fighting in the trenches if needs be.'

Gaming and betting Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP provides regulatory advice to gambling sector clients and assists with strategic projects such as business expansions and financing, the introduction of new business-critical systems, relocations and strategically significant disputes. The firm also advises on M&A transactions, tax, employment, data privacy and pensions matters. The team assists online operators with cross-border transactions and is experienced in providing both contentious and non-contentious licensing advice. Diane Mullenex, who is noted for her particular expertise in the French gaming market, and Glasgow-based legal director Audrey Ferrie lead the practice.

Healthcare Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's national healthcare practice is best known for its strong expertise in corporate healthcare, notably in international commercial activities and joint ventures involving partnerships between private sector clients and international health providers, and dental M&A and refinancing. The practice also regularly advises private equity houses, banks, corporates and management teams in respect of financing, corporate governance and regulatory matters. Joanne Ellis and Kate Orviss lead the healthcare and global healthcare projects teams, respectively.

Infrastructure (including PFI and PPP) Tier 2

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP is experienced in a variety of infrastructure-matters,  advising from the procurement stage through to structuring, funding and delivery. It is instructed by contractors and funders and is well versed in PFI/PPP matters. Richard Laudy leads the team, which also includes  Manchester-based construction and engineering specialist Mark Job as well as infrastructure expert Nick Ogden. Stephen Tobin is a key contact in project finance. Sonal Shah knows transport and defence projects well. Kevin Joyce has expertise in contentious matters.

Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's corporate and regulatory insurance team is 'extremely capable' and provides 'first class advice', not only on business-as-usual matters, but also complex corporate and regulatory cases. 'Extremely personable' practice head Hammad Akhtar routinely works with insurers on Brexit planning and restructuring, and advised Royal London on a complex cross-border transfer of life insurance business. This breadth at the department has attracted talent from other firms in recent years, including Matthew Brewer, who joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in November 2017 and Madhu Jain, who moved over from Linklaters LLP in November 2018 after almost 18 years at the magic circle firm.

Oil and gas Tier 2

The full-service offering at Pinsent Masons LLP has significant expertise in foreign jurisdictions and has developed particular strength in North Sea infrastructure deals as well as the decommissioning of oil and gas assets. The team also has notable capabilities in the fields of restructuring, dispute resolution, capital markets and regulation. Aberdeen-based Bob Ruddiman leads the firm's global oil and gas team. In London, Paul McGoldrick is the key contact; he has extensive experience in upstream joint ventures, project development, corporate matters, and asset acquisitions and disposals.

Pensions (non-contentious) Tier 2

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology Tier 2

Clare Tunstall heads the life sciences and patent litigation practices at Pinsent Masons LLP, which is entrusted with a range of IP protection cases by pharma and biotech companies. Christopher Sharp also takes on patent litigation cases whilst Allistair Booth focuses on IP transactions such as asset sales and purchases, collaborations and licensing. The team also assists clients on financing (Charles Waddell) and UK and European regulatory regimes (Catherine Drew). The team has been enhanced by David Lancaster, whose expertise is in patent and SPC-related litigation, joining from Powell Gilbert LLP and the arrival of Nick Finnie from Novartis.

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's team has been busy acting for purchasers and vendors of renewable energy assets, and the project finance sub-team continues to represent both sponsors and banks in UK wind farm and solar refinancings. The group has significant expertise in low carbon projects, energy regulation, energy trading, offshore wind and has recently been advising its stellar client roster on the closure of the Renewables Obligation subsidy scheme. Global practice head Paul Rice and his team also handle significant volumes of work in relation to nuclear power and interconnectors.

Property litigation Tier 2

Rated for its 'commercial approach', Pinsent Masons LLP's client roster includes property developers, housebuilders, institutional investors and investment funds, who benefit from the team's notable expertise in rights of light - including rights of light insurance - energy and infrastructure-related property disputes, vacant possession strategies and mass protest and trespasser actions. 'Rights of light guru' Siobhan Cross and the 'very helpful, experienced and knowledgeable' Melissa Thompson jointly head the 'tremendously proactive, energetic and innovative' practice, which also offers litigation avoidance advice and dispute analysis assistance.

Reputation management Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's media defendant practice combines advising on libel claims with its 'unrivalled in-depth knowledge' of data privacy. It also demonstrates crucial understanding of technology , with 'strategically aware' practice head David Barker counting Google as one of the firm's core clients., representing the tech giant in the first UK "right to be forgotten" cases. Thanks to this high-profile client, the firm was also active for the defendants in Richard Lloyd v Google, a landmark case in the emerging field of data protection class actions. 'Formidable' senior associate Alex Keenlyside and associate Imogen Allen-Back are key pillars of the media and privacy disputes practice, acting for technology companies as well as more traditional media clients.

Social housing: finance Tier 2

Although Pinsent Masons LLP's national social housing finance practice is primarily weighted towards acting for lenders (including all the main clearing banks and alternative funders), its excellent reputation sees the firm also generate work from government bodies, local authorities and registered social landlords. The firm has a longstanding relationship with Homes England, for which it has provided legal advice for more than 20 years. A key practitioner is Edward Sunderland, whose experience spans securitisation, debt capital markets, receivables and asset-backed finance. Sunderland was the lead adviser to Pension Insurance Corporation plc on a £100m secured private placement issued by Accord Housing Association Ltd. In another mandate, Sarah Whitty (who leads the national social housing finance practice) and Stephen Brown acted for HSBC Bank on the provision of a £200m loan facility to Genesis Housing Association and the charging of over 1,000 units. Anne Bowden and David Meecham are also highly rated.

Sport Tier 2

Pinsent Masons LLP's sports group has particular expertise in handling major corporate matters for clients, including establishing new businesses, advising on shareholder rights and acting on the acquisition of professional football teams. The team displays further ability on regulatory disputes, sensitive safeguarding matters and commercial work; in the former area partner Julian Diaz-Rainey, whose clients include several Premier League football clubs, was recently instructed by the IAAF in two high-stakes CAS appeals, and on the commercial side partner Trevor Watkins has been retained by Yorkshire 2019 to manage numerous contractual requirements in relation to the upcoming UCI Road World Championships. Additional expertise is offered by the practice in employment law, where the team are currently instructed in a leading tribunal case on the scope of employee rights, and competition law, an area in which partner Angelique Bret is the firm's go-to specialist.

Asset based lending Tier 3

Headed by Edward Sunderland and aided by practitioners throughout the firm’s national network of offices, Pinsent Masons LLP provides a ‘commercial and pragmatic service’ to funders and corporates across the spectrum of primarily domestic deals. Leveraging strong institutional ties with many of the clearing banks, the team has exposure to a vast range of work, running the gamut from complex securitisation-style mandates through to receivables financings and invoice discounting. As well as acting on the front end of deals, the team also has a strong reputation on the restructuring front, where ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ senior associate Gemma Kaplan has a thriving reputation in the market.

Commercial litigation Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP' 'lawyers are very tough and determined in the pursuit of their clients' interests'. The practice is noted for high volume, big-ticket litigation and stands out for  complex commercial disputes in the energy, financial institutions and technology sector. It  frequently advises on cases with cross-border and multi-jurisdictional elements, including Russia and Ukraine. Michael Fenn is London litigation and regulatory head with Glasgow-based Laura Cameron heading the risk advisory services group . Also highly rated are Katharine Davies, Stuart McNeill, Alan Sheeley, Ben Fairhead, and legal directors Richard Dickman and Michael Fletcher. Daniel Gardiner is an experienced senior associate.

Competition litigation Tier 3

In addition to advising its varied client base on contentious matters at UK level, Pinsent Masons LLP also handles cases before the EU General Court and the Court of Justice. Acting primarily on the defence side, the team adopts a holistic approach towards litigation by collaborating with other departments at the firm. Recent work highlights for the team, which is led by Alan Davis,  include follow-on damages claims of a high-profile nature. In May 2019, The firm expanded its offering with the hire of the well-regarded Robert Vidal from Taylor Wessing LLP. It had previously seen Ben Lasserson leave to become a  partner at Strange & Butler UK LLP in 2018.

Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 3

At Pinsent Masons LLP, Claire Edwards, David Barker and Ian Birdsey lead the practice, focusing on advisory work, litigation and cyber issues respectively. On the advisory side, the group is noted for its expertise in the financial services and technology sectors. The firm’s litigation strength also extends to the technology sector with Barker recently acting for Google in the High Court in two right to be forgotten cases and defending the same client in a landmark data protection class action relating to iPhone cookies. The cyber team regularly handles cross-border breaches and has developed separate US and EU/GDPR desks. Cerys Wyn Davies leads the information law practice in Birmingham. Former global practice head Marc Dautlich joined Bristows LLP.

Employee share schemes Tier 3

Lynette Jacobs leads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which was joined by legal director Fleur Benns from Bird & Bird LLP in 2018. It is noted for advising domestic and international clients on share incentive arrangements, often over several jurisdictions. The group also assists with the interaction between remuneration policy, share plan rules and regulatory clients in the financial services sector, as well as the day-to-day operation of employee incentive arrangements.

Employment: employers Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP's London employment and reward practice, which has a particular focus on the financial services, infrastructure and TMT sectors, has enjoyed strong growth over the past year. The team has aimed to distinguish itself from other competitors by leveraging new technology to provide a more cost-effective service, and has developed a client portal to more efficiently manage multiple claims for large clients. The practice is also continuing to build on its acquisition of diversity and inclusion firm Brook Graham in 2017, a deal which added a new string to the firm's bow. The team is led by Ed Goodwyn, who works with a raft of top infrastructure clients, while Fleur Benns , who has expertise in share schemes and incentives, joined as a legal director from Bird & Bird LLP in later 2018.

EU and competition Tier 3

As recognised by the market, Pinsent Masons LLP’s competition, EU and trade department has ‘outstanding’ expertise in the consumer protection space, which makes it a suitable destination for multinational companies active across a number of industries, including technology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and retail. Notably, the group receives instructions from high-profile clients in the financial services and insurance sectors. On the merger control side notable work highlights include advising Post Office on its acquisition of Payzone, as well as handling the £14.6bn acquisition of Discovery by client UKTV, a joint venture formed by BBC Worldwide and Scripps. ‘Clear thinker’ Alan Davis serves as head of the practice, where Angelique Bret and Guy Lougher are also noted. The team is experiencing growth at senior level, as Taylor Wessing LLP’s former department head Robert Vidal joined in May 2019.

International arbitration Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP is 'notable for its breadth of expertise and experience in international arbitration, as well as its efficient case management'. The international arbitration practice fields specialists in the energy, infrastructure, technology and financial services sectors. Mark Roe is international arbitration head and Michael Fenn is London litigation and regulatory head; other experienced practitioners are Katharine Davies, Jason Hambury, Alistair Calvert, Gurmukh Riyat and Jean-François Le Gal. The senior associates to note are Clea Bigelow-Nuttall, Daniel Gardiner and Cécile Tangy, while construction disputes senior associate Richard Ashmore joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

Licensing Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP covers the full range of licensing work. The firm is known for its UK-wide work in the restaurant, hotel and retail sectors. Legal director Audrey Ferrie heads the team and has expertise in liquor and civic government licensing, where she represents companies in the leisure and hospitality industry. Associate Christopher Rees-Gay  has experience handling contentious and non-contentious alcohol licensing issues.

Mining and minerals Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP continues to build upon its traditional strengths in the fields of construction and planning, translating its relationships into an enviable contractor client base and expanding its mining offering. Recently, the group has been advising on major UK-based projects, such as its work for Sirius Minerals subsidiary York Potash on the lease of land for storage facilities with Redcar Bulk Terminal. This facet of the practice has been bolstered by the arrival of construction specialist John Woolley from Dentons. The firm is also building up a record of regulatory mandates in the emerging markets of Africa.

Product liability: defendant Tier 3

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP handles the full gamut of product liability matters, ranging from advice on product compliance and regulatory requirements to product recall and the defence of claims. It also has a good technical understanding of numerous industry sectors, including food and drink, retail and medical products. Andrew Masterson leads the national team and is regularly instructed in defence and costs recovery claims. Jacqueline Harris in Edinburgh is an expert in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Leeds-based legal director Louise Nahon is also noted.

Professional negligence Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP is instructed on professional negligence disputes by claimants and defendants. It is particularly noted for its expertise in cases across the financial services and legal sectors and it is also active on complex pensions-related professional negligence claims. Disputes involving tax, property, fraud, construction and the TMT sector are also key focuses of the team. Its international presence is particularly utilised in the construction sector, where it handles claims covering multiple jurisdictions, and the London team is also able to draw on its resources throughout the UK. Newly promoted partner Michael Fletcher is leading advice for James Goddard-Watts, one of the founders of the Screwfix DIY chain, on a £6.35m claim for professional negligence against his former solicitors, Burges Salmon LLP, and his accountants, Dixon Walsh, following the re-opening of his divorce which had originally concluded in 2010. Isabel Nurse-Marsh  is 'outstanding' on pensions-related disputes.

Property finance Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP is known for its strong lender-side client base, which includes traditional clearing banks, German mortgage banks and specialist real estate lenders, as well as an increasing number of US lenders and Middle Eastern banks. The team advises on acquisition and development finance, loan portfolio purchases, and the restructuring of real estate finance transactions, and is highly active in the hotel financing space. The ‘highly rated‘ William Oliver leads the practice, while Frances Mallender advises on financing for a range of asset classes, including hotels, student accommodation and healthcare facilities.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP's team is lead by Tom Stocker, who splits his time between Edinburgh and London and has experience of large-scale investigations and also provides crisis management advice. The practice advises on a range of work from matters relating to the Bribery Act to money laundering, modern slavery and enforcement and compliance issues. It is experienced in dealing with investigations brought by the SFO and Information Commissioner's Office. The multidisciplinary team is made up of specialist criminal lawyers, investigative lawyers and forensic accountants. It includes criminal defence specialist partner Neil McInnes , who relocated back to London from Singapore, David Hamilton , who joined as senior associate from Stephenson Harwood and Alex White , who joined as an associate from the CPS. Anne-Marie Ottaway and Barry Vitou left the firm for Greenberg Traurig, LLP .

Social housing: local authorities and registered providers Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP's national team undertakes a significant amount of work for London-based local authorities in relation to major housing regeneration schemes in the city. Practice head Anne Bowden, legal director Nick McDonald and senior associate Amy Walker are part of a team acting for Westminster City Council on a flagship 1,750-home housing regeneration project at Church Street. In another matter, Scot Morrison and others assisted the London Borough of Wandsworth with setting up a joint venture with Taylor Wimpey to deliver an innovative 2,000-home regeneration scheme at the Winstanley and York Road Estates near Clapham Junction Station. The firm is also involved in the Earls Court regeneration scheme, which is currently the largest housing scheme in London. Elsewhere, the firm is one of only seven to serve as legal advisers on Homes England's programme panel, with the group assisting the client with projects nationwide. David Meecham and Caroline Ramsay are among other notable individuals in the team.

Structured products and securitisation Tier 3

The structured finance group at Pinsent Masons LLP works across its network of UK offices, in addition to its London hub, and handles syndicated lending, real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance, asset-based lending, social housing finance, securitisations and debt capital markets work. Edward Sunderland leads the practice, which hired partner Carl Posern from Linklaters LLP, whose work includes cash and synthetic securitisations, and senior consultant Ian Falconer from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, who has been active in the UK securitisation market since its inception. The practice is lender-focused and is on the legal panels of all of the main UK clearing banks. For one bank, it handled several several asset-backed commercial paper transactions in 2018, both new deals and restructurings, and its securitisation team frequently advises arrangers and originators on term and conduit deals. Roberta Markovina, formerly of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, has added US securities capability to the practice.

Water Tier 3

Pinsent Masons LLP's London office boasts substantial expertise on the construction front, and head of construction advisory and disputes Neal Morris advised a joint venture of leading UK contractors in connection with the procurement of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project. The environmental law team is led from Manchester by Claire Gregory. Former practice head Adrian Eakin moved to Riyadh for a new role at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Centre for Privatisation.

Art and cultural property Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP fields an excellent team that advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, royal family members, art foundations and cultural institutions, as well as artists and government bodies on all aspects of their collections. The practice is also adept at advising on the loaning of art for discrete and large scale exhibitions and on loan agreements with major international museums. Richard Hart often advises clients on how to structure their collections and on their philanthropic endeavours through cultural foundations.

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4

Led out of London by Martin Bishop  and aided by a strong regional offering, Pinsent Masons LLP has 'good depth' and the ability to provide a cost-effective service to UK clearing banks on syndicated lending facilities to many large listed corporates. Bishop has a particularly strong and longstanding relationship with HSBC, which he advises across a range of transaction types and sectors, and Liam Terry has a flourishing reputation in the corporate lending market.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP fields a well-resourced team that handles the full range of private client disputes for ultra-wealthy families and individuals as well as their corporate entities and family offices. Other significant clients include leading trust companies and corporate service providers. Its client base is strongly international. It has worked with clients from the Middle East, the US, Russia and for aristocratic families and individuals from the crown dependencies and from overseas territories. Head of team Michael Pulford’s main area of expertise is in trust litigation as well as high-value international family disputes.

Corporate tax Tier 4

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP stands out for its transactional work and structuring  advice, for which it is able to provide a cross-border service via the firm's international network of offices, as well as a strong transfer pricing practice. The team is led by Eloise Walker, who often works closely with the German tax team advising UK investors on tax issues across the EU. Following the retirement of John Christian in 2018, the group was joined by dual-qualified lawyer and chartered tax adviser Peter Morley from Squire Patton Boggs and real estate tax expert Richard Croker from CMS

Debt capital markets Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP operates a full-service banking practice that handles syndicated lending, real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance, asset-based lending, social housing finance, securitisation and debt capital markets work. It advises arrangers and issuers on public and private deals, and is a recognised leader in privately placed bond deals in the social housing space. Practice head Edward Sunderland covers EMTN programmes, private placements, listed bonds and commercial paper financing. Legal director Alexis Hayworth, who joined from Allen & Overy LLP, has a particular focus on social housing bond finance, on which he frequently advises lead managers, issuers and corporate trustees. Stephen Tobin leads on energy and infrastructure finance. The London office now has US law capability following the arrival of partner Roberta Markovina from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

Family Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP has a small but full service family law team that predominantly advises clients who are high-profile and high-net-worth international individuals. These clients are mainly businessmen, celebrities and royalty who have substantial assets often located in a number of countries and held under complex corporate or trust structures. The vast majority of its clients are resident but non-domiciled or non-resident and domiciled in the UK. The practice under the leadership of Michael Pulford has a particular niche in Russian and Middle Eastern family work. Pulford is known for his work on complicated financial remedy litigation.

Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP’s non-contentious practice covers a range of matters ranging from Brexit and fintech to consolidation and regulatory change projects. The firm also has notable expertise in the asset management and payments spaces. David Heffron leads the team and has a particular focus on regulatory and transactional work for regulated businesses including insurers, wealth managers, banks and brokers. Examples of its work include advising UK investment platform provider AJ Bell on the financial regulatory issues of its £500m IPO and listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Colin Read leads a contentious offering made up of experienced white collar and corporate criminal defence practitioners. The group has a particular speciality for advising on legacy PPI difficulties. Andrew Barber joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in 2019 and focuses on retail banking and consumer finance. Bruno Geiringer retired in 2018 while payments specialist Tony Anderson left for Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP .

Insurance and reinsurance litigation Tier 4

At Pinsent Masons LLP, practice head Nick Bradley  covers a wide range of insurance and reinsurance disputes including construction claims. Colin Read focuses on the financial services sector, while Ian Birdsey is an expert in cyber and data breach insurance.

Intellectual property Tier 4

Pinsent Masons LLP is instructed in contentious and transactional matters with a particular strength in life sciences work and further experience in the technology, media, telecoms, financial services and retail sectors. Practice head Clare Tunstall is 'impressive in patent litigation, particularly for generics pharmaceutical companies', while Iain Connor leads the soft IP team, which specialises in software copyright disputes. Charlotte Weekes and Deborah Bould handle patent disputes in the life sciences and technology sectors respectively; Catherine Drew is a life sciences patent and regulatory expert, and Florian Traub focuses on trade mark and brand protection matters. The team has added life sciences patent attorney capabilities with the addition of legal director Nick Finnie who joined from Novartis.

Acquisition finance Tier 5

Led by Martin Bishop,  Pinsent Masons LLP's 'highly experienced and knowledgeable' banking team has a strong presence in the mid-market for clearing banks and private equity sponsors, both out of London and regionally from its Manchester and Leeds offices. The team is praised for its 'excellent understanding of the leveraged finance environment and ability to handle complex matters'.

Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP's 'extremely sound and measured team' regularly advises major banks on high-profile litigation, including cross-border disputes, indirect taxation matters involving banking clients, and major claims against banks. It has also built a robust capital markets and derivatives litigation practice. Stuart McNeill, Edinburgh-based Jim Cormack, and legal director Mike Hawthorne are the principal advisers.

Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5

'Capable of turning their hand to anything', Pinsent Masons LLP's five-partner team provides 'responsive and cost-effective advice' to banks, funds and insolvency practitioners. Under the stewardship of the 'very experienced and capable' Nick Pike , the team is particularly strong within the domestic mid-market and handles a tremendous volume of work for debtors and creditors within core areas of sector focus, including retail and leisure and construction. The 'exceptional' Steven Cottee is a key member of the team and is noted for his expertise at handling law firm administrations.

Financial services: contentious Tier 5

Pinsent Masons LLP’s financial services team covers both contentious and non-contentious matters for clients. The non-contentious practice handles a range of matters from Brexit and fintech to consolidation and regulatory change projects. The firm also has notable expertise in the asset management and payments spaces. David Heffron leads the team and has a particular focus on regulatory and transactional work for businesses including insurers, wealth managers, banks and brokers. Colin Read leads a contentious offering made up of experienced white collar and corporate crime defence practitioners. The group has a particular speciality for advising on legacy PPI difficulties. Andrew Barber joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in 2019 and focuses on retail banking and consumer finance. Bruno Geiringer retired in 2018 and Tony Anderson left for Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in 2019.