Firm Profile > Addleshaw Goddard > Manchester, England

Banking and finance Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard offers in-depth experience across a range of banking and finance mandates. Corporate banking, leveraged finance, project finance, and real estate finance are key areas of expertise, and the team particularly stands out for its proficiency in asset-based lending and asset finance (equipment leasing and finance) instructions. With borrower and major lender clients, the team is active across transactions in the energy, finance, health, transport and retail and consumer sectors. Department head Martin O’Shea is a 'leading light for North West banking and finance'; Andrew Maskill heads the firm's asset finance practice; Simon Prendergast specialises in asset based lending and receivables financing; Richard Oman has a particular focus on corporate lending and leveraged acquisition finance matters; and Katie Ridehalgh specialises in real estate finance. Legal directors Caroline Gray and  Ben Edwards are also key figures.

Banking litigation Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard acts for a prestigious roster of clients including major UK and international banks, private equity firms, independent funders and financial service institutions, advising on negligence and fraud claims. Other areas of expertise include the recovery of assets in overseas jurisdictions, as well as regulatory investigations. The 'incredibly personable' and 'highly regarded' Harold Brako heads the team, while Helen Collinge is also recommended. The firm also offers a wide range of innovative litigation funding options to financial services clients looking to keep a handle on costs.

Commercial litigation: Manchester Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard is 'a go-to firm for pre-action advice and disputes', handling complex litigation for local, national and international clients. Areas of specialism include large IT disputes, competition law claims and 'business protection' work, which involves helping employers to manage risks stemming from employees and third parties who pose a threat to their interests. Mark Molyneux - described as 'one of the best litigators in the country' - heads the team with strong support from Susan Garrett. Managing associates Nicholas Ashcroft and Paul Rowley are also recommended alongside legal director Clare Dwyer.

Commercial property: Manchester Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard is the 'market leading firm for real estate work in Manchester' and is lauded as the 'go-to firm for real estate work'. The team is best known for its ability to handle big-ticket transactions in the city and across the North West region and acts for a broad client base which includes: trust and insurance companies, pension fund managers, developers, retailers, banks, transport agencies,  public and private sector organisations and corporate clients. Among the team, department head Peter Kershaw, who is 'exceptional',  Stephen Kinsey, who has a 'great standing in the market', and Anita Weightman are particularly recommended, as are legal directors Lucy Butterworth, Michael Corbett, and Emma Tonge.

Construction Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's 'expert' team is active across a range of international, national and local construction projects; it is noted for its expertise in contracts for engineering schemes and process engineering and infrastructure, as well as regeneration and development schemes. The team also stands out for its contentious expertise where it is particularly commended for its experience in PFI disputes. Nancy McGuire heads the construction and engineering group and Jonathan Tattersall, who operates across London and Manchester, heads the contentious construction team. Paul O’Kane is active on contentious and non-contentious mandates, as is Paul Barge . Legal directors Susan Bennett, Chris Henshaw and Steve Ormand  are noted, as are managing associates Charlotte Higham and the 'brilliant' Philip Withey.

Corporate and commercial: Manchester Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard 's team handles M&A, cross-border transactions, equity capital markets, private equity, corporate real estate deals and IPOs. Paul Medlicott heads the team and represents private equity investors, sellers and management teams, acting for many private equity houses in the North West. The 'unflappable' Andrew Green acts on corporate transactions and also focuses on private equity, meanwhile the 'exceptional and hands-on' Roger Hart and managing associate George Danczak  are also recommended. Michael Birchall and legal director Jamie Partridge both left the firm for Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Corporate tax Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard represents clients on the tax elements of M&A, joint ventures, fund establishments and real estate projects. On the contentious side, the firm deals with disputes with HMRC and the firm also advises on stamp duty land tax, pensions tax, VAT and customs duty matters. Justine Delroy heads the team and specialises in the tax aspects of structuring private equity transactions and property-based projects. Michael Hunter, who is based in Manchester and Leeds is also recommended, alongside managing associate Catherine Concannon.

Employment Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's employment team enjoys an excellent reputation in the Manchester market, acting for an array of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies and other significant regional and national employers  in the transport, retail, financial services and manufacturing sectors. The department, which is run by Jamie Hamnett and the 'calm and thorough' Malcolm Pike, has significant experience of high-stakes litigation and boardroom and senior level work, including restrictive covenant disputes. Legal director Kate McGough is also recommended.

Health Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard is active across a range of mandates covering public sector and health infrastructure, social and long term care, life sciences and private healthcare. The team stands out for its experience in handling PFI secondary market transactions and has experience in advising on the management of healthcare portfolios of substantial infrastructure funds. It also houses a growing care home practice covering commercial, transactional, restructuring,  insolvency and funding mandates. Head of health Michael O’Connor , Andrew Pettinger and Shelley McGivern  are key contacts, as is legal director Stephanie Townley, who is the public sector and health infrastructure lead.

Health and safety Tier 1

At Addleshaw Goddard, practice head Erin Shoesmith - 'a fantastic lawyer who is that great mix of technical and commercial' - was promoted to partner in May 2018. The team was also strengthened by the arrival of Alan Fox , who joined as a legal director from the Health and Safety Executive in March 2019. The team acts for large national and multinational corporate defendants on matters pertaining to fire safety, food safety and product safety, as well as a wide range of criminal regulatory matters. In addition to legal representation, the firm provides advice and training on issues such as compliance and employee duties.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard is applauded for its ability to handle a range of complex restructuring and insolvency mandates; it  is experienced in handling distressed real estate work, distressed corporate acquisition work and stands out for its specialist expertise in advising on distressed legal practices. The team is regularly instructed on retail sector matters. In addition to its non-contentious practice, insolvency litigation is also a key strength of the dedicated department. Team head Ged Barnes is a 'leading lawyer' and Tim Taylor is 'excellent'.

Intellectual property Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious IP issues, including brand disputes and advertising. Recently the firm has been developing expertise in big data, agile software development and indirect software licensing. Key client sectors include retail and consumer, financial services, transport, industrials, energy, health and the public sector. Paul Bentham - described as 'simply the best non contentious IP adviser in the North West' heads the team and advises on IP matters arising from company acquisitions and joint ventures. 'Real big hitter' James Whittaker has particular experience in the retail and consumer goods sector.

IT and telecoms Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard advises a wide range of public and private sector clients - including FTSE 100 companies and government bodies - on high profile, high value IT projects. Areas of expertise include purchasing, cloud computing projects, enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects and ICT enabled outsourcing. The 'fantastically experienced' Paul Bentham co-heads the team and handles major systems implementations and outsourcing projects. 'Stand-out adviser' James Whittaker, who also co-heads the team, advises on procurement and international outsourcing arrangements.

Local government Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard regularly acts for and against local government clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters; its experience includes outsourcing,  housing , real estate, projects and funds work. The team also advises combined authority and local government pension fund administrators on investments. Michael O’Connor handles public, private and project finance transactions, while Andrew Pettinger, who is based across the Leeds and Manchester offices and leads the local government team, advises on a wide range of commercial transactions for local government clients.

Media and entertainment Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's media and entertainment practice has a specialism in high-profile advertising and sponsorship campaigns for FTSE corporate clients, while other areas of expertise include global media buying and creative services agreements. The firm is seeing increasing instructions relating to the digital side of advertising and media buying. James Whittaker heads the team, advising key clients including PZ Cussons on promotional and brand licensing activities in relation to household name brands.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard handles a wide range of high-value work for ultra- and high-net-worth clients, entrepreneurs, trust companies and international individuals, advising on the administration of estates, wills and trusts on matters including domicile, residence, IHT, dual taxation, foreign assets, asset protection and family trust restructuring. The firm is also regularly involved in complex cross-border matters, advising both executors and trustees. 'Stand-out' partner Yorke Eaton heads the team, and is highly regarded for his capital tax planning advice to entrepreneurs and business owners.

Property litigation Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's 'first-rate' department is instructed by large institutional investors, high-profile tenants, developers and financial institutions on contentious and pre-contentious issues. The team is involved in retail, consumer, financial services and transport sector mandates. It has in-depth expertise in development work matters, and is involved in a number of cases involving rights of light and site clearance issues. Contentious landlord and tenant issues, professional negligence disputes and property-related insolvency cases are also a key component of the practice. Charles Jagger,  Chris Perrin, legal director Andy Feehan and managing associate Patricia Love are key figures in the Manchester-based team.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard draws on the firm's full services capabilities to complement its practice, with professional negligence, partnership and civil fraud specialists regularly called on to collaborate with the contentious trusts team. The firm's national and international scope also enables it handle complex cross-border trust litigation. The team is led by the 'enthusiastic and dedicated' Yorke Eaton, whose practice includes advising trustees on their duties and liabilities in relation to their business assets.

Energy Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's energy and utilities sector team is able to utilise its network of offices to advise on a range of domestic and international projects covering the oil and gas, renewables, power, water and waste sectors. The team in Manchester is experienced in is public-private and project finance transactions for public sector procuring bodies, private sector sponsors and funders. The team also handles real estate, outsourcings, procurement, state aid, contractual matters, re-financing and project finance matters in the sector. Manchester office head Michael O’Connor, who leads the infrastructure, projects and energy group, and legal director Rob Thompson head the team.

Professional negligence Tier 2

Led by Mark Molyneux, Addleshaw Goddard's professional negligence department has particular strength in the banking and construction sectors, handling high value claims against solicitors, valuers and other professionals. In the wake of the Grenfell disaster, cladding and fire safety issues have become an area of increased activity for the team, which has been advising a broad range of clients on issues relating to cladding and fire safety compliance. Susan Garrett handles professional negligence claims in the pensions area, while managing associate Matthew O’Neill focuses on claims against valuers, surveyors, brokers and solicitors on behalf of financial services clients.

Project finance and PFI Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's infrastructure and projects practice is strong on PFI and PPP work where it acts for NHS Trusts and private sector investors and developers in the healthcare sector.  Transport is also a key area where the team is adept at handling rail, aviation and ports projects. In the renewables space, the team handles solar, waste-to-energy, wind, and biomass projects. Michael O’Connor heads the national infrastructure, projects and energy group; Andrew Pettinger, who is based across Leeds and Manchester, handles major regeneration projects as well as PPP and PFI work; and legal director Rob Thompson handles complex contract and procurement work.

Transport Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's recent transport work has focused on the rail sector; the firm advises on franchising, rolling stock, infrastructure matters and services. The practice also provides advice in relation to trams and buses. Other areas of expertise include transport disputes and matters relating to  freight and logistics. Legal director Ursula Gould heads up the Manchester team and specialises in advising on high value contracts for transport projects.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3

At Addleshaw Goddard, private capital partner Yorke Eaton is known for his expertise in advising charities on a wide range of matters such as the establishment and registration of new entities, governance and trustee issues, commercial contracts, charity land transactions and restructuring issues. The department also advises banking clients on the taking of security over charity land and assets.

EU and competition Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard advises on general competition law, competition litigation cases, state aid, damages actions and cartels. The team is also experienced in merger control, market investigations and antitrust counselling/investigations. The firm is seeing an increasing amount of state aid instructions and represents clients locally and nationally. The practice is headed by Mark Molyneux and London-based Bruce Kilpatrick.

Planning and environment Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard handles a raft of planning and environment work. On the environmental side, which is led by recently promoted partner Michelle Headridge, the team handles contentious and non-contentious matters for clients across the real estate, retail, consumer, manufacturing, waste, energy and utility sectors. The team advises on the environmental aspects of real estate, corporate and finance transactions and handles criminal environmental investigation and defence work. Headridge is experienced in the chemicals and waste sectors and is ably supported by managing associate Joanne Holbrook. The planning team in Manchester has been bolstered by the arrival of Emily Williams from Irwin Mitchell.

Banking and finance Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's predominantly lender-focused department sits on the panels for all UK clearing banks and is recognised for its expertise in corporate banking, real estate finance, leveraged finance and unitranche work, as well as social housing financings. Clients praise the team, which is led by  David Handy, for 'knowing the sector inside out'. The firm added the 'really practical' Andrew Fordham from Squire Patton Boggs in 2018, and also fields social housing finance expert Lee Shankland, managing associate Geoffrey McGinley, and real estate finance specialist Jenny Cromack, who is a consultant.

Banking litigation Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's banking litigation team acts for a range of major UK banks and 'consistently delivers high-quality legal advice and litigation services in a cost-effective manner.' Practice head Sally Emerton is 'very experienced but willing to get her hands dirty' and has 'good strategic instincts'; she focuses on representing major retail and commercial banks, while Ben Lowans has a particular specialism in asset finance matters including marine and aviation finance, and fraud-based litigation. The group also fields several talented managing associates including  the 'intellectually able and extremely hardworking' Steve Walpole, 'up-and-coming star' Samantha Hollingworth, Jennifer Hedley, who is noted for her alternative dispute resolution expertise; and Matthew Dibb, who handles a range of strategic disputes. Ian Hastings retired.

Commercial contracts Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's practice covers a range of areas, from contractual agreements and IT to payment systems and data protection. The firm has a particular focus on the retail and consumer, financial services, industrial, and digital sectors. IT and outsourcing specialist Michael Lowry leads a team that provides notable expertise in intellectual property and competition law, acting for large companies and public sector bodies in the UK and overseas. Key names in the department are Jonathan Davey, who has particular experience in retail and consumer businesses and loyalty arrangements, and Damon Rosamond-Lanzetta, who advises on outsourcing and related transactions in the financial services, retail and telecoms areas. Rosamond-Lanzetta led the advice to Cyprus Cooperative Bank (CCB), a Cypriot state-owned bank, on a joint venture with Altamira Asset Management relating to the servicing of CCB's non-performing loan book.

Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard has 'a proactive and commercial view' and handles a range of commercial disputes as well as 'assisting clients with planning to minimise the risk of needing to invoke dispute resolution'. The team has the ability to operate internationally and acts for a range of local, national and global clients, with particular experience in the energy, IT, industrials, transport and health sectors. The team is jointly led by Simon Kamstra, Bill Gilliam and Sally Emerton; Kamstra acts in international disputes and arbitrations with a focus on the energy, aviation, manufacturing sectors alongside expertise in judicial reviews and public law; Gilliam has expertise in procurement challenges, IT projects, M&A claims, supply and outsourcing disputes, and Emerton is a finance disputes specialist. Louise Dobson is another key name, particularly for her knowledge of the health and pharmaceuticals, local government and retail sectors.

Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard has a broad commercial property practice, led by the 'pragmatic, smart and deal-focused' Bruce Lightbody. The firm acts for some of the UK's largest institutional investors as well as some of the country's largest real estate investment trusts. The 'highly professional' Lucy Sturrock is another notable name, working on high-profile transactions and co-leading the firm's national hotel and leisure sector group. Ian Smith, who acts for a number of the firm's major clients, is also recommended.

Construction Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's construction practice handles high-profile local and national projects, covering engineering and infrastructure, regeneration and development, as well as complex construction litigation with key expertise in the energy, utilities and transport sectors. Non-contentious specialist James Reynolds heads up the Leeds real estate division while David Shaw specialises in utilities, energy and transport projects. Joe Wilkinson and legal director Ally MacKenzie focus on construction and engineering disputes, John Emerton handles energy and infrastructure-related disputes, and managing associate Niamh Batterton advises on development schemes.

Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's corporate finance team has an impressive breadth of experience handling high-profile M&A transactions, particularly in the private equity, financial services, retail and consumer sectors. The Leeds-based practice, headed up by Garry Elliott, was recently bolstered by the promotion of James Tatro to the partnership and lateral hire of Richard Hunt from Squire Patton Boggs; Hunt is well-regarded for his experience advising corporates in the chemicals and industrials sectors, and assisting individual entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in Yorkshire and the North East.

Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard has a long-established reputation in Leeds, acting for household names on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work. Employment litigator Sally Hulston leads the 'very pragmatic and sensible' team, which has more than doubled in size since 2017-18, expanding its remit to include new offerings such as business immigration advice. Gerri Elliott is also recognised for her work on complex issues relating to insolvency, trade union or equal pay issues.

Energy Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's practice counts 'Big Six' energy companies and high-profile corporates as key clients, which it advises on all issues across power, nuclear, renewables, oil and gas, water and energy litigation. Richard Goodfellow, Paul Dight and John Emerton jointly lead the team; Goodfellow specialises in downstream energy work, Dight handles energy infrastructure and regulation matters, and Emerton is an energy sector litigator. James Reynolds leads the nuclear team, David Shaw focuses on utilities work while managing associate Alex Clayton has experience in smart metering projects.

Equity capital markets – small-mid cap Tier 1

Spread across the firm's UK network, Addleshaw Goddard's public companies team is well placed to handle placings and takeover transactions involving AIM-listed companies around the country. Though the department was involved in one of 2018's largest AIM IPOs, the takeovers practice in particular is perhaps the team's strong point; not only was the firm involved in the largest takeover of an AIM-quoted company in 2018, but with four former Takeover Panel secondees among its legal staff, it is also a trusted adviser to the takeovers regulator. Nick Pearey is a name to note, and Giles Distin is 'a rare example of a true corporate lawyer with real expertise in AIM rules and Takeover Code issues'.

EU and competition Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's team advises clients both regionally and nationally, with the Leeds office developing a particular niche in state aid work. The team, which is led by 'exceptional strategist' Mark Molyneux  -who splits his time between Manchester and Leeds - advises clients including building societies, NHS foundation trusts and other regional corporates. Legal director Elizabeth Turner, who joined from gunnercooke LLP in mid-2018, works with businesses in the financial services, retail, telecoms and technology sectors and has represented clients before the CMA and the EU Commission.

Asset finance and leasing Tier 1

IT and telecoms Tier 1

The 'friendly yet professional' IT practice at Addleshaw Goddard is known predominantly for its expertise in high-value IT projects and technology outsourcing deals. The group is instructed by large national private sector corporates and is particularly active in the industrial, retail, health, and financial services sectors. Practice head Michael Lowry focuses on IT procurements, outsourcing projects, data centres, large-scale enterprise licensing work, cloud issues and SaaS arrangements. Other key names to note include Bill Gilliam for IT disputes, Simon Lofthouse, who counts the private health and industrial sectors among his specialisms, and consultant Ian Sampson.

Local government Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's local government practice handles major transactions, projects, competition work, infrastructure matters, procurement, real estate issues and litigation for local authorities across the country. Group leader Andrew Pettinger is experienced in outsourcing transactions and Richard Goodfellow leads the infrastructure, projects and energy team.

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

Addleshaw Goddard handles complex corporate M&A in both the mid-market and high-end spaces, working for blue chip clients including Barclays, Diageo and SSE. The integrated nationwide team affords the firm a strong bench strength, channelled through the London office, where Andrew Rosling heads the M&A team. Rosling is an experienced M&A partner, holding  relationships with a number of the firm's key clients, with a particular focus on the retail and consumer goods sectors. Head of the London corporate team, Mike Duggan's expertise lies in the financial services sector, and he manages the firm's relationships with banking clients and financial institutions. Also recommended is Graham Cross, who regularly advises both investors and management teams in connection with all stages of the investment cycle, together with portfolio management issues. The firm hired James Dawson this year, previously of Macfarlanes LLP, who has notable experience working with start-ups in the technology sector.

Partnership Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's 'professional' and 'market-leading' team is instructed by national and international professional service firms on the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious partnership matters. The group has expertise in incorporation, governance and constitutional matters for partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), in addition to international structures, such as Swiss vereins and the use of LLPs in corporate groups. On the contentious front, the group regularly handles partner disputes and exits, including partner moves and discrimination issues. William Wastie leads the professional practices group, which includes Aster Crawshaw (who specialises in accounting firms) and financial services expert Jonathan Cheney. Senior managing associate Chris Hallinan is noted for his knowledge of governance and constitutional issues, as well as international regulatory matters. Managing associate Sarah Mathers joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in May 2018.

Pensions Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's pensions group advises on a broad variety of pensions matters ranging from pension products to pensions liberation and fraud, independent trustee work and pension buyin and buyout work; its client roster encompasses a combination of blue-chip corporates, regional businesses and trustee boards. The group is jointly led by national practice head Rachel Rawnsley, who has particular expertise in the utilities, energy, universities and building society sectors; Jade Murray, who advises on self-invested personal pensions and small self-administered schemes; and Rachel Uttley, who is a name to note for pension buyin and buyout transactions.

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

Addleshaw Goddard's private equity (PE) practice offers 'excellent service' to its clients and has won a number of new buyout houses to its roster, including  Palantine Private Equity, Primary Capital and Terra Firma. The team acts for more than 40 investor entities across the full range of mid-market transactions and also possesses a robust management practice on the high-cap side. Highlights include Marc Field and Mike Hinchcliffe advising ECI on the management buyout (MBO) of M3 Corporate Consulting. Elsewhere, Leeds-based Gary Elliott acted for LDC on its acquisition of shares in National Building Specification from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Hinchcliffe heads up the practice together with Yunus Seedat. Rising star associate Gemma Phillips is hailed as 'the best lawyer period' by one enthusiastic client and already boasts experience handling mandates from the likes of Inflexion Private Equity and Pheonix Equity Partners.

Professional negligence: claimant Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's strong Leeds office carries out work on a regional, national and international level. Construction-related litigation is an area of particular focus, particularly in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy – although unlike some of its competitors, the practice does not focus on one particular practice area. The team, which is led by head of litigation north Sally Emerton, works in tandem with the wider firm's commercial litigation bench to pursue professional negligence claims for commercial clients across many business sectors, including an impressive roster of banks and building societies.

Property litigation Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard handles the full spectrum of contentious property work for a client base spanning blue chip tenants, investors, developers and infrastructure providers with notable expertise advising on the contentious aspects of the management of shopping centres, litigation arising from company voluntary arrangements in the retail sector and trespasser evictions. Leeds-based Julie Middlemass heads up the national team, working with managing associates Elizabeth Cape and Chris McGrath, who handles landlord and tenant matters, and associate Louise Minshull, who focuses on mixed-use development mandates.

Social housing: finance Tier 1

Addleshaw Goddard's outstanding reputation in the social housing sector across the UK has made it a destination firm for related finance for banks, large housing associations, pension funds and other investors. It features prominently acting for lenders and funders on a number of the sector's most significant mergers; a recent highlight saw Steve Mackie, managing associate Tom McHugh and others acting for all lenders on a circa £1.63bn refinance of loan facilities to Metropolitan Housing Trust, which was part of a wider merger with Thames Valley Charitable Housing Association. In addition to handling mainstream bank-led financing and refinancing work, the firm also excels in advising on complex bridge-to-bond facilities, bond issuances and private placements. Beth Collett is a name to note for public debt capital markets issuances. Managing associate Daniel Foong joined from The Bank of New York Mellon in 2018. Nick Barlow and Geoffrey McGinley are also recommended. Lee Shankland heads the team, which also includes recently promoted partner Jennie Chilton and managing associate Helen Hunter.

Transport Tier 1

The transport practice at Addleshaw Goddard has broad expertise spanning franchising, acquisitions and sales of rolling stock, freight and haulage arrangements, infrastructure projects and instructions relating to urban transit. The group has a particularly strong reputation for its work in the rail sector and also regularly handles instructions relating to bus services, logistics, port and airport infrastructure and electric vehicles. Paul Hirst, who focuses on the rail sector, jointly heads up the practice alongside real estate specialist Anna Heaton. Legal director Sara Gilmore, who has broad transport expertise, is also a key name to note.

Asset based lending Tier 2

With practitioners spread across its national network of offices, Addleshaw Goddard has an ‘excellent reputation’ in the market for handling UK-originated ABL deals on behalf of clearing and challenger banks, as well as independents and corporates. Appreciated for its ability to provide ‘high-quality advice with a commercial edge’, the firm provides a “cradle-to-grave” service enabling it to provide holistic advice on new money transactions, in addition to any pursuant restructurings or litigation arising from any given deal. Described by one client as ‘Mr ABL’, practice head Mike Davison not only regularly leads on the most challenging deals handled by the team but is also noted for his ability to develop new products for clients in the market. Manchester-based managing associate Lauren Priest-Stephens is recognised as a ‘very effective operator’; she regularly advises both bank and non-bank clients.

Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's 'very well-run team' acts in a large amount of large, high-profile banking cases in the commercial court. Its full-service banking litigation practice frequently advises on matters involving international elements and includes financial regulatory and financial crime expertise. It particularly stands out for derivatives and structured products litigation. It acted for Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig, the City of Leipzig's water authority, in its longstanding defence of an approximately €350m claim. The matter was brought by UBS and established new law on bribery. Michael Barnett is 'a very solid performer' and Richard Clayton and James Herring are also highly rated individuals, while Sivan Daniels and David Wigg, are senior managing associates. Mark Gill retired from the practice and Chris Brennan left for White & Case LLP.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's multi-disciplinary private capital department is led out of the firm's Leeds base by Pervinder Kaur. Alongside traditional charity law advice, the team has a dual focus - charities with commercial arrangements, and commercial entities entering into arrangements with charities. The team operates hand-in-hand with the wider firm, drawing on Addleshaws' considerable national and international reach. The practice's work includes advising on investigations and inquiries, such as those conducted by the Charity Commission. Kaur works alongside Yorke Eaton and legal director Charlotte Smart, who also has a focus on educational organisations.

Commercial property: development Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard is home to a ‘wealth of expertise’, ‘producing high-quality and innovative legal solutions’. Significant development works in London, including those with a cross-border element, are an area where the team excels, and the same likewise applies to regeneration works and joint venture projects. Leona Ahmed is ‘outstanding in every way’ and is currently advising Battersea Power Station Development Company in relation to the development and asset management strategy of the commercial assets within Phase 2 of the power station development. Ahmed is an expert on inbound investment, particularly from Asia, and the team also counts several high-profile real estate investment funds and property companies among the client base. Luke Baines is key in the hotels and leisure sector where the team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for hotel finance and also handles development, construction, financing, IP, employment and commercial agreements in addition to leisure schemes for pub and restaurant clients. The practice also acts on HQ relocations and main office transactions, and in the retail space is particularly experienced within the shopping centre arena.

Commercial property: investment Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard is home to a ‘wealth of expertise’, ‘producing high-quality and innovative legal solutions’. Significant development works in London, including those with a cross-border element, are an area where the team excels, and the same likewise applies to regeneration works and joint venture projects. Leona Ahmed is ‘outstanding in every way’ and is currently advising Battersea Power Station Development Company in relation to the development and asset management strategy of the commercial assets within Phase 2 of the power station development. Ahmed is an expert on inbound investment, particularly from Asia, and the team also counts several high-profile real estate investment funds and property companies among the client base. Luke Baines is key in the hotels and leisure sector where the team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for hotel finance and also handles development, construction, financing, IP, employment and commercial agreements in addition to leisure schemes for pub and restaurant clients. The practice also acts on HQ relocations and main office transactions, and in the retail space is particularly experienced within the shopping centre arena.

Contruction: non-contentious Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard has a broad non-contentious offering which covers the health, education, housing, manufacturing and hotels sectors, advising a range of well-known developers, employers and funders. The team is led by the 'very commercial' Andy McVeigh who is a specialist in student accommodation and residential development, and who led the firm's team advising St Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust on the delivery of its capital investment strategy plan. Julia Court is another notable name, acting as the prime partner on the Battersea Power Station redevelopment. Luke Baines is a 'hotels specialist' and has experience in real estate development including town centre regeneration. Legal director Sam Cary, who has worked closely with McVeigh and acted for investors, developers and manufacturers, is also recommended.

Corporate governance Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's multi-disciplinary team handles the full spectrum of governance, regulatory compliance and risk management mandates, with notable expertise in statutory and regulatory obligations; board, directors and general counsel support; annual reporting issues and annual general meeting matters. Will Chalk heads up the corporate governance team, which also draws from the corporate, employment, employee incentives, corporate crime and regulatory departments;. Key individuals include global investigations practice head Nichola Peters, Ben Koehne, who leads the building societies group; financial regulation head Amanda Hulme, employee incentives expert Jonathan Fletcher-Rogers and Edinburgh-based data head Helena Brown. David Pygott joined from CMS to expand the firm's contentious regulatory expertise.

Fintech Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard stands out for its work for clients across the spectrum of fintech, including major banks and start-ups, which it advises on investments, collaborative projects and partnership agreements, particularly in the payments space. The group also stands out for its work assisting clients, primarily banks, with the development of new payment products, including mobile payment services and digital banking platforms. Practice head Fiona Ghosh (who has expertise in outsourcing, procurements, strategic alliances and joint ventures) recently advised Bink on its partnership agreement with Barclays bank relating to the provision of its technology to Barclays. Junior partner David Anderson predominantly advises clients on IT projects and strategic investments into IT and fintech companies; he is currently instructed by FNZ to manage its material outsourcing services contracts with blue-chip financial services clients. The firm’s extensive work for banks also covers regulatory compliance in relation to PSD2, having previously acted for CMA9 banks in relation to open banking solutions.

Health Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's department is split into four separate teams; public sector and health infrastructure, social and long-term care, life sciences and private healthcare. Alongside its public and private healthcare clients, the department also handles PFI secondary market transactions, infrastructure portfolios and care home work. Bill Gilliam leads the Leeds health sector group and focuses on contentious issues, Peter Wood handles corporate matters, Simon Lofthouse heads up the private healthcare provider group and legal director Louise Dobson litigates matters in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.

Healthcare Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard acts for an impressive list of NHS trusts and private healthcare providers, and has 'tremendous expertise and real depth of knowledge' in healthcare infrastructure. Matthew Newing has a 'strong reputation' acting for sponsors, investors, developers and lenders on major PFI/PPP projects, as does David Hartley. Also of note are Manchester-based partners Michael O’Connor, who also leads the national practice, and Andrew Pettinger for corporate transactions.

Infrastructure Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard has a notable reputation in the PFI secondary market, with the infrastructure team benefiting from the strength of the firm's national energy and transport departments, which are both led out of Leeds. The group handles matters across the renewables, utilities, rail, airport, electric vehicle and ports sectors. Richard Goodfellow heads up the national infrastructure, projects and energy group and is experienced in PPP matters, Paul Dight has expertise in projects and regulatory mandates, and Paul Hirst handles transport work, particularly in the rail sector.

Infrastructure (including PFI and PPP) Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard is well versed in PPP and PFI related matters. The team is engaged by public and private clients and has considerable experience in infrastructure projects in the renewable, information and communication technology sectors as well as transport. Work includes  advising infrastructure asset funds and investors on the PFI secondary market regarding the buying and selling of stakes. Practice head Richard Goodfellow splits his time between Leeds and London and is a key contact for energy and renewable matters. Paul Hirst in Leeds has particular experience of the rail industry.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard sits on the panels of a raft of major banks, while the firm also receives a high number of instructions from insolvency practitioners. The team has notable expertise in the legal and energy sectors, dealing with insolvent law firms and failing energy suppliers. Group co-head Andy Bates focuses on non-contentious bank work while fellow co-head Graham Briggs primarily handles transactional and advisory work alongside some contentious experience. Managing associate Emma Sadler excels in larger corporate transactions including accelerated M&As and administration sales, while Andrew Fordham, who joined in 2018 from Squire Patton Boggs, is a key contact for corporate banking, leveraged finance work and real estate finance.

Intellectual property Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's team is highlighted for its strength in advising its impressive client roster of household names on the full range of non-contentious matters. It is frequently instructed by a range of national and international blue-chip companies in corporate transactions with complex IP elements. Practice head Georgina Powling is well-regarded for her expertise in advising on M&A and finance transactions, as well as commercial agreements and research and development agreements. The group benefits from the ability to leverage the firm's commercial disputes team in contentious matters.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard is recognised for its 'very powerful' offering to high net worth individuals, trust companies and an increasing number of international clients, to which it provides 'pragmatic' advice in different areas. The team is described as 'very strong' and as having 'breadth of expertise', especially in the use of trusts in a commercial context, and aimed at consumer protection issues. The department is led by Pervinder Kaur and sits within the firm's corporate division – enabling clients to benefit from the expertise of lawyers in different departments, such as banking, litigation and employment. Main areas of activity are residence, domicile and tax issues, family governance and property structures.

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard works with a big-name roster of energy majors and corporates with increasing energy requirements. Renewables and the decentralisation of energy generation are a particular of focus for the team, with significant sources of work coming from its thriving smart metering practice. The team is also active in the nuclear energy space, advising on new builds, decommissioning, research and development. Major recent work has included advising Macquarie Principal Finance on its agreement with Amazon to fund and develop roof-top solar panels on Amazon's UK bases. Richard Goodfellow heads up the firm's infrastructure, projects and energy group.

Product liability: defendant Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's team is a popular choice for clients from the pharmaceutical, retail, consumer goods, and food and drink industries to handle matters relating to recalls, safety and advisory work. The group is acting for GlaxoSmithKline in a group action relating to its antidepressant Seroxat; practice head Louisa Caswell leads on this. Insurance expert Richard Wise is well versed in coverage disputes. Erin Shoesmith in Manchester, who made partner in 2018, acts for the firm's corporate clients facing prosecution and investigation by regulatory bodies. Associates Mark Chesher and Cécile Burgess are regularly involved in the team's most significant matters.

Property finance Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard is known for its strong lender-side client base, acting for traditional UK banks and German Pfandbrief banks, as well as funds, insurers and challenger banks. The team also counts a number of Asian investors  among its clients, and is expanding its borrower-side practice. Other areas of expertise include hotel, private rented sector (PRS) and student accommodation finance. Steve Mackie took over as practice head from Paul Salsbury, who focuses on cross-border real estate matters. The team also includes hotel finance specialist James Salford; Zoe Maurer, who has particular strength in investment and development finance; and the ‘superb‘ Zak Ikponmwosa.

Rail Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's rail team 'possesses a good balance of relevant rail specific knowledge and experience, coupled with a strong ability to provide guidance in various customer specific areas'. With specialists across the UK, the team is regularly engaged on complex franchising, rolling stock, projects and infrastructure mandates for public and private sector clients. Department head Paul Hirst, who is experienced across transport infrastructure projects, operating concessions and franchises, rolling stock procurements and regularly leads on big-ticket mandates; Hirst led advice for the DfT, on a multi-year mandate, regarding a new rail franchise, which will combine the current InterCity West Coast services with the development and introduction of High Speed 2 services. Clive Smith has a strong market following and is noted for his rolling stock expertise. The team was recently bolstered by the arrival of experienced consultant Martin Fleetwood, who 'shows impressive pragmatism and an ability to help shape solutions to complex issues', from Shoosmiths LLP.

Reputation management Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's reputation & information protection team 'is right at the top of claimant work'  according to clients and focuses on defamation matters related to online media and social media platforms. Thanks to its ability to draw on support from the full-service firm and its international network, clients include both blue chip companies and high-net-worth individuals from a wide range of sectors such as retail & consumer and financial services. In particular, the firm's client base in the Gulf regions and Hong Kong is growing. The team is headed by the 'tremendously effective' David Engel who specialises in crisis management, advisory, investigations and litigation; whereas the 'consistent' consultant Abigail Healey has built her practice in the growing area of information protection and excels at handling data breaches. Associate Samantha Haigh is the practice's rising star, in particular with regards to data privacy cases.

Water Tier 2

Addleshaw Goddard's dedicated water group covers a wide variety of disciplines, from regulatory, construction and litigation, to environmental and transactional, acting for regulators, water companies and suppliers alike. In recent highlights, Rona Bar-Isaac's London-based team has been working with water companies at the forefront of planning strategy for the effective use of the direct procurement regime and its implications for PR19 planning, and assisted South East Water with its disposal of its non-household retail business to Castle Water.

Administrative and public law Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard’s recent highlights include assisting its corporate and public sector clients with a range of contentious actions and advisory support. The team acts for a number of utilities companies and NHS bodies in judicial review applications against national regulators and local authorities, with recent mandates involving the recovery of business rates and charging arrangements implemented by Ofgem. Further matters concerned procurement challenges and tax disputes with HMRC. Current advisory work involves assisting with the reconfiguration of public healthcare services, advising commercial clients on planned regulatory changes, and handling requests for confidential information where issues of particular public interest are involved. Devising strategies for mitigating the risk of public law challenges is also a significant aspect of the practice. Leeds-based Simon Kamstra is particularly active in international and energy sector matters.

Brand management Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard's full-service brand management practice combines the expertise of trade mark attorneys, advising global brand owners on the protection, maintenance and enforcement of their brand portfolios, with commercial legal advice in relation to sponsorship and licensing. Paul Bentham head the brands and designs practice from Manchester, where James Whittaker also advises on IP rights acquisition and licensing, media, and sponsorship, with a focus on the retail and consumer goods sector. On the contentious side, Emma Armitage and associate Rachel Cook are particularly active in IP and design disputes in the retail sector.

Commercial litigation Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard 'has a very dedicated and commercial approach to all aspects of disputes'. The firm has one of the UK's largest litigation practice and is regularly instructed in the biggest and most high-profile cases in the English courts, including large IT disputes and bet-the-company fraud cases. Michael Barnett is litigation head, Mark Molyneux, who divides his time between the London and Manchester offices, is commercial litigation head, and Louisa Caswell is London commercial litigation lead. The other names to note are Jon Tweedale, Richard Wise and Richard Clayton, along with legal director Mark Chesher and managing associate Natasha Winter. Former managing associate Richard Levett left for Enyo Law LLP.

Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard is home to a ‘wealth of expertise’, ‘producing high-quality and innovative legal solutions’. Significant development works in London, including those with a cross-border element, are an area where the team excels, and the same likewise applies to regeneration works and joint venture projects. Leona Ahmed is ‘outstanding in every way’ and is currently advising Battersea Power Station Development Company in relation to the development and asset management strategy of the commercial assets within Phase 2 of the power station development. Ahmed is an expert on inbound investment, particularly from Asia, and the team also counts several high-profile real estate investment funds and property companies among the client base. Luke Baines is key in the hotels and leisure sector where the team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for hotel finance and also handles development, construction, financing, IP, employment and commercial agreements in addition to leisure schemes for pub and restaurant clients. The practice also acts on HQ relocations and main office transactions, and in the retail space is particularly experienced within the shopping centre arena.

Commercial property: hotels and leisure Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard is home to a ‘wealth of expertise’, ‘producing high-quality and innovative legal solutions’. Significant development works in London, including those with a cross-border element, are an area where the team excels, and the same likewise applies to regeneration works and joint venture projects. Leona Ahmed is ‘outstanding in every way’ and is currently advising Battersea Power Station Development Company in relation to the development and asset management strategy of the commercial assets within Phase 2 of the power station development. Ahmed is an expert on inbound investment, particularly from Asia, and the team also counts several high-profile real estate investment funds and property companies among the client base. Luke Baines is key in the hotels and leisure sector where the team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for hotel finance and also handles development, construction, financing, IP, employment and commercial agreements in addition to leisure schemes for pub and restaurant clients. The practice also acts on HQ relocations and main office transactions, and in the retail space is particularly experienced within the shopping centre arena.

Construction: contentious Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard has a strong contentious construction offering, working on international arbitration disputes relating to infrastructure and energy projects as well as PFI dispute work. Jonathan Tattersall is the head of the team, and is known for his knowledge of PFI/PPP disputes, particularly in the health sector. Tattersall was the lead partner acting for Konoike, a Japanese construction company, in relation to the enforcement of an ICC arbitration. Gerlando Butera is another key member of the team, acting as a lead partner on several matters and specialising in disputes arising out of engineering and power projects. Legal director James Shackleton joined the firm from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in January 2019, bringing particular expertise in matters in the transport and marine engineering sectors.

Corporate tax Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard's tax and structuring team advises on a range of corporate tax issues with particular expertise in the private equity, real estate, energy and asset finance sectors. Group leader Justine Delroy splits her time between Manchester and Leeds and specialises in advising on the structure of private equity transactions. The team also includes Martin Griffiths, who recently joined the Leeds office from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP; he has a breadth of tax expertise encompassing the private equity sector and property and funds structuring work.

Corporate tax Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard's tax team plays an integral part within  the firm's other offerings across real estate, financial services and private equity. The firm handles tax advisory and structuring work alongside a  particular strength  in transactional tax work. The tax and structuring team is led from Manchester by Justine Delroy, while Elaine Gwilt is the key tax contact for the London office; with expansive experience in the private equity space.

Employment: employers Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard's employment, incentives and immigration group, which is described as 'one of the best employment teams in London' has a strong reputation for its work in the Employment Tribunal and High Court, while also advising on the employment aspects of transactions and regulatory investigations. The practice is led by 'safe pair of hands' Michael Leftley; he works with a team which includes the 'hard-hitting' Richard Yeomans, experienced boardroom consultant Alasdair Simpson and 'star quality new partner' Sarah Harrop.

Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 3

Traditionally known for retail financial services and payments work, Addleshaw Goddard's practice covers legal, compliance, conduct, risk and governance support. Retail and payments regulation expert Amanda Hulme leads the team that includes Rosanna Bryant, who handles standalone consumer credit regulatory advice and is also regularly involved in financial services transactional work. Nichola Peters, Michelle De Kluywer and David Pygott are key names on the regulatory and global investigations and enforcement team and focus on contentious regulatory advice relating to FCA enforcement, investigations, AML and financial crime. The practice was strengthened by the 2018 arrivals of Richard Small, who specialises in financial services regulatory advice, from Stephenson Harwood; and consumer finance and retail banking expert Clare Hughes, from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Fraud: civil Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard advises on ‘bet the company’ fraud disputes, breaches of trust, worldwide freezing injunctions, cross-border fraud and commercial litigation. Other areas of expertise include international contract and fraud disputes relating to investments, corporate and director fraud and bribery. Michael Barnett, who heads the practice, has been working in tandem with Louise Caswell to advise Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig (KWL) on its defence of a €350m claim brought by UBS, which ran for seven years across two jurisdictions, and concluded in 2018 when UBS was refused permission to appeal by the Supreme Court.

Insurance litigation: for policyholders Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard counts infrastructure, construction, marine and finance as particular sector strengths, advising clients on matters including investigation insurance, property damage and business interruption losses, professional indemnity, business loan repayment insurance and M&A risk management disputes. 'Impressive lawyer' Richard Wise has particular expertise in Bermuda Form arbitration and mediation, and Richard Clayton focuses on acting for financial institutions.

IT and telecoms Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard's team has particular experience handling IT and digital projects and advising financial services sector clients. Practice head Damon Rosamond–Lanzetta advises clients on IT and outsourcing transactions in the financial services, transport and telecoms sectors; Fiona Ghosh focuses on fintech matters; William James leads the payments group, and Elvan Hussein handles a range of corporate transactions.

Local government Tier 3

The team at Addleshaw Goddard offers a host of services to local authorities in connection with regeneration and redevelopment work, transport projects, outsourcing contracts (including ICT contracts), financing and refinancing.  Mike O’Connor and Andrew Pettinger lead the practice and Richard Goodfellow, who heads the infrastructure, projects and energy group, handles major transactions that include PPPs, project financing and renewables matters. Rob Thompson also has a focus on energy as well as the waste and health sectors.

Pensions: dispute resolution Tier 3

The pensions team at Addleshaw Goddard has a strong trustee support offering, advising on member complaints, scheme mergers and amendments, interpreting scheme rules, pension winding up applications, scheme closures and administrator changes. The practice also advises on the pensions issues of corporate transactions. Contentious issues are covered by the commercial litigation offering with regular mandates including professional negligence claims and pension liberation fraud cases. Catherine McAllister is a key partner in the London office.

Planning Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard enjoys a strong flow of housing and mixed-use development mandates including complex build-to-rent schemes across London and a number of retail-led developments in the wider UK market. Contentious work in this field saw national planning practice head, Marnix Elsenaar, successfully defending a judicial review of the planning permission granted for a shopping centre extension. The team also has a footprint in the national infrastructure space, with expertise in drafting DCOs and Transport and Works Act orders for a number of high-profile projects in the energy and transport sector. Further contentious work saw Gary Sector successfully representing a client in a high-value appeal to secure planning permission for a residential development.

Planning Tier 3

Following the departure of former team head Glenn Sharpe to York City Council, the key Leeds-based contacts for Addleshaw Goddard's planning group include legal director Julia Dixon, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs in late 2018, and associate Daniel Marston. The national group is highly regarded for its expertise in housing and mixed-use developments, rail and energy projects, and retail projects.

Trade finance Tier 3

Addleshaw Goddard acts for clearing banks, overseas banks and funds in trade finance transactions. Mike Davison leads the finance and projects team, in which the firm's trade finance expertise resides. His work includes receivables financing and supply chain financing, Shariah-compliant deals and commodity finance arrangements. Partners Michael Barnett and Richard Clayton handle contentious trade finance matters. Rising star associate James Tarleton plays a key role in asset-based lending, trade finance and specialty finance transactions. One client remarks that the firm's practice has 'real titans in this field with wide ranging experience and expertise of all forms of trade finance transactions and disputes'.

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4

Tapping into longstanding relationships with UK clearing banks, and also regularly servicing corporate clients on their financing requirements, Addleshaw Goddard has a strong reputation for handling mid-market bilateral, club and syndicated mandates, where it is able to provide a 'cost-effective and solutions-oriented service' by virtue of its ability to resource deals from London and out of its regional offices. Co-head Amanda Gray handles a diverse range of corporate banking transactions for lenders and borrowers. The 'commercially-minded' Mike Davison is also recommended and adds increased flexibility on financing deals by virtue of his asset-based lending prowess.

Commercial property: retail Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard is home to a ‘wealth of expertise’, ‘producing high-quality and innovative legal solutions’. Significant development works in London, including those with a cross-border element, are an area where the team excels, and the same likewise applies to regeneration works and joint venture projects. Leona Ahmed is ‘outstanding in every way’ and is currently advising Battersea Power Station Development Company in relation to the development and asset management strategy of the commercial assets within Phase 2 of the power station development. Ahmed is an expert on inbound investment, particularly from Asia, and the team also counts several high-profile real estate investment funds and property companies among the client base. Luke Baines is key in the hotels and leisure sector where the team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for hotel finance and also handles development, construction, financing, IP, employment and commercial agreements in addition to leisure schemes for pub and restaurant clients. The practice also acts on HQ relocations and main office transactions, and in the retail space is particularly experienced within the shopping centre arena.

Competition litigation Tier 4

Competition litigation is increasingly an area of focus for the team at Addleshaw Goddard, which acts for national and international clients in relation to a number of high-profile cartel investigations. Notably, the group advises claimant The Road Haulage Association on a collective proceedings order concerning the trucks cartel fined by the European Commission. The team also stands out for its particular strengths in handling matters regarding consumer protection, retail, financial services, and regulated sectors. ‘Highly experienced’ practice head Mark Molyneux is based in Manchester, while Bruce Kilpatrick heads the firm’s wider competition group.

Debt capital markets Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard advises on a wide scope of debt capital markets work, including publicly offered listed issues and privately placed deals. On the public side, it acts for banks such as Barclays and Lloyds in their roles as dealers and managers, and for issuers and trustees. A key specialism is social housing finance, in which department head Beth Collett is a leading light, and the practice, formed two years ago, handles large mandates in that area. Among these deals in 2018 was the issuance by London & Quadrant Housing Trust of £250m of secured bonds, in which the firm acted for RBS, Lloyds and Santander as joint bookrunners and Prudential Trustee Company Limited as bond trustee and security trustee.

Employee share schemes Tier 4

In addition to day-to-day advisory work, Addleshaw Goddard's team provides clients with a full remuneration service, which includes advice on governance issues, best practice, share dealings by directors and matters pertaining to internationally mobile employees. Jonathan Fletcher-Rogers heads the department; his practice covers advising on tax-efficient share incentives, the implementation of employee plans globally, and corporate governance and disclosure issues for listed companies.

EU and competition Tier 4

Led by the ‘highly competent’ Bruce Kilpatrick, the competition team at Addleshaw Goddard provides full-service advice on merger control, competition litigation, antitrust enforcement, market investigations, and state aid. Sector-specific expertise include financial services (including payment systems), consumer protection, and regulated utilities with a particular emphasis placed on water, energy and telecoms. The group is also adept at handling cross-border work; acting in a number of jurisdictions. One key mandate saw the firm secure merger clearance for client GVC Holdings’ £4bn acquisition of gambling company Ladbrokes Coral. Newly promoted partner Al Mangan and Rona Bar-Isaac are also noted.

Oil and gas Tier 4

The energy and utilities lawyers at Addleshaw Goddard have recently handled a number of significant transactions in the oil and gas space across a number of jurisdictions. The full-service offering covers the acquisition, divestiture, structuring, development and financing of oil and gas assets across the entire energy value chain, including upstream, midstream and downstream. In recent highlights, the group advised BP on its investment in solar developer Lightsource. In London, the main name to note is Guy Winter, while Richard Goodfellow and John Emerton are based in the Leeds office. Anna Nerush recently joined Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP.

Pensions (non-contentious) Tier 4

The pensions team at Addleshaw Goddard has a strong trustee support offering, advising on member complaints, scheme mergers and amendments, interpreting scheme rules, pension winding up applications, scheme closures and administrator changes. The practice also advises on the pensions issues of corporate transactions. Contentious issues are covered by the commercial litigation offering with regular mandates including professional negligence claims and pension liberation fraud cases. Catherine McAllister is a key partner in the London office; the Leeds-based Rachel Rawnsley heads the practice nationally.

Property litigation Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard excels in development work and is particularly active in rights of light disputes - these are often led by 'very knowledgeable' legal director Gregory Simms - and site clearance matters but the 'close-knit and very effective' team also handles contentious landlord and tenant issues. Clients include institutional investors, high-profile tenants, developers, financial institutions and governments. Team head Andrew Blower 'has enormous knowledge and provides a mature response to problems'.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard 's corporate crime team is led by Nichola Peters , who has experience of cross-border investigations, deferred prosecution agreements and judicial review proceedings against authorities. The team cover a wide range of corporate crime and fraud matters including allegations of bribery and corruption, money laundering, fraud, market abuse and insider trading, as well as handling matters involving economic sanctions, export controls, health and safety and regulatory matters. Michelle de Kluyver focuses on corporate investigations, money laundering  and fraud matters, as well as handling cases involving data protection breaches.  The firm has made a number of hires, with David Pygott joining as a partner from CMS, Tony McGlennan and  Janie Wong joining as legal directors, with Amy Russell joining as a managing associate.

Acquisition finance Tier 5

Led by Alex Dumphy, Addleshaw Goddard's corporate banking team provides a 'pragmatic and commercial service' to borrowers and lenders on mid-market acquisition finance mandates. The firm's strong UK clearing bank relationships ensures that the team continues to pick up a significant volume of domestic and international  leveraged finance mandates across the capital structure, including those incorporating traditional term debt and revolving credit facilities. In addition, it is able to provide asset-based lending expertise and has used this alongside traditional bank debt on acquisition finance transactions. The regional offices, Manchester in particular, generate a significant amount of financing work from private equity sponsors.

Aviation Tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard is best known for its aviation finance and leasing practice, however the firm is also well-placed to advise on aviation disputes as well as commercial and regulatory matters. The team also handles airport development and project work. The team is now led by the 'very commercial' Rebecca Garner following the retirement of Rory MacCarthy.

Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard's 'commercially sensitive and aware' insurance group relies on expertise collectively drawn from the firm's London team and its other offices throughout the UK, advising clients including banks and building societies on insurance distribution cases and day-to-day regulatory matters. Financial services regulatory partner Brian McDonnell leads the London team.

International arbitration Tier 5

Addleshaw Goddard is noted for its 'very good and astute use of the Bar'. The practice acts in major international arbitrations in relation to energy, life sciences, construction and insurance. Simon Kamstra is international arbitration head, Jon Tweedale is focused on energy and life sciences disputes and Sarah Vasani is experienced in investor-state arbitrations.

Transport finance & leasing Tier 5

Based out of London but also able to leverage a strong regional presence, Addleshaw Goddard provides a 'commercial and pragmatic service' across the spectrum of transportation asset classes. Following the recruitment of Clive Smith towards the end of 2017 from Osborne Clarke LLP, the firm has increased visibility in the rail sector in light of his high-profile domestic work for manufacturers, train operators, lessors and financiers on the procurement, finance, leasing, maintenance and modification of new and existing rolling stock fleets, in both the passenger and freight markets. Edinburgh-based Alan Shanks provides ship financing expertise, while Rebecca Garner heads up the firm's aviation offering.

Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 7

With a strong presence in London, as well is in regional offices including Manchester, Addleshaw Goddard handles a significant volume of UK mid-market restructuring mandates, particularly from clearing banks and accountancy firms. Although it is active across a wide range of industry sectors, the team provides particular prowess in relation to contentious and non-contentious mandates in sectors where the firm has an overarching focus; including healthcare, education, and energy. 'Experienced and driven' co-head Fraser Ritson has recently received a significant number of instructions from boards of directors of troubled companies, including from Evans Cycles. Alison Goldthorp has a strong reputation in the domestic market particularly for contentious insolvency matters.