Home to a highly experienced pensions team, Baker McKenzie LLP is noted for its work on strategic projects for corporate sponsors and trustees, with services including DB de-risking, surplus management, and scheme restructuring. With a strong international capability, the group works closely with colleagues across the corporate, restructuring, and finance practices, providing integrated advice on global carve-outs, restructurings, and cross-border transactions. Team head Arron Slocombe maintains a broad practice offering, including pension buyouts, liability management, and corporate restructurings. Jonathan Sharp has a particular interest in tax issues relating to pensions, while Tom McNaughton supports trustees and their sponsoring employers on industry-wide schemes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- There is a hard-working, dynamic, and energetic approach from the team, and we experienced good collaboration when working with us and other consultants. This is essential when working on projects as a team.
- The team I have worked with is diverse and pragmatic. They have been willing to advise on some particularly complex issues and have been engaged and attentive.
- Jonathan Sharp (partner) is my lead contact - he responds extremely quickly, his advice is pragmatic and proposes actions that are proportionate, taking into account the size of the scheme, the issue, its implications, etc. Hannah Moxon gives full reasoning for her responses, interpretation of the Rules, etc., that can be used again if a similar issue arises in the future, thus saving the cost of repeating advice.
- They are very well organized in that another lawyer is always available for any matters that need immediate attention should the primary contact be out of the office for some reason. All team members are very knowledgeable about the pension plan and pragmatic when advising actions to be proportionate.
Key clients
- Accenture
- Arqiva Trustees
- Atos IT Services UK Ltd
- Avis Trustees
- Baker Hughes
- British Land
- Cameron Trustees
- Chevron
- Dr. Martens
- Drake & Scull Trustees
- Emerson Electric
- GSK
Work highlights
Advised on sensitive benefit change and surplus application projects in relation to the Chevron UK Pension Plan to fund future employer DC contributions alongside a UK trusteeship governance review project.
Advised Tyco Electronics UK Pension Plan Trustees on the restructure of the Plan governance to a corporate trustee.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Arron Slocombe
Other key lawyers
Tom McNaughton; Jonathan Sharp