Simons Muirhead Burton > London, England > Firm Profile

‘SMB are passionate about their work and their clients. Their research is intensive. They show the fullest support for and liaison with clients and with case barristers. Quite simply outstanding and faultless.’

‘Anthony Burton CBE is a senior, long-standing partner. His commitment to a client’s interests and well-being is total, and demonstrably awesome. To describe his handling of a matter as exceptional is an inadequate term.’

‘Phil Smith, Henrietta Ronson and their team are a simply brilliant set of crime solicitors – their record is simply brilliant.’

‘The practice employs lawyers of deep experience and domain expertise in order to provide a very high standard of service. Communication throughout the firm is highly responsive and clear, both with regard to technical legal matters, as well as administrative issues.’

‘Henrietta Ronson was the standout individual on the team. My experience working with her is second to none. She exhibits unparalleled domain expertise and always maintains a very high attention to detail, which was decisive at critical points in the work. Her communication was always prompt and she has an uncanny ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and in laymans terms.’

‘The SMB fraud and crime team is very strong – experienced, responsive, practical and personable. It benefits by having access to other practice areas within the firm – reputation management, employment, family and commercial.’

‘Phil Smith, head of department, is a first-rate criminal practitioner. He is very popular with clients and the barristers he instructs. Henrietta Ronson, is intelligent, hard-working, and cool under fire. She is at ease dealing with all clients and is a highly valued member of the team. I have no doubt that she will be made a partner soon, which she absolutely deserves.’

‘Henrietta Ronson – She was just amazing – fiercely smart and fiercely kind. I couldn’t have got through the case without her diligent preparation and support. Phil Smith – excellent strategist and strong judgement.’

‘The team has a deep knowledge of book publishing.’

‘The team is highly competent and have our trust.’

‘They have experience and work hard to stay on top of developments in the media space, having represented journalists and media outlets in many of the leading media law cases over the last 20 years.’

‘Louis Charalambous has a unique practice defending journalists and media organisations in criminal related media cases – clients value his calm and sensible representation of their interests.’

‘Raz Mireskandari is a knowledgeable and highly experienced media lawyer.’

‘Jeffrey Smele has a strong legal intellect and great experience representing tabloid newspapers.’

‘The team are responsive, exceptionally clear in their guidance, and provide the level of reassurance that news teams need in a fast-paced environment.’

‘Gordon Clough has been a rock-solid source of advice and guidance for our editorial team. He is responsive and stands out from the crowd in providing advice that is laser-focused on helping us to publish stories while minimising risk.’

‘A wealth of experience combined with an unparalleled legal and practical knowledge of all pertinent aspects within this field.’

‘Led by the redoubtable Razi Mireskandari, the team gels remarkably effectively to cover all aspects of reputational litigation and advice. The team provides an unrivalled service to clients in this field.’

‘Razi Mireskandari is a genuine leader in this field – hugely knowledgable and tactically astute, experienced – he has few rivals. Sensible, charming and experienced, his oversight is invaluable. He just knows what to do.’

‘Dina Shiloh provides invaluable insight with her background in journalism and knowledge across all media platforms. An assured and able lawyer, her contribution to the team to the benefit of the client is considerable.’

‘All of the people we work with are sensitive to our place in the industry and understand our concerns.’

‘We find them excellent to work with.’

‘Unrivaled experience and media advice and media litigation practice for defendants and for complainants. Strength in depth.’

‘Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar are peerless in their field of criminal appeals, particularly death row cases, raising important issues of constitutional law and international human rights law.’

‘I work with the team in the Death Penalty Project on research, engagement and policy in countries around the world that retain the death penalty. This is a unique institution that represents clients on death row in many primary Commonwealth countries and uses strategic litigation for change that affects not only their individual clients but sometimes all those on death row and even those not yet facing capital punishment. No other UK organisation does this work.’

‘Parvais Jabbar and Saul Lehrfreund, and their excellent team, are dedicated to using the law and research to effect considerable change around the world.’

‘Saul Lehrfreund has unparalleled knowledge and experience of challenging the death penalty globally – both legally and politically. He works incredibly hard and is committed to upholding the rule of law in this exceptionally demanding area. He has been involved in most, if not all, major legal challenges to the mandatory death penalty in the Privy Council.’

‘Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar are two utterly brilliant and caring lawyers who have given their life to this enormous work.’

‘Excellent team able to handle appeals to the Privy Council, where their cases are often at the cutting edge of the law.’

‘The Death Penalty Project that the firm hosts is unique in the world.’

‘Saul Lehrfreund and Parvais Jabbar are exceptional lawyers with total dedication to saving clients from execution and promoting the abolition of the death penalty – leading figures worldwide on this issue.’

‘There is a collegiate attitude within the team, who are always prepared to go that extra mile for client satisfaction.’

‘Tamara Ludlow and Simon Goldberg are always available and on-hand to offer advice.’

‘We use the firm as a professional advisor as well as a law firm. The vast industry experience make them extremely knowledgeable about the industry.’

‘Alasdair George is an extremely valuable asset to our company due to his industry knowledge and availability.’

‘I have known and worked with Richard Baskind and Alasdair George for over 20 years.’

‘Tom Farley-Hills has excellent judgment and runs a fantastic team.’

‘Jane McDonagh is bright, great on the law, highly personable and diligent. She is extremely dedicated to her clients’.

‘Tessa Bray is brilliant. Her approach is always refreshing. She is straightforward, collaborative and extremely hard working. She is also very human and always open to seeing things from a different perspective.’

‘SMB is a truly excellent firm. They are an excellent team with top-notch work.’

‘Tessa Bray is tough yet bright and fair. A truly stellar lawyer.’

‘Jane McDonagh leads the team with aplomb, and is an engaging and delightful person to deal with.’

Tom Farley-Hills is excellent; bright and calm in equal measure.’

‘The team is importantly human, personable, available and responsive. Great ability to listen, empathise, and come up with possible ideas.’

‘Exceptional level of engagement and commitment to client needs.’

‘Maninder Gill is very experienced in preparing and executing international franchise agreements. His knowledge of franchising best practices is invaluable when it comes to negotiating deals with tough, international franchisees.’

‘Casual collaborative approach. You have access to the various skills within the company.’

‘Casual approach, understanding the key points and not making a big issue on non-commercial stuff.’

‘Their team comprises highly skilled professionals with extensive expertise in their respective fields. Collaboration is at the heart of their practice.’

‘When comparing SM&B to other firms, they stand out, with a strong commitment to collaboration, innovative technology, client-centric approach, diversity, and customised solutions tailored to us and the various projects we have.’

‘Neal Hodges possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in corporate law and related areas. He has a deep understanding of the complexities of business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, securities regulations, and other relevant fields.’

‘Neal is adept at identifying key issues, analysing risks, and devising innovative solutions to complex problems.’

‘The M&A corporate team at SMB provide sensible, commercial advice to their clients to ensure that the deal moves forward in their clients best interests.’

‘Natalie Wright and Neal Hodges are star quality corporate lawyers, especially when it comes to M&A. They are my go-to legal team every time.’

‘Attention to detail, no matter how small.’

‘Great leadership and strength in depth.’

‘Since Phil Smith joined to head up the team it has gone from strength to strength.’

‘Properly innovative in its thinking, old-fashioned in its core values.’

‘Phil Smith is a force of nature – vastly experienced and able he gives no quarter in pursuit of his client’s needs. His instincts are spot on and he just knows what to do in every situation and in his dealings with all parties. Henrietta Ronson leaves no stone unturned in her conduct on every case. Resourceful, resilient and able she is not to be messed with and provides remarkable support to counsel and the lay client alike. She is a future star.’

‘Phil Smith is a man who controls the whole process. Give a case to Phil and a good night’s sleep is assured.’

‘Excellent criminal team that have a long-established history acting for high profile individuals.’

‘Anthony Burton and Phil Smith are both hugely experienced. Safe pair of hands.’

‘The team’s work is very reliable – seamless communication and very good analytical skills.’

‘Antony Perlmutter is head and shoulders above most of his peers.’

‘Antony Perlmutter’s acute tactical skills are matched by a superb knowledge and experience of litigation, which he uses to his clients’ best advantage without ever losing sight of the fact that it is their interests that are paramount.’

‘David Phillips is able to understand the issues quickly – friendly attitude, while still being able to approach matters factually.‘

‘David Phillips is able to grasp the key points of a case.‘

‘The greatest asset this team have is its ability to work as a team.’

‘Its ethos is client care, which is added to an excellent awareness of litigation risks and opportunities.’

‘Through SMB’s wisdom and guidance, knowing its own local jurisdiction, we pursued a course of action that resulted in an amicable resolution.’

‘Maninder Gill is well versed and knowledgeable about litigation, privacy and libel laws.’

‘The team has an excellent client service. Always reliable and actionable advice.’

‘Maninder Gill is an excellent professional. Extremely responsive, client oriented and provides actionable legal advice.’

‘SMB’s IP team is very experienced and has a nice personal touch. Trade mark applications are lodged and followed up on time and any issues are promptly resolved.’

‘We have been supported by Maninder Gill. He and his team have provided excellent support. The quality of services is second to none.’