Morgan LaRoche > Swansea, Wales > Firm Profile
Morgan LaRoche Offices
BAY HOUSE, TAWE BUSINESS VILLAGE
PHOENIX WAY
SWANSEA
SA7 9YT
Wales
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Morgan LaRoche > The Legal 500 Rankings
Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 2
Benefiting from well-established relationships with many local SMEs and owner-manged businesses from its Swansea head office, and also increasingly visible in the broader west Wales market by virtue of the continued growth of the firm's Carmarthen office, Morgan LaRoche continues to pick up a consistent flow of high-quality mandates across the waterfront of corporate and commercial work. Experienced team head William Barletta is at the forefront of much of the most significant work handled by the firm, including a considerable amount of transactions in the energy, waste and healthcare sectors. Dividing his time between the firm's Swansea and Carmarthen offices, Christopher Evans has been pivotal to the firm's growing success in the West Wales market, with clients appreciative not only of his legal expertise but also his Welsh speaking capabilities.
Practice head(s):
William Barletta
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Culina Group Limited
Hallmark Care Homes
Esterkin Group
Athena Care Homes
USB International
Redrow Homes
GDH (Holdings) Limited
AMP Clean Energy
Metro Property Investments
Santander (UK) Plc
National Westminster Bank Plc
CKC Group
Swansea University
Ospreys regional rugby club
Scarlets regional rugby club
Mid Wales Housing Association Limited
M&P Direct Limited
Platinum Group
Cultech Limited
David Jenkins Limited
Owens (Road Services) Limited
Llanelec Precision Engineering Company Limited
Blackhills Caravan Sales Limited
Neath Port Talbot (Recycling) Limited
Carmarthenshire Recycling & Environmental Services Limited
EARS Fire Engineering Limited
Work highlights
- Advised EARS Fire Engineering Limited on the sale of shares to private equity-backed company Rockpool Investments.
- Advised shareholders of GD Harries & Sons Limited on the sale of shares to AIM listed company SigmaRoc Plc.
- Advised shareholders of MJ & TL Manning Limited on the sale of shares to the Ascona Group.
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 2
Under the guidance of Andrew Manners, Morgan LaRoche has developed a market-leading reputation for its regulatory compliance and enforcement-related defence work for independent early years and adult social care providers. Manners is also adept at handling white-collar investigations and litigation, and has developed a strong niche in relation to private prosecutions of commercial frauds.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Manners
Testimonials
‘They provide a very useful mix of both civil and criminal work – claimant and private prosecution at the same time. ’
‘Andrew Manners has a wide range of expertise, excellent client care skills and his knowledge of procedure is second-to-none.’
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 2
Led from the firm's Swansea and Carmarthen offices by the 'exceptional' Jason Williams and the 'charming and charasmatic' Llyr Davies , respectively, Morgan LaRoche provides a partner-led approach to commercial litigation, ensuring that it is well-positioned to advise both regional and UK-wide clients across a broad spectrum of often very high-stakes and challenging work. As well as continuing to handle a steady diet of partnership and shareholder disputes, the team has also recently handled a significant number of force majeure-related contractual disputes, a reflection of the recent market conditions caused by the pandemic. In addition to his pure corporate and commercial disputes expertise, Williams regularly advises on complex property litigation, while Davies is increasingly active, from both an advisory and contentious perspective, for local IPs as office holders in insolvency matters. 'Excellent' Carmarthen-based associate Robert Davies is 'definitely one to watch for the future'.
Practice head(s):
Llyr Davies; Jason Williams
Other key lawyers:
Gemma Thomas; Ashley Davies; Robert Davies
Testimonials
‘For a local practice the firm attracts very high-quality Commercial Court/Chancery Division work, both in Cardiff and London.’
‘The team handles high value, complex litigation with a brilliant strategic attitude and a commercial approach.’
‘This is an excellent team of dedicated and talented lawyers, working on a wide range of complex and high-value litigation in Wales and the West of England.’
‘Jason Williams is exceptional: he has a sharp, commercial mind which gets directly to the heart of complex tactical problems.’
‘Llyr Davies is an outstanding commercial litigator, extremely attuned to his client, needs, whilst always remaining commercial and pragmatic.’
‘Llyr Davies is charming and charismatic, who has a great depth of legal energy and always keeps his eyes on the prize.’
‘Robert Davies is also an excellent lawyer – definitely one to watch for the future.’
‘Gemma Thomas is a phenomenal asset: an exceptionally hard worker with brilliant attention to detail.’
Key clients
Egnedol Limited
Cawdor Cars (Newcastle Emlyn) Limited
Hafan Cymru
Llanelec Precision Engineering Limited
Mon Motor Group
Employment > Health and safety Tier 2
Although it perhaps lacks the breadth and size of some of its peer firms, this is to some extent counterbalanced by Morgan LaRoche's national reputation on behalf of independent early years and social care providers. This reputation has been nurtured as a result of team head Andrew Manners' deep and longstanding reputation within the sector and his aptitude at effectively defending clients in any health and safety-related investigations/civil and criminal enforcement actions.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Manners
Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2
The 'excellent and dynamic' team at Morgan LaRoche provides 'efficient and proactive advice' to local businesses, private individuals and public/quasi public sector entities across a range of property disputes. Praised for his 'business-minded approach', team head Jason Williams has 'significant experience in property litigation', and has been involved in numerous reported landlord and tenant cases (including a high-profile Supreme Court case regarding the interpretation of service charge clauses). 'Highly knowledgeable and easy to work with', Ashley Davies is also a key member of the team and since his arrival from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in January 2020 has hit the ground running, handling work for a varied array of existing and new clients, including businesses, property investors and private individuals.
Practice head(s):
Jason Williams
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘An excellent and dynamic team with diverse experience in property litigation.’
‘The team is efficient and proactive. Their understanding and application of procedural rules is excellent, always ensuring their client’s position is protected and advanced in the strongest terms.’
‘Jason Williams leads the team with significant experience in property dispute litigation and acts with a business-minded and helpful approach.’
‘Jason Williams has a careful, analytic approach. The impression I have is that he is able to focus his client on the real issues, and obtain the clearest instructions.’
‘Ashley Davies has significant experience in property litigation and acts for a diverse range of clients. He is highly knowledgeable and very easy to work with.’
Key clients
AMP Energy Services Limited
Ameco Properties Limited
Haywood Homes
Enzo’s Homes Limited
Swansea University
Hallmark Care Homes
Culina Ambient Limited
Ynys Ystrad Cyf
Innkeeper UK Limited
Welsh and English Property Partnership
Work highlights
- Succesfully obtained and enforced an urgent injunction on behalf of a UK energy company in relation to trespass by a neighbouring landowner intended to delay client’s property development in the hope of extracting a ransom.
- Defending a residential estate owner in a claim brought by 13 property owners for refunds of rent-charges levied over a number of years.
- Advising a company operating in the restaurant and public house market in a prescriptive right to drain effluent into a watercourse against a local authority.
Finance > Banking and finance Tier 3
Morgan LaRoche handles a considerable volume of finance-related work under the umbrella of the firm's broader business services group, which is headed by William Barletta. Real estate financing is a major driver for the practice, an area that the firm is particularly well-positioned to advise on, in part by dint of its ability to draw upon the strength of its overarching property and projects offering.
Practice head(s):
William Barletta
Real estate > Commercial property Tier 3
Led from its Swansea headquarters by Kevin Thomas and also benefiting from a growing presence out of Carmarthen, Morgan LaRoche has excellent credentials for a developer-focused client base across south and west Wales, as well as on some England-based matters. A significant and growing amount of this work relates to renewable energy projects, with both David Palmer and Alun Price appreciated for their 'second-to-none industry knowledge and willingness to think outside of the box'. Rosemary Morgan remains a key member of the team and benefits from vast knowledge of real estate transactions within the education and health sectors, in particular.
Practice head(s):
Kevin Thomas
Other key lawyers:
Rosemary Morgan; David Palmer; Alun Price; Carys Wilson
Testimonials
‘The firm’s advice is considered gospel throughout the organisation up to and including board level, a level of trust that can only be achieved through delivering excellent services time and time again over many years and many jobs.’
‘The availability and engagement of partners and associates is second-to-none and their ability to make deals happens goes far beyond a basic legal service.’
‘David Palmer, Alun Price and Carys Wilson go above and beyond to ensure that our projects proceed with speed and accuracy.’
‘Their availability and understanding of our business and our industry is second to none, and in particularly value their willingness to problem solve and think outside of the box.’
Key clients
Hallmark Care Homes
Enzo’s Homes
AMP Clean Energy
Culina Group
Persimmon Homes
Colosseum Dental
The Penllergare Estate
The Trade Centre Group
Swansea University
Student Urban Living
Work highlights
- Representing a national logistics company on the property aspects of a £98m share capital acquisition of another major logistics company whose assets included a portfolio of properties comprising distribution centres, warehouses and offices.
- Acting for a developer in the site assembly, planning agreements and forward funding requirements for a student accommodation scheme in south London with a value in excess of £65m.
- Advising a renewable energy company on the freehold and leasehold acquisition of various sites across England and Wales for the construction of its “Urban Reserve” gas fired flexible generation gas and battery storage peaking plants.
Real estate > Social housing Tier 3
At Morgan LaRoche, fluent Welsh speaker Ann Thomas is the main contact at the firm for property-related social housing work, and provides 'authoritative advice' to numerous Wales-based RSLs across a range of transactional matters, including acquisitions and sales. On the litigation front, the team also regularly represents RSLs on tenancy covenant enforcement issues and anti-social behaviour management.
Practice head(s):
Ann Thomas
Other key lawyers:
Jason Williams; Llyr Davies
Testimonials
‘Ann Thomas provides authoritative advice.’
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 3
Overseen by corporate partner William Barletta and leveraging expertise from the firm's wider property, litigation and employment teams, among others, Morgan LaRoche deploys a multi-disciplinary approach to work in the sector. Carmarthen-based corporate and commercial partner Christopher Evans is a key contact, and is adept at advising local sports teams and governing bodies across a range of issues, including the recent 'invaluable advice' he provided to a local amateur rugby union club on its decion to incorporate as a company.
Practice head(s):
William Barletta
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘As an amateur rugby union club we made the decision to incorporate, something very much encouraged by the Welsh Rugby Union. We approached the firm for an initial consultation on this process and engaged the services in late 2019. Their advice and guidance on a number of areas has been invaluable.’
‘Our principal contact has been Chris Evans and we are extremely pleased with his invaluable advice, service and communications.’
Employment > Employment: Recommended Firms Tier 4
Now headed from the firm's Carmarthen office by Hannah Belton, following the retirement of Timothy Jones in January 2021, Morgan LaRoche provides 'pragmatic and robust advice' to companies throughout south and west Wales across a range of employment matters, including on GDPR compliance, as respondents in tribunal cases, and in the context of corporate support. The team has also been very proactive in terms of helping to guide clients through the myriad challenges and employment concerns arising as a result of the pandemic and also continues to grow the number of clients that have signed up the firm's increasingly popular retainer service. The health and social care sectors are particularly fertile sources of work, while the arrival in July 2020 of Sophie Ray enhances the team's credentials within the social housing space.
Practice head(s):
Hannah Belton
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Responsive, committed, takes the time to listen and understand their customers and their needs, goals and objectives.’
‘Morgan LaRoche provides exemplary service that suits our business needs.’
‘The team always has a pragmatic and robust approach to any situation.’
‘Hannah Belton will give a fair summary of a situation and manage expectations along the way. She is friendly, approachable and gives clients confidence in their decision-making. She is so knowledgeable about her subject area and manages to convey the main points of the law in a way that clients can easily understand.’
‘Hannah Belton provides exemplary HR legal advice and a professional service that stands out in our area as being synonymous with excellence.’
Key clients
Valleys to Coast Housing
The Grove Narberth Limited
The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Protherics UK Limited
Janet Witt
Solo Service Group Limited
Hafan Cymru
Swansea Industrial Components Limited
Montage Jeunesse
Cyfle Building Skills Limited
Work highlights
- Providing ad-hoc employment advice to National Botanic Garden of Wales, including on redundancy, settlement agreements and furlough-related issues.
- Representing Solo Service Group on several contentious matters issues, as well as on the provision of complex TUPE insourcing and outsourcing advice.
- Providing internal training to the senior management team of Protherics UK Limited.
Real estate > Construction Tier 4
Led by Steve Mundy , Morgan LaRoche's three-strong team handles a range of local and UK-wide contentious and non-contentious work for developers and contractors. Adjudications account for a significant proportion the team's instructions, while on the non-contentious side it is handling a considerable volume of work for developers on student accomodation projects.
Practice head(s):
Stephen Mundy
Other key lawyers:
Eleanor Griffiths
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr William Barletta | Director – William undertakes Mergers and Acquisitions, Business disposals, reorganisations, joint ventures,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Hannah Belton | Director – Hannah heads up the Employment Team and specialises in employment… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Andrew Manners | Director – Andrew specialises in the representation of individual, corporate and institutional… | View Profile |
![]() | Mrs Rosemary Morgan | Director – Rosemary specialises in commercial property development work, public/private sector joint… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Steve Mundy | Director – Steve is an experienced solicitor who advises on a wide… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr David Palmer | Director – David has experience in a broad range of commercial property… | View Profile |
![]() | Mrs Ann Thomas | Director – Ann specialises in the social housing sector. Ann’s specialisms include… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Kevin Thomas | Director – Kevin specialises in a broad range of property matters including… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Jason Williams | Director – Jason specialises in complex commercial litigation, with a particular interest… | View Profile |
- Corporate and commercial
- Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation
- Employment > Health and safety
- Real estate > Property litigation