The Legal 500: Corporate and Banking in focus
THE ‘Big Six’ Yorkshire law firms have continued to dominate the region’s corporate and commercial markets despite having to work harder in a deals landscape shaped by the economic downturn, according to industry bible The Legal 500.
In the insolvency and corporate recovery markets, Yorkshire and the Humber’s law firms have remained busy, being involved in some of the biggest and most high profile cases over the last 12 months.
And Yorkshire firms have continued to work successfully in the banking and finance sector, including being involved in a number of high profile corporate deals in the region and beyond as their outstanding talent is recognised.
Here, TheBusinessDesk.com, in association with NatWest, assesses a selection 
of the key players from The Legal 500 in the corporate and commercial, banking and finance, and insolvency and corporate recovery markets in the region.
Corporate and Commercial
Leeds:
Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Walker Morris and Hammonds are all highlighted for their highly respected work and lead the way in the sector.
Elsewhere, Clarion, Cobbetts, Gordons, Irwin Mitchell, Langleys, Lupton Fawcett and Schofield Sweeney Solicitors are hot on the leading pack’s tails, while Brooke North, DWF, Denison Till, York-based Dickinson Dees, Harrowells, Last Cawthra Feather, Lee & Priestley and Watson Burton are also highlighted as making strides in the sector.
The Needle Partnership, which was established two years ago and has achieved success, is also recommended.
Sheffield:
DLA Piper is again mentioned for its “excellent service”, while Nabarro, HLW Commercial Lawyers, Irwin Mitchell, Halliwells, Keeble Hawson, Taylor & Emmet, Wake Smith & Tofields and Ashton Morton Slack’s commercial and corporate teams are praised.
East Yorkshire and the Humber:
Andrew Jackson is “excellent at all levels”, Simon Lunt is the key figure and head of the practice at Gosschalks, while Keith Benton heads Rollits’ corporate and commercial department.
Banking and Finance
Addleshaw Goddard’s “highly responsive team” is recommended, DLA Piper has a “very good” banking team, while Jason Wurzal heads Eversheds’ banking team, which recently advised White Young Green on a new £100m facility as part of the wider refinancing of its facilities and associated debt-for-equity swap.
Walker Morris “compares favourably with City firms”, Hammonds offers “clearly articulated advice” and Pinsent Masons provides a “first-class service”.
Cobbetts, Nabarro, Clarion, Gordons, Irwin Mitchell, Lupton Fawcett, Watson Burton and HLW Commercial Lawyers are also highlighted.
Insolvency and corporate recovery
DLA Piper is “undoubtedly one of the top players in the Leeds market”, Addleshaw Goddard’s team offers “excellent service”, while Eversheds has worked on a number of high profile cases, and Pinsent Masons and Walker Morris are also praised.
Clarion provides “value for money”, Cobbetts has an “excellent” corporate restructuring team, while Hammonds recruited Laura Crawford to its team last year.
Steven Fennell heads Halliwells’ insolvency team, Irwin Mitchell is “gaining traction in the market”, while Langleys in York is a notable expert in the sports and agricultural sectors.
Other firms mentioned for their work in the sector include Lupton Fawcett, Brooke North, specialist insolvency practiceCarrick Read Insolvency, Denison Till, Gordons, HLW Commercial Lawyers, Keeble Hawson, Lee & Priestley, Nabarro, Taylor & Emmet, Wake Smith & Tofields and Ward Hadaway.
Visit TheBusinessDesk.com this week for definitive coverage of The Legal 500:
Yesterday: Regional review – click here to view
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