Legal 500: Corporate and banking in focus

DEAL-makers have had to work harder than ever in the last two years as a result of the recession and the credit crunch.

In the second part of our coverage of the annual Legal 500 report, in association with NatWest, we look at the key players in corporate and commercial and banking across the North West.

In Manchester, the region’s biggest commercial base, there is a wide range and breadth of choice and some outstanding talent.

Four national firms, Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, Eversheds and Pinsent Masons are ranked in the top tier by Legal 500, but are being challenged by DWF – which hired former Addleshaws partner Stephen Houston to lead its corporate team – and Hammonds, whose new Manchester managing partner Jane Haxby is a leading deal-doer.

Three regional players, Brabners Chaffe Street, Cobbetts and Pannone are ranked next in line by the respected publication, followed by Beachcroft, George Davies Solicitors, Hill Dickinson, Kuit Steinart Levy, Laytons, Mace & Jones, Nexus Solicitors and turner parkinson.

Other rated firms in corporate and commercial are: Berg Legal, Freeth Cartwright, JMW Solicitors, Lawson Coppock & Hart, Stephensons Solicitors and Stripes.

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Addleshaw Goddard is praised for its “enviable FTSE and private equity house client list.” Partners Jim Tully, Tim Hamilton and Richard Thomas are singled-out for particular praise.

Near neighbour at Barbirolli Square DLA Piper, counts major corporates including Pilkington Group and Brammer among its clients. Head of corporate Jonathan Watkins’  advice to Dave Whelan Sports’ £85m acquisition of the leisure division of JJB Sports, was just one highlight.

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The Eversheds team led by Danny Hall has benefited from working with corporate clients such as engineering giant Bodycote and acquisitive Lancashire company Daisy Group. Legal 500 says the team “applies commerciality to technical advice”.

At Pinsent Masons, the title says that market perception is “finally catching up with the quality of Pinsent Masons’ practice” It praises the work of corporate chief Stephen Levy and office managing partner Helen Ridge in building the team.

DWF’s strides in the corporate market will be enhanced further by the arrival of “big hitters” James Sheridan and Frank Shephard from Halliwells, Legal 500 says.

Hammonds “punches above its weight in terms of the size and complexity of its deals,” while Brabners Chaffe Street boosted its team with the recruitment of former Eversheds partner David Bowcock.

In Liverpool, Brabners Chaffe Street and DLA Piper are ranked most highly. Halliwells, which has since been broken-up and in Liverpool acquired by Hill Dickinson, was also seen as a key player.

DWF, Hill Dickinson, Mace & Jones, O’Connors and Weightmans are also rated by the Legal 500.

Elsewhere in the North West recommended firms are: Aaron & Partners (Chester), Brabners Chaffe Street (Preston) and Hill Dickinson’s Chester team.

Regional players, Stockport-based Gorvins, Bolton’s Kippax Beaumont Lewis, Preston and Blackburn-based Napthens and Altrincham’s Neil Myerson are also well-regarded.

Blackburn-based Forbes, Cheshire firm SAS Daniels, Slater Heelis of Sale and Wigan’s Stephensons Solicitors are also rated by Legal 500.

Among the leading individuals in the region are Stuart Scott-Goldstone at Aaron & Partners in Chester; Keith Melling at Napthens, John Boydell at Brabners Chaffe Street in Preston and Jonathan Shorrock at Kippax Beaumont Lewis.

Banking

In the North West’s top tier for banking advice are Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper and Eversheds.

Hammonds, McGrigors and Pinsent Masons are also well-regarded, while Brabners Chaffe Street, Cobbetts, DWF, Hill Dickinson and Pannone.
George Davies, Kuit Steinart Levy and Mace & Jones are also recommended.

Legal 500 says Addleshaw Goddard “remains on top in a troubled market”. Partners Martin O’Shea, Amanda Gray and Andrew Maskill are seen as key individuals.

Despite the departure of Simon Woolley – who has left to launch his own firm Eos, DLA Piper  “retains strength in real estate finance, with the ‘excellent’ Hans Scheiwiller and Liz Sweeney”, says the publication.

Eversheds’ partner Nigel Dale is described as “knowledgeable and well connected”.

In Liverpool, DWF’s department is described as “the leading banking team on Merseyside by some way”.

Also recommended for real estate finance are: George Davies Solicitors; Kuit Steinart Levy – which has been boosted by the hire of George MacMillan.

Tomorrow’s Legal 500 review will include the Property sector.