West Midlands' Legal 500 2020 by Fraser Urquhart Media

WEST MIDLANDS region

SPRIng 2021 THE WEST MIDLANDS’ LEGAL WORLD RANKED in association with Birmingham Law Society & Fraser Urquhart Media

The Legal 500 West Midlands 1

ang & Co Solicitors is a law firm based in Birmingham City Centre and has branch offices in Milton Keynes and Central London. The firm was established and is managed by Manjinder Singh Kang (pictured). Kang & Co specialises in representing companies and individuals on a private fee-paying basis for all matters concerning Driving Offences, Private-Funded Criminal Defence, Regulatory Law and Transport Law. With offices strategically located in Birmingham, Milton Keynes and London, the firm frequently advises and represents clients throughout England & Wales. The company is dedicated towards providing outstanding legal advice and representation to clients and receives 5 star feedback, recommendations and reviews from existing and former clients on a regular basis.

Kang & Co Solicitors is dedicated towards simplifying legal fees and in most cases will offer clients legal advice and representation on an “agreed fixed fee” basis which ensures that the clients can budget their defence fees accordingly. Manjinder Singh Kang commented; “Ensuring that all clients receive accurate details on costs and providing legal representation which exceeds the expectations of our clients is at the core of our Manjinder Singh Kang, Co-Director of Kang & Co Solicitors company values. In an increasingly competitive legal environment, clients want to know how much their case will cost and are seeking out specialist lawyers for their legal issues, as opposed to using general practitioners. At our firm we have deliberately chosen to specialise in a couple of areas of law and are always clear on costs, which has ultimately resulted in the firm growing from strength to strength each year.” The company has a heavy focus at representing clients for Driving Offences and Criminal Offences in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. It frequently represents clients for common driving offences such as Speeding, Penalty Points Disqualification and Drink Driving, as well as the most serious motoring offences such as causing death by dangerous driving. As Kang & Co Solicitors only provides criminal defence advice and representation on a privately funded basis, the majority of clients tend to be white collar professionals and business owners. The firm does not provide any representation on a public funded basis.

“Ensuring that all clients receive accurate details on costs and providing legal representation which exceeds the expectations of our clients is at the core of our company values.” Manjinder Singh Kang, Director at Kang & Co Solicitors

During the past few years Kang & Co Solicitors has actively supported many local charities. Each year a charity partner is selected and the firm raises funds and awareness for the chosen cause. In recent years it has supported Birmingham Dogs Home, Acorns Children’s Hospice and World Against Single Use Plastics.

KANG & CO SOLICITORS ARE RECRUITING

If you are an experienced criminal defence solicitor and are interested in joining our team, please visit visit kangandco.co.uk/careers

A Truly Specialist Law Firm Kang & Co Solicitors are a truly specialist national law firm covering England and Wales. We currently have offices in Birmingham, London and Milton Keynes. Our two main areas of specialism are in advising and representing privately paying individuals who have been charged with Criminal Offence(s) or Driving Offence(s). Customer care is at our heart. We will always endevour to provide the highest of quality advice and representation, plus make sure legal costs are fixed by stage so that our clients have no unexpected surprises.

Clear and Agreed Legal Fees with no hidden costs

@KangSolicitors

5 Star Rated Law Firm with top ratings on TrustPilot, Google & More

0345 222 9955

Provide national coverage throughout England & Wales

kangandco.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDS LawCare, the charity that supports the legal community interviewed a few lawyers in relation to mental health and well-being and received the following responses: “Right from the start when you’re training in law, you compete with your peers for placements and jobs and that competitive pressure is always there…..” Billing clients by the hour means those who stay in the office the longest gets the rewards and recognition……” “In law, everything’s black or white, right or wrong, and you’re always looking for problems, risks, loopholes and downsides. This can lead to a lot of negative emotion….”. GOLEGAL recommends the following 10 tips for lawyers who want to improve their mental health and these tips are supported by Birmingham Law Society:

PRESIDENT OF BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY INEZ BROWN ON THE BIG ISSUES AFFECTING THE WEST MIDLANDS’ LEGAL PROFESSION IN 2020 / 2021 COVID19: 2020 was an extremely challenging year for the legal profession in Birmingham and these challenges have spilled into 2021. Normal business practices have been disrupted resulting in cancelled contractions and/or the need to renegotiate contracts. Many force majeure clauses have been invoked after being triggered by unforeseen circumstances that have prevented parties being able to fulfil contracts. Lawyers and the judicial system have embraced technology that has been accelerated by the pandemic. Virtual courts and remote hearings have helped to alleviate the burden of a clogged-up court system. Video conferencing has kept lawyers in touch with clients. The invention of DocuSign and so many other practical technological advances have helped to bring lawyers into the 21st century. At the beginning of COVID19 the Property Sector was brought to a standstill. However, by summer 2020 there was a boom in house sales, but this was assisted by the introduction of stamp duty holidays and additional government assistance. Interestingly, the Family Law Sector has continued to receive instructions during lockdown. I suspect that this is because of the effect of families being together due to remote working and children not attending school. Unfortunately spending so much time together has put a strain on many families together with increased financial pressures. The Private Client sector has also seen a four-fold increase in instructions in relation to wills; power of attorney; trusts and tax planning together with probate instructions. The Law Society of England and Wales conducted a survey in 2020 that suggests that firms are forecasting a 10-20% drop in revenue for the 2020/2021 financial year. The same survey suggests that the average number of lockup days for firms of all sizes is 155 days and that most firms expect those 155 days now to increase by 15-25 days. Birmingham Law Society has continued to engage with members during the pandemic with lawyers sharing knowledge on best practice during lockdown; arranging seminars and arranging fun virtual events to keep our spirits up. MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Prior to COVID19 legal professionals were thought to have higher levels of mental health issues and lower levels of wellbeing than the general population. Why – because the legal profession has a unique culture with pressures and expectations that have been exacerbated by COVID19.

Get to grips with your values – identify what your core values are in order to bring your life back into balance;

Sleep – poor sleep is linked to mental health problems, anxiety and depression. Leave your phone in another room as blue light (that bright light emitted by our electronic devices) messes with our body’s ability to prepare for sleep;

Keep active – lulls in mental health can leave you feeling sluggish and less inclined to exercise but try walking;

Sing – yes, gentlemen, you too! There is nothing quite like belting out a good tune to lift your mood;

Eat well – eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, protein and fatty acids is key to keeping your brain in good working order and therefore improving mental health;

Meditate – this is not for everyone but many several successful lawyers and entrepreneurs meditate daily;

Live within your means – try not to overspend and talk to someone if you are experiencing financial difficulties;

Maintain your external relationships – make time for friends and family outside of the office because they matter, especially when things get difficult with work colleagues;

Prioritise priorities – make a choice on your priorities as there are only a certain number of hours in a day. Plan to have a fulfilling life outside the office as this helps to maintain a good work life balance.

10.

Seek external support – by way of coaching, counselling, and mentorship that offer a confidential space to talk

Although Birmingham’s legal sector has been faced with many challenges it is still an attractive place to work. Chambers boasts that Birmingham still has one of the largest concentrations of legal services in the UK outside of London, second only to Manchester and Leeds. In addition, it houses several universities and LPC providers including the University of Birmingham; Birmingham City University; BPP and the University of Law. Birmingham continues to have fantastic transport links and the rapid growth of the financial and professional service sectors over the past years. Birmingham also has several local large firms such as Gowlings WLG; Gatleys, the first UK law firm to go public on the Stock Exchange; Browne Jacobson; Freeths; Irwin Mitchell, to name but a few. A host of major national firms, who also have international links have a significant presence in Birmingham including Squire Patton Boggs; Eversheds Sutherland; DLA Piper and Pinsent Masons. HS2 is set to provide event faster links to London, Manchester; Leeds; and Sheffield by 2026 which will make it an even more attractive place to set up a law firm. SuperTech WM is a cross-sector partnerships that is designed to showcase the talent, innovation and investment potential of West Midlands’ rapidly emerging professional services technology (ProfTech) cluster. It is the first dedicated ProfTech collaboration of its kind in the UK that aims to amplify the voice and potential of regional businesses in sectors that include FinTech, PropTech, InsurTech and LegalTech - led by myself, President of Birmingham Law Society and Tony Randle of Shoosmiths. Finally, Birmingham is a major legal hub in the UK that offers lots of opportunities to aspiring lawyers.

PUBLISHERS NOTE: The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 100 jurisdictions. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, but simply put, highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Their research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market. This publication is an edited version of the 2020 Legal 500 Report and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are the views of the Legal 500 not the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. Findings from the full report can be viewed at www.legal500.com. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. © Fraser Urquhart MEDIA 2021.

4 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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WEST MIDLANDS

LEADING INDIVIDUALS

Natalie Singh- Anthony Collins Solicitors

WEST MIDLANDS COMPRISES BIRMINGHAM AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES OF SHROPSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE AND WARWICKSHIRE

Steven Corfield FBC Manby Bowdler LLP

Jenny SmithThursfields Solicitors

AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES Peter Snodgrass Shakespeare Martineau LLP Steven Corfield FBC Manby Bowdler LLP BANKING AND FINANCE Brian Woolcock DLA Piper Stephen Bottley DLA Piper Andrew Madden Gateley Plc Jon Bew Irwin Mitchell David Doogan Pinsent Masons LLP Mohammed Saqub Shakespeare Martineau LLP Jon Bew Shoosmiths LLP Patrick Davis Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP BANKING LITIGATION Chris Busby Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Neville Gray Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT Mark Lewis Lodders Solicitors LLP Jenny Smith Thursfields Solicitors Shivaji Shiva VWV COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: BIRMINGHAM Neil Bowker DLA Piper Nicholas Bamford DLA Piper Andrew Leach DWF Ann Benzimra Fieldfisher LLP Jonathan Hofstetter Fieldfisher LLP Stephen Goodrham Gateley Plc Andrew Manning Cox Gowling WLG Andrew Smith Gowling WLG Steve Allen Mills & Reeve LLP Greg Lowson Pinsent Masons LLP Alex Bishop Shoosmiths LLP Adam Fisher Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Jon Bew Irwin Mitchell

Tracey Lucas Capsticks

Joel Kordan Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP Joel Kordan Pinsent Masons LLP Kultar Khangura Pinsent Masons LLP Tom Johnson Pinsent Masons LLP Adrian Bland Shakespeare Martineau LLP Andrew Mellor Shakespeare Martineau LLP Jason Jackson Shoosmiths LLP Anne O’Meara Squire Patton Boggs Nick Green Squire Patton Boggs Amanda Hanmore Trowers & Hamlins LLP Gurjit Atwal Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Iftkhar Ahmed Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Philip Medford Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS Kevin Styles George Green LLP Mark Miller Lodders Solicitors LLP Barry Stankey Wright Hassall LLP David Slade Wright Hassall LLP Nick Abell Wright Hassall LLP CONSTRUCTION Ashley Pigott Richard Green Martino Giaquinto Graeme Bradley Robert Norris Philip Harris Peter Scurlock

Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Mills & Reeve LLP Squire Patton Boggs Squire Patton Boggs Wright Hassall LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Guy Green George Green LLP

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS Neil Williams George Green LLP Guy Birkett FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Elizabeth Beatty Harrison Clark Rickerbys Richard Morgan Harrison Clark Rickerbys Julia Lowe Higgs & Sons Sarah Perry Wright Hassall LLP COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: BIRMINGHAM Monique Sutherland DLA Piper Callum Nuttall Gateley Plc John Burns Gowling WLG Richard Bate Gowling WLG 6 The Legal 500 West Midlands

Pinsent Masons LLP Squire Patton Boggs Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS Guy Green George Green LLP Paul Bennett George Green LLP Arpinder Dhillon Harrison Clark Rickerbys John Heaton Higgs & Sons Nick Taylor Higgs & Sons Gareth Burge Thursfields Solicitors Robert Lee Wright Hassall LLP Colin Rodrigues Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

Nick Mackenzie Browne Jacobson

CORPORATE TAX Andrew Noble Mark Burgess Jon Stevens Lee Nuttall Kevin Lowe Becky Rees Lisa Stevenson Kate Featherstone

Larry ColtmanColtman Warner Cranston LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP DLA Piper DWF Gowling WLG Mills & Reeve LLP Parisi Tax LLP Parisi Tax LLP Shoosmiths LLP

DEBT RECOVERY Larry Coltman Coltman Warner Cranston LLP James Baird Gateley Plc Alan Hamblett Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Guy Birkett FBC Manby Bowdler

Sarah Perry Wright Hassall LLP

Andrew Hornigold Geoff Perry Catherine Eley Mark Beardmore

Marie McMorrow HGF Law

CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS AND PROBATE Gavin Faber Gateley Plc Craig Ridge Higgs & Sons Robert Weston MFG Solicitors LLP Kamal Majevadia Sydney Mitchell LLP CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM Charles Cook DLA Piper Noel Haywood DLA Piper John Campion DWF Lee Clifford Freeths LLP Michael Ward Gateley Plc Tom Durrant Gateley Plc David Vaughan Gowling WLG Jeremy Millington Gowling WLG

EDUCATION Nick Mackenzie Richard Freeth Gayle Ditchburn Nicola Hart Smita Jamdar

Browne Jacobson LLP Browne Jacobson LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Shakespeare Martineau LLP

EMPLOYMENT Alan Jones David Sykes Sandra Wallace Ranjit Dhindsa Benedict Gorner Jane Fielding Martin Chitty Tim Jones Jog Hundle Nick Abbott Richard Santy Jonathan Coley Linda Jones

Averta Employment Lawyers LLP Averta Employment Lawyers LLP DLA Piper Fieldfisher LLP Gateley Plc Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Higgs & Sons Mills & Reeve LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Pinsent Masons LLP

HEALTH Sarah White Tracey Lucas Jill Mason Jog Hundle Joanne Ellis

David Beswick Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

David Beswick Nick Jew Charlie Rae Charlie Frost Rebecca McGuirk Kathy Halliday

HEALTH AND SAFETY David Young Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Roy Tozer Shoosmiths LLP Ruth Armstrong Gateley Plc Andrew Litchfield Gowling WLG Sean Elson Pinsent Masons LLP Hayley Saunders Shoosmiths LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs Trowers & Hamlins LLP VWV

Didar Dhillon Pinsent Masons LLP

Dianne Benussi Benussi & Co

ENERGY, PROJECT FINANCE & PFI James Larmour Freeths LLP Gus Wood Gowling WLG Stephen Kenny Gowling WLG Didar Dhillon Pinsent Masons LLP Andrew Whitehead Shakespeare Martineau LLP ENVIRONMENT Andrew Lichfield Lee McBride Roy Tozer David Gordon

Browne Jacobson LLP Capsticks LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Pinsent Masons LLP

Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs

FAMILY: BIRMINGHAM Jas Tamber Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Diane Benussi Benussi & Co Limited Kevin Harris-James Harrison Clark Rickerbys Clare Wiseman Irwin Mitchell Zahra Pabani Irwin Mitchell Beverley Morris Lodders Solicitors LLP Marc Saunderson Mills & Reeve LLP Karen Moores Sydney Mitchell LLP FAMILY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS Tracy Cross Band Hatton Button LLP Linda Jones Brethertons LLP Andrew Caldicott Harrison Clark Rickerbys Philip Barnsley Higgs & Sons

Tim Coolican Anthony Collins Solicitors

Beverley Morris Lodders

GENERAL CRIME & FRAUD Tim Coolican Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Sundeep Soor Cartwright King Ben Henry Jonas Roy Bloom Steven Jonas Jonas Roy Bloom Hamraj Kang Kangs Solicitors Roy Tozer Shoosmiths LLP James Turner Tuckers Solicitors

INSOLVENCY AND CORPORATE RECOVERY Stephanie Slinn Clarke Willmott LLP Huw Dolphin DLA Piper John Jeffreys DLA Piper Daniel French Gateley Plc Mark Wilson Gateley Plc Stephen George Irwin Mitchell Amy Flavell Pinsent Masons LLP James Keates Shoosmiths LLP Devinder Singh Squire Patton Boggs Andrew Jordan Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Cerryg Jones Browne Jacobson LLP Mark Daniels Browne Jacobson LLP Simon Barker Freeths LLP Kate Swain Gowling WLG Marie McMorrow HGF Law Cerys Wyn Davies Pinsent Masons LLP IT & TELECOMS Jagvinder Singh Kang Mills & Reeve LLP Craig Armstrong Shoosmiths LLP David Jackson Shoosmiths LLP Stuart James Squire Patton Boggs Jagvinder Kang Technology Law Alliance Stephen Ollerenshaw Technology Law Alliance

Craig Armstrong Shoosmiths LLP

Matthew Giles Squire Patton Boggs

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Olwen Brown Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Derek Adamson DWF Didar Dhillon Pinsent Masons LLP Amardeep Gill Trowers & Hamlins LLP PENSIONS Glyn Ryland Richard Black Michael Collins Elizabeth Gane Paul Carberry Richard Lee Nick Stones Glyn Ryland Matthew Giles Liz Fallon Emma King Gary Delderfield Sarah Franklin

Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Gateley Plc Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Gowling WLG Pinsent Masons LLP Squire Patton Boggs Squire Patton Boggs Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Inez Brown Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Clive Garner Irwin Mitchell

PERSONAL INJURY: CLAIMANT Tony Hall Alsters Kelley LLP Rankeshwar Batta Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Inez Brown Harrison Clark Rickerbys Andy Shaw Higgs & Sons Clive Garner Irwin Mitchell Emma Rush Irwin Mitchell Hilary Wetherell Irwin Mitchell Lisa Jordan Irwin Mitchell Luke Daniels Irwin Mitchell Kay Kelly Lanyon Bowdler Neil Lorimer Lanyon Bowdler PERSONAL INJURY: DEFENDANT Adrian Dagnall Bevan Brittan LLP James Harvey BLM Sarah White Browne Jacobson LLP Rhodri Richards DAC Beachcroft LLP Richard Stallard DAC Beachcroft LLP Sara May DAC Beachcroft LLP Derek Adamson DWF Lorraine Carolan DWF Ken Young Keoghs LLP Damon Burt Plexus Law PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE Gary Barber Mills & Reeve LLP Matthew Hansell Mills & Reeve LLP Lesley Davis Shakespeare Martineau LLP PLANNING Trevor Ivory Paul Maile Niall Blackie Andrew Thomas

DLA Piper Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Gowling WLG

PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE Julian Smart BLM Eamon Mooney Kennedys Angus Turner Mills & Reeve LLP David Gooding Mills & Reeve LLP PROPERTY LITIGATION David Feist Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Lisa Barge Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Paul Moorcroft Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Paul Barker Gowling WLG Alicia Foo Pinsent Masons LLP Mark English Shakespeare Martineau LLP Martin Edwards Shakespeare Martineau LLP Paul Knight Shoosmiths LLP SOCIAL HOUSING Peter Hubbard Victoria Jardine Jacqueline Knox Geraldine Haden

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Gowling WLG Shakespeare Martineau LLP

SPORT Gary Mellor Tim Bailey David Hull

Beswicks Legal Beswicks Legal Squire Patton Boggs

TRANSPORT Darren Kenny Giles Clifford Clive Garner Anne Harris

DWF Gowling WLG Irwin Mitchell Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP The Legal 500 West Midlands 7

WEST MIDLANDS

FIRMS ARE LISTED A-Z WITHIN TIERS

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM DLA Piper Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gowling WLG

Browne Jacobson LLP Freeths LLP Gateley Plc Mills & Reeve LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Shakespeare Martineau LLP Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs

DWF Fieldfisher LLP Irwin Mitchell

3 4

Clarke Willmott LLP Legal Clarity The Wilkes Partnership DLA Piper has an outstanding track record in complex, high-profile and strategically significant M&A, corporate reorganisations and IPOs, among other matters. In addition to acting on domestic transactions, its first-rate group also excels in mandates with a cross-border component. The team includes Tim Lake and senior associate Simon Wright, who were among the advisers to Sovereign Capital Partners and the management shareholders on the £250m auction disposal and secondary MBO of the Outcomes First Group by The National Fostering Agency. Charles Cook heads up the UK corporate practice, while Noel Haywood leads the team in Birmingham. Robert Newman made partner in May 2020. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has a strong profile among domestic and international clients, for whom it acts on their most complex mid-cap and large-cap transactions. Led by Mark Beardmore, pictured, the team undertakes a mix of private equity, M&A and equity capital markets work. Beardmore and Nigel Cooke were among the advisers to the shareholders of ALE Holdings Limited on the proposed disposal of the company to its main competitor Mammoet Holdings BV. Catherine Eley, Steven Hacking and Theresa-Marie Stodell are also recommended. Gowling WLG is active in headline M&A and private equity deals, and it also provides specialist commercial contracts advice. The group acts for clients in industries such as real estate, automotive and food and drink. In 2019, Chris Towle and others advised BGF Investments LP on its co-investment with CBGF into Appnovation Technologies as part of its international expansion strategy. David Vaughan heads up the corporate team 8 The Legal 500 West Midlands

in Birmingham, which also includes Jeremy Millington, Anurag (Ragi) Singh and Stuart Young. Sharon Ayres leads a group specialising in private fund formation, investments and restructurings. Principal associate Caroline McNally is also recommended. Browne Jacobson LLP is strong in M&A, private equity and growth capital investments, and capital markets transactions. In addition, general commercial work is a bedrock of the practice. Clients of the firm include sponsors, global corporates and institutional funders. The team includes Mike Jackson, pictured, and senior associate Kirk Glenn, who acted for Command Line Software Limited (trading as Impala) on an $11m investment round. Roger Birchall and Michael Stace are other ley corporate partners. On the commercial law side, Richard Nicholas and Ryan Harrison advise clients on matters such as outsourcing, contracts for the sale and purchase of goods and licensing. Freeths LLP's corporate team in Birmingham is led by Lee Clifford, who is also the national head of private equity. Clients range in size from SMEs to multinational companies. The group's work includes M&A and private equity transactions, restructurings, MBOs and MBIs. Tom Brown led the advice to Funeral Partners Limited on its acquisition of Funeral Services Northern Ireland Limited from Co-operative Group Holdings (2011) Limited in 2019. Mark Neale heads up a separate specialist commercial group, which handles large-scale, transformational projects. Nigel Gardner, Kirstin Roberts and Jason Richards are also recommended for their commercial law expertise. Ateeq Ahmed joined PwC.

Gateley Plc acts for a mix of UK-based and international clients, including private equity houses, nominated advisers (NOMADs) and brokers, corporates and entrepreneurs. Tom Durrant heads up the corporate practice, while Paul Cliff leads the national capital markets team. In one highlight, Tom Rush led a cross-practice group, which assisted Hammonds Fitted Furniture Group Limited with a £19.75m MBO. Simon Gill, Chris Reed, Gareth John and Andrew Cowan are also experienced in corporate transactions. On the commercial contracts side, Simon Pigden has expertise in outsourcing, the procurement of goods and services and supply chain management, among other areas. Mills & Reeve LLP is highly regarded for mid-market corporate and private equity work. Its team includes Julian Smith, who is the head of the national independent health and care team. James Fry leads the life sciences practice, while recently promoted partner Junaid Haroon heads up the Midlands agri-food and business group. Another key figure is Peter McLintock, who is the head of the firm's Africa desk. In 2019, Smith, senior associate Joanna Duncan and others advised independent bookmaker Wilf Gilbert on the sale of the business to Boylesports. Kevin Lowe, Jane Hussey, David Varnham and principal associate Ruth Andrew are also recommended. Pinsent Masons LLP's corporate team, which is led by Nicole Livesey, acts for clients based in the West Midlands, UK and elsewhere worldwide. Andrew Hornigold has a standout reputation in technology-related M&A, and he also heads up the life sciences M&A practice. Elsewhere, the firm has a well-established reputation in the advanced manufacturing sector. Joanne Ellis, pictured,

who focuses on the healthcare industry, led the advice to Xeon Smiles UK Limited (Bupa Dental Care) on the acquisition of the Total Dentalcare Partnership, MDANZ Holdings Limited, MZINC Limited and Future Drilling Limited, from the founder operators. Clare Francis heads up the commercial practice in Birmingham. Shakespeare Martineau LLP's team includes Richard Wrigley, who is often sought out in complex restructurings and transactions involving a crossborder component. Wrigley is also noted for his energy sector expertise. Kavita Patel heads up the firm's investment funds practice and leads the corporate finance group. Patel assisted Mobeus Equity Partners LLP with a £58m fundraise involving four established venture capital trusts. Adam McGiveron and Emma Bryant (who was promoted to partner in 2019) are other names to note. Keith Spedding is also recommended.

Shoosmiths LLP is particularly strong in growth and venture capital transactions; notable individuals with expertise in this space include Alastair Peet (who is the head of the national venture capital practice) and Alistair Hammerton (who made partner in 2019). Ben Turner leads the corporate team in the Midlands, which also provides full-service support on a wide range of other matters, including private equity transactions, M&A, joint ventures and corporate governance. The group acts for clients operating in industries such as technology, energy and infrastructure, hotels and leisure. David

Jackson, pictured, leads the commercial team. Helen Burnell was promoted to senior associate. Squire Patton Boggs is a powerhouse for mid-market corporate M&A, and it features particularly prominently in the industrials and manufacturing, healthcare, leisure and retail, and football industries. Although its team is

primarily active in buy-side mandates, it also demonstrates strong capabilities in sell-side matters. Elsewhere,

private equity deals, Takeover Code work and equity capital markets transactions form other key pillars of the practice. Birmingham corporate head Geoff Perry, pictured, and Andrew Glaze acted for CH Bailey Plc on its AIM delisting and capital reorganisation. Stuart James has over 20 years of experience advising clients on commercial law issues.

team was strengthened by the arrival of Emma Callow from Pinsent Masons LLP. Callow was the lead adviser to Reconomy (UK) on its acquisition of Advanced Waste Solutions, as well as its acquisition of Nationwide Services Group. Chris Rawstron runs the corporate team nationally. The commercial group in Birmingham is led by Sarah Riding.

DWF's corporate practice was strengthened recently by the arrival of John Campion from DLA Piper. Campion's expertise includes M&A, equity capital markets transactions and public takeovers. Campion works with Birmingham corporate head Mark Gibson, who acted for Fairview Hotels Limited on the acquisition of the Holiday Inn in Cardiff. Ben McLeod, who heads up the commercial team in Birmingham, handles mandates with a national and international dimension; he has been instrumental in growing the firm's work in the TMT sector.

Clarke Willmott LLP's Birmingham team includes commercial contracts specialist John Irving, who is knowledgeable about distribution, franchising and partnerships, among other areas. Irving works with David Robinson, who was hired from Davies and Partners in 2019, and handles a mix of corporate restructurings, MBOs and MBIs.

Fieldfisher LLP has a well-established reputation in the energy, commodities and infrastructure sectors. It also advises professional services businesses, such as surveyors, architects and solicitors. Graham Muth leads the team, which advises on M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, restructurings and offshore investments. Chris Hill retired from private practice. Hugo Lidbetter joined from EDF Energy in 2019. At Irwin Mitchell, Nick Dawson heads up the corporate group in Birmingham, and also leads the firm's national private equity practice. In 2019, the

Corporate and commercial boutique Legal Clarity attracts work from owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs. Led by Richard Underwood, the team advises on acquisitions, disposals and investments. Gary Davie, who joined from Shakespeare Martineau LLP in 2019, is experienced in employee ownership transitions (EOTs) and other tax or commercial-led reorganisations. Gareth O’Hara leads The Wilkes Partnership's well-established corporate practice, and generates work from owner-managed businesses and other privately-owned companies, as well as banks. Its varied workload includes asset and share transactions, reorganisations and general company law matters. Jeremy Parkin leads the commercial contracts team.

Birmingham barristers scoop record rankings National Chambers 3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) has 75 barristers ranked - including 24 new rankings - across the Midlands, London, South East, Western, and Northern Circuits and in 16 categories of law in the latest Legal 500 rankings of UK lawyers. The success follows hot on the heels of 3PB Barristers being shortlisted in the Family Law Awards 2020 in the categories of Junior of the Year (Rachael Goodall) and a win for the family clerks in the Clerking Team of the Year category. 3PB continues to expand in the Midlands with nine Birmingham barristers ranked in Legal 500 including two QCs. The start of 2021 sees two new family barristers join the team with one based in Birmingham.

The Legal 500 West Midlands 9

WEST MIDLANDS

FIRMS ARE LISTED A-Z WITHIN TIERS

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

George Green LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs & Sons Wright Hassall LLP Beswicks Legal Thursfields Solicitors Ansons FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited Lanyon Bowdler Lodders Solicitors LLP MFG Solicitors LLP Pickerings Solicitors Shakespeare Martineau LLP Aaron & Partners LLP Band Hatton Button LLP Brindley Twist Tafft & James Enoch Evans LLP Hatchers Solicitors LLP Thomas Horton LLP George Green LLP acts for SMEs, owner-managed businesses and large corporates. Paul Bennett leads the corporate services team, which advises clients on M&A, private equity investments, restructurings, joint ventures and general company law matters. Bennett acted for the shareholders of Jobson James Holdings Ltd on the sale of the company to Aston Lark in 2019. Sarah Ward and Kam Johal are also experienced in corporate transactions. James Bird, who is the head of the commercial practice, is particularly knowledgeable about long-term supply contracts connected with the advanced engineering and aerospace sector. Guy Green now practises as a consultant. Harrison Clark Rickerbys advises on acquisitions and disposals, MBOs, joint ventures and company fundraisings, among other matters. Arpinder Dhillon acted for the management team of Shield Group on its MBO to to Kiwa Compliance BV and its rollover into a newly formed company backed by private equity house LDC. Clare Emery, pictured, specialises in assisting dentists from across with the UK with acquisitions and sales of practices. Managing partner Rod Thomas

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heads up the corporate group, which also includes recently promoted partner Jennifer Staples and senior associate Helen Higginbotham. The commercial practice is led by Robert Capper. At Higgs & Sons, John Heaton became the head of business services in December 2019, taking over from Nick Taylor, who became the firm's managing partner. Richard Griffiths leads the corporate practice, which is a cornerstone of the wider business services department. Clients include entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses, as well as national and international corporates. Griffiths and others advised the shareholders of Brian James Trailers on the sale of the company to Lifco AB. Jamie Partington is also recommended. Wright Hassall LLP acts for clients based in the Midlands, as well as national and international entities. Robert Lee heads up the corporate practice, which undertakes corporate and private equity transactions, MBOs and MBIs, and restructurings, among other matters. John Dormer and Nathan Lapsley, advised the employee ownership trust company Planet X EOT Trustees Limited on the sale of Planet X Limited to its employees under an employee ownership trust. Elsewhere, the firm provides commercial contracts support to suppliers and corporates in the technology sector, particularly with outsourcings and procurement projects. Pete Maguire is a name to note in this space. Beswicks Legal is well-established in the Staffordshire market, and it also advises clients based elsewhere nationally and internationally. Team head Peter Ellis is experienced in business acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, restructurings and company law and partnership matters.

10 The Legal 500 West Midlands

Thursfields Solicitors has had a recent increase in mandates connected with the healthcare, events, technology and professional/financial services industries. Led by Gareth Burge, the team handles M&A, private equity and venture capital investments, joint ventures and reorganisations. It also provides commercial contracts advice. Philip Chapman, who joined from Wall James Chappell in 2019, and recently promoted director Tim Edwards, pictured, are other key figures. In one highlight, Chapman led a team which advised the director of Compass Wealth Management on the sale of the business to CN Poole Ltd. Associate director Fiona Boxwell joined from George Green LLP.

In 2019, Ansons opened an office in Sutton Coldfield as part of a strategy to expand its footprint in the West Midlands. The firm provides the full scope of corporate and commercial advice to clients, including M&A, private equity transactions, reorganisations, shareholder agreements and partnership matters. It has a particularly strong track-record acting for clients in the healthcare sector, including dentists and pharmacy owners. Hilary D’Cruz, who led the expansion into Sutton Coldfield, co-heads the practice with Cannockbased Neil Jones. FBC Manby Bowdler LLP advises clients on acquisitions and disposals of companies, restructurings and commercial contracts. Wolverhamptonbased team head James Sage, David Preece in Telford and Shrewsbury-

based Stuart Rea are recommended. Colin Rodrigues heads up the practice at Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited, which opened an office in London in 2019. The firm is active in high-value domestic and cross-border deals across a wide range of industries; in 2019, Rodrigues acted for the shareholders of London-based vintners S & G Vintners Limited on a £1m sale of shares to a Northern Irish wine merchant. In a notable development at Lanyon Bowdler, Edward Burrell made partner in 2019. Burrell works with department head Gráinne Walters to handle a wide range of complex corporate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, investments and mergers. Other work covers joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and succession planning. The team, which is based in Telford, is well-known among businesses located throughout the West Midlands. Led by Kim Klahn, Lodders Solicitors LLP's corporate and commercial services team acts for a wide variety of clients, including SMEs and ownermanaged businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and logistics companies. The group handles a wide range of matters for clients, including company and LLP formations, reorganisations, MBOs, partnership agreements and distribution agreements. Klahn has a notable specialism in the healthcare sector, and regularly advises on sales and purchases of care homes. In a key development in 2019, Graham Spalding joined from RPC. MFG Solicitors LLP's corporate team includes Stephen Wyer, who specialises in matters connected with the healthcare, education, energy and agriculture industries. In 2019, Clare Lang (who recently became the department head) led the advice to the sole shareholder of SP Services Limited on the sale of the company to Williams Medical Supplies Limited. Lang also

in Staffordshire. The team demonstrates extensive expertise in all stages of the business lifecycle. The scope of its work includes company formations, sales and purchases of businesses, MBOs and MBIs, joint ventures and restructurings. The group also assists clients with drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements. Solicitor Keri Pointon is another key figure. Shakespeare Martineau LLP's clients are well-served by the firm being able to leverage its resources nationally in complex mandates. Andrew Smith heads up the team in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is active in mid-market M&A, MBOs and MBIs, joint ventures, group reorganisations and restructurings. It also advises on corporate governance issues. The group acts for clients in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy, agriculture, charities and social housing. Clients range in size from start-ups to multinational companies.

advises clients on complex corporate reorganisations and employee share schemes. James Hayes has 30 years of M&A experience.

With practice head Craig Davies at the helm, Pickerings Solicitors has built up a loyal client following among familyowned and owner-managed businesses

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Senior partner Samantha Wright leads Brindley Twist Tafft & James' department, which assists clients with business acquisitions and disposals, intellectual property issues, company reorganisations and restructurings, commercial contracts and shareholderrelated matters. Enoch Evans LLP's practice head is Sukie Shemar, whose experience includes M&A, company reorganisations, share sales and purchases, and the drafting and negotiation of shareholders' agreements. Shemar has developed a notable specialism in the healthcare industry, particularly in matters involving pharmacy businesses.

Aaron & Partners LLP's team, which is led by Stuart Scott-Goldstone, generates work from large local businesses (and their owners), as well as national and international businesses. Hugh Strickland and Stuart Haynes are notable individuals in the group, which advises clients on M&A, MBOs, general company law matters and commercial contracts.

Hatchers Solicitors LLP in Shrewsbury acts for clients in sectors such as healthcare, education and notfor-profit. Its corporate and commercial team also works closely with members of the agriculture group to advise farming clients on various issues, particularly succession planning. Practice head Ann Fisher acts for partnerships, LLPs, private companies and owner-managed businesses.

Band Hatton Button LLP's local market presence was reinforced by its merger with Coventry-based firm Richardson & Davies in January 2020. Sean Byrne leads the team, which acts for SMEs, public companies, sole traders and partnerships. Its work covers M&A,

Jeff Taylor is the key contact at Thomas Horton LLP, which advises clients on business acquisitions and disposals, MBOs, restructurings and shareholder agreements. Clients include entities in areas such as food, IT, education and health.

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share reorganisations, shareholder agreements and commercial contracts. The group also advises on intellectual property protection and exploitation.

WEST MIDLANDS

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COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

DLA Piper DWF Fieldfisher LLP Gowling WLG Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Shakespeare Martineau LLP Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs Freeths LLP Gateley Plc Trowers & Hamlins LLP Weightmans LLP Bell Lax Limited Bevan Brittan LLP BLM Clarke Willmott LLP Sydney Mitchell LLP Attracting praise for providing a 'city-standard service at a fraction of the cost', DLA Piper stands out for its breadth of experience in national and international disputes. The North West litigation and regulatory group functions as part of the national practice led by Neil Bowker, with the Birmingham team (which is headed up by Nicholas Bamford) singled out for its particular strength in corporate litigation, international arbitration and fraud and financial misconduct disputes. Bamford is a name to note for the latter, while the 'absolutely outstanding' Phillip Kelly counts civil fraud, technology and outsourcing disputes among his areas of expertise. With 'great international connections', DWF's international arbitration and litigation practice has a strong focus on the CIS region, with particular experience in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The team specialises in representing oligarchs and another ultra-high-net-worth individuals in disputes involving fraud allegations and corporate raids. It also handles complex contentious matters in the banking and finance, energy and technology sectors and counts shareholder disputes as a key growth area. Group head Andrew Leach also leads the firm's Russian and CIS desk and has a breadth of experience in cross-border litigation and arbitration. Darren Kenny has particular expertise in commercial fraud matters, while director Ben Griffin is carving out a niche in commercial agency disputes. Fieldfisher LLP has a strong reputation across a breadth of contentious domestic and cross-border matters and counts manufacturing, engineering and IT disputes, procurement disputes, agency claims, international arbitration and competition litigation among its specialisms. For the latter, practice head Jonathan Hofstetter is the key contact, while Ann Benzimra is highlighted for her IT and manufacturing sector expertise. Other names of note 12 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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include Jim Sharkey, Adam Sturt and Larry Coltman for multi-jurisdictional fraud disputes, injunctive relief and contentious credit insurance matters respectively; recently promoted partner Stephen May is a name to note for regulatory and public law issues. The commercial litigation team at Gowling WLG operates as a single team across Birmingham and London and benefits from a diverse client base ranging from West Midlandsbased to global companies. It has a number of sector specialisms including the insurance and IT sectors for which Samantha Holland and Patrick Arben are the respective contacts to note. Regulatory crime expert Andrew Litchfield heads up the group which also includes Davinia Gransbury, who focuses on civil fraud, corporate governance and insolvency disputes; Andrew Smith, who excels in contentious contractual matters; and Tom Price, who is particularly strong for international arbitration proceedings and jurisdictional disputes. Andrew Nugent Smith, who was particularly active in the automotive sector, left to establish the London office of US firm Keller Lenkner. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has impressive local, national and international disputes expertise and frequently works crossoffice particularly with its national and wider European network. Adam Fisher, pictured, is highlighted for automotive, IT and outsourcing, and fraud disputes, while Rich Lloyd focuses on the industrial engineering, energy and utilities sectors. Other areas of specialism include media and sport sector disputes, reputation management issues and public inquiries and investigations; for the

CLOCKWISE: Alex BIshop, ShoosmithsLLP, Jason Kirwin, Pinsent Mason LLP, Adam Fisher, Eversheds Sutherland, Helen Briant, Trowers & Hamlins LLP, Kamal Majevadia, Sydney MItchell LLP.

latter Sarah Jones is a name to note. Fisher, Lloyd and Jones jointly lead the Midlands team alongside Nottinghambased Louise Howarth. Mills & Reeve LLP's regulatory, public and commercial disputes team assists its clients with a range of UK and crossborder matters and benefits from a strong international arbitration practice. Practice head Steve Allen frequently handles shareholder and product liability disputes with particular experience in the automotive, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. Other names of note include principal associate Anthony Minnis, who counts energy, technology and healthcare among his sector specialisms; and senior associate Phil Hutchinson, who focuses on sports litigation. Pinsent Masons LLP's litigation and the regulatory team stands out for its cross-border expertise and broad roster of private and public sector clients. Practice head Jim Richards counts commercial fraud and procurement challenges among his areas of specialism, while Andrew Herring handles civil fraud and asset recovery disputes and has particular advanced manufacturing and technology sector experience. Legal directors Jason Kirwin, pictured, and Faye Moore (who attracts praise for her 'tenacity and attention to detail') both have broad commercial litigation expertise. Jonathan Fortnam left the team to Aston University.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP is wellequipped to handle the breadth of corporate and commercial disputes and counts manufacturing, finance, IT and telecoms among its sector specialisms. The group has a strong West Midlands presence, which is primarily based in Birmingham and also includes offices in Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon. Mark Beesley has particular experience in claims for injunctive relief and leads the practice alongside Barry Jervis. Beesley, Jarvis and James Woolstenhulme have similarly broad commercial litigation experience, while Andrew Adams and legal director Claire Burrows are highlighted for their energy and rail sector expertise, respectively. Shoosmiths LLP's disputes practice attracts praise from clients for providing 'magic circle quality at regional prices' and excels in general commercial litigation, cyber breach matters and phone hacking disputes. The group also has a growing international arbitration practice, for which 'exceptional' practice head Alex Bishop, pictured, is a key contact. Bishop is also an experienced litigator and counts the IT, retail, leisure and manufacturing industries among her sector specialisms. Mark Elder and Roger Potgieter are highlighted for phone hacking litigation and asset-finance disputes respectively, while associate Kate Draper's expertise spans corporate and commercial litigation, debt recovery issues and international arbitration.

The litigation team at Squire Patton Boggs combines expertise in acting for national and global companies with a strong local presence, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, logistics and manufacturing sectors. The group has experience in a range of crossjurisdictional matters, with a niche in disputes with elements in the Middle East. Practice head Simon Garbett is strong for supply chain and product liability disputes in the manufacturing and automotive sectors, while Garon Anthony and Ian Skinner are highlighted for pensions and IT sector disputes respectively. The commercial dispute resolution practice at Freeths LLP combines its growing West Midland presence with the ability to draw upon its national and international platforms. It has particular experience in breach of contract, director and shareholder, professional negligence and pensions disputes and counts complex fraud claims as a growth area. Practice head Richard Coates and Louise Wilson both have broad litigation experience, while Alex Johnson, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs, specialises in engineering and construction disputes. Gateley Plc’s commercial disputes team attracts praise for its ‘robust and pragmatic approach’ and has particular manufacturing, retail recruitment and sports sector expertise. The group is particularly active in restrictive covenant and breach of confidentiality disputes, as well as professional negligence claims,

Mark Surguy, who is recognised for his strong commercial fraud practice and e-discovery expertise. The group is also singled out for its strong insurance sector experience. Senior associate Emma Birch who specialises in financial services litigation and manufacturing disputes, moved to Sydney Mitchell LLP.

contentious shareholder and corporate governance matters, and procurement disputes. Stephen Goodrham leads the team, which includes sports sector specialist Neil Warner. Trowers & Hamlins LLP has notable expertise in civil fraud and cybercrime litigation, arbitration and investigations. Practice head Mark Kenkre focuses on fraud disputes including those involving breach of fiduciary duties, fraudulent misrepresentation claims and intercompany collusion elements. In addition to fraud, Helen Briant counts contentious charity sector and contested probate matters among her areas of expertise, while Jamie De Souza has particular manufacturing and engineering sector experience. The commercial dispute resolution team at Weightmans LLP is led by

The commercial disputes practice at Bell Lax Limited acts for SME businesses and individuals as claimants and defendants in a range of litigation. Practice head Richard Kerry specialises in insurance and professional negligence litigation, while Peter Lax’s expertise spans commercial, professional negligence and construction disputes. Solicitor Jo Wright attracts praise for her ‘good commercial judgment’. Bevan Brittan LLP’s commercial litigation practice has a strong specialism in public infrastructure-related disputes, including IT-related matters, particularly in the healthcare, energy, waste and defence sectors. Adam Kendall, who counts private and public sector organisations among his clients, leads the Birmingham practice, which frequently works cross-office with individuals based in Bristol and London. BLM is praised for its strong insurance sector expertise and also handles disputes for corporates, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The group has been increasingly active in fraud and recovery claims with a focus on asset tracking and injunctive relief issues. Julian Smart has particular experience in this

area and jointly heads up the team alongside Caroline Kane, who specialises in property damage litigation, and payment disputes expert Jagdeep Hayre. Clarke Willmott LLP’s dispute resolution team acts for a range of clients from owner-managed business and high-net-worth individuals to corporates and financial institutions. Practice head Peter Brewer specialises in contractual and shareholders disputes as well as professional negligence claims that arise from mishandled corporate litigation, while Paul Griffiths has particular experience in landlord and tenant disputes and in representing building societies. Sydney Mitchell LLP’s commercial litigation team attracts praise for its ‘competitive costs’ and ‘high levels of partner involvement’. Dean Parnell, who handles a range of commercial litigation and employment disputes, jointly leads the practice alongside Shirley-based Kamal Majevadia, pictured, who handles probate disputes involving commercial issues and company shares. ‘Tenacious’ senior associate Emma Birch joined from Weightmans LLP adding financial services litigation and manufacturing disputes experience.

base in the city and their real estate expertise, especially in relation to new developments, is well-founded. Their breadth and depth of experience means that they can help businesses across the city, whether they need banking and finance or debt recovery advice, or just want safely to navigate the changing immigration rules to recruit from overseas. For those working hard to maintain their health and safety record under regulatory pressure, they can advise on the next steps to take.

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Experience, dedication and a commitment to excellence in their advice and support for clients means that Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ family law team in Birmingham goes from strength to strength, as shown in their Legal 500 rankings.

While the expertise of the three key partners, Kevin Harris-James, Andrew Breakwell and Victoria Fellows, is wellestablished, they, and the family team behind them are a major part of the firm’s 40-strong Birmingham office, with the

wider team sharing their ethos and commitment. With or without the pandemic, Birmingham does not stand still, especially in property development; the firm’s construction team has a solid

With their colleagues from sister company Medical Accident Group, specialising in clinical negligence cases and led by Inez Brown (current president of Birmingham Law Society) as well as their own wills, trusts and estates specialists, the Birmingham office, led by Kevin Harris-James, is firmly established and growing steadily. You can read their latest Birmingham newsletter on their website at www.hcrlaw.com The Legal 500 West Midlands 13

WEST MIDLANDS

FIRMS ARE LISTED A-Z WITHIN TIERS Charlotte Clode, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP

COMMERCIAL CORPORATE &LITIGATION: COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP George Green LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs & Sons Wright Hassall LLP Beswicks Legal Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited Lanyon Bowdler MFG Solicitors LLP Thursfields Solicitors Ansons Band Hatton Button LLP Enoch Evans LLP Freeths LLP FBC Manby Bowdler LLP advises clients on high-complexity cases under the leadership of its practice head Guy Birkett, who has over 25 years of commercial litigation experience. Gareth Ruddock, who is a well-known name among a number of key insolvency practitioners, manages specialist groups focusing on insolvency and debt recovery. Brian Aikman specialises in property litigation. Charlotte Clode undertakes commercial and contractual disputes, with a notable strength in IP litigation and media law matters.

George Green LLP’s practice, which is led by Neil Williams, pictured, handles corporate and commercial disputes for both UK and international clients. Its wide-ranging experience includes professional negligence claims, commercial contracts disputes, public procurement claims and directors’ disqualification proceedings. In 2019, Morgan Rees represented TIA (GB) Limited in court proceedings against a businessman who had received funding from the client for an unfair prejudice petition, and against the client’s solicitors who had drafted the funding agreement. Liam Owen, who joined as a senior associate from Bell Lax Limited in 2019, recently made partner. Harrison Clark Rickerbys demonstrates strong capabilities in high-profile and business-critical claims spanning a multitude of areas, such as mis-selling claims, guarantee and indemnity claims,

14 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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banking disputes and fraud claims. In 2019, Elizabeth Beatty, pictured, and senior associate Tom Williams acted for Amada United Kingdom Limited in a dispute involving allegations by a customer of defects in machinery. Over the past twelve months the practice has undergone significant expansion; Emma Morgan, who joined from the British Army, is an expert in defence sector disputes. Also notable is wills, trusts and inheritance disputes expert Beth KingSmith ‘s arrival from Higgs & Sons. Beatty co-heads the practice with Richard Morgan and Hefin Archer Williams. Higgs & Sons’ standing in the market is underpinned by its outstanding track record representing clients in a wide variety of complex claims. Led by ‘formidable litigator’ Julia Lowe, the team advises on matters involving breaches of restrictive covenants, warranty claims, shareholder disputes, and breaches of statutory and fiduciary duties. Lowe has 25 years of experience representing clients in proceedings before the Court of Appeal, the High Court, county courts and IPEC. She is also experienced in arbitration and mediation. The ‘highly respected’ Matt Dudley is another key partner - he is praised for his ‘expert and consultative approach.’

Wright Hassall LLP excels in a wide variety of general commercial disputes, including shareholder and partnership matters, professional negligence claims and cases involving breaches of directors’ duties. It is also a strong performer in technology-related disputes, financial services litigation and contentious matters involving the manufacturing sector. Associate Matthew Goodwin, pictured, is advising Specialist Building Products Limited as the defendant on a claim brought by New Century Doors Limited; the matter concerns an alleged breach of contract and the provision of unsatisfactory and/or defective goods. Sarah Perry is another notable

individual in the team, which is led by Gemma Carson. Beswicks Legal’s team head is Karen Elder, who is particularly strong in construction and engineering disputes. The team’s broader workload also includes shareholder and partnership disputes, M&A-related matters and warranty claims. Dudley-headquartered firm Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited opened a London office in 2019; this development has strengthened the firm’s capacity to serve clients across a wider range of contentious matters. The dispute resolution practice is led by managing director Harminder Sandhu, who acted for Sovereign Risk Management in a £1.5m shareholder dispute. The team also has experience of advising clients on matters such as trade mark infringements, contractual disputes, breaches of restrictive covenants and professional negligence claims, among various others. One of Lanyon Bowdler’s areas of strength is the agriculture sector; the firm is on the NFU panel for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire. Its practice is also highly active in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries. Practice head Andrew Pegg acts for a mix of West Midlands-based clients, and national and international companies. Pegg’s team covers a wide range of contentious commercial matters, including shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence claims and breaches of contract. MFG Solicitors LLP provides a full dispute resolution service, with its team’s strong capabilities in litigation being matched by its notable experience of handling mediations. The group’s varied workload includes warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, breaches of contract and professional negligence actions. Samuel Pedley recently acted for All Trade (Printers) Limited in its application to distrain a winding up petition. Tom Esler leads the team, which also includes associate Rebecca Rogers. At Thursfields Solicitors, senior associate Stephen Rome handles a diverse variety of contentious matters for

clients, such as those involving breaches of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation and fraud, among others. The firm acts for owner-managed businesses and highnet-worth individuals from throughout the West Midlands, as well as banks and listed companies. Rome works with Tim Lawrence, who has 30 years of dispute resolution experience, and is a first port of call for many clients in litigation, arbitration proceedings and mediations. Director Jon Clifford, who specialises in agricultural disputes, joined from Wright Hassall LLP in 2019. At Ansons, senior associate Jacob Rickett joined from Wright Hassall LLP in 2019. Rickett handles regulatory matters connected with areas such as environmental law and health and safety, and is also experienced in professional misconduct investigations. The dispute resolution department is led by Martin de Ridder, who has been instrumental in its growth. Another name to note is senior associate Adam Pike, whose experience includes shareholder disputes, contractual disputes and matters involving breaches of fiduciary duties by directors. Band Hatton Button LLP’s practice head is Jonathan Wilby, who has a strong profile in commercial property and construction disputes. He generates work from commercial clients and individuals in sectors such as education, retail, leisure and healthcare. The team also includes Malcolm Thomas and John French, and its other work includes professional negligence claims, partnership disputes, contractual matters and probate disputes. Stephen Nixon is the head of Enoch Evans LLP’s commercial litigation practice. His wide-ranging workload includes cases arising from breaches of commercial contracts, partnership and shareholder disputes, professional negligence actions and intellectual property matters. Led by Stephen Hadley, Freeths LLP’s dispute management team in Stokeon-Trent has been increasingly active in shareholder and corporate acquisition disputes. Elsewhere, other drivers of activity include mining subsidence and minerals disputes, as well as professional negligence claims. Hadley has more than 25 years of litigation experience.

BANKING & FINANCE DLA Piper Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gowling WLG Pinsent Masons LLP

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Gateley Plc Shakespeare Martineau LLP Squire Patton Boggs Browne Jacobson LLP Freeths LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Shoosmiths LLP

Aaron & Partners LLP DWF George Green LLP Wright Hassall LLP DLA Piper has a first-rate reputation in domestic and cross-border finance work, where it is equally strong acting for banks and corporates. Its credentials as a market-leader are evidenced in areas such as syndicated corporate finance, project finance and leveraged/acquisition finance. Brian Woolcock has a wealth of experience of large and complex real estate finance transactions. Stephen Bottley is the head of the finance team in Birmingham, which is embedded in a larger UK-wide group. Senior associate Gemma Lawrence is also recommended. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's position as a market-leader for banking and finance is reflected by its prominence in large and complex transactions, where it acts for private equity houses, banks and corporate clients. Practice head Patrick Davis is particularly active in leveraged finance and corporate lending transactions. In 2019, he acted for Viva Gym (backed by Bridges Fund Management) on the finance aspects of its bolt-on crossborder acquisition of Duet Fit. Ben Tumelty made partner in May 2020. Senior associate Kate Clarke leads the real estate finance practice in the Midlands. Gowling WLG is a go-to firm for many clients in their largest and most significant banking and finance transactions. The team is led by Chris Brierley, who is particularly active in lending work connected with sectors such as franchising, health, renewable energy and social housing. The group's varied workload covers areas such as acquisition finance, project finance and general corporate finance, among others. Tom Stockley has a growing derivatives practice. In a recent highlight, Navin Prabhakar was the lead adviser to LDC on financing its investment in Solid Solutions. Stockley and Prabhakar made partner in May 2020. Pinsent Masons LLP's team features prominently in many of the largest transactions seen in the West Midlands. Led by David Doogan, it acts for borrowers and lenders on a wide range of complex financing matters, including those involving real estate finance, syndicated lending, leveraged finance, debt capital markets and securitisation

transactions. Edward Sunderland is the national head of structured finance and asset-based lending. In 2019, one highlight involved Doogan leading the advice to HSBC Bank on the sale of Bridge Farm Nurseries to Sundial Growers Inc. Other notable individuals include recently promoted partner Victoria Baker and legal director Esther Parkes; pictured below.

Gateley Plc acts for many of the largest and most active local private equity sponsors, as well as funders providing structured finance in the Midlands and further afield. It also generates work from corporate borrowers. Andrew Madden leads the group, whose experience spans complex structured finance and syndicated lending transactions, leveraged finance, project finance and asset-based lending. In 2019, Madden led the advice to LDC on financing its acquisition of Instinctif Partners from Vitruvian Partners. Carol Betts is the head of real estate finance. Legal director Chris Jones joined from Wright Hassall LLP in January 2020. Shakespeare Martineau LLP handles banking work of the utmost complexity and significance for more than 40 funders, and it also undertakes borrower-side mandates as well. Naomi Tudor heads up a team focusing on corporate banking, while Mohammed Saqub leads a group that is active in Islamic finance and real estate finance transactions. Helen Readett has more than 30 years of experience of corporate and property finance, as well as general banking work. In 2019, Tudor and Readett acted for Alyjiso Limited on the negotiation of a £28m Loan Market Association (LMA) facilities agreement and related security. At Squire Patton Boggs, practice head Roy Grist has over 20 years

of experience undertaking banking and finance work for borrowers and lenders. His extensive expertise includes international and national acquisition finance, real estate finance, asset-based lending and general bank lending. In 2019, Grist advised RCapital Partners LLP on the financing aspects of the MBO of Redeem Group. Elsewhere, clients also turn to the firm for advice on pension fund-related funding and asset structures, education finance and corporate banking. Browne Jacobson LLP excels in a wide variety of banking matters, but its main strengths are in leveraged finance, real estate finance, asset-based lending and health sector finance transactions. One notable practitioner is Paul Ray, who acts for UK and international corporate borrowers, banks and other lenders. Also recommended are Emma Hinton and Paul Hill. Freeths LLP generates work from clients such as clearing banks, challenger banks, corporate borrowers and local authorities, among others. James Dyson has expertise in complex structured finance transactions, leveraged finance and general commercial lending. He was the lead adviser to TC Loans I Ltd (a ThinCats lending platform) on the provision of senior term loan facilities to ACM Commercial Ltd as part of a refinancing. Director Renata Rai is increasingly active in asset-based lending transactions. David Varnham leads Mills & Reeve LLP's Birmingham banking team, which is particularly active in borrower-side work, and handles mandates involving a broad cross-section of industries and jurisdictions. Varnham's expertise includes real estate finance, acquisition finance, corporate finance and project finance. In one notable mandate, he advised Phoebus Software and NorthEdge Capital on their refinancing with Clydesdale Bank in 2019. At Shoosmiths LLP, Jon Bew and Natalie Barnes, pictured right, joined the team from Irwin Mitchell in late 2019, which strengthened its capabilities in domestic and crossborder asset-based lending transactions. Elsewhere, the group has expertise in leveraged finance, real estate finance,

mid-market corporate lending and complex pensions funding matters. David Adams leads the Midlands team, which also includes project finance expert Nick Iliff. He led the advice to Lombard on the refinancing of a wind farm in South Uist in Scotland. Aaron & Partners LLP undertakes an equal split of borrower and lender-side work, under the leadership of Hugh Strickland. Although corporate banking (including acquisition finance) makes up the overwhelming majority of mandates, property secured lending transactions are another strength. DWF's practice in Birmingham is led by Richard Holmes, who made partner in February 2019, and primarily focuses on real estate finance (in the context of investment transactions, refinancings of portfolios and development). Alice Broadfield handles a wide variety of matters for corporate borrowers and lenders, with a focus on corporate finance. Philip Round, who heads up George Green LLP's practice, has a wellestablished reputation advising national bridging and development lenders on short-term finance transactions. Commercial property partner AlexJayne Lowe has expertise in secured lending. Elsewhere, the team advises clients on cash flow and asset-based lending, acquisition finance and syndicated lending. Wright Hassall LLP primarily handles real estate finance transactions connected with investment deals and project developments. In addition, its banking team advises on debt restructurings, leveraged finance and structured finance transactions. Lucie Byron took over as the practice head from Chris Jones, who moved to Gateley Plc. Judith Gershon joined Shepherd and Wedderburn.

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EMPLOYMENT DLA Piper Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gowling WLG Pinsent Masons LLP Averta Employment Lawyers LLP Browne Jacobson LLP Gateley Plc Mills & Reeve LLP Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Higgs & Sons Irwin Mitchell Shakespeare Martineau LLP VWV Weightmans LLP Bevan Brittan LLP Capsticks LLP Fieldfisher LLP Freeths LLP Lanyon Bowdler Trowers & Hamlins LLP Wright Hassall LLP Aaron & Partners LLP Brethertons LLP DWF George Green LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Hatchers Solicitors LLP Pickerings Solicitors Sydney Mitchell LLP Thursfields Solicitors Ansons Askews Legal LLP Band Hatton Button LLP Heminsley Law MFG Solicitors LLP Pillinger & Associates The Wilkes Partnership DLA Piper continues to be involved in major multi-jurisdictional projects such as significant restructurings, reorganisations as well as outsourcing and insourcing transactions. Other strengths lie in high-profile and complex employment tribunal and High Court litigation. Under the leadership of Sandra Wallace the team has developed considerable niche expertise in diverse areas such as the gig economy and IR35 matters as well as #MeToo, holiday pay and national minimum wage issues for a number of its clients in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. It also has considerable sector expertise in other areas including the manufacturing, technology and energy sectors. Emma Phillips is another name to note for her extensive transactional, litigation and cross-border project expertise. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is one of the pre-eminent firms in the West Midlands that handles complex employment matters for a variety of 16 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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high-profile clients including a number of FTSE 100 companies and a variety of public sector organisations. It does a lot of day-today tribunal work for a host of listed companies and also continues to provide employment advice for its strong US client base. David Beswick has extensive experience of acting for employers in employment tribunal litigation and Nick Jew also has considerable experience of employment tribunal matters as well as High Court litigation. Audrey Elliott leads the Birmingham office employment team and has a particular specialism in acting for companies across the energy and utilities sectors. Hannah Wilkins, pictured, aids clients in the IT sector with international and cross-border issues.

Gowling WLG provides UK and international private and public sector clients with the full array of employment, labour and equalities advice. The firstrate team has specialisms in areas as diverse as manufacturing, real estate and life sciences through to police work, social housing and healthcare. Its contentious expertise covers High Court business protection litigation through to complex discrimination and whistleblowing tribunal claims. The team under the leadership of Jane Fielding also regularly advises on industrial relations issues as well as workplace investigations. Recently the group has also been busy working with clients on the new employment aspects of data protection law and has been providing support on corporate and real estate transactions. Martin Chitty is also well-regarded. Chitty acts for some of the UK’s largest housing associations and leading manufacturers in addition to private equity investors. Jonathan Chamberlain’s specialist areas include financial services, technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Pinsent Masons LLP fields a large team that acts for household name companies on the full range of employment matters from complex tribunal work to businesscritical projects. The skilled team has been advising on a broad spectrum of matters from pay gap reporting, cross-jurisdictional projects through to industrial action and Brexit advice. Head of the Birmingham team Jonathan Coley, pictured, specialises in advising clients on the defence of strategic claims that have a high value or may have a major reputational impact. Coley has particular expertise in the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Linda Jones heads the employment team nationally and Helen Corden is known for her work with clients in the education and TMT sectors particularly. Averta Employment Lawyers LLP is a specialist employment firm that focuses on the employment needs of directors, managers, senior executives and other professionals. It is increasingly acting for corporate clients. The excellent team advises on the full range of matters, from discrimination, harassment and the non-payment of bonuses through to exit packages and settlement agreements for clients in both the public and private sectors. It is also known for its work on advising groups of executives in conflict with a company or thinking of leaving a business to work for a competitor. Other areas of expertise include representing individuals facing serious disciplinary investigations as well as advising on TUPE transfers and contractual and bonus claims. Browne Jacobson LLP’s employment team does work for both public and private sector clients. It has a collection of specialisms across the commercial, education and insurance sectors. It also boasts considerable expertise in the healthcare sector through three employment partners locally who are well placed to advise not only provider hospital trusts but also CCGs, ICSs and the independent healthcare market. James Tait heads the employment

team in Birmingham while Jacqui Atkinson heads the national employment healthcare team. Helen Badger mostly acts for public sector clients including the NHS and clients in the education sector. Bridget Prosser joined the team at the end of September 2019 from Capsticks LLP. Prosser has considerable experience of advising key NHS and third sector clients and various crime agencies on complex employment matters. Gateley Plc advises on the full spectrum of employment matters from employment tribunal work through to litigation in the High Court and the appellate courts. It is particularly strong on confidentiality and post-termination restrictions. It has been busy advising on a variety of high-value and complex matters, from advising on multi-claimant and multi-respondent claims relating to national wage compliance in the social care sector through to advising on complicated restructuring projects for an automotive supplier. It also has long-standing client relationships with companies in particular sectors including in retail, healthcare, recruitment and the charitable/not for profit sector. Head of team Benedict Gorner acts for both corporates and senior executives on a wide range of contentious and noncontentious work. Merran Sewell acts for a predominantly employer client base providing a full range of employment law advice. Mills & Reeve LLP acts for a large number of high-profile clients in both the private and public sectors and has acted on a number of significant employment cases recently in addition to providing employment support on many corporate deals and projects. Jog Hundle has a strong reputation for her work in the health and care sectors. Hundle routinely advises on reorganisations, the employment aspects of mergers and disputes with medical staff/very senior managers as well as on complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Nick Abbott has considerable experience in the education sector. Richard Santy has a focus in the commercial and sports sectors and conducts his own advocacy in the employment tribunal. Shoosmiths LLP continues to handle significant employment tribunal caseloads for major multinational clients and has particular expertise in handling sensitive senior executive exits in the regulated sectors such as financial services and healthcare. It forms part of a national employment team and the group is well-placed to advise a broad range of clients in the private, public and ‘third’ sectors, with particular strength in higher education, retail, technology and charities. Charlie Rae, pictured, receives a lot of accolades and is well-regarded for his work on high-profile senior executive terminations, client reorganisations, business transfers and contentions matters. Adele Hayfield advises a range of commercial clients and individuals on both contentious and noncontentious matters. Antonia Blackwell is another name to note. Squire Patton Boggs regularly handles complex employment matters for high-profile clients such as organisations

in the sports, technology, healthcare and construction sectors. Other sector strengths lie in the hospitality, retail and financial sectors. The team is adept at advising on complex restructurings, TUPE, outsourcing and redundancy consultations as well as senior executive terminations. It has also been involved in a myriad of multi-jurisdictional projects spanning the UK, US and Europe. The group is also regularly instructed, under the leadership of Charlie Frost, pictured, on a considerable number of highvalue and complex whistleblowing and discrimination claims and has acted for a number of clients in the High Court on injunction matters. Ramez Moussa is another key figure in the market. Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a national client base with a core focus on health and social care as well as housing, education and charities. It also advises several local authorities on complex and sensitive issues which span governance rules, regulatory obligations and employment law. In addition the excellent team continues to advise a solid base of faith-based clients on a broad range of matters. Names to note include the head of the employment and pensions team Matthew Gregson as well as Matthew Wort who heads up the firm’s work in the health and social care sector. Anna Dabek and Douglas Mullen, pictured, are also recommended. Higgs & Sons continues to be best known for its work with SMEs, ownermanaged businesses and their families primarily in the West Midlands. It also has considerable expertise in the food, drink, transport, manufacturing and care sectors. Its employment tribunal practice is well established and members of the team conduct their own advocacy. The versatile team also advises senior executives on executive terminations and under the direction of Tim Jones it has also seen increased instructions in the recruitment arena. Another growth area for the team is advising employers on business immigration matters. Damian Kelly has particular experience in employment tribunal advocacy as well as other areas such as restraint of trade and advising on business reorganisations. Irwin Mitchell operates across a wide range of sectors with new and longstanding client relationships in retail, financial services, education, healthcare and manufacturing. With Fergal Dowling at the helm the practice is especially rated for its depth of experience in acting for both employers and senior employees in executive severance situations. Recently it has successfully negotiated several complex and high-

value severances. In addition the team is known for its strength in confidentiality and restrictive covenants. Shakespeare Martineau LLP has particular strength in the education sector. Over the last year the team has continued to advise on diverse matters such as international collaborations between UK universities and partners overseas as well as on large restructuring exercises and on senior management departures at major universities. David Browne is the lead employment partner for the majority of the firm’s education clients and has an excellent reputation in this sector as has Tom Long. The team is also known for its expertise across other sectors such as logistics, manufacturing and insurance. Michael Hibbs is another name to note. In addition the practice has a flourishing ‘third sector’ client base and is also known for its successful handling of employment tribunal litigation. The Birmingham team at VWV focuses on four key sectors. It advises the education sector as a whole and in conjunction with colleagues throughout its other offices it also advises numerous charities. In addition the group is skilled at advising public sector clients on investigations and strategic reviews as well as having a strong commercial client base. Kathy Halliday is noted for her expertise on change management project, TUPE, executive and boardlevel advice as well as for her work on severances and high-value litigation. Jane Byford heads the higher education group and specialises in advising universities

on strategic projects and complex employment litigation. Byford’s clients also include further education colleges, charities and professional services organisations as well as commercial clients. Weightmans LLP has an excellent and growing client base in the hospitality and leisure sectors. It also has a dedicated equal pay team that is led by Jawaid Rehman, who is skilled at defending a large number of equal pay claims against public sector organisations. Other strengths include its strong reputation in local government and police work. It is also known for its involvement in cross-border work for its major clients and Rehman is highly regarded for his work on cases involving embassies. The team is well-regarded additionally for its advice on sensitive cases for high-profile employers where there are issues of reputation or there is a risk of adverse publicity. The Birmingham-based employment team at Bevan Brittan LLP has particular strength in the healthcare and local government sectors. Ashley Norman is a key member of the team and is experienced in advising on complex discrimination cases. The practice continues to deal with some complex contentious matters and routinely handles challenging employment tribunal claims for NHS trusts where there are elements of race, sex, disability or whistleblowing issues at stake. It also represents clients in the private, education and international arena. The group has niche expertise in the higher education sector and now acts for several well-known institutions. Capsticks LLP provides employment advice to various sectors including public and private healthcare, medical

technology, emergency services and housing. Other sectoral expertise includes charities and social care as well as receiving a steady flow of instructions from some regulatory bodies. It is the sole employment law provider for a number of the largest healthcare trusts in the Midlands and also acts for other healthcare organisations including clinical commissioning groups and commissioning support groups. Allied with this it has a strong noncontentious employment practice that has been advising clients on the full range of matters from TUPE transfers to procurement processes. Bridget Prosser left the team and is now at Browne Jacobson LLP. London-based Victoria Watson heads the department. Chloe Edwards specialises in advising on complex employment tribunal matters and internal employee relations processes. Fieldfisher LLP has considerable strength in major multi-jurisdictional work and is also sought after for its advice on collective redundancies. Other areas of expertise include advising on equal pay, discrimination and TUPE. Ranjit Dhindsa is a well-known name for her work in helping employers resolve disputes through mediation. Freeths LLP acts for a large number of private and public sector clients as well as clients in the educational sector. It has witnessed a significant increase in the volume of employment tribunal claims recently and the team regularly conducts its own advocacy at the employment tribunals. At a national level the team is increasingly acting in complex matters and also has specialist knowledge on the enforcement of restrictive covenants and on obtaining injunctive relief. Other key areas include routinely advising on restructuring, TUPE and issues The Legal 500 West Midlands 17

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Rebecca McGuirk, Trowers& Hamlin LLP

employment law issues and TUPE matters. Head of team Jennifer OkaforJones acts for some large employers. Hatchers Solicitors LLP has Nigel Harrison at the helm. The team advises individuals and businesses (both large and small) and has a strong client base of local, national and international firms, ranging from those with a multimillionpound turnover to smaller companies, partnerships and individual traders. The practice also specialises in advising charities and the not-for-profit sector. Jack Latham advises on disciplinary and grievance procedures as well as settlement agreements and employment tribunal claims.

surrounding the ‘gig’ economy. Rebecca Sawbridge heads the Birmingham offering and Peter Gavin leads the team in Stokeon-Trent.

contracts. The practice advises a Welsh Premier League club too on various matters and advises several local football associations.

The employment department at Lanyon Bowdler is led by John Merry who has a strong reputation for his specialisms in TUPE, the employment aspects of business and board reorganisations (including share sales) and advising employers in the agricultural arena. The team is adept at aiding senior executives with settlement agreements and has particular expertise in advising schools. It regularly assists colleges in relation to academy conversions.

Brethertons LLP is best known for advising on TUPE issues when they arise on complex transactions and for its work on intergroup restructuring. It is also recommended for its work on multi-day tribunal proceedings especially those that involve whistleblowing and discrimination claims. The department acts for a variety of regional and national clients including plcs, SMEs, partnerships and senior individuals. Other core strengths include advising on pay and bonus disputes as well as employee terminations, breach of contract cases and issues relating to permanent health insurance.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP has a wellestablished team. It advises a substantial number of social and affordable housing clients on diverse matters from mergers and corporate restructurings through to the termination of employment of senior employees. It is best known for its TUPE work and post-transfer restructuring advice to public, private and third sector clients. The team has also been busy advising on employment tribunal matters such as complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Rebecca McGuirk leads the employment team in the Birmingham office and advises clients from a range of sectors including local authorities, registered providers and social providers. Both Suki Harrar and Tina Chander at Wright Hassall LLP specialise in the TUPE aspects of corporate transactions. Other areas of expertise include advising employers and employees at tribunals as well as advising on executive departures. The team has an established track record of successfully handling discrimination cases such as sex, race, disability and age claims on their clients’ behalf. Other strengths include advising on whistleblowing and on constructive unfair dismissal cases. Aaron & Partners LLP is a Shropshirebased team that advises leading employers locally as well as some national and international clients on a broad range of issues. It is also skilled at providing employment support to its corporate colleagues. The department through Ben Mason has been instructed by the Professional Footballers Association to guide footballers through their playing contracts and the termination of any such 18 The Legal 500 West Midlands

Kate Meadowcroft is a key member of the team at DWF. The group has a strong retail client base and has continued to develop its expertise in healthcare work. It acts for an extensive range of healthcare providers and social care providers. Meadowcroft predominately advises on non-contentious matters and has particular expertise in large-scale change management projects and collective consultation programmes. George Green LLP is recognised for its work with owner-managed businesses and for providing support to the firm’s corporate department. It also has solid expertise in TUPE matters in addition to restrictive covenants/confidentiality litigation. Tim Lang leads the team while also acting as a fee-paid employment judge sitting in the South East. Lang is a qualified data protection practitioner too and is adept at offering data protection advice in relation to the workplace. Beverley Smith is well-regarded for her advice to employers and has experience in business immigration matters. Harrison Clark Rickerbys advises on the full array of employment matters and is particularly known for its skill at advising on complex employment tribunal cases. It is experienced at handling discipline issues as well as grievances, dismissals and other areas of employment law such as equal pay and holiday pay claims. Another core focus of the practice is advising on post-termination restrictions as well as issues arising during the course of reorganisations and redundancies. It is also adept at advising on collective

The large employment team at Pickerings Solicitors is led by Jonathon Forrester who is a solicitor advocate. Forrester has advised on diverse matters from claims of unfair dismissal through to redundancy, whistleblowing and discrimination cases. He is also adept at advising on issues surrounding the deduction of wages and failure to consult under the TUPE regulations. Sue Hatton is a human resource consultant who has extensive experience in all aspects of the employment process, from recruitment and selection through to dealing with dismissals. Hatton is also skilled at advising on large-scale TUPE issues, organisational change and redundancy processes. Sydney Mitchell LLP works for employers and employees. It has represented some key international companies and has also represented individual clients on a range of matters from whistleblowing and disability discrimination cases through to issues of sexual harassment and discrimination. In addition to these contentious matters the group has also been busy advising on a number of employment issues that have arisen on some complex TUPE transfers. Emma-Louise Hewitt, a senior associate, heads the team and advises on all aspects of employment law, acting for individuals and businesses of all sizes including a global automotive company and fashion designer/retailer. Thursfields Solicitors has been recently assisting on some multimillion-pound corporate deals and has also increasingly been advising multinational employers on their UK employment obligations. Other areas of expertise lie in the third sector as the team has been active in working with various educational establishments and charities. The group has also been busy working with clients in the media and entertainment industry under the leadership of Michelle O’Hara. James Monk is noted for his work in the charity sector and Jade Linton is another name to note. Ansons operates across four offices in Cannock, Lichfield, Halesowen and Sutton Coldfield. Key areas of focus include preparing employment documentation and advising on disciplinary matters and grievances, as well as providing redundancy and TUPE advice. On the contentious side the team is well-regarded for its work in defending claims before the employment tribunal as well as protecting clients’ business interests in claims before the courts by way of injunctive relief applications and damages. With Jason Alcock and Martin de Ridder at the helm, the team frequently works with its corporate and commercial department to advise a diverse range of clients.

Askews Legal LLP has a dedicated team that acts predominantly for employers on contentious and non-contentious matters and also does some work for employees. The geographical footprint of the practice mainly covers Coventry and Warwickshire. Senior associate Lianne Payne heads the department and is skilled at advising clients in employment tribunal proceedings as well as advising on injunctions. Band Hatton Button LLP is recognised locally as having a strong employment department which is continuing to grow its commercial client base. The firm deals with a varied case load of contentious and non-contentious employment matters and acts for a range of businesses as well as employees. Clients are predominantly based in Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands region and are mostly commercial clients and high-net-worth individuals. The department is also known for its work with schools under the leadership of Mark Ridley. Ridley specialises in unfair dismissal, redundancy, as well as breach of contract and discrimination claims. Heminsley Law is a relatively new partnership that was established in June 2018 by Trevor Gibson and Jemma O’Reilly. It focuses on advising companies on a wide range of people risks from employment law to bribery and corruption. In addition to providing general employment and litigation advice the firm advises on a myriad of complex matters, from whistleblowing and discrimination cases to IR35 and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Recently the team has been busy advising on various investigations into a range of complicated employee issues for a number of businesses. From its offices in Worcestershire, Shropshire and Birmingham MFG Solicitors LLP's experienced employment team is able to handle all aspects of employment litigation and corporate related matters. Sally Morris leads the team that advises on the full array of matters, from service agreements and IR35 on/off payroll changes to restructurings. It also advises claimants and respondents on complex discrimination and unfair dismissal cases. Christopher Piggott is another key member of the team who has been retained by various educational establishments to advise on a myriad of employment matters. Amanda Pillinger is the key individual at Pillinger & Associates. Pillinger represents both employers and employees in litigation where there are allegations of unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing or breaches of contract. She is experienced at assisting employers on ways to avoid disputes and as a sole practitioner the vast majority of her work comes from client referrals. The firm also receives a steady flow of instructions from other law firms, accountants and HR consultants. At The Wilkes Partnership James Leo heads the team and Pam Sidhu is another key member of the department. It mainly acts for employers as well as senior executives on all aspects of employment law. The team covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters relating to TUPE, discrimination, business immigration and restrictive covenants. It also provides employment advice to the firm’s corporate clients on business sales and acquisitions as well as clients of the firm’s insolvency and private client teams.

NEXT STEPS: DEVELOPING SKILLS ONLINE Technology has been the solution to many challenges during COVID-19. Professionally, in the legal sector to conduct virtual hearings and more; and personally, helping us to stay connected to our loved ones and home-school our children. But what about skills development? COVID-19 has changed the narrative around online learning as Jody Tranter, head of BARBRI Altior explains. When Altior launched Live Online in 2018, we saw the benefit of developing skills online. Initially, we were the first in our industry to offer this approach. But now, any solicitor admitted to the Roll in the past year would have gained their qualification online thanks to the virtual PSC offering. Plus, the SQE is now set to follow suit. As a direct impact of the pandemic, professionals have become more open to online learning opportunities. With reduced workforces and heightened competition, we’ve seen development prioritised, especially as courses from Higher Rights to Advocacy Skills became available virtually. Now, the wider industry is anticipated to grow at over 8% CAGR between 2020 and 2026. 35% of millennials regard learning as a top consideration when choosing an employer and those who do not have the opportunity to progress are twelve times more likely to leave their role. As face-to-face classrooms remain out of reach, online training is the solution. It requires 40-60% less employee time and can increase company revenue by 42%. Yet, to effectively reach your goals, it all comes down to the quality of your provider. A face-to-face course shouldn’t just be replicated for an online classroom – it needs to be specifically curated for this delivery. To find out more, visit www.altior.co.uk

A PASSION

FOR PEOPLE CENTRAL TO YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

“

Experience, dedication and a commitment to excellence in their advice and support for clients is taking Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ team in Birmingham from strength to strength. Kevin Harris-James, Partner, Head of Birmingham Office

0121 454 0739 I www.hcrlaw.com Harrison Clark Rickerbys Ltd is authorised and regulated by the SRA

The Legal 500 West Midlands 19

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INSOLVENCY & CORPORATE RECOVERY DLA Piper Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gateley Plc Pinsent Masons LLP Gowling WLG Harrison Clark Rickerbys Irwin Mitchell Shoosmiths LLP Squire Patton Boggs Beswicks Legal Clarke Willmott LLP FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Higgs & Sons Shakespeare Martineau LLP Sydney Mitchell LLP The Wilkes Partnership Thursfields Solicitors Wright Hassall LLP DLA Piper delivers local market knowledge out of the Birmingham office, and also leverages additional expertise found elsewhere in the firm's wider network. Huw Dolphin leads the team, which attracts many of the largest, high-profile and most complex mandates seen in the market. One notable highlight for the team involved advising RSM UK LLP on the administration of Forever 21 (UK) Limited in 2019. John Jeffreys has vast restructuring and insolvency experience, with a notable focus on real estate insolvency. Senior associate Deborah Brown takes the lead on key assignments. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's market-leading credentials are evidenced by its heavy involvement in high-profile domestic and crossborder assignments. Co-led by Andrew Jordan and Jenna Poulton, the Birmingham team is active in matters spanning a wide range of sectors, such as retail, automotive, energy, life sciences and financial services. Jordan, Poulton and others are advising FRP Advisory on the administration of Shaylor Construction. Another notable individual is principal associate Anne-Louise Lawrence, who has significant real estate restructuring and insolvency experience. Gateley Plc has an outstanding track record handling all contentious issues arising from insolvencies. Its first-rate team is equally capable on the advisory side, where it advises clients on financial and organisational restructurings, solvent and insolvent business sales and exits, and security enhancement, among other matters. Daniel French is leading the advice to the joint administrators at Alvarez & Marsal LLP on the administration of Toolspec Manufacturing Company Limited. Mark Wilson is the head of the group. Pinsent Masons LLP is the first choice for many clients undertaking large restructurings or involved in complex insolvencies. It is also highly regarded for pensions restructuring work, debt trading, restructuring dispute resolution and asset recovery. Amy Flavell leads the team, which is active in sectors such as retail, tourism, automotive, education and charities. Flavell and others have been 20 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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advising BDO on the administration of the Arensis Group. Edward Sunderland leads the national assetbased lending and structured finance practice. Victoria Baker made partner in 2019. Gowling WLG is an excellent choice for contentious and non-contentious national and cross-border mandates, with its Birmingham team working with practitioners in London as one integrated group. The team is sought after for advice on corporate restructurings and turnarounds, distressed M&A, distressed banking matters, exits and work outs, among many other matters. Jasvir Jootla is the lead contact in Birmingham, with London-based Julian Pallett being the overall head of the practice. Ian Weatherall has a first-rate reputation in insolvency litigation. Tom Stockley, who was promoted to director in May 2019, more recently made partner. Harrison Clark Rickerbys is a well-known name among insolvency practitioners in the West Midlands, and generates work from clearing banks, challenger banks, debt funds and peerto-peer lenders. Alan Meiklejohn has been active in the Midlands restructuring and insolvency market for over 20 years. Senior associate Hayley Phelps is a key figure in the team, which is acting for PKF Geoffrey Martin on the administration of the London Distillery Company Limited. Sam Payne is the practice head. At Irwin Mitchell, Stephen George and senior associate Amy Keogh, left, are the main contacts in the restructuring and insolvency team in Birmingham, which has particular expertise in advising assetbased lenders on security, restructuring and formal insolvency matters. It also generates work from insolvency practitioners, corporates, directors and pension scheme trustees, among other clients. George has been involved in a number of the most high-

Shoosmiths LLP's diverse client roster includes insolvency practitioners, distressed businesses, investors, company directors, banks and asset-based lenders. The firm has a strong reputation in the retail sector, including in the context of company voluntary arrangements (CVAs). Practice head James Keates, legal director Charles Williams and others advised RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP (as nominees and supervisors), Aldo Shoes Limited, Thomas Sabo Limited, Abokado and the Thai Leisure Group, on the implementation of their successful CVAs. Aaron Harlow is another key figure in the team. Other recent work spanned industries such as mining, logistics and aviation. Squire Patton Boggs excels in high-profile domestic restructuring and insolvency assignments, and its international reach also makes it a strong choice for cross-border matters. Devinder Singh, below, leads the team, which advises on administrations, liquidations, out-of-court restructurings and voluntary arrangements, among other key mandates. It is particularly strong in pensions-related restructurings. Russell Hill and senior associate Oliver Ward-Jones are other notable individuals in the group. In 2019, Singh and Ward-Jones advised the management of All Star Leisure Group on the appointment of BDO as administrators, among other issues. Beswicks Legal represents clients in directors' disqualification proceedings, personal liability claims and debt recovery claims. Richard Preston leads the team, whose non-contentious work includes IVAs, restructurings, and sales and purchases of insolvent companies. Clarke Willmott LLP's team is active in the full range of restructuring and insolvency work, but is particularly wellknown for its expertise in contentious matters and property-related insolvencies. Stephanie Slinn leads the group, which undertakes a particularly significant amount of contentious work for The Insolvency Service. Other clients of the firm include directors, insolvency practitioners and lenders. Slinn is advising Elwell Watchorn & Saxton on action against six parties involved in the management of a liquidated company. Gareth Ruddock leads FBC Manby Bowdler LLP's group, which undertakes the full range of contentious and noncontentious insolvency and corporate recovery matters. It is equally capable handling mandates involving businesses and individuals, and its expertise includes administrations and liquidations, receiverships, IVAs and transactions. Other strengths include misfeasance and disqualification actions against company directors, as well as asset recovery work. Brian Aikman and James Sage are key figures in the group, whose client roster includes insolvency practitioners, building societies, businesses and private individuals. Higgs & Sons has seen an increase in mandates from new insolvency

practitioner clients under the leadership of practice head David Ellis, who is a licensed insolvency practitioner himself. Ellis is knowledgeable about personal insolvencies, corporate restructurings and s110 liquidations. He has a notable specialism in handling asset purchases from and by insolvency practitioners, as well as directors protection work. Associate Carole Maddock has been instrumental in growing the firm's portfolio of contentious insolvency work. Andrew Taylor leads the team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP, which advises insolvency practitioners, lenders and corporates on a broad cross-section of transactional, advisory and contentious issues; its expertise includes restructurings and turnarounds, formal insolvency issues and directors' conduct. Taylor and Sheena Tandy are acting for Moore Stephens as the liquidators of The NMB Group Limited. Helen Readett is a licensed insolvency practitioner with 30 years of restructuring and insolvency experience. On the contentious side, Sydney Mitchell LLP's team head Leanne Schneider-Rose is experienced in handling a wide range of claims for insolvency practitioners, such as those involving transactions at undervalue, preferential claims, directors' misfeasance and debt collection. Non-contentious work is also a mainstay of the work undertaken by the group, which also generates mandates from lenders and distressed companies. Senior associate Emma Birch joined from Weightmans LLP. The Wilkes Partnership advises insolvency practitioners, private individuals, creditors and directors. Its practice covers all aspects of corporate and personal insolvencies, including administrator appointments (in court and out of court) and the sale and purchase of businesses and assets owned by companies and individuals. Andrew Garland assists directors and office-holders with bringing and defending misfeasance claims connected with tax avoidance schemes, as well as cases arising from antecedent transactions. David Cleary leads the group, which also includes John Cooper and senior associate Emma Hutchison. Thursfields Solicitors demonstrates strong capabilities in contentious insolvency matters, where the work includes the defence of/applications to annul bankruptcy petitions, preference and misfeasance claims, and cases involving the defence of property rights. Stephen Rome heads up the practice, which was strengthened by the arrival of director Jon Clifford from Wright Hassall LLP in November 2019. With newly promoted partner Caroline Benfield at the helm, Wright Hassall LLP's team handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious personal and corporate insolvency work. Its client base includes company directors, insolvency practitioners, private individuals and creditors. It also acts for a leading insolvency litigation funder. The group's workload includes matters involving administration appointments, misfeasance and wrongful trading claims, transactions at undervalue and personal insolvency applications.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DAC Beachcroft LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gowling WLG Pinsent Masons LLP Shoosmiths LLP Bevan Brittan LLP BLM Browne Jacobson LLP DWF Gateley Plc Kennedys Weightmans LLP Plexus Law Shakespeare Martineau LLP Squire Patton Boggs DAC Beachcroft LLP continues to be involved in many high-profile matters and advises clients in all sectors. It has particular strength in construction, manufacturing and care. Recent instructions have included advising on a number of fatal accident investigations for blue-chip companies as well as complex inquest proceedings for large care home groups. The practice advises on all aspects of compliance work such as reporting, interviews under caution as well as enforcement undertakings and civil penalties. Birmingham-based Andrew Roach is a key contact along with Steven Harrison. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has a proven track record of representing large global and national clients on all aspects of major prosecutions and investigations. The team is also well thought of for its consultancy advice to clients on the development of policies and in assisting with behavioural reviews. In addition the group is active in conducting general appraisals. Nationally Kevin Elliott specialises in representing both individuals and organisations following workplace fatalities and serious incidents. However, David Young is now at Addleshaw Goddard and it remains to be seen what impact this departure will have on the team. Gowling WLG is immersed in the key sectors of construction, building materials quarrying, aerospace and defence. Other significant focus areas include local government, health and social care. Head of team Andrew Litchfield is skilled at helping clients in the prevention of accidents and helps them during the course of any investigations and inquests and through the criminal courts. Michael Hafen is another prominent member of the team. Hafen is known for his work in the defence of civil and criminal litigation in the aftermath of regulatory breaches, healthcare, trading standards and environmental breaches. Pinsent Masons LLP has one of the leading health and safety teams nationally and is regularly instructed in the most serious incidents. Its clients are drawn from all sectors. The department under the leadership of Sean Elson has built up considerable expertise in advising clients in high-hazard industries such as construction, manufacturing, waste and

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energy. A recent growth area for the group is fire and building safety advice and the practice is well-positioned to guide clients through any precautionary steps that need to be taken in this area. Louise Mansfield has considerable experience of the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Shoosmiths LLP has an excellent reputation in this field and gains a large number of direct instructions from major corporate clients. The team has particular expertise in the petrochemical, retail and automotive sectors as well as the manufacturing, food and healthcare industries. Other sector strengths lie in construction and housing. Roy Tozer, above, as the head of the firm’s regulatory practice also continues to lead the firm’s team that is involved in the Grenfell Tower inquiry. Another name to note is Hayley Saunders who has provided extensive advice to healthcare clients on all aspects of health and safety compliance, including advising them at inquests and corporate manslaughter investigations. Claire Morrissey is another significant member of the team. While advising across all sectors, Bevan Brittan LLP continues to be particularly recognised for its public sector expertise. It advises well over 100 NHS trust clients and various ambulance trusts, local authorities (including several large fire authorities) and some of the country’s largest housing associations and charities. The team frequently works on complex investigations by the police and other regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission in addition to the HSE and also advises on inquests. Adam Kendall is highly regarded for his work on a wide range of regulatory law and compliance issues covering health and safety, environmental, trading standards and waste licensing matters. BLM is best known for its work on

complex fatal accident investigations and high-profile inquests. The department has a strong presence in the manufacturing, construction, public and care sectors. Several of its lawyers specialise in care home-related cases including deaths and serious injuries in care facilities for the elderly, vulnerable children and young adults. It also has a strong motor defence offering that acts for commercial fleet drivers charged with death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving. Robert Davies leads the criminal regulatory team in Birmingham and specialises exclusively in criminal regulatory work and in coronial proceedings. Browne Jacobson LLP acts for many private sector organisations in relation to health and safety accidents. As a general regulatory practice it also advises on health and safety matters as they arise from food safety, environmental breaches, the care sector and road traffic work. The department has been active in advising corporate clients directly on their policies and documentation, fatal accident protocols and on the management of bespoke risks such as legionella, asbestos and chemicals. It also advises a significant number of public sector clients and clients in the education sector. Rather unusually the group also prosecutes health and safety cases for local authorities and fire authorities. Nottingham-based Andrew Hopkin heads the team that includes Rachel Lyne. David Egan and associate Caroline Depledge at DWF work alongside the national team in acting for high-profile clients in a variety of sectors. The team is adept at helping clients to avoid prosecution for corporate manslaughter and other safety offences following the most serious incidents. It has expertise in various sectors including energy, retail and transport as well as healthcare, construction and local government. The group receives a steady flow of instructions from both insurers and large corporates and has also acted for a number of schools and trusts, advising them on a myriad of safety and reputational issues. The nationwide team at Gateley Plc provides a one-stop fatal accident and major incident crisis management service to clients. It acts for FTSE 100 and 250 businesses as well as blue-chip companies, household names, SMEs and owner-managed businesses. Under the direction of Ruth Armstrong the nimble team is often involved in multifaceted and multi-defendant complex coroner’s inquests, Magistrates and Crown Court trials. The specialist team excels at winning a criminal trial before a criminal judge and jury and the team is vastly experienced at representing individuals under caution. It acts for many high-profile retailers and as a result has particular expertise in the retail sector. Kate Oliver specialises in defending all types of health and safety cases and environmental investigations. Oliver routinely attends the Coroner’s Court and the criminal courts. With James Shrimpton at the helm Kennedys advises and represents defendants facing HSE and local authority prosecutions. Significantly the team also conducts its own advocacy at inquests. The skilled group is involved at all stages of investigation and prosecution and represents clients at PACE interviews and at court. Of note is the fact that it also has the expertise to advise clients

and their insurers on any associated civil claims for damages. Other areas of expertise include assisting drivers in the transport sector who are facing police investigation following driving offences such as death by dangerous or careless driving. Naomi North leads the motor crime team and receives instructions from insurers, brokers and corporate clients. Weightmans LLP has been busy dealing with a number of cases that have attracted media interest and cases that have a public interest component such as mental health and eating disorders. It has significant sector expertise in areas as diverse as transport and logistics through to facilities management, public sector and local government. In addition the practice is vastly experienced in the construction, education and healthcare sectors. Birmingham-based Andrew Brammer has received a raft of health and safety contentious and noncontentious work from a broad array of clients ranging from local authorities to international corporates. Plexus Law has extensive experience of advising organisations and individuals in all areas of health and safety law and environmental legislation. Under the guidance of Anthony Bushell and Damon Burt it provides specialist advice in the aftermath of workplace accidents and incidents with particular expertise in the defence of HSE/local authority and regulatory prosecutions, inquests and serious case reviews. Its clients include a mixture of insurance companies, corporates, self-insureds and local authorities. Burt has a particular interest in asbestos-related matters and the defence of HSE prosecutions arising from serious injuries and fatalities. Bushell advises on the full range of health and safety offences as well as corporate and individual manslaughter offences where investigations/prosecutions are brought by the police, HSE or Environment Agency. Shakespeare Martineau LLP operates across a wide swathe of sectors encompassing areas as diverse as transport, agriculture, education and manufacturing through to healthcare, retail and engineering. It has the capability to deal with all aspects of enforcement actions that are taken by the HSE, local authorities, the Environment Agency and other bodies such as the CQC and the police. Julia Messervy-Whiting leads the practice that regularly represents businesses and individuals on a broad range of investigations and prosecutions such as PACE/police interviews as well as at inquests. David Ollivere has a good track record of successfully defending prosecutions. Squire Patton Boggs is widely recognised nationally and internationally for its work both in defending large corporate organisations and their directors in the most serious health and safety matters and for its accident and internal investigation work. It has specialist industry knowledge of a wide range of sectors including entertainment, food and drink as well as the construction, waste and energy sectors. The excellent team under the leadership of Manchester-based Rob Elvin is skilled across the board from representing clients at PACE interviews through to advising large corporates on their compliance with health and safety regulations. Gary Lewis is another known name along with Birminghambased Robert Biddlecombe. The Legal 500 West Midlands 21

WEST MIDLANDS

FIRMS ARE LISTED A-Z WITHIN TIERS

PERSONAL INJURY & CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIMANT

Irwin Mitchell Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Lanyon Bowdler Higgs & Sons Shoosmiths LLP FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Thompsons Solicitors LLP Brethertons LLP Clarke Willmott LLP DBS Law GHP Legal Shakespeare Martineau LLP Slater and Gordon Sydney Mitchell LLP Thursfields Solicitors Wright Hassall Irwin Mitchell has an outstanding and large team. On the clinical negligence side it continues to specialise in the most complex, varied and high-profile cases including birth injury cases, stillbirth, neonatal deaths, cosmetic/ dental surgery as well as spinal and brain injuries as a result of negligence, cancers and mental health. Led by six partners, the department is committed to rehabilitation and the ongoing care needs of clients and attempts to secure early interim payments for its clients. The personal injury team also handles a substantial caseload of high-value claims dealing with children and adults who have sustained brain injuries, spinal injuries, limb loss and multiple orthopaedic traumas. The practice is regularly involved in cases involving fatalities, psychiatric injuries, severe burns and loss of vision and is made up of two partners. The child abuse group is well respected and has ten lawyers who specialise in dealing with cases against individuals, local authorities, schools and religious organisations. The public health team handles group claims in relation to food poisoning and other illnesses throughout England and Wales and the specialist mesothelioma and lung cancer team is highly recommended. Its large international personal injury team is also well-regarded for clients who have suffered serious injuries while abroad. Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a very well-respected team of specialist lawyers who have built up a strong nationwide reputation. The first-rate team acts for claimants in a broad range of matters ranging from modest-value claims to complex multimillion-pound claims. Its expertise spans birth injury and associated public law matters as well as abuse and human rights cases. The skilled team also represents people at inquests. It adopts a holistic approach and helps clients with other issues such as community care claims, mental capacity issues and Court of Protection matters, in addition to trust work/ education issues. Significantly it continues to help clients under the legal aid 22 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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scheme. Rankeshwar Batta, pictured, is the sole partner and head of department who specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury litigation. Batta has extensive experience of all types of cases including maximum severity/ catastrophic injury and professional negligence work. He is also the deputy legal aid contracting representative for the firm. Victoria Fullilove and Ann Houghton are both vastly experienced in all aspects of personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Sarah Huntbach is also recommended. Lanyon Bowdler has two excellent personal injury and clinical negligence teams that operate as separate departments but work closely together. There is a focus in both departments on serious injury cases and both departments serve the West Midlands from the firm's six offices based throughout Shropshire and Herefordshire, with a main presence in Shrewsbury and Hereford. The firm continues to expand as it has opened a seventh office in Conwy, North Wales. The personal injury department fields a strong team that is led by Neil Lorimer. Its focus is on serious injury claims including brain injury, spinal injury, amputation and fatal injury claims. Debbie Humphries and Dawn Humphries are some of the other key members of the team. The excellent clinical negligence team for the West Midlands is led by Kay Kelly with Lucy Small leading the Hereford office. Emma Broomfield and Beth Heath have also recently been promoted to the

partnership. The team has extensive experience across a wide range of claims from birth, brain and spinal injuries through to delay in diagnosis and negligent surgery, in addition to cardiac and vascular conditions. Louise Howard assists veterans and serving personnel with claims against the MOD and applying for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The clinical negligence team at Higgs & Sons has some first-rate practitioners including Clare Langford and Sue Allen, both of whom are widely recognised for their expertise at handling a variety of high-value and complex clinical negligence claims, especially serious birth injury claims and other claims including cerebral palsy and delayed diagnosis actions. Langford leads the clinical negligence department and has extensive experience of handling a broad range of complex claims. She is particularly interested in cases involving a delay in diagnosing meningitis and loss of vision claims. The personal injury team has increasingly focused on helping people who have suffered a major trauma. It has particular experience in dealing with cases involving brain injury, spinal injury, amputation and serious orthopaedic injury as well as severe psychological injuries and fatal accidents. Personal injury practice head Andy Shaw handles a wide range of claims with considerable experience of achieving multimillion-pound settlements. Steven Santy aids clients who have suffered major trauma, concentrating on ensuring that they gain early access to rehabilitation. Shoosmiths LLP has one of the leading clinical negligence practices that represents claimants across the UK in all types of actions ranging from complex, multimillion-pound cerebral palsy, brain, spinal injury and amputation cases through to fatal claims. Phil Barnes is an experienced litigator who has dealt with a wide range of complex and high-value claims including neurological injury actions and has a specialist interest in infection and sepsis cases. Barnes also regularly appears as an advocate before coroners. Kashmir Uppal is particularly renowned for her work on major group actions while Nicholas Tubb, pictured, has considerable expertise in surgical errors and spinal and brain injury as well as complex birth injury cases. Richard Follis is a known name for his work on inquests – he has also conducted many multiparty, pharmaceutical and catastrophic injury cases. Senior associate Richard Bannister advises on a broad array of complex matters from cardiology, orthopaedics and ophthalmology to general surgery cases. FBC Manby Bowdler LLP continues to build on its already well-established reputation for handling specialist and complex cases involving severe brain and spinal injury and clinical negligence in addition to industrial disease claims. Tim Gray, pictured, is currently overseeing a case worth £10m and heads up the firm’s clinical negligence team. In addition to managing high-value and complex multi-track cases he is often involved in head and spinal injury and amputation

cases. Susan Todhunter leads the firm’s catastrophic injury and multi-track team and deals with a variety of complex catastrophic injury claims. Todhunter has particular expertise in brain injury claims and has extensive experience of acting for child and adult claimants. Harrison Clark Rickerbys has an established clinical negligence team that is led by Inez Brown, pictured.. The department continues to work on a large number of maximum severity and complex birth injury cases under the legal aid franchise. It has seen a noticeable growth in work in cases against local hospitals recently. The group is also recommended for its representation of clients under the Human Rights Act. Brown routinely advises on a broad range of general surgery clinical negligence matters with particular specialisms in areas such as birth injury and catastrophic injury claims and those involving delayed diagnosis of cancer resulting in secondary cancer. Charlotte Measures is recommended for her work primarily in obstetric/birth injury cases involving brain injured babies with cerebral palsy. Measures also handles other cases where there are acquired brain injuries. Ally Taft is well-equipped to handle negligent care and lack of consent claims as well as fatal incidents. Thompsons Solicitors LLP has a strong national offering and is well-known for its work with a number of leading trade unions. Its clinical negligence team has six members and is particularly skilled at handling group actions and negligent actions against surgeons in the Midlands. The serious injury team led by Karl DeLoyde handles catastrophic injury cases typically valued in millions of pounds. It runs cases dealing with brain injury, spinal cord, amputations, serious burns, loss of vision and complex orthopaedic claims. It is also recommended for its representation of clients (primarily members of trade unions) in the full range of industrial disease cases, including hearing loss, COSHH, HAVS, WRULD and stress. In addition the group has recently developed expertise in acting for members of the armed forces who have sustained non-freezing cold injuries. Linda Millband is another key figure. Millband is currently representing over 200 women in a group action mesh case. Martin Singh is experienced in running maximum severity cases and has specialist knowledge of dealing with complex product liability actions.

3PB BECOME FASTEST GROWING CHAMBERS IN CITY These barristers enjoy the high quality work available to them on the Midlands circuits and of course the warm welcome and excellent facilities - including the latest video conferencing technology - that await in our modern and spacious Birmingham office.

Elizabeth McGrath QC and Vanessa Meachin QC, family silks and founding members of the Birmingham centre, said: “We are delighted to see 75 of our barristers ranked in Legal 500 and in particular to see 24 of those barristers ranked for the first time. This shows great strength in depth across chambers and that mix of expertise is reflected in the barristers who are based full-time in Birmingham. It has been especially pleasing to be able to welcome new colleagues to our Birmingham centre despite the challenges presented by Covid-19”.

The Birmingham centre for 3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) continues to go from strength to strength and is the fastest growing chambers in Birmingham; even despite the challenging conditions presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 3PB opened in Birmingham in 2016, talented barristers across all areas of law have joined the ranks, taking the current Birminghambased cohort to 30 counsel. In 2020 and during the first two months of 2021 alone, some nine new barristers have chosen 3PB as their professional home with new recruits including former solicitors and those from in-house public sector roles joining 3PB in the Midlands. In addition the Birmingham centre acts as the Midlands ‘home’ for many of 3PB’s 200 other barristers who are based at our other centres: London, Bristol, Bournemouth, Oxford and Winchester. Brethertons LLP has particular expertise in spinal cord injuries including tetraplegic/paraplegic cases. It is also recommended for its work on serious personal injuries arising in road traffic collisions and employers’ liability and public liability claims. Jonathan Rees heads the serious injury team. The group is adept too at advising on cases arising from misdiagnosis/delayed diagnosis as well as claims relating to negligent surgery and treatments. Other strengths include acting in cases under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the Fatal Accident Act where it advises on claims for dependent relatives where there has been clinical negligence. The team only deals with very high-value serious injury litigation and with claims that are valued at significant six, seven or eight figure sums. It also has experience in brain injury cases including traumatic and acquired brain injuries. The serious injury team at Clarke Willmott LLP in Birmingham only handles cases where the injuries are of the utmost severity or fatal claims. The team locally is led by Philip Edwards who is well-regarded for his work on brain injuries. The practice is known for its work on all aspects of serious injuries but has a particular reputation for its work in brain injuries. Edwards handles both adult and child brain injury claims but also advises on spinal cord injury, amputation and fatal claims. Of note is the fact that Edwards holds Accredited Brain Injury Specialist status from APIL. DBS Law is well equipped to deal with every type of personal injury claim from road traffic accidents to mesothelioma disease cases. It is also adept at handling employer liability and public liability cases. The practice often handles serious

injury cases including head and spinal injury in addition to cases involving the amputation of limbs, fatal accident claims and clinical negligence cases. Shairoz Ahmed leads the team and divides her time between Nottingham and Birmingham. The team at GHP Legal has a wealth of experience in dealing with clinical negligence and personal injury claims. It covers the full gamut of accident and injury cases ranging from accidents in public, on holiday or in the workplace, road traffic and motorcycle accidents through to injury from defective products. The practice also covers serious brain injuries, criminal assaults and claims arising from abuse while in the care of others. Some of the difficult injury cases the team covers include major psychiatric injury cases such as acting for adult survivors of child sexual abuse, stress at work and wrongful diagnosis. Similarly the clinical negligence team covers all aspects of claims against the NHS and private hospitals as well as misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment claims. Robert Williams and Claire Parfitt are the names to note. Shakespeare Martineau LLP acts for a wide range of clients who are seeking compensation in the aftermath of personal injury arising out of accidents. Such accidents range from relatively minor whiplash claims to military, catastrophic injury and group actions. Tony Hannington is the main contact. Hannington regularly deals with a myriad of catastrophic injury claims and fatal accident cases as well as dependency claims on behalf of a deceased’s family. He frequently advises on cases where there has been an amputation of limbs/ fingers in addition to brain injury claims.

3PB’s Birmingham barristers play an active role in the legal community in the city being represented on multiple local Court user groups as well as playing key roles in a number of other important organisations such as the Birmingham Law Society, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Midland Circuit Women’s Forum, and Women in Family Law. 3PB has also remained committed to supporting the charity All Birmingham’s Children (ABC) since 3PB’s Birmingham launch in 2016 with members regularly raising funds and supporting important initiatives alongside the charity. All Birmingham’s Children is a group of local children, parents and professionals who care and work with local children and young people: who genuinely want to make everyone living and working in Birmingham recognise the importance of working towards making Birmingham the safest and best city in the UK for children and young people to live in and grow up. The practice also advises on cases where there is post-concussion syndrome and pain syndromes such as conversion disorder, various complex pain issues and fibromyalgia. The Birmingham team at Slater and Gordon deals solely with serious and catastrophic injury claims usually arising from road traffic collisions. It is also adept at handling multiple fatality claims involving children, paralysis, traumatic amputation as well as brain injury. The practice has particular expertise in dealing with claims to the MIB. London-based Patrick Maguire heads the team. At associate level locally Ken Brough and Jayne Campbell are the main contacts. Brough deals exclusively with serious and catastrophic injuries with a particular specialism in fatal and MIB claims. Campbell is skilled at representing clients who have suffered brain and spinal injuries in addition to serious orthopaedic injuries or amputation. Richard Langton has retired. The personal injury department at Sydney Mitchell LLP continues to receive a good amount of high-value and complex work. The group also handles the full range of clinical negligence claims. It is currently instructed in a number of cases involving very serious injuries where the likely damages will be in the region of £1m. The practice advises on the full spectrum of personal injury matters ranging from very minor injuries involving road traffic accidents to accidents resulting in very serious injury or death. Mike Sutton represents those who have suffered an injury as a result of accidents at work, on the road or any other public place. Senior personal injury executive David Lydon deals with all areas of personal injury such as accidents

at work, road traffic accidents and accidents involving slipping or tripping. Thursfields Solicitors offers the full range of claimant personal injury advice and deals with all types of claims. It often advises on claims arising from road traffic accidents, tripping/slipping accidents, accidents at work as well as criminal injuries, product and public liability. It is also skilled at handling industrial disease claims. Senior associate Bernadette Mackie, pictured, heads the team. Mackie has substantial experience of traumatic brain injury and amputation claims. At Wright Hassall LLP Jeanette Whyman advises on all types of medical negligence claims but has a particular interest in obstetric claims, late diagnosis and claims relating to the inappropriate treatment of cancer. Whyman also deals with orthopaedic and general surgery claims and represents her clients at inquests. The team overall is involved in a number of group actions and has established expertise in cancer cases where there has been a late or missed diagnosis of cancer. The group has also undertaken a number of successful claims where prostheses that were used in hip surgery have proved to be the wrong length or have been set at the wrong angle which has then led to the necessity of further or corrective surgery. Other areas of expertise include advising on cases where the mother or baby has suffered severe birth trauma or where other operative procedures have gone wrong. The Legal 500 West Midlands 23

WEST MIDLANDS

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PERSONAL INJURY & CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE DEFENDENT

Browne Jacobson LLP Weightmans LLP Bevan Brittan LLP BLM DAC Beachcroft LLP DWF Kennedys Keoghs LLP Plexus Law Browne Jacobson LLP has one of the largest national defendant practices in the UK supporting clients in the public and private sectors. The excellent team specialises in complex and high-value cases where there are serious brain injuries and spinal injuries as well as group litigation and wrongful birth cases. Complex employer’s liability claims, novel vicarious liability claims and disease claims are all at the cornerstone of its practice. Sports is another rapidly growing claims area for the practice and Kevin Lawson is a known name for his work in this area. The practice has an enviable reputation for its work in the health and social care sector and also in the adult social care sector. Bridget Tatham has been working with a growing number of care home providers. In addition the practice has been on the panel of Resolution since its inception and represents other bodies such as independent healthcare providers and medical malpractice insurers. In addition the nimble team has specialists who deal with inquests. Sarah White is another notable practitioner who is highly recommended for her work in the defence of clinical negligence claims. Newly promoted partner Matthew Harpin, pictured, and rising star Emma Rees are also well-regarded. Weightmans LLP is one of only four firms that has been appointed to all types of work on the NHS Resolution panel. The agile team specialises in high-value and complex cases and is also well-regarded for its work in mediation and ADR. It has many excellent practitioners, among them Deborah Bannister who frequently leads on healthcare claims matters. Tony Yeaman, an NHS Resolution nominated partner, is vastly experienced in clinical negligence and healthcare law. Jasmine Armstrong is adept at managing periodical payment claims following brain injury at birth. Navdip Wilson has particular expertise in chronic pain claims. David Tuck is a key name for his work on disease claims. Henry Bermingham is recommended for social care claims and other areas such as stress, public rights of way and highways actions as well as employers’ liability and occupiers’ liability cases. At Bevan Brittan LLP Tim Hodgetts has succeeded Joanne Easterbrook as the head of the clinical risk department. 24 The Legal 500 West Midlands

1 2 Hodgetts has acted on behalf of NHS Resolution and NHS trusts in the defence of clinical negligence cases for a long period of time – he also acts for leading insurers advising on medical malpractice cases. Adrian Dagnall, pcitured, is another prominent figure who is an NHS Resolution nominated partner and is best known for his work on high-profile indexation, periodical payment and high-value quantum cases. Dagnall is now running a quasi-group action for a client. Julie Charlton manages the complete range of clinical negligence cases including spinal and brain injury cases and has a particular expertise in cases involving the Human Rights Act and mental health. Senior associate Penelope Radcliffe is a medical law practitioner who has a particular focus on representing defendants in high-value medical cases where the claimants have sustained extensive brain or neurological damage following obstetric or neurosurgical treatment. Nicola Pegg has been promoted to the partnership. BLM’s personal injury department is outstanding and advises major national and local clients. It has an extensive range of insurer and corporate clients. The practice has a whole raft of specialisms. Its general liability unit is led by Mike Dobson and deals with employers’ liability and other health and safety claims. James Harvey heads up the corporate risk team. Paul Owston leads the public sector unit. The public sector team is adept at protecting its local authority clients against a wide range of claims which are predominantly personal injury claims. Such claims include disease claims as well as claims that arise from the negligence of social services and historical abuse claims. The occupational disease unit is led by Val Hughes and deals with areas such as asbestosrelated diseases, noise-induced hearing loss and short tail disease claims. Sarah Hill heads up its national fraud team, which is based in Birmingham, and assists clients

in achieving successful outcomes when faced with fraudulent claims. David Thompson, pictured, takes on employers’ liability, public liability and motor claims. Khalid Mahmood joined the team from Kennedys. The Birmingham office of DAC Beachcroft LLP is an integral part of a strong national offering and is one of the largest defendant personal injury offices locally with a number of excellent practitioners. The overall team is made up of nearly 375 lawyers. The main focus of the Birmingham office is around high-level multi-track and catastrophic injury work which is led by Sara May. Helen Bates leads the volume motor and credit hire work. The counter-fraud unit specialises in detecting insurance fraud and is led by Newcastle-based Catherine Burt. Other niche areas of expertise include specialist motor claims management, motor prosecutions and coverage advice. Paul Cox specialises in cases of catastrophic brain injury in children. Associate Richard Rowe is rated for his expertise on sports liability matters. Jasminka O’Hora is another name to note. O’Hora represents foreign insurers when their drivers are involved in accidents in the UK. She also advises on more complex cases where UK nationals are injured abroad and routinely advises on the quantification of damages where foreign laws have to be considered. Rhodri Richards is a highly regarded practitioner. Richard Stallard handles a catastrophic injury caseload which includes spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries arising out of motor, employer’s liability and public liability claims. DWF has an excellent full-service defendant personal injury practice that spans motor, casualty, disease and catastrophic injury in addition to public sector and abuse claims. It is part of a superb national offering. The firm also has one of the largest fraud teams in the UK. Derek Adamson and Lorraine Carolan are first-class practitioners. The catastrophic injury team is led by Charles Ashmore. The practice has various specialist teams that cover the full spectrum of catastrophic injury and large loss (including fatalities, serious brain and spinal injury, amputation and complex orthopaedic injury) in addition to fraud and financial crime. Other core areas of expertise include motor traffic accidents (both volume and high-value). The team is also skilled at advising on complex policy coverage issues particularly in relation to asbestos/ mesothelioma cases as well as breast implant litigation. It also has considerable expertise in other niche areas such as occupational deafness and workrelated upper limb disorders. Miles Hepworth is another known name and has extensive experience in counter fraud and claims validation. Hepworth regularly defends suspected fraudulent insurance claims as well as first-party fraud cases. Paul Donnelly deals with high-value and sensitive cases involving children (including child deaths), sexual abuse and chronic neglect cases. Michael Henman joined the team in February 2020. Kennedys represents global brands and major insurance companies with notable expertise in leisure industry claims and also asbestos-related litigation, catastrophic and fatal accident claims. It does a lot of volume motor claims as well as high-profile claims for insurers and corporates. Ian Davies,

pictured, is the firm’s product head of motor claims and advises some of the UK’s largest insurers. James Shrimpton leads a team that specialises in employers’ and public liability. Philippa Craven co-heads the occupational disease unit and advises an impressive array of insurer and corporate clients while Mark Walsh specialises in highvalue and catastrophic injury claims. The Birmingham clinical negligence team is led by Christopher Malla who divides his time between Birmingham and London. Recent highlights for this team include its appointment in April 2019 to NHS Resolution’s new panel – the clinical negligence scheme for general practice. Significantly the team undertakes all types of NHS Resolution claims from the Birmingham office, such as clinical negligence claims involving hospitals and general practice as well as early notification scheme claims. Keoghs LLP acts for more than two thirds of the insurance market including nine of the top ten UK general insurers. The large defendant personal injury firm is headed by Ken Young. Young has a particular interest in chronic pain cases and those cases involving amputations and brain and spinal cord injuries. The majority of his caseload is now made up of matters over £1m and his expertise in large loss matters is augmented by his experience in a diverse range of regulatory matters. Julie Park is experienced at handling multitrack, high-value motor, employers’ liability and public liability claims. Clients include a range of self-insureds, commercial companies and public sector organisations. The occupational disease team includes David Pugh who is well-regarded in this area. Howard Dean is another name to note particularly for his experience in dealing with catastrophic injury claims arising from road traffic accidents. Plexus Law handles all major personal insurance matters including large loss and policy coverage disputes as well as employers’ liability (EL), public liability (PL), casualty and motor cases. It also has significant expertise in occupational disease, fraud and public sector matters. Its client base includes insurance companies, corporates, self-insureds and local authorities. Head of team Damon Burt has a particular strength in asbestos-related matters. Burt is skilled at defending clients against HSE prosecutions for serious injuries and fatalities that are sustained as a result of exposure to asbestos. Anthony Bushell specialises in employer and public liability claims involving fatal and catastrophic injuries such as head/brain injury, severe injury/ paralysis, amputation, pain syndrome and fraudulent claims. Jacqui Kendall has particular expertise in dealing with public sector litigation such as matters under the Highways Act in addition to EL/PL claims and claims against schools.

Kang & Co Solicitors, a law firm based in Birmingham City Centre which specialises in representing clients for the full range of motoring offences, and private criminal defence representation has been supporting several local charities over the past few years.

KANG & CO SOLICITORS: SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES

We spoke with Manjinder Singh Kang who said, “supporting local good causes has always been a cornerstone of Kang & Co Solicitors, and we choose a new local charity partner each year and work towards raising funds and awareness for our chosen charity.” Over the past few years, the law firm has supported local charities which includes Birmingham Dogs Home, Acorns Children’s Hospice, W.A.S.U.P. (Walsall Against Single Use Plastics) and this year is raising support and funds for Sense a charity that aims to improve the lives of people with complex sensory disabilities like deafness, blindness and deaf blindness. Manjinder Singh Kang, director of Kang & Co Solicitors commented: “It is truly an honour to be giving our support in 2021 to such a wonderful organsation as Sense. At Kang & Co we are enthusiastic about supporting important causes that help the community. Whatever their disability, no person should feel left behind. Everyone should be given the

best chance to fulfil a happy and successful life. Sense understands this and the work they are doing to help people is absolutely terrific. We look forward to supporting Sense this year”.

PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE Mills & Reeve LLP BLM Kennedys Shakespeare Martineau LLP DWF Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Wright Hassall LLP Gateley Plc Sydney Mitchell LLP Mills & Reeve LLP has a first-class team that is known for its work in the professional indemnity insurance market. It is a large department with three full-time professional indemnity partners in Birmingham. It handles many multimillion-pound claims involving brokers, construction professionals, financial lines and loss adjusters to name but a few. The team includes Angus Turner who is highly recommended for his work on solicitors’ negligence claims. Neil Frankland is the first port of call for his work on construction and insurance brokers’ negligence claims. David Gooding’s expertise spans claims against accountants and independent financial advisers in addition to more general coverage issues. BLM continues to be instructed by a wide range of insurers and corporates

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to deal with high-value and complex claims. The practice represents professionals of all disciplines and is recognised for its expertise in professional indemnity litigation. In 2019/20 the group noticed an increase in claims against accountants and tax advisers arising out of tax mitigation schemes and disguised remuneration schemes. It has also been busy advising on claims about mortgage advice. Julian Smart, pictured, heads the department. Smart has particular expertise in cases involving fraud and the recovery of misappropriated funds on behalf of

For more information please contact Manjinder Singh Khan on 0345 222 9955

clients. He is recommended for his considerable expertise in freezing and tracing assets. Lucy Tolond specialises in handling professional indemnity and financial claims and is instructed by professional indemnity insurers and directly by financial services institutions. Alison Siniver is also highly regarded. Kennedys has a substantial presence in the defendant professional indemnity market in the region and beyond. Eamon Mooney, pictured, heads the team and is very wellregarded for his work on claims against construction professionals and claims against accountants. Patric Rouendaal is another prominent member of the team who has a particular focus on claims against solicitors. The practice has expanded significantly at partner level. Paul Chaplin joined the team from DWF. Chaplin has many years of experience in advising insurers on policy-related matters and in the defence of claims against a wide range of their professional insureds including solicitors, accountants and brokers. Steve Oates who also joined the team from DWF concentrates primarily on defending claims against lawyers, construction professionals and brokers. Oates also defends expert witnesses, directors and officers on many liability claims. Shakespeare Martineau LLP is currently acting for claimants in numerous professional negligence cases, many of which are funded using conditional fee arrangements.

These claims range in value from tens of thousands of pounds to millions of pounds. The types of defendant include solicitors, accountants and barristers as well as independent financial advisers and pension trustees. Mark Beesley heads the team and is an established and well-regarded name in the Midlands. Beesley has a wealth of experience in dealing with complex professional negligence claims primarily for the claimant but he has also defended some claims. Michael Young is currently leading the firm’s efforts in building new lower value claim instructions via the Lime brand for volume and consumer business. DWF has a growing reputation in substantial accountancy negligence claims allied with its strong historic expertise in claims against construction professionals and professionals in public authorities. With Derek Adamson at the helm the team continues to build excellent relationships with some of the UK’s leading insurers and its impressive client base includes major insurers and insurance brokers. It has niche expertise in cases where professional negligence overlaps into other practice areas such as criminal law and health and safety. Paul Donnelly handles a wide range of personal injury claims including historic abuse claims for social services departments. Paul Chaplin and Steve Oates are now at Kennedys. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP works as one team across Birmingham and Nottingham and handles a substantial portfolio of professional negligence claims. The team is led by Chris Busby with the support of Nottingham-based Sarah Langham and Birmingham-based Neville Gray, The Legal 500 West Midlands 25

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CHARITIES AND NOT FOR PROFIT Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Mills & Reeve LLP VWV

pictured. It advises on claims for major banks covering both residential and commercial lending. In addition the group is adept at acting for pension trustees and major corporates on pensions-related professional negligence claims against actuarial firms and solicitors. Sarah Perry, pictured, and Gemma Carson head the large claimant professional negligence department at Wright Hassall LLP. The versatile team acts for major UK lenders in the recovery of losses by way of claims against negligent solicitors and valuers in the aftermath of mortgage frauds primarily. It also advises on negligent actions arising out of advice on wills, trusts and tax planning. Other areas of expertise lie in the financial sector and it routinely advises clients over failed EBT and other disguised remuneration planning schemes. The practice additionally advises on negligent actions in property transactions. Clients include blue-chip national and multinational companies.

Gateley Plc has an excellent practice that works solely with claimants. Over the years it has acted for clients with claims against a wide range of professionals, from solicitors to insolvency practitioners and quantity surveyors. Stephen Goodrham is a key contact and he also heads the commercial dispute resolution department. Mark Wilson frequently advises on complex fraud-related litigation such as claims for dishonest assistance, conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty. Peter Davies is a partner in the construction department and works on claims against various construction professionals such as architects, project managers and geotechnical/geo-environmental engineers. Sydney Mitchell LLP continues to act on a number of high-quality professional negligence cases ranging from individuals who have personally suffered from professional negligence to commercial organisations that were wrongly advised by valuers on property transactions. Kamal Majevadia is a key member of the team. Associate Sundeep Bilkhu is another important contact. Bilkhu primarily acts for various leading lenders and individuals in bringing claims against surveyors, accountants and architects. 26 The Legal 500 West Midlands

Higgs & Sons Lodders Solicitors LLP Shakespeare Martineau LLP Thursfields Solicitors Band Hatton Button LLP Browne Jacobson LLP Pinsent Masons LLP Wright Hassall LLP

The charities team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is particularly known for its faith-based charities work as well as its national and international charity work with a key focus on social care charities. It has also developed substantial expertise in assisting with the financing of charities through advising on grants, social investment and secured lending structures and now acts for a considerable number of ethical lending banks. The firm has also expanded its work with the Charity Commission. John Wearing, pictured, was appointed to the Charity Commission's list of approved interim managers, joining Phil Watts, Edwina Turner and Sarah Tomlinson (all of whom were appointed as interim managers by the Charity Commission previously). Dominic Curran heads the large team that also includes Anna Dabek, who advises charities on a wide range of complex employment law issues. Mills & Reeve LLP has a strong national offering that supports charities at every stage of their journey, from establishment through to support on complex HR issues and the protection of intellectual property and data. It has developed considerable strength in various sectors such as health, sport and religious charities as well as education and research organisations and livery companies. Other strengths include advising on philanthropy and legacy issues. Nationally it has a number of dedicated lawyers who work exclusively for charities and social enterprises, with Cambridgebased Neil Burton at the helm. Locally associate Adam Williams leads the charities practice and also supports charities outside the Midlands including a number of universities and colleges. Williams is recommended for his charity governance/regulatory advice in particular. Lucy Howard is a known name for her work on contested legacies, advising charities on the validity of their will provisions and acting on their behalf when claims are pursued under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

1 2 3 VWV fields a large team of sector specialist lawyers who advise more than 1,000 charities of all types and sizes including some leading national charities. It also acts for a substantial number of charitable independent schools and has a thriving academies practice in addition to a specialism in further and higher education. Head of team Shivaji Shiva, pictures, continues to deal with complex charity proceedings involving diverse faith communities and the team has won a number of significant instructions

recently from major Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian charities. Shiva has been busy across the region and nationally working with federated charities as well as charities promoting sport and physical activity. The team advises the wider charity sector too with a particular specialism in advising healthcare, arts and educational charities. It is also recommended for its work at advising public sector bodies such as local authorities on charity law and charity trusteeship. Jaime Hobday is another key member of the charities team. Hobday is a senior associate who has a particular focus on the education sector working for maintained schools and academies. Higgs & Sons continues to act for many established charitable and notfor-profit organisations specialising in advising faith organisations and nondenominational religious organisations. The skilled team is also sought after by educational charities, sports bodies as well as arts and heritage charities. Philanthropy continues to be a large part of its work and it advises private and corporate clients on how best to structure their charitable giving whether through the use of private

charitable foundations, corporate foundations or legacy giving. Under the leadership of Kirsty McEwen the practice advises on a broad array of matters from the formation and registration of charitable and non-forprofit entities through to constitutional advice and the dissolution and winding up of these entities. Associate Ellie Williams is another name to note. Lodders Solicitors LLP acts for numerous high-profile regional charities as well as more discreet charitable trusts. It also advises breed societies and ancient foundations. In addition to advising on general charity law matters the department is known for its work on governance and constitutional matters. It is also adept at handling complex restructuring and reorganisations of these bodies. The team is skilled too at helping its charity clients on setting up companies. Head of department Mark Lewis has helped in the conversion of charitable companies and community interest companies to charitable incorporated organisations. Lewis also has specific expertise in ecclesiastical, agricultural, equine and engineering charities as well as membership bodies and breed societies. Steven Baker is another prominent member of the team and assists numerous regional and educational charities with their property portfolios. The charities and not-for-profit team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP is best known for its wideranging work in the social housing and education sectors. The team acts for a number of noteworthy educational charitable bodies. It is also adept at advising charities on legacies as well as on corporate and governance issues. Leicester-based Andrew Wilkinson heads the team. Anne Tromans heads the private client team and acts for a number of charities advising both on their initial establishment and on their ongoing administration. In addition Tromans regularly acts as a professional trustee and provides advice to lay trustees on their reporting obligations and their trustee duties. Rachel Gwynne leads the social housing team and routinely advises social housing clients on various charity law matters. Thursfields Solicitors advises on a broad spectrum of issues from the establishment of new charities to mergers, property trusts and governance. The group has also been busy advising on various aspects of charity regulation. It frequently advises too on legacy disputes and other issues such as commercial property and employment matters. The practice has established a full-service retainer with a number of charities and not-for-profit organisations in the West Midlands and during the last year has expanded its reach to include charities working in other parts of the country from the West of England to Montgomeryshire. Head of team is the experienced Jenny Smith, pictured.

Katherine Ellis is another name to note who has particular expertise in legacy administration and management. Band Hatton Button LLP’s client base covers charities of a wide range of sizes and structures and the team advises these charities on the full array of legal issues. The group primarily advises charities in the education and training sector as well as those in the arts, culture and religious sectors. The practice regularly advises on constitutional, governance and compliance issues as well as on the formation and incorporation of charities. Several of the firm’s partners are governors at local educational establishments. Led by Haydn Jones the group draws on the firm's cross-practice expertise in dealing with employment, property and other contentious matters for its clients. Daniel Blood is another name to note and assists a number of charities and family trusts with their property portfolios. Browne Jacobson LLP covers the full range of matters. Recently it has increasingly been focusing on governance issues and on the establishment of family and corporate foundations. The team operates nationally with Catherine Rustomji, pictured, at the helm. Rustomji advises charities, not-forprofit organisations, social enterprises, charity trustees and individuals wishing to establish charities. She operates across the health, education, arts, public and private sectors. Rustomji advises organisations, community groups, schools, colleges, churches, welfare and professional associations. Clare Auty has specialist knowledge of trading charities in the health and social care sector. Pinsent Masons LLP has a particular specialism in advising on charity law for universities. It advises across the full range of charity and associated tax issues such as governance and gift acceptance. Other key clients include major insurance companies seeking to enter into ‘affinity’ or similar arrangements with charities and local councils that require advice on the establishment and management of charities. The team has also been busy advising on the establishment of corporate foundations for its commercial clients. Chris Thomas heads the team and has built up a substantial amount of sectoral knowledge in the education sector in particular. Wright Hassall LLP advises charities and not-for-profit clients on various matters such as constitutional, commercial, regulatory and contractual issues. It is also recommended for its work on the creation of charitable trusts and legacy disputes. Consultant Keith Ainsworth is a key contact and has a particular focus on corporate and governance issues. Ainsworth is also adept at advising on charity finance and on dealings with the Charity Commission.

CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS AND PROBATE FBC Manby Bowdler LLP MFG Solicitors LLP Sydney Mitchell LLP Wright Hassall LLP Freeths LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs & Sons Lanyon Bowdler Mills & Reeve LLP The Wilkes Partnership Thomas Horton LLP Thursfields Solicitors FBC Manby Bowdler LLP fields a highly specialised team that deals with disputed probate and trust work. The agile team does a lot of complex, high-value and multi-jurisdictional work and also has experience of Court of Appeal proceedings. Its work ranges from challenges to wills, rectification claims, breach of trust actions through to emergency injunction applications. It advises beneficiaries and personal representatives on all contentious issues that arise in the administration of a trust or an estate. However, the former head of the team Craig Ridge left the firm in November 2019 and moved to Higgs & Sons. The team at MFG Solicitors LLP is led by Robert Weston. It is best known for its specialism in dealing with contentious probate matters for both claimants and defendants. Areas of expertise include advising on caveats, searches, warnings and appearances as well as applications for the removal of a personal representative, maladministration and promissory estoppel claims. The team is adept at advising on all aspects of a claim relating to the validity of a will, whether that is on the basis of lack of testamentary capacity or other areas such as undue influence or duress. Weston continues to receive substantial referrals from counsel and other solicitors. Sydney Mitchell LLP has a thriving contentious probate department with Kamal Majevadia at the helm. It continues to receive referrals from the firm’s busy private client departments as well as returning clients. It also receives a steady flow of referrals from other law firms. The team has noticed an increase in the number of estates where there are disputes relating to the ownership of private companies. It has also witnessed a surge in the number of potential negligence claims arising from advice given by other firms. The team continues to act on a significant number of TOLATA cases and is acting in several cases dealing with the distribution of trust assets when relationships have broken down. Majevadia routinely advises on estates that have cross-border elements and where there is a dispute over commercial matters and company shares. Wright Hassall LLP has four ACTAPS members and three associate members – one of whom is also STEP qualified. As a result the large team has considerable strength and depth in

1 2 3 contentious trust and probate matters. Head of team Martin Oliver specialises in inheritance disputes and has acted in many high-profile matters. Oliver is also a solicitor advocate (all higher courts) and is skilled at assisting families where the deceased lacked mental capacity to make a will, or was subject to undue influence. Other areas of expertise include his advice on applications to substitute or remove executors as well as claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Mark Keeley is the lead partner at Freeths LLP. The skilled team frequently advises on high-value contentious trust and probate matters including will challenges, removal applications, financial abuse claims and claims under the Inheritance Act. The team’s reputation for acting as replacement trustees/administrators/ deputies has continued to grow and it has also noticed increased work from the agriculture sector as it continues to advise wealthy farming clients on numerous disputes involving farming estates. It has also seen an increase in instructions with an international dimension. Harrison Clark Rickerbys is increasingly a known name for its work with high-net-worth individuals throughout the region. It is adept at advising on complex family trust disputes, Inheritance Act claims and the removal of executors. Practice head Beth King-Smith is recommended for her work on contentious trust and probate matters and associate Helen Cain is also well-regarded for her focus on disputed wills, trusts and estates. Senior associate Caroline Cowley joined the team from Lodders Solicitors LLP in January 2020. Cowley has particular experience of bringing and defending claims on behalf of charities and on charity legacy disputes as well as advising on disappointed beneficiary claims and Variation of Trusts Act matters. In December 2019 Higgs & Sons recruited Craig Ridge as its new head of department from FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. The contentious team is known for its knowledge of estates and complex trust structures and for its complex multi-jurisdictional experience advising on trust and estate disputes involving partnerships, company structures and agricultural holdings. It frequently advises independent personal representatives on the administration

of complicated and high-value litigious estates. Ridge has vast experience of acting for charities, individual beneficiaries, executors and trustees as well as people who have prospective claims on an estate or a trust. Lanyon Bowdler has been active in advising on a broad range of claims. Recently it has acted for claimants, defendants and executors/ administrators on a myriad of claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The team has been increasingly active in advising on claims for reasonable financial provision by disappointed beneficiaries. Mills & Reeve LLP has a strong national private client offering with a specialist contentious trusts and probate team. Most of the team are members of, or working towards becoming members of, ACTAPS. Under the direction of Lucy Howard the practice deals with disputes about the validity of wills, actions involving trustees and executors, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 as well as Court of Protection matters and related claims over lifetime transactions. The agile team also acts for a number of charities on contested legacy matters. In addition it works closely with its professional indemnity department on various complex professional indemnity matters with a trust/probate component. Clients include high-net-worth individuals, various substantial charities and institutions such as trust companies, universities and hospital trusts as well as insurance companies and professional trustees. The Wilkes Partnership has particular expertise in the resolution of contentious probate disputes. Some of the recent disputes it has worked on have been litigated in the Chancery Division of the High Court. Typical types of cases it has dealt with recently include bringing and defending an application for reasonable provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Other claims include acting in cases against personal representatives for their removal or substitution. Kevin Lynch is the key lawyer and is a full member of ACTAPS. Senior associate James Sommerville at Thomas Horton LLP has considerable experience in contentious probate matters and is also a member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists. Sommerville is ably supported by associate Sara Atkinson. Thursfields Solicitors has increasingly been focusing on high-value and complex trusts and estate disputes and advises on the full range of contested estate matters. The team that is overseen by director Shane Miller is based primarily in its Kidderminster and Halesowen offices and advises on Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims. It is also skilled at advising on challenges to the validity of wills, applications over the construction of a will and disputes where a will has been lost. Other areas of expertise include advising on executor/trustee disputes and professional negligence actions on behalf of disappointed beneficiaries, in addition to rectification of wills and other estoppel claims. The Legal 500 West Midlands 27

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PERSONAL TAX, TRUST AND PROBATE Lodders Solicitors LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Shakespeare Martineau LLP Wright Hassall LLP Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP DWF Gateley Plc Higgs & Sons Lanyon Bowdler Sydney Mitchell LLP Aaron & Partners LLP Band Hatton Button LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Mander Hadley Solicitors MFG Solicitors LLP Alsters Kelley LLP Ansons Brethertons LLP Clarke Willmott LLP George Green LLP GHP Legal Pickerings Solicitors Pinsent Masons LLP Talbot & Co The Wilkes Partnership Thursfields Solicitors VWV Head of team at Lodders Solicitors LLP Louise Igoe, along with Stephen Brig - , Martin Green, John Rouse and Ian Flavell, takes on a wide range of estate and tax planning issues. The excellent team advises on diverse issues such as the tax-efficient structuring of businesses and landholdings, the use of partnerships and other vehicles for wealth structuring and tax planning as well as the mitigation of inheritance tax and capital gains tax. The team has extensive experience of advising on eligibility for agricultural and business relief and frequently works with the agricultural department to help its farming and landed estate clients. Igoe has particular expertise in advising on the creation of family investment companies and trusts. Mills & Reeve LLP excels at advising business owners, particularly family businesses and wealthy individuals, as well as families and landed estate clients on the full range of estate planning and wealth structuring matters. The team has witnessed a significant increase in its work on the creation of family investment companies and on international estate planning and wealth structuring advice for families with properties and businesses abroad. Matthew Hansell is highly respected and acts for three individuals in the top ten of the Midlands Rich List. John Grundy acts for a raft of high-net-worth individuals and families in the Midlands, the UK and internationally. Consultant Gary Barber and principal associate Sarah Wood are key contacts. Shakespeare Martineau LLP’s dedicated team has four full STEP members. It advises on a broad spectrum of wealth, tax and succession planning matters for families, landed estates, 28 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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entrepreneurs and business owners. Key clients include ultra-high-net-worth individuals including some national lottery winners and landed aristocrats as well as entrepreneurs and senior business leaders. All partners regularly act as professional trustees, executors and administrators and are skilled at elderly client advice, frequently advising on capacity issues, powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. The firm also acts as registrar for the Diocese of Birmingham. Anne Tromans is the group chair and Lesley Davis is another wellknown member of the team. Wright Hassall LLP acts for highnet-worth individuals and families on complex tax and succession planning matters and frequently works alongside its tax litigation and contentious probate teams to assist clients. The group advises business owners and private companies and has particular expertise also in the rural sector acting for land owners, farmers and landed estates as well as agribusinesses. Eamonn Daly has been developing the firm’s family investment company and personal investment company offerings. The practice has a dedicated administration team too that specialises in high-value estates and also has a team that specialises in Court of Protection matters by assisting those who lack mental capacity. Susan Floyd, pictured, heads the excellent team that also includes Martin Oliver, who is a solicitoradvocate (all higher courts) specialising in inheritance disputes, and Jennifer

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is best known for its work in a number of key areas including estate and capital tax planning for medium to high-net-worth families. It is also recommended for its work with vulnerable adults and on compensation protection trusts. Other strengths include statutory wills and Court of Protection work covering both finances and welfare. The team under the leadership of Donna Holmes has significant experience of acting as independent trustee for trusts up to £18m in addition to acting as independent executor and deputy where family relationships have broken down. Lisa Whitehouse, pictured, receives a lot of plaudits. The team frequently assists the firm’s wider corporate, housing and third-sector client base and regularly advises charities on their legacy income generation, trust entitlements, powers and duties. DWF does the full gamut of private client work with a particular focus on supporting business owners and entrepreneurs as well as high-networth families that have assets in the UK or overseas. The team deals with capital tax planning, the preparation of wills, trust deeds and lasting powers of attorney. It is also skilled at advising on estate and trust administration as well as complex tax planning vehicles such as family investment companies, limited partnerships and family offices for its wide and varied client base. The group regularly deals with complex probate matters involving business and agricultural assets or where assets are based in other countries. Jon Gould heads the department. Roger Williams has considerable experience in preparing wills and lifetime trusts as well as in estate administration. In addition Williams is skilled at advising on Court of Protection matters and powers of attorney. Catriona Attride at Gateley Plc is the national head of private wealth and the partner heading up the Birmingham team. Its clients are generally HNW and UHNW individuals. The team has a diverse skill set advising on pre-sale business strategies using lifetime trusts as well as advising on family investment companies. Other fields of expertise include providing multi-generational advice to clients by way of wills and lifetime trusts and administering complex UK-based and multi-jurisdictional estates. The team also acts as professional deputy on a significant number of complex and high-value cases. Higgs & Sons is recommended for its advice to individuals and families on the various methods that can be used to preserve their personal and corporate wealth. The practice acts for a sizeable number of family businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals with business assets and works closely with its corporate department to assist on tax and estate planning matters for ownermanaged businesses, directors and shareholders. Lucy Obrey is the head of private client. Nick Moxon is another

key figure along with Peter Gosling who is also knowledgeable about rural issues. Gosling is a member of STEP and the Law Society Private Client Section. Lanyon Bowdler has extensive experience of advising on trusts, estate planning and administration as well as on powers of attorney, tax planning and contentious probate matters. The practice now has a dedicated trusts team that deals exclusively with trusts matters. Edward Rees is the main contact for this type of work. Overall Ludlow-based Giles Scott is at the helm. Scott, who is a member of STEP, concentrates on trusts, wills, inheritance tax planning and the administration of high-value estates. He is also adept at advising on powers of attorney and frequently acts as a professional deputy and trustee. Associate solicitor Neil Davies is another important member of the practice and heads up its Court of Protection department. Sydney Mitchell LLP has a wealth of experience in a wide range of private client matters from wills/estate planning through to deputyship applications to the Court of Protection. It is also skilled at advising on powers of attorney and on elderly client matters. The department offers specialist advice on NHS continuing healthcare issues and on care placement and care funding. Head of department Tracy Creed is well-regarded. Creed deals with probate, trusts and estate planning matters and specialises in elderly care work. Lynda Richards at Aaron & Partners LLP is known for her expertise in dealing with taxable estate issues and capital tax planning and is also a full member of STEP. Richards advises business owners, landowners and high-net-worth individuals on organising their estates to minimise exposure to inheritance tax. The team is well-regarded for its work in a number of particular areas including drafting complex wills and advising on the establishment and administration of family trusts. It also advises on various charitable trusts and acts on behalf of farmers and landowners. The practice is especially skilled at advising rural families on succession planning and business planning.

matters and represents elderly and vulnerable clients who lack capacity. Linda Jones is the head of department. Sarah Horton who is a member of STEP is another key contact and joined the team from another firm. Horton advises on all issues from estate administration and distribution through to intestacy administration and drafting lasting powers of attorneys. Clarke Willmott LLP is best known for its advice to ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients on their tax and estate planning matters. Erica Burt-Moore is the primary partner in Birmingham who specialises in complex estate planning for business owners and entrepreneurs. Burt-Moore is also well-regarded for her work on trusts, probate and elderly care matters as well as for her Court of Protection work – in addition she is a member of STEP. The team receives a steady workflow through financial advisers, wealth managers, stockbrokers, existing and previous clients as well as accountants and other solicitors.

Band Hatton Button LLP advises on all aspects of wealth protection and inheritance planning for individuals and families. It has a strong reputation for advising on wills, estate planning and wealth protection as well as powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. Michelle Gavin is at the helm. Other strengths include advising on the administration of estates, the creation of trusts as well as post-death tax planning. Members of the team are often asked to act as attorneys and deputies as well as executors of estates. There are three full STEP members in the team in addition to one associate member. Harrison Clark Rickerbys works on an impressive number of private wealth matters in the region, nationally and internationally. It represents high-networth individuals, families and estates across Hereford, Worcester and beyond. Co-head of the practice Dawn Oliver is also increasingly advising on the use of private family charitable trusts to mitigate inheritance tax. Shirley Rabbetts has a niche practice in advising farmers on a broad range of inheritance issues and co-head Beth King-Smith, pictured, is recommended for her strength on contentious trusts and probate matters. Senior associate Annabelle Kay joined the team in November 2019 from Higgs & Sons and is skilled at working with people who have mental or physical disabilities, have lost mental capacity, or have suffered catastrophic injuries or brain injuries. Mander Hadley Solicitors continues to be busy and has been attracting increasingly complex and high-value work. Through its offices in Coventry and Kenilworth it has been advising affluent clients with particular expertise in the area of older client law. The team has been active in advising on lasting powers of attorney and acting as deputies appointed by the Court of Protection. Under the leadership of David Murcott Webb, it has particular strength in issues surrounding

mental capacity, estate planning and inheritance tax as well as continuing healthcare assessments. MFG Solicitors LLP offers a full private client service and also has a specialist care and Court of Protection team. Kidderminster-based Valerie Robinson focuses on the administration of highvalue and complex estates. Gary Priest who is also based in Kidderminster has a particular focus on farming and landed estate clients but has been increasingly working with commercial clients. Peter Stephens who is based in Ludlow has a varied caseload of estate administration and routinely advises on preparing wills and on lasting powers of attorney. Senior associate Amanda Piper heads the care team. Neil Raiseborough heads the private client team at Alsters Kelley LLP. The department is strongly represented throughout its four offices and provides tax planning advice and complex will drafting advice to clients as well as routinely advising clients on the creation of trusts. Raiseborough deals with complicated wills, estate and tax planning matters for primarily wealthy individuals. He regularly advises clients on protective trusts and drafts wills and settlements particularly for clients who have children with learning or physical disabilities. He also acts as a deputy and attorney for numerous long-standing clients and is increasingly advising on personal injury settlement award trusts. Ansons is well-regarded for its work on agricultural estates and complex probate matters for farmers. The team has considerable experience in the full array of private client matters such as estate administration, inheritance tax mitigation and will drafting. Adam Penn is a key contact who regularly deals with deputyship applications for those lacking capacity to conduct their own personal affairs, including contested deputyship applications. Brethertons LLP routinely advises on high-value estates where there are complex cross-border issues as well as advising on other areas such as business and agricultural property relief. It also advises on complex Court of Protection

Claire Pottinger, pictured, heads the team at George Green LLP. Pottinger regularly works with accountants and wealth advisers to help local businesspeople. Pottinger is a full member of STEP and is a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend. The team often works on a range of cases including the administration of estates, wills, powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. It also advises on the setting up and administration of trusts and on lasting powers of attorney. Operating from its four offices, GHP Legal has expertise across the board from drafting simple wills and lasting powers of attorney through to tax planning, complex estate administration and Court of Protection matters. It has extensive experience of advising high-net-worth individuals and often represents several generations of families in implementing tax-efficient financial arrangements. The department also undertakes a significant amount of public authority work assisting clients in receipt of legal aid. Victoria Wilson who is based at the Oswestry office specialises in noncontentious probate work, trusts and advising on the provision of long-term care costs. Two of the solicitors at Pickerings Solicitors are full members of STEP. Two of its members are also members of the Solicitors for the Elderly and it has a Dementia Friend in the team too. Members of the team include Lucy Cooling and Emma Harrison who are frequently entrusted by clients to act as executors, trustees, attorneys and deputies. Harrison leads the private client team and her expertise covers wills, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications as well as other matters including trust and probate administration (both testate and intestate). Pinsent Masons LLP concentrates on trusts in a commercial context. It acts for insurance companies, banks, pension providers and government agencies on all types of trusts that are used in commercial transactions including funeral trusts and insolvency customer monies

trusts. The group also has some strength in tax-specific trusts that are linked to employment and reward schemes. Legal director Chris Thomas is a primary contact. Talbot & Co has acted for generations of families on the full array of matters. Work has included advising on ongoing trust and administration and on personal tax matters such as tax planning and general wealth management. The firm’s client base is local and national. The practice has a particular following in London and the Home Counties as well. Tom Bramall heads the team. Bramall is adept at advising on complex taxation and trust issues, both contentious and non-contentious, as well as more general wills and probate matters. Based out of its offices in Birmingham and Solihull The Wilkes Partnership advises clients across the West Midlands and further afield. Andrew Hasnip has an established reputation for his work on trusts, complex inheritance tax planning and estate work. Ellie Holland leads the Solihull team and has a similar focus on succession planning for business owners. Ann-Marie Aston heads the Court of Protection offering and frequently acts as a professional deputy and attorney. The team advises on all areas of wills and estate administration as well as trust creation and administration, with a particular strength in community care work. The Birmingham-based contested probate and litigation teams also carry out NHS continuing healthcare appeals. Consultant Philip Harrison joined the team from another firm. Thursfields Solicitors has a large private client offering that acts for a number of farming clients, business owners and entrepreneurs as well as high-net-worth individuals. Michelle Hetheridge specialises in succession planning for wealthy clients and business owners and deals with complex estates that often have offshore assets and complicated business ownership issues. Laura Banks advises on a myriad of complicated issues too and frequently helps business owners. Ruth Baker and Sharon Oakley are also key members of the team. Patricia Venables is currently an appointed deputy for over 30 deputyship orders. Venables advises on estate administration and planning and has extensive experience of administering clients’ financial affairs in her capacity as a panel deputy. In Birmingham Rachael Armstrong leads the team at VWV and is recommended for her estates and trusts experience. Armstrong routinely advises high-networth entrepreneurs and business owners as well as musicians and farmers on complex tax structures and reliefs. She also has a number of corporate director clients who she advises in conjunction with the corporate team to ensure that shares and company assets are gifted correctly in wills. In addition she is adept at advising these clients on how to qualify for business property relief. The team covers the full array of private client matters from preparing wills and powers of attorney to advising on matters where there are cross-border assets and declarations of trusts. It is also skilled at advising on philanthropy and Court of Protection issues. Senior associate Jennifer Morries is also recommended. The Legal 500 West Midlands 29

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PENSIONS Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Gowling WLG Pinsent Masons LLP Squire Patton Boggs Gateley Plc Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has one of the largest pensions teams in the Midlands. The practice advises the trustees of many of the Midlands’ most prominent pension schemes as well as many local employers on their pension obligations. The firstrate team also advises a number of Midlands-based LGPS pension funds in addition to many well-known clients that are based further afield. Names to note include Liz Fallon who is responsible for the pensions team internationally. Gary Delderfield heads the national public sector pensions offering and Emma King leads the Midlands pensions team. Sarah Franklin is adept at advising trustees and scheme sponsors on all aspects of their occupational pension schemes. Principal associate Gavin Paul has significant experience of advising trustees and sponsoring employers operating in the private sector on the full range of pension issues. The pensions team at Gowling WLG is a heavyweight team with almost 50 pensions lawyers. It has an excellent client list acting for numerous household names and pension schemes with billions of pounds worth of assets. Richard Black is recommended for his advice to trustees of some of the largest schemes in the UK and Richard Lee focuses on pension scheme changes, auto-enrolment as well as defined contribution schemes. Paul Carberry is another key figure and heads up the team’s public sector pensions unit. Elizabeth Gane advises trustees on complex funding issues and mergers. There have been some changes to the team as Christopher Stiles and Joanne Tibbott were promoted to the partnership in May 2019. Glyn Ryland is now a director of The Trustee Corporation Ltd at Squire Patton Boggs. Jason Coates is the new head of the team. Pinsent Masons LLP has a full-service offering advising master trusts, DB/ DC occupational pension schemes, life companies and pension providers. The group’s work spans corporate advisory and public sector matters, advising a range of employers across different sectors with particular expertise in the

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AMT and higher education sectors. Simon Laight leads the national insured pensions practice, specialising in pension products for insurers and other providers, with considerable skill in master trusts, platforms and other areas such as decumulation products. Aside from advising trustees and corporate sponsors, Nick Stones is known for helping organisations in the public and education sectors in particular. Squire Patton Boggs has a strong team nationally and internationally that specialises in pensions, benefits and investment matters. The group has an excellent public sector pensions offering and Victoria Jeacock is well-regarded for her work in this area. Matthew Giles is a highly experienced practitioner who heads the team locally. Helen Miles leads on pension trustee and corporate advisory matters for a broad range of significant clients. In addition the practice has a large number of not-for-profit clients. It also acts for many well-known names in the automotive, manufacturing, chemical and engineering sectors and other industries such as financial services and healthcare. The team recently added Glyn Ryland from Gowling WLG and Vivien Cockerill to its ranks as directors of The Trustee Corporation Ltd. Kate Bailey has been promoted to director. Other key members of the team include London-based Clifford Sims, who is the national head of the group, and Philip Sutton, who is also recommended. Over the last year Gateley Plc has advised on a wide range of pensions issues including buy-outs, scheme closures and consolidation of scheme documents as well as scheme funding issues. The group has also been busy advising on flexible apportionment arrangements and pensions issues on corporate transactions as well as on a successful rectification claim. Its client base continues to grow and includes a wide range of local, national and international clients across several sectors such as industrial engineering, pharmaceuticals and financial services. Practice head Michael Collins is prominent in the market. Kate Lloyd advises both trustees and sponsoring employers on a multitude of areas such

as scheme mergers and acquisitions, the GDPR and member issues as well as on the setting up of new forms of contingent assets. Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has particular expertise in the public sector and routinely advises on local government, firefighters, teachers and national health pension schemes. The team’s expertise also extends to social housing pension schemes and universities superannuation schemes. The practice is well-equipped to advise on the full spectrum of public sector and quasi-public sector schemes. Other strengths include helping charities in the management of their pensions when there is a restructuring of their operations. Douglas Mullen leads the pensions work in the department and is renowned for his expertise in the social housing and local government sectors.

Matthew Gregson is also well-regarded. Mills & Reeve LLP has a national reach and considerable experience in a number of key sectors such as automotive and agribusiness. It has particular expertise in the charities/not-for-profit and education sectors. The practice is also recognised for its work on public sector pension schemes such as the LGPS, TPS, CSPS and NHSPS. The team under the leadership of Clare Grice is adept at advising on outsourcing matters for public sector bodies and local authorities as well as on the management of LGPS liabilities. The team has recently won a number of significant new instructions and in the past year has also been active in advising several NHS trusts on various tax issues for NHS staff, including annual and lifetime allowances.

CLOCKWISE: Emma King, Eversheds Sutherland, Nick Stones, Pinsent Masons, Gary Delderfield , Eversheds Sutherland, Victoria Jeacock, Squire Patton Boggs, Douglas Mullen, Anthony Collins Solicitors.

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FAMILY: BIRMINGHAM Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP Irwin Mitchell Lodders Solicitors LLP Mills & Reeve LLP Benussi & Co Limited Clarke Willmott LLP Duncan Lewis Solicitors Harrison Clark Rickerbys Shakespeare Martineau LLP Shoosmiths LLP Sydney Mitchell LLP The Wilkes Partnership Weightmans LLP The first-rate family team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP focuses on providing matrimonial advice to professionals and business owners. It also represents children and family members in complex care and private law proceedings. In public law/care proceedings it represents all the parties including the Official Solicitor and it has seven lawyers who are on the Law Society’s Children Panel. The group has a growing mediation offering with two mediators who are accredited by the Family Mediation Council. The team has key specialisms in a broad range of matters including surrogacy, human fertilisation and Embryology Act cases as well as other areas such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage cases. It also provides adoption advice and help to foster carers. Elizabeth Wyatt and Jas Tamber, pictured, lead the team along with newly promoted partner Christopher Lloyd-Smith. Irwin Mitchell has a large family law team that continues to attract numerous cases away from London. The team is regularly instructed in High Court matters in excess of £10m and is particularly recommended for its work on wealth protection, with a particular focus on the Asian market as well as clients in the sports arena. Other strengths lie in its children and modern families work. Head of department Clare Wiseman, pictured, specialises in dealing with international clients, often with a celebrity status. Sarah Balfour has significant experience of assisting clients who have suffered personal injury or clinical negligence injuries with divorce proceedings and prenuptial agreements. Zahra Pabani joined the team from Shakespeare Martineau LLP. Pabani has a particular specialism in dealing with the financial aspects on marriage and relationship breakdown for wealthy individuals. Mark Hands has been promoted to the partnership. Beverley Morris, pictured, heads the team at Lodders Solicitors LLP and has a particular strength in financial remedy work. Morris works for a wide range of clients from entrepreneurs to professionals, sole proprietors

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and sportsmen/ sportswomen. The team is best known for its high-end financial work and is skilled at advising on issues involving offshore trusts and private limited companies. It excels at advising on preand post-nuptial agreements and on asset protection. Other strengths include advising on cases involving farming issues and matters where the tracing of assets is a significant component of the case. Mills & Reeve LLP has a superb family and children team that has experience of dealing with all aspects of family law issues. The practice is adept at handling high-value and complex litigation and also comprises various collaborative lawyers, mediators, arbitrators and a parental coordinator. Other areas of expertise under the leadership of the highly recommended Marc Saunderson include advising on cases where there are international pension funds or complex business and trust structures. The firm has also been strengthening its offering in other specialist areas such as fertility and surrogacy law and has developed a dedicated practice advising unmarried couples. In conjunction with its private client colleagues, it has substantial expertise in advising and setting up family investment companies and family constitutions. Benussi & Co Limited typically acts in cases involving net assets of between £3m-£30m and has extensive experience of cases involving substantially higher assets. Diane Benussi has a formidable reputation for her work on UHNW financial issues that arise on relationship breakdown. Helen Jane Arnold also specialises in UHNW cases where there are business structures, trusts or a variation of post-nuptial settlements. In addition Arnold is a trained mediator and a collaborative lawyer. Helen Benussi is another key member of the team. Denise McKenna, pictured, specialises in international family law matters and those cases with complex business interests.

Clarke Willmott LLP is recommended for its work on complex financial remedy matters with particular expertise in dealing with family businesses. It advises on unmarried family disputes and all aspects of financial settlements on divorce, as well as divorce and separation planning by way of pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The team is also increasingly respected for its strength in complex private law children matters that involve elements of parental alienation and complex relocation issues. Rayner Grice oversees the team that advises clients from a variety of backgrounds including sports personalities, family businesses as well as local professionals, academics and homemakers. Associate Caroline Young is also well-regarded. Duncan Lewis Solicitors has a number of key specialisms such as representing clients who are facing emergency situations, whether that be safeguarding of children or domestic abuse. In addition it advises on matrimonial and separation issues with significant expertise in special guardianship orders and adoption in the UK and overseas. Other strengths lie in assisting those with significant vulnerabilities particularly those with mental health difficulties or victims of some form of abuse. It is also known for its involvement in culturally complex cases, often with international elements in both Hague and non-Hague countries. Heads of team are Krina Parmar, who advises on all aspects of public law children matters and is a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel, and Richard Gray, who also specialises in public law childcare matters. Gray has been an accredited member of the Law Society Children’s Panel since 2011. Harrison Clark Rickerbys has a number of stand-out individuals including Kevin HarrisJames, pictured, who is recognised for his work on complex financial disputes as they arise on divorces regionally, nationally and internationally. Another prominent name is Andrew Breakwell who has substantial experience in complex family law matters for wealthy clients. Breakwell is skilled at advising on nuptial documents to protect assets and there is frequently an international dimension to his work. Breakwell is also a known name for his work at resolving issues through arbitration, mediation and as needs be through litigation. Victoria Fellows works on a range of high-value financial matters but also runs her own caseload which frequently includes difficult Children Act issues. Head of department at Shakespeare Martineau LLP is the highly respected Mary Kaye. Kaye is a Children Law panel solicitor and deals with complex children matters. She also conducts a lot of her own advocacy. Helen Bowns deals with all aspects of financial remedy cases involving farms, overseas assets, complex partnership disputes as well as cases where there are complicated business structures. Key clients include wealthy families and often high-profile footballers, business professionals and CEOs. Zahra Pabani and Fiona Farrell have left the team to join Irwin Mitchell. The family team at Shoosmiths LLP remains best known for addressing complex financial issues on marriage and relationship breakdown. It is also skilled at handling complex children’s

matters. Clients include wealthy families with inherited wealth, business owners and entrepreneurs as well as sports and TV personalities. Milton-Keynes based Caroline Watson heads the team as Neil Hobden has moved to Aaron & Partners LLP. Locally Adam Maguire, pictured, and Hannah Nicholls are well-regarded. Other key strengths of the team include working in harness with its Court of Protection and clinical negligence teams to prepare cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements for people who have capacity but who are unable to manage the large amounts of compensation they have received. Sydney Mitchell LLP has a strong collaborative practice with three fully qualified collaborative lawyers across its three offices. Mauro Vinti is a family law panel member and Teresa Mannion is a children’s law panel member. Karen Moores, pictured, is another prominent member of the team that advises on the full array of family law issues from divorce and civil partnerships to child arrangements, protective injunctions and pre- and postnuptial agreements. It is also well-regarded for its work on financial remedy matters as well as TOLATA and cohabitee arrangements. The Wilkes Partnership has a significant number of clients who are professionals or spouses of professionals as well as owners or their spouses of ownermanaged businesses. Aaron Keene heads the team. Keene is on the Family Law Panel as well as being a collaborative lawyer, advising on both financial and children matters for married couples and cohabitees. Chris Allen-Jones is another important contact – he has particular expertise in the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and advises on the future arrangements for the care of the children. Associate Sian Kenkre is also well-regarded – she is a registered collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution. As well as advising on financial settlements and other aspects of family law she has also carved out niche expertise in working with families on surrogacy issues. Weightmans LLP has a national reach with Manchester-based Emma Collins at the helm. In Birmingham Fiona O’Sullivan has particular expertise in pensions but covers the full array of family law matters on relationship breakdown whether the couples are married or unmarried. Tania Derrett-Smith is a principal associate who advises on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown with a particular expertise in cases involving family businesses. The group has strength in preand post-nuptial agreements as well as onshore and offshore trusts and children work. There is frequently an international dimension to its work. The practice is also praised for its work in collaborative law and mediation – many of its team members are Resolution accredited.

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FAMILY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS Brethertons LLP FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs & Sons Thursfields Solicitors Mercy Messenger MFG Solicitors LLP Wright Hassall LLP Baches Solicitors LLP Band Hatton Button LLP Duncan Watts LLP Lanyon Bowdler Aaron & Partners LLP Alsters Kelley LLP Beswicks Legal George Green LLP Pickerings Solicitors Brethertons LLP fields an experienced and dedicated family team that specialises in children law and collaborative law. It advises on a broad array of matters from domestic violence, child abduction, honour-based violence through to public law. It is particularly recommended for its work in a number of key areas including advice on relationship breakdown where there are substantial personal and business assets. It also has niche expertise in international children work such as relocation, surrogacy and international adoption matters. The group has considerable experience in complex care proceedings too, acting for both parents and children. Linda Jones, pictured, heads the team in Rugby and among other things is a collaborative lawyer and an advanced member of the Family Law Panel. Kim Lehal was promoted to the partnership. FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has a wellestablished team that frequently deals with high-net-worth and complex family matters for clients from its office locations in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Its case load often involves matters with diverse assets, property portfolios, farms, business assets and other trusts and overseas assets. In addition the team has a number of solicitors who are experienced in Children Act cases. Anne Thomson leads the department and is a deputy district judge too. Thomson continues to attract highvalue financial remedy cases often involving businesses and complex farming structures, with particular expertise in pre-nuptial agreements. Philip Cowell is vastly experienced in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown and is also trained in collaborative law. Harrison Clark Rickerbys fields a large team that often advises on complex financial disputes as well as children cases under the guidance of the wellregarded Andrew Caldicott. Caldicott, 32 The Legal 500 West Midlands

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above, has a wealth of experience in high-net-worth financial disputes and complex children matters and is a trained collaborative lawyer. Also, as a solicitor advocate, Caldicott undertakes the majority of his own advocacy work on both children and financial matters. Alongside the traditional family offering the firm has recently established a specialist public law children outfit that is led by Worcester-based partner Mathew Waddington. The team also continues to expand its ADR services. The practice acts for clients from all walks of life but maintains close ties with active and retired military personnel and also acts for members of the police and NHS staff. Due to its strength in financial remedies it is regularly instructed by business leaders and directors. Higgs & Sons has a focus on three key categories namely family wealth protection, family relationship protection and family child protection. The first-rate team advises on a broad range of matters from cohabitation and divorce through to Children Act proceedings. Philip Barnsley heads the department and his primary focus is on complex and high-value financial cases. Newly promoted partner Rhian Gray is another name to note. Gray has a strong practice advising on wealth protection strategies for high-networth families and owner managers of businesses. Thursfields Solicitors advises on the full range of family matters and also acts for some minor celebrities and footballers as well as those who are involved in the football industry. The team has noticed increased instructions on pre-and post-nuptial agreements

from its business clients. Shane Miller, pictured, heads the department and frequently advises on cases with an international element where there are businesses, third parties and sensitive Children Act matters to be considered. Miller attracts clients from all over the UK and many of her clients work outside the UK or outside the region of Worcestershire.

Mercy Messenger is a niche firm that specialises in all aspects of family law, with a strong focus on dealing with family businesses and support on children matters under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. The team is currently acting on some multimillionpound cases involving complex issues surrounding marital and non-marital assets, contribution arguments and wealth that has been accrued both preand post-separation. Mercy Messenger is a known name for her work at unravelling complex income structures in particular. Harpreet Saund is a dedicated children law practitioner. MFG Solicitors LLP offers specialist family advice across its six offices in Worcestershire and Shropshire as well as in the city of Birmingham.

The group covers all areas of family law including divorce and complex finances as well as Schedule 1 Children Act matters. Other key areas include advising on childcare arrangements and cohabitation agreements. Drawing on the strengths of the firm overall, the practice is well-equipped to advise on all areas of agriculture and other areas such as tax and trusts as they impact on the family. Head of department Claire Backler regularly takes the lead in resolving financial disputes ancillary to divorce/separation where the asset value is millions of pounds. Rupinder Nandra is a qualified solicitor advocate and is particularly recommended for contested children matters. Wright Hassall LLP has particular expertise in acting for clients in the agricultural and rural sectors as well as the commercial sector. Other strengths include acting for individuals in private applications relating to children, such as their removal from this jurisdiction and school fees orders. Head of department Justin Creed is a qualified collaborative lawyer and has advised a significant number of senior executives through

the collaborative process. Pre- and post-nuptial agreements is another core component of the department’s work. Peter Lowe, who is a member of Resolution, advises on all areas of family and divorce law and deals with complex financial issues as well as matters relating to children. Dal Heran, pictured, has particular expertise in pre-nuptial agreements. Baches Solicitors LLP is experienced in all aspects of care proceedings and adoption applications. Jill Darbyshire who also sits as a part-time judge is a known name in its childcare department and is well-regarded for her work on child protection issues. Darbyshire frequently represents children, parents, grandparents and other relatives in difficult legal disputes. Lindsey Newell is a key name in the matrimonial team. At Band Hatton Button LLP Tracy Cross and Peter Martin are experienced advocates who regularly represent clients at hearings involving difficult children’s and financial cases. Cross heads the department and is a Resolution-trained family mediator and a collaborative family lawyer. Cross does an extensive amount of mediation work and is also qualified to undertake direct child consultation work within mediation. Martin routinely advises clients on complex financial cases which involve businesses, trusts and pensions. Duncan Watts LLP is an established niche matrimonial and family law firm. The two partners are Martin Croom and Joanne Connor both of whom are experienced Resolution mediators and collaborative lawyers. Martin deals with private law Children Act proceedings

primarily. Connor continues to work on a variety of cases ranging from those involving larger finances through to those with more limited resources. She also undertakes a sizeable amount of private law Children Act work. Lanyon Bowdler has a strong reputation for representing clients when dealing with complex matters involving financial remedy, children and divorce. The financial cases frequently involve business structures, trusts, multi-jurisdictional asset portfolios and farming partnerships. The children matters often deal with internal and external relocation, domestic violence, significant welfare issues and criminal and public law factors. The team has an excellent reputation for advising a range of clients from those with modest means to more high-value claims. Of note also is the fact that the firm is an NFU panel solicitor for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire and as a result represents a sizeable number of clients in the agricultural sector. Sue Hodgson heads the department. Richard Barge at Aaron & Partners LLP was joined by Neil Hobden in January 2020 from Shoosmiths LLP. The skilled team is vastly experienced in high-value financial remedies and children cases. Hobden’s particular expertise is in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown. He acts for clients from across the UK and overseas from his base in Shropshire and many of his clients enjoy a high profile. A sizeable number of his cases involve business valuations, significant inherited wealth and ‘hidden assets’. Barge is collaboratively trained and does a lot of complex financial work. Sandy Edwards is no longer at the firm.

Alsters Kelley LLP is headed by Erica Kemp who routinely attracts highvalue and complex work. Kemp is a trained mediator and a collaborative lawyer. She predominantly advises on financial matters following divorce but has a particular interest in pre-nuptial agreements and advises also on cohabitation agreements and children matters. Sarah Ingram is well-regarded too. Catherine Stephens is another notable member of the team who is a children panel representative. Stephens advises on child protection issues and other areas such as adoption and judicial review proceedings against local authorities. Beswicks Legal covers the full array of family matters such as divorce and family settlements. It acts for high-net-worth individuals and sports professionals and is skilled at advising on a myriad of complex matters where there are business, pension and trust issues. Private children work is also an important component of the practice. Associate Sarah Jones is a key figure. Jones is accredited by Resolution as a specialist family lawyer.

Under the leadership of Mark Vandaele, pictured, at George Green LLP the team continues to be busy advising on divorce, separation and the financial implications of relationship breakdown. It also advises clients when dealing with Children Act applications and the enforcement of any related orders. In addition the practice has been instructed by a number of intervenors in family cases to protect third-party interests and has increasingly been asked to prepare pre- and post-nuptial agreements for the firm’s business and high-net-worth clients.

The children team at Pickerings Solicitors is led by Richard Westley, pictured. All of its solicitors are members of the Law Society’s children law accreditation scheme and are instructed by children’s guardians on a regular basis to act in some of the most serious cases. The divorce and family team is headed by Susan Davies who is adept at handling all aspects of divorce and separation. Davies is a collaboratively trained lawyer and frequently advises on complicated matrimonial cases where there are businesses and pensions to be considered. The team also advises on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial settlements. The Legal 500 West Midlands 33

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GENERAL CRIME AND FRAUD Jonas Roy Bloom Kangs Solicitors Tuckers Solicitors Cartwright King Alsters Kelley LLP BLM DWF Gateley Plc GQS Lanyon Bowdler Slater and Gordon Jonas Roy Bloom has a leading criminal practice and acts for both publicly funded and privately funded clients. The group has particular expertise in defending motoring and money laundering offences. Other areas of expertise include defending sexual offences and child pornography as well as handling all aspects of business crime. Names to note are Steven Jonas who is an excellent criminal lawyer – he also sits as a deputy district judge and tribunal judge. Ben Henry receives a lot of accolades for his work on fraud and white-collar crime. Matt O’Brien primarily focuses on private clients and has represented some high-net-worth individuals on numerous complex fraud prosecutions, while Fergal Bloomer is another key member of the team.

Kangs Solicitors fields a large serious crime and white-collar/fraud team under the leadership of Hamraj Kang. The group has substantial experience in all aspects of serious and financial crimes and routinely handles multijurisdictional criminal and financial regulatory investigations. It is regularly instructed by a wide range of plcs, corporate and individual clients on a national basis. Hamraj Kang has extensive skill in defending SFO, HMRC, FCA and BEIS cases. John Veale is lauded for his work on complex fraud cases and Helen Holder heads the Crown Court Department. Timothy Thompson is another name to note for his work on high-value fraud and money laundering cases. The serious crime team is recommended for its skill at defending a myriad of complex matters from allegations of murder, drug trafficking and assault to sexual offences and road traffic matters. James Turner at Tuckers Solicitors handles a varied workload of regulatory, white-collar crime and professional 34 The Legal 500 West Midlands

1 2 3 defendant cases. The team had another busy year advising companies and managing directors on a wide range of matters from aggressive trading practices to hazardous waste issues and bribery and corruption cases. Sharon Bailey who is a solicitor higher courts advocate is recommended along with Inderdeep Bhomra who is also a highly regarded solicitor higher courts advocate. Alex Atkins is another prominent member of the team. The group is particularly rated for its work in defending drug conspiracies, sexual offending, complex fraud as well as terrorism-related matters. It also frequently advises on confiscation and restraint proceedings and has considerable expertise in advising on civil liberties and on prison law. Gareth Beynon and Ron Parker are the other names to note. Cartwright King has a first-rate team that regularly defends investigations and prosecutions that are brought by agencies as diverse as the SFO, the FCA and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The practice receives a steady flow of instructions from corporate clients on fraud matters and on money laundering and bribery issues. The group undertakes a mixture of privately paid and publicly funded fraud work as well as insurance-backed work. It routinely acts for directors, senior employees and the management of multinational companies. Under the direction of Sundeep Soor the practice has built up considerable experience in advising on account freezing orders and on the unexplained suspension of accounts. Gemma Redfern has a particular emphasis on white-collar/financial crime and regulation as well as on all aspects of confiscation and restraint work. John Allchin specialises in defending heavyweight fraud cases. Alsters Kelley LLP is primarily focused on the Coventry and Warwickshire areas and deals with a broad spectrum of criminal matters from manslaughter, drugs and assault through to fraud cases. Jas Thiara leads the criminal litigation and motoring offences department and advises on a wide range of matters including breaches of food safety regulations and professional conduct matters. Thiara is also recognised for her representation of vulnerable clients with mental health and learning difficulties. Stefan Hunka represents clients at police stations and has a particular interest in motoring law as well as health and safety and

regulatory law. Nazir Vania is another significant member of the team who is particularly skilled at defending motorists. The fraud practice group at BLM has a wealth of experience in handling claims in the insurance sector. It has also been developing niche expertise in advising tour operators on unconfirmed sickness claims and has been dealing with a significant number of potentially fraudulent cavity wall insulation claims. Head of the practice group Sarah Hill is adept at dealing with largescale organised fraud and high-value exaggerated fraud cases. Daniel Thomas represents insurance companies dealing with staged and contrived accident and fraudulent exaggeration cases while Naomi Grant covers all aspects of motor claims fraud. DWF fields a large fraud team nationally that advises on all aspects of financial crime and fraud. Clients include major insurance companies and it acts for nine out of ten of the largest composite insurers as well as the Lloyd’s market, corporates and self-insured. Additionally the team is skilled in other sectors such as financial, technology, retail and logistics. Practice head Lorraine Carolan is adept at advising on all areas of financial risk and fraud, including fraud prevention and crisis response, as well as investigating fraud and the recovery of any assets. Andrew Leach has substantial experience in international litigation and arbitration with a focus on large and complex cases involving fraud and cross-border issues. Mike Henman recently joined the team. Gateley Plc represents both claimants and defendants in civil fraud disputes and tracing actions across a broad range of industry sectors both nationally and internationally, with particular strengths in breach of duty actions, corporate transactions and restructurings as well as financial services and banking litigation. Other core areas of expertise include insurance litigation and

corporate crime. Ruth Armstrong is the national head of the firm’s regulatory team and is immensely experienced in defending businesses and senior office holders. Mark Wilson frequently advises on complex fraud-related litigation including claims for dishonest assistance and fraudulent misrepresentation. GQS is experienced at advising and representing clients who are charged with the most serious and complex offences, such as murder, terrorism and drug importation, as well as on complex fraud matters. It is a known name for its work at defending clients who are being investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies, ranging from HMRC, the CPS Complex Crime Unit, the UK Border Agency through to Trading Standards and the NCA. The team under the leadership of Ishfaq Qadir and Ahmer Sattar has represented clients in courts throughout the country. The experienced team at Lanyon Bowdler routinely represents clients at the police station all the way through to the conclusion of the case at the Crown Court. It now boasts three higher court advocates who cover the full range of offences from summary matters to indictable offences. The team is also adept at dealing with environmental agency prosecutions such as farm animal burials and deaths in farm accidents. Stephen Scully is a known name for his work on motoring offences. Head of department Adrian Roberts has extensive experience in a diverse range of regulatory and environmental issues. Slater and Gordon has particular expertise in the defence of police officers facing criminal and misconduct allegations, with a growing reputation for its work in representing members of the public on a private basis. Robert Newbould, who divides his time between the London and Birmingham offices, is a key member of the team along with Sue Swan. Tim Coolican is now at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE GREATEST WEALTH TRANSFER IN HISTORY? Over the next thirty years, in what some are calling the Greatest Wealth Transfer in History1, an estimated £5.5 trillion2 is due to be passed from one generation to another in the UK. The need for careful and well-structured estate planning has never been more pronounced.

Financial services firms face similar challenges. Punter Southall Wealth, a Chartered financial planning, advice and investment management firm, has risen to meet them by working together with Private Client solicitors and other professionals to offer truly bespoke services to those with complicated needs.

At the same time, however, new entrants are delivering mass-customised online services in fields such as wills, trusts and probate. Despite the potential risks posed by any new offering, the popularity of such services, particularly among a younger cohort and those in receipt of such windfalls, is being driven by their low cost as well as ease of access.

Recently highlighted by FT Adviser magazine as being one of the UK’s top ten planning firms, Punter Southall’s clients value how our financial planners help them get better organised and make informed decisions about their finances. Working with a financial planning firm like Punter Southall Wealth to deliver advice solutions to your clients can also support you in future proofing your practice by helping to retain next generation clients that might otherwise feel the need to look elsewhere.

On a similar note, solicitors that fail to engage with the beneficiaries of intergenerational wealth transfer may find that potential clients that would otherwise have benefitted from their guidance are lost to them for good. Which begs the question how Private Client solicitors can thrive in an environment characterised by increasing competition, technological change and evolving client preferences. Staying relevant is becoming a major challenge.

1. Source: Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/ markhall/2019/11/11/the-greatest-wealth-transferin-history-whats-happening-and-what-are-theimplications/?sh=6643899c4090) 2. Source: King’s Court Trust (https://www.kctrust. co.uk/partner-blog/blog/2018/wealth-transfer-inthe-uk-research-highlights)

To learn more about how Punter Southall Wealth works with and supports Private Client professionals in the Midlands, please don’t hesitate to contact Head of Business Development, Simon Kay, at simon.kay@puntersouthallwealth.com or on 07808 330 703.

LOOKING AHEAD: 2021 PREDICTIONS date. With the Democrats now taking control of the US Senate, Biden has a much freer hand to reverse the policies of the Trump Administration. This is likely to result in ESG topics gaining attention and greater momentum in US investment strategies. The new administration will almost certainly forge a better relationship with the EU and the UK especially on climate change. On top of this, Covid-19 has acted as an additional catalyst to accelerate that process, with a shift of focus to the fundamentals, such as how a business manages the welfare of employees and its communities.

Simon Boyle, Environmental Law Director at Landmark shares his views on what ESG trends we may see over the coming year: “We support firms in screening, and managing global material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impacts - and it is looking clear that with the recent change of US Administration, this will have a real impact on the year ahead, particularly from a climate change and sustainability perspective. As is widely reported, the Trump Administration was sceptical regarding climate change and therefore pulled out of the Paris Agreement and promoted the use of fossil fuels rather than help transitioning the economy towards renewable energy. As a consequence, ESG issues were mostly driven by the EU. We believe this is likely to change over the coming year, with Joe Biden’s climate emergency plan being reported as the most ambitious by a US presidential candidate to

The pandemic has shone a light on those businesses that take a long-term view versus those that have more of a short-term agenda, and there is a realisation across most investors that external factors can disrupt the financial landscape. As a result, the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference, which is taking place in November 2021, will certainly put the greatest external factor, climate change ‘front and centre’ for organisations embracing ESG impacts. In addition, the EU Sustainable Disclosure Regulation applies from 10 March 2021, plus the UK’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) announced it will mandate climate risk disclosures across major sections of the UK economy by 2025. These milestones highlight the increasing focus on regulatory frameworks to deliver ESG improvements. Being able to effectively report on an organisations’ ESG credentials and identify where improvements can be made – will become increasingly important as we move through 2021 and beyond.” The Legal 500 West Midlands 35

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REGIONAL BAR MIDLANDS CIRCUIT LEADING SETS BUSINESS AND REGULATORY CRIME (INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY) LEADING SETS 1 The regulatory team at No5 Barristers Chambers is particularly recommended for health and safety work, with several strong practitioners both defending and prosecuting in this area. Bernard Thorogood, pictured, is a key figure in the team, with recent work including the prosecution of DHL Services after a tyre rack collapsed, killing one worker and injuring several others. Ian Bridge is recommended for matters which involve contested medical evidence or highly technical defences, while Tim Pole is recommended for his expertise in contentious food safety matters. St Philips Chambers is home to several strong regulatory practitioners, primarily focusing on health and safety cases. Naomi Gilchrist is highly active in this field, with recent work including the prosecution of bus company Midland Red South following a crash, which killed two, caused by the bus’s nearoctogenarian driver depressing the wrong pedal. Ben Williams is recommended for health and safety appeals work, having recently represented the HSE in an appeal by a car parts manufacturer against fines following an outbreak of legionnaire’s disease, the case giving guidance on several issues including the proper length of skeleton arguments in such cases. James Puzey, pictured, is a strong health and safety prosecutor, with recent work including incidents in theme parks and factories. LEADING SETS 2 Members of St Ives Chambers are instructed in a wide range of regulatory matters. Tony Watkin, pictured, is particularly notable for his prosecution practice across a wide range of regulatory areas - in one matter he prosecuted the owners of a nightclub after an inebriated guest left through a back door and fell two floors to his death. Kevin Saunders is also active in regulatory work, with recent instructions including the defence of Spanish airline Iberia, which was convicted of aviation offences following the death of twelve capybara rodents on board a flight from Madrid to Heathrow.

CHANCERY, PROBATE AND TAX LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers houses a strong Chancery team, praised by clients for its ‘good strength in depth of counsel and very efficient and reliable clerking’. The set houses counsel at a wide range of seniority levels, with complex cases covered by members such as head of chambers Mark Anderson QC, pictured, while at the junior end practitioners such as Imogen Halstead are beginning to build up considerable bodies of work in this area. Inheritance issues remain a key area of work for the team, with barristers such as Louise Corfield and Angus Burden focusing heavily on such matters, with Burden having recently advised on cases involving the treatment of matrimonial and non-matrimonial property, alleged capacity issue and improperly prepared wills. St Philips Chambers has members instructed on a range of Chancery matters, including Inheritance 36 The Legal 500 West Midlands

Act 1975 claims and trust disputes, an area in which John Randall QC, pictured, Mark Grant, and John Randall are highly recommended. Andrew Charman represented three siblings in an inheritance dispute arising from an agricultural estate, securing the removal of the fourth sibling as an executor, and then in a subsequent action after a failure to give up possession of the land in question.

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers houses one of the largest and strongest collections of clinical negligence barristers in the Midlands, which is praised by clients for its ‘very knowledgeable, approachable and client-focused’ members. In 2020, the set saw the appointment of Henry Pitchers QC, pictured, to silk, joining a strong senior contingent including Chris Bright QC, Jonathan Jones QC, and Paul Bleasdale QC, who act on serious matters including birth injury and spinal injury matters. Key members of the junior ranks include David Tyack, Esther Gamble , and John Coughlan, all of whom are highly active in top-end claims. LEADING SETS 2 Kings Chambers houses several specialist clinical negligence barristers with experience in a wide range of cases such as running from birth injuries through to misdiagnoses, with a particular focus on handling high-value claimant work. Satinder Hunjan QC, pictured, recently appeared in Sumsard v Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of a vulnerable individual who was rendered blind by negligent tuberculosis, in which £5.6m was secured on a full liability basis. The set also houses up-and-coming junior members who are beginning to make their mark in the clinical negligence space, such as Nicholas Truelove, a former solicitor-advocate whose recent work includes a case of delayed cancer diagnosis resulting in death. Nigel Poole QC has been appointed a Justice of the High Court and will start his new appointment on 1 October 2020. Ropewalk Chambers is a force in clinical negligence work in the East Midlands, primarily acting for claimants against NHS trusts. The set also handles some defendant work for individual practitioners, though members such as Jason Cox and Rachel Young, pictured, also act for NHS defendants. Senior junior Richard Seabrook is another key name in the team, with a practice that includes surgery and missed diagnoses cases. St Philips Chambers’ clinical negligence team is commended by clients for its ‘impressive counsel and very helpful clerking teams’. The set is particularly notable for some members’ focus on cosmetic surgery claims, with Colin Baran, pictured, described by solicitors as ‘approachable, thorough, and responsive’, predominantly working on such matters while the ‘intelligent and knowledgeable’ Andrew Evans continues to increase his presence in the area. Evans also advises on issues of surgical negligence, informed consent and birth injury.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION LEADING SETS 1 St Philips Chambers continues to feature one of the strongest commercial litigation offerings in the West Midlands, with strong members at all levels of

call, covering matters spanning from breaches of contract through to civil fraud. Notable recent cases have included James Morgan QC’s, pictured, representation of Northampton Borough Council in a misfeasance claim against former directors of Northampton Town FC. In addition to a banking litigation practice, Mark Grant representations a pharmacy chain in a £3m contract dispute with two drug manufacturer. LEADING SETS 2 No5 Barristers Chambers is notable for its strength in a wide range of commercial litigation matters. Head of chambers Mark Anderson QC is highly recommended for investment disputes, having recently represented a client who had received £18m from a member of a Malaysian royal family for investment into a joint venture, with the return of that sum now being claimed for by the royal. From the set’s junior ranks, Paul Dean, pictured, brings an engineering background to more technology-heavy cases.

CRIME: GENERAL & FRAUD LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers remains a key player in Midlands criminal law, housing a large team at both the junior and senior end who ‘provide excellent representation throughout the Midlands and beyond’. The set covers the full spectrum of criminal work, with members such as Michelle Heeley QC, pictured, frequently being instructed in high-profile sexual offences work such as her successful defence of Paul Gascoigne following his sexual assault charge, while Michael Duck QC is highly active in organised crime and POCA matters. From the junior ranks, the ‘extremely intelligent and tactically astute’ John O’Higgins is highly recommended for cases requiring a leading junior, while Philip Rule is notable for criminal appeals: crossing over with his prison law expertise, he represented the appellant in R v Veysey, which concerned appropriate charges and sentences for offences of throwing faeces and urine at prison officers, known as “potting”. St Philips Chambers remains one of the premier sets for criminal work in the Midlands, with clients and peers alike praising it as a ‘go-to’ set within the region offering ‘professional and well-prepared’ counsel across the full spectrum of criminal work. Kevin Hegarty QC, pictured, heads the crime group, which also houses experienced silks Andrew Smith and Richard Atkins QC, the latter of whom recently returned to full-time practice following a term as Chair of the Bar. The set’s junior ranks also feature some of the circuit’s most prominent practitioners, with members such as Jennifer Josephs and Jonathan Barker frequently receiving instructions in a wide range of serious cases, including fraud and sexual offences. Josephs is also notable for her work on terrorism cases, and recently acted for the prosecution in the case of Jay Davison, a white supremacist convicted of publishing material with the intent to incite racial and religious hatred in the form of a strong if Instagram posts. LEADING SETS 2 St Ives Chambers has a growing reputation for criminal work, with instructing solicitors reporting that ‘their investment in the junior criminal Bar has paid off, resulting in impressive strength-in-depth’ for the size of the team. Peter Cooper, pictured, recently acted as junior defence counsel in the case of a woman who was convicted of the murders of her two young children, and Kevin Saunders is a key figure within the set for fraud matters, having recently represented a co-defendant of former Locke Lord LLP partner Jonathan Denton in a £16m investment fraud case. Amy Jackson, Rebecca Wade and Marcus Harry are frequently instructed in matters involving sexual offences.

A “full armoury of experienced, thoroughly professional, well-respected counsel”

A “first class set” where “the clerking is of an unrivalled standard”

Established in 1965, our ethos is to work in partnership with our clients in order to ensure consistent excellence. Chambers prides itself on our attention to detail, approachability, efficiency and skill. We are a modern multi-disciplinary set renowned for its exceptional mix of barristers at all levels of experience, with particular specialism across our core practice areas of: Dispute Resolution Business & Property Crime Family (children and matrimonial finance) Housing Personal Injury Regulatory Our expertise in advocacy is supported by a professional, skilled and efficient clerking service.

www.stiveschambers.co.uk | +44 (0)121 236 0863 | @StIvesChambers St Ives Chambers, 1-3 Whittall Street, Birmingham, B4 6DH, DX: Fountain Court, Birmingham

St Philips Chambers would like to congratulate Lee Marklew QC and Sara Lewis QC on their appointment to the rank of Queen’s Counsel. Their richly deserved appointments take the number of Silks in Chambers to 17. We would also like to congratulate Andrew Charman, Tom Walkling, Ben Williams and Jack Redmond on their appointments as Recorders; Naomi Candlin on her appointment as a Deputy District Judge; Glyn Samuel on his appointment as the new Chancellor of the Diocese of Coventry; and Ben Close and Lorna Badham who have been elected to the Bar Council for 2021. “St Philips Chambers is simply the best of the best, as an instructing solicitor there is no need to look elsewhere.”

We would also like to extend our congratulations to former Member of Chambers, Her Honour Judge Emma Kelly, on her elevation from the District Bench to be a Senior Circuit Judge, Deputy High Court Judge and Designated Civil Judge based at Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre. We wish her every success in her new role.

“The strongest multi-disciplinary set in the country…”

Chambers would like to welcome four new tenants following successful completion of their pupillages: Bethany Armitage (Family), Luke Tallis (Family), Raghav Trivedi (Business and Property) and Steven Gittins (Personal Injury/Employment). We also welcome two new pupils: Ryan Hodgins (Crime); and Francis Mortin (Employment).

“An outstanding set with very strong practice groups across the board, supported by excellent clerking…”

St Philips Chambers remains committed to, and optimistic about, the future of the Bar. To that end we look forward to welcoming six new pupils in October 2021. We are always looking for talented barristers to join our first class team. If you are interested in joining, please contact Head of Recruitment, Ben Mills (recruitment@st-philips.com) or Chambers Director, Joe Wilson (jwilson@st-philips.com) / 0121 246 2136.

st-philips.com St Philips Chambers, 55 Temple Row, Birmingham | St Pauls House, 23 Park Square, Leeds

WEST MIDLANDS FOCUS ON KNOWLEDGE AND CLIENT CARE VITAL IN POST-COVID WORLD SAY ST PHILIPS CHAMBERS Rob Mundy and Ali Tabari, as a “go to” resource; and our YouTube channel already having over 13,000 views of our uploaded tutorials and webinars.” “After all, we found ourselves being relied on more than ever by many clients who needed our support, especially in those early days that seemed so surreal. We believe this intense focus on education, training and client care is something that all barristers chambers will need to take on board. ” He adds that the adversity of the pandemic and the way St Philips reacted has helped reinforce the strong bond Chambers has with those it serves. “I think in times of crisis, we see the real character in people and businesses,” he adds. “The amount of good-will to St Philips, which we know has always existed, has been far more visible because of the way we switched instantly to share the vast swathes of knowledge we have with our clients,” adds Joe. He adds that he believes as the shadow of Covid19 lifts those chambers who have stepped up to the mark will reap dividends. Joe Wilson

Barristers’ chambers wishing to be at the forefront in a post-Covid world must focus on education, training, the tech revolution and client care, says one of the UK’s leading Chambers. Joe Wilson, Chambers Director at St Philips Chambers says the learning curve of the past year means that chambers throughout the UK will be asking searching questions of themselves as the profession has seen the biggest change to business in a century. “I think trying to make sense of the past year is something that we can only really properly do further down the line, but with the end to the health crisis in sight, it is only right that chambers wishing to adapt and move on boldly analyse the big questions raised over the past 12 months,” he says. His comments come in a year where St Philip’s Chambers achieved 68 Legal 500 rankings, with many new barristers making an appearance. “As we switched to a virtual world last spring,” adds Joe, “we quickly focused on what are the possible outcomes of the future for our clients and how do we deal intelligently with these possibilities using our sizeable resources.” He says St Philips promptly came to the conclusion that there was a far greater emphasis needed on educating and training clients as to what the future may hold; and creating robust programmes to aid them.

“We will see more being demanded of chambers throughout the UK,” he asserts. “The post Covid19 client will want a deeper dialogue and a new level of help and understanding, which was not as prevalent in a pre-Covid world. “We will see the impact of the pandemic affect our lives greatly in the years ahead and unquestionably there will be huge changes afoot in all our specialisms,” he says. “The future of towns, cities, office and retail, employment are gargantuan topics where the surface has only started to be scratched. “These new challenges for the very best legal minds requires a special kind of relationship with clients going forward. It means more open conversations and the ability to alleviate the real concerns that have been created, where the future in a fast-paced world has moved up several gears. “It is not a time for anyone to rest on their laurels and we at St Philips certainly won’t be doing that as we look forward to continuing to push standards even higher as 2021 brings new challenges, which are yet to reveal themselves.” For more information please contact Joe Wilson T; 0121 246 2136. M: 07894 386358 E: jwilson@st-philips.com

“Straight away, we created a programme of webinars on many subjects right across our knowledge base, and we are proud of the way they have helped many try to navigate what has been a difficult terrain,” he says. “Fortunately, we are extremely well-connected, as you would expect from a chambers of our standing, and we felt strongly that all our webinars had to be of the highest calibre possible to create value for our clients. We feel we have achieved this, with the Judiciary citing our guide to creating and using electronic hearing bundles by 39 The Legal 500 West Midlands

The Legal 500 West Midlands 39

WEST MIDLANDS COMPANY & INSOLVENCY LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers is home to a company and insolvency team with a strong presence in some of the region’s most complex cases. Mohammed Zaman QC, pictured, and Mark Anderson QC are highly recommended for complex shareholder and director disputes, with Zaman QC having recently defended the former chairman of Northampton Football Club in relation to alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and preferential payments worth in excess of £4m, and Anderson QC representing a client asserting a beneficial interest in the shares of a series of property companies that had been sold off in a time of mental health difficulties. On the insolvency side, Yasmin Yasseri is highly recommended, along with Shakil Najib and Paul Dean. St Philips Chambers is praised by clients for its insolvency practice, which has the capacity to ‘offer solicitors a range of options with good service at all levels’ and is described by some as ‘the leading set for insolvency work in Birmingham’. Senior members such as John Randall QC and James Morgan QC are highly active in the field of company law, with recent cases involving misfeasance claims and shareholder disputes. From the junior ranks, Marc Brown, pictured, is a key name to note, with a practice that focuses primarily on both corporate and personal insolvencies, with recent work including the annulment of the bankrupcy, stretching back to 2013, of an individual with significant rural property assets.

COURT OF PROTECTION & COMMUNITY CARE LEADING SETS 1 Members of No5 Barristers Chambers are highly experienced in Court of Protection matters, with most of the team primarily receiving instructions on behalf of local authorities. For example, Mark Bradshaw, pictured, recently represented a local authority in an application to authorise the removal of a protected party from the care of his parents, whose care was allegedly inadequate. Members also have experience in the full range of health and welfare issues, with Adreeja Chatterjee having particular experience on forced marriage issues, while Abid Mahmood has a strong track record in cases involving serious medical treatment.

EMPLOYMENT LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers is one of the Midlands’ premier sets for employment law matters, with an ‘excellent pool of barristers specialising in various fields’. Though the set remains predominantly focused on employers, barristers such as Nabila Mallick, pictured, are highly active on behalf of claimants, especially in discrimination cases. Mugni Islam-Choudhury is another key member of the team, having departed somewhat from his typical employer focus to represent an Oxford University academic who alleges unlawful age discrimination as a result of the university’s compulsory retirement program, which led to his dismissal at age 67 when he sought to work to 72. On the respondent side, Richard Hignett acted for the National Trust in a disability discrimination case which centred around electrohypersensitivity, a claim to be affected by electromagnetic waves such as magnetic fields which is not a recognised medical diagnosis. 40 The Legal 500 West Midlands

St Philips Chambers is a strong presence in the Midlands employment law scene, with a ‘very dedicated and accommodating’ team containing a ‘good range of competencies and experience’. Notable names within the practice include head of group Edmund Beever, pictured, who is able to handle matters such as his recent work on behalf of two female police officers who raised claims of sex discrimination and victimisation, as well as whistle-blowing. Senior junior Sophie Garner is another notable name, having recently undertaken appellate work in the fields of disability discrimination and whistle-blowing. The set is also active for public sector employers. Jonathan Meichen left the set on his appointment as an employment judge.

FAMILY & CHILDREN LAW LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers houses a strong contingent of childrenfocused barristers, with members of its ‘vast pool of experienced counsel’ receiving instructions in some of the most complex care cases and private law disputes. At the senior end, Stefano Nuvoloni QC, pictured, appears in some of the most serious cases on circuit, with recent work involving deaths, serious brain injuries, and sexual abuse. ‘Legal powerhouse’ Michele Friel is highly recommended for private law matters, acting on some of the region’s most complex cases, while practitioners such as Victoria Clifford, Kristina Brown, and Kathryn Taylor are some of the strongest juniors for care work on circuit. The team also houses some financial specialists, with Stephanie Brown considered to be ‘at the top of her game’ in this area, frequently representing private clients in financial remedy proceedings, often involving offshore or hidden assets. St Ives Chambers is a strong presence in family law, with a ‘full armoury of experienced, thoroughly professional, well-respected counsel’ providing coverage across both public and private children law, as well as a strong financial remedy team. The set can take on the most complex of children cases thanks to Jeremy Weston QC and Elizabeth Isaacs QC, pictured, both of whom are frequently instructed in some of the region’s largest matters, with solicitors praising the ‘sound judgement and meticulous preparation’ of both barristers. Senior juniors Timothy Bowe and Matthew Maynard also undertake substantial cases. Jayne Mullen and Nicholas Starks lead the way in matrimonial finance, both dealing with high-value cases involving a range of issues such as non-capacitous parties, pension rights, the potential sale of family farms and more. St Philips Chambers is home to a wide range of family specialists, with ‘ a wide range of experienced barristers to suit every case’ that makes the set a ‘go-to chambers’ within the region. In financial remedy cases, members are instructed on a wide range of cases including those which are at the leading edge of certain issues, such as Juliet Allen’s, pictured, work as a led junior on Moher v Moher, a Court of Appeal case concerning how courts should value undisclosed assets. In care proceedings the set includes experienced practitioners such as Sara Lewis and Carolyn Jones, as well as rising stars such as William Horwood, who recently acted for the child in a reported case in which a local authority sought declarations under inherent jurisdiction that a care regime involving deprivation of liberty was lawful, following a serious assault by an adolescent on their older sibling.

LEADING SETS 2 3PB is primarily known in the Midlands for its contingent of carefocused barristers, whose practice involves serious non accidental injuries, sexual abuse allegations, adoption orders and more for the full range of parties including local authorities, parents and children. However, the set also houses several barristers with experience in financial remedy proceedings, such as Elizabeth McGrath QC, pictured, and Vanessa Meachin QC, both of whom have seen recent substantial cases involving private clients with large asset portfolios in addition to their child law practices. Turning to the set’s the junior ranks, Michael George is praised for his ‘exceptional aptitude for financial remedy work, particularly cases involving company law, complex accounts and pensions’; on the care side, key juniors include Lawrence Messling, Suzanne Coleclough , and Stephen Abberley, while practitioners such as Poonam Bhari, Aimee Fox, and Nicola Martin spread themselves across both areas. Northampton’s Senate House Chambers focuses on care proceedings, boasting ‘some of the best juniors for child protection cases’ in the region. Joint heads of chambers Lianne Murphy, pictured, described by clients as ‘an outstanding junior’, and Michelle Christie frequently appear in very serious cases involving complex medical issues, sexual abuse allegations, and fabricated or induced illnesses. Other notable members of the ‘thorough, well prepared and professional’ set include former solicitor-advocate Samantha Reddington , who brings her ‘excellent advocacy skills and first-class preparation’ to public and private law cases, and Daniel Sheridan, who is ‘a breath of fresh air in the world of childcare law’. Nottingham-based family law set St Mary’s Chambers has one of the strongest presences in the East Midlands for both children law and matrimonial proceedings, with the set receiving praise from clients for its ‘excellent counsel, strength in depth and ability to attract good juniors’. Additionally, the set is recommended for financial remedy proceedings on account of its ‘forward-thinking and innovative’ financial dispute resolution service, as well as the work of experienced counsel such as Nigel Page, pictured, Gareth Jacques and Matthew O’Grady undertaking complex matrimonial and financial disputes. On the care front, Anita Thind and Sara Davis are highly active, with caseloads that include serious non-accidental injuries, fabricated and induced Illnesses and instances of sexual abuse.

INQUESTS AND INQUIRIES LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers covers a range of inquests work inside and outside of clinical contexts. Bernard Thorogood is frequently instructed in inquests arising from his health and safety practice, such as his recent representation of Coventry City Council in an inquest following the death of a worker after the collapse of a stack of tyres. Richard Grimshaw has a practice that includes cases in custody and medical contexts. Ropewalk Chambers’ inquests team is instructed on a wide range of inquests touching upon issues such as care home deaths, murders and other offences committed by individuals released from prison on license, custody deaths and medical negligence matters. Richard Seabrook, pictured, is particularly active in the field of care deaths, acting for a range of parties including care home operators and the families of the deceased, while Georgina

ST IVES CHAMBERS: CONTINUED SUCCESS IN A CHALLENGING YEAR Notwithstanding the huge challenges of the past year, it is especially pleasing that St Ives Chambers has continued to experience success. The latest edition of the Legal 500 was a particular highlight, with Chambers enjoying 36 rankings in total. St Ives was ranked as a top tier set in family law (children and matrimonial finance) and social housing. Chambers was also recommended in regulatory crime, crime and property & construction. The achievements of Chambers have been spread across all teams, demonstrating the breadth of talent that Chambers possesses. With two silks and 15 juniors ranked, the family team continues to appear in the most complex and high-profile cases in the family jurisdiction, both regionally and nationally. The civil team is ranked in social housing and business & property. The criminal team is recommended as a leading set, with two members of the team having been appointed to full-time judicial roles. They have utilised the challenges of the last year to secure the future of Chambers in a number of ways. They are particularly proud that:

- They have invested heavily in their IT systems. The management, practice and clerking of Chambers can now be managed entirely remotely.

- In addition to the unprecedented success in the Legal 500, St Ives was described as a “first class set” by Chambers & Partners 2021, with 29 rankings in total across all practice areas. Chambers was ranked in Real Estate Litigation for the first time.

- From April 2021, Chambers will formally move to an entirely paperless operation. They believe that they are one of the first, if not the first, chambers in the Midlands to do so. The benefits, both in terms of efficiency and the environment, are manifest.

- Chambers was pleased to offer tenancy to our three exceptional pupils.

- Their commitment to Equality and Diversity has been further cemented by being one of the first chambers in the country to become a signatory to the FreeBar Charter, which promotes visibility and inclusion for LGBT+ people. Chambers has continued to hold Equality and Diversity events for practitioners and students.

- At a time when many chambers are reducing the number of pupillages on offer, they have again offered three pupillages for 2020-2021 and will offer three more in 2021-2022.

NO5 REAFFIRMS ITS POSITION AS A LEADING SET AND APPOINTS TWO NEW HEADS OF CHAMBERS Tony McDaid

Adrian Keeling QC

Johnny Jones QC

Announced in January in an unprecedented step within its one hundred year plus history No5 welcomed in not one but two new Heads of Chambers, Adrian Keeling QC and Johnny Jones QC. Between them they have vast experience and McDaid explained the shift from the traditional format of one Head: ‘Both Adrian and Johnny have served on the Management Committee for many years and have sat on the Executive Committee for the last five years in addition to having been elected as Deputy Heads of Chambers. It has always been clear that they both have the skills and calibre to be Head of No5 and their individual qualities complement each other.

In what has been a challenging past twelve months there were many positives gained for No5, including the announcement of the Legal 500 rankings which saw No5 members recommended both regionally and nationally. 2021 promises to be as equally upbeat for the set as they announced earlier this year the appointment of two new Heads of Chambers. Within the Legal 500 rankings, No5 members were acknowledged as experts in their fields. CEO and Director of Clerking, Tony McDaid said: 'We are delighted with the rankings which are consistent with previous years and it is for

us a further indicator that we are continuing to build upon our reputation as a centre of excellence throughout the UK. I am particularly pleased that the directories are now including new sections to cover specialist areas “Chancery, Probate and Tax" where we have a number of very talented individuals working on very complex matters. It is also gratifying to see insolvency being recognised which has been one of our key areas of growth over the last few years’.

The COVID months have been difficult for everyone and required more engagement with the Exec and the board than at any time in our history, but there is no doubt that the future legal landscape will present significant opportunities. It is against that background that we agreed literally ‘two Heads would be better than one’ and they have the full support of chambers in what promises to be a challenging but exciting period over the five-year period they will hold office’.

The Legal 500 West Midlands 41

WEST MIDLANDS contd. Cursham has experience in health and safety related matters, having recently represented an infrastructure contractor following the death of a cyclist who hit a pot-hole.

INQUESTS AND INQUIRIES LEADING SETS 1 Kings Chambers is home to a ‘knowledgeable licensing team with strength in depth’ instructed in a wide range of matters. Sarah Clover, pictured, is particularly active in alcohol licensing matters, with recent instructions also covering the fields of taxi licensing, and licensing applications for a new lapdancing venue in central Birmingham; a case which also involved Leo Charalambides representing the Colmore Business Improvement District. Ben Williams is another key name within the set, with a practice that focuses heavily on taxi licensing matters, generally acting for local authorities.

PERSONAL INJURY LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers is home to a large personal injury group with strong experience across both claimant and defendant work, and are praised by clients as the ‘first choice for general personal injury matters’ in the region, with ‘great strength in depth’. Chris Bright QC, pictured, is well regarded for catastrophic injury claims, particularly those involving road traffic accidents, such as his recent claimant-side work in a multi-claimant road collision claim with a value in excess of £10m and significant liability issues concerning the alleged impairment of the driver. Henry Pitchers QC took silk in the 2020 Silk round, while senior juniors such as Richard Moat, Robert Smallwood, and Matthew Brunning regularly appear opposite silks without a leader. Ropewalk Chambers one of the premier names in the East Midlands for personal injury cases, with clients praising the ‘tremendous wealth of expertise’ on show and the team’s ‘strength at all levels’. Industrial disease remains the set’s most notable area of practice, with several solicitors referring to them as a ‘go-to’ for this area, and several barristers regularly acting on noiseinduced hearing loss, hand-arm vibration syndrome, and mesothelioma cases, with most practitioners leaning more towards defendantside work. Jayne Adams QC, pictured, represented the employer, and Patrick Limb QC acted for the claimant, in the first beryllium poisoning case brought before the English courts. Notable figures from the junior ranks include Andrew Lyons, who recently represented an employer in a multi-track claim where it was alleged that it was vicariously liable for the consequences of a prank played by one employee on another, and industrial disease specialist Richard Gregory whose recent work has included several complex noise-induced hearing loss cases. LEADING SETS 2 Kings Chambers is ‘an excellent set for personal injury work’ which is ‘increasing its profile in the region’ and competing with the more established Birmingham sets. Satinder Hunjan QC is one of the strongest names within the team, focusing primarily on claimant catastrophic injury matters, including brain and spinal damage, amputation, with some work coming from claimants lacking mental capacity. The set is also home to highly specialist practitioners such as Fiona Ashworth, pictured, who is highly recommended for her work on chronic pain cases, with recent cases having issues of contested surveillance evidence. 42 The Legal 500 West Midlands

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers remains one of the strongest sets in the Midlands for both planning and environmental work, with clients referencing them as ‘one of the pre-eminent planning law sets outside of London’. The team continues its strong presence across all levels of call, with silks such as Richard Kimblin QC, pictured, and Paul Cairnes QC acting in highprofile cases across the planning piece, and Satnam Choongh regarded as one of the set’s top juniors. Turning to environmental law, Tim Pole is highly active in the field of Environmental Agency prosecutions he prosecuted three directors of a company whose waste site caught fire, creating a significant pollution incident. Martin Kingston QC has retired. LEADING SETS 2 Kings Chambers houses an ‘incredibly well-rounded group of barristers from juniors to experienced QCs’ that deals with some of the highestprofile planning matters in the Midlands and beyond. Paul Tucker, pictured, QC is frequently instructed in large-scale planning enquiries, and recently represented developer IM Properties in an inquiry concerning a large mixed use development in Stratford-upon-Avon; Gary Grant represented the local authority in the same matter. Other notable members include Sarah Clover, whose work often deals with cases at the intersection of planning and licencing law, such as advising licensed venues on nearby proposed developments.

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION LEADING SETS 1 No5 Barristers Chambers is home to a collection of property barristers with ‘strength and depth at all levels of call’. Sources of instructions include landlord and tenant matters, easement and boundary disputes, and development disputes involving restrictive covenants. Mark Anderson QC recently successfully represented the lenders in a claim for possession of a £2m property which had been pledged as a security for a loan to be used for commercial property investment. David Taylor, pictured, is also frequently instructed in high-value possession claims, such as his recent representation of crowd-funded loan platform Saving Stream in a claim for possession of a mixed commercial and residential building. At the more junior end of chambers, Imogen Halstead s building up a substantial property practice including trust claims, tenancy disputes, and easements. St Philips Chambers is home to several strong property barristers, who are ‘intuitive and at the top of their game’ with ‘outstanding knowledge’ in the field. John Randall QC is a key figure within the group, handling complex and high-value cases involving issues such as mineral rights, proprietary estoppel and boundary disputes. Anthony Verduyn, pictured, is a prominent figure in the set’s junior ranks, and recently defended a former Ukrainian politician in a case brought by his former wife, alleging that the defendant owed her more than £2m as he had covenanted to redeem the mortgage on a London flat, and in a counterclaim asserting beneficial interest in several-high value properties owned by the claimant. LEADING SETS 2 Members of Ropewalk Chambers appear in a wide range of property cases throughout the East Midlands, with recent work including boundary and easement disputes, as well as dilapidation and possession claims. Tom Carter, pictured, is a particularly notable figure

within the team for his specialism in cases relating to Japanese knotweed, having recently appeared in several agenda-setting nuisance, misrepresentation and professional negligence cases around infestations of the invasive species. St Ives Chambers is home to a property group with significant experience across a wide range of issues, which ‘punches above its weight locally, and is ‘a go-to set for property matters in Birmingham’. Senior junior Tony Watkin is a key figure within chambers, and recently represented the Radisson Blu Hotel in Liverpool in an insurance charge dispute where the landlord had reapportioned those charges so that the client had a higher burden than the building’s residential tenants. Other notable barristers in the team include Matthew Haynes, whose recent property work has centred around boundary and easement disputes, and Michelle Caney, pictured, whose work covers the broad spectrum of real and property matters.

SOCIAL HOUSING LEADING SETS 1 Members of the social housing team at St Ives Chambers primarily act on behalf of local authorities and housing associations, dealing with instances of anti-social behaviour, traveller issues, evictions, nuisance, and homelessness applications. Michael Singleton, pictured, leads the group, and recently represented Mossbank Homes Limited in a possession claim against a defendant with severe mental health issues for whom local authority support had been withdrawn. Other prominent practitioners within chambers include Michelle Caney, who represents Black Country Housing Group in a possession claim issued against a tenant who was a hoarder, in which the defendant has been granted leave to appeal, and Anya Newman, who also undertakes some work for tenants.

RISING STARS CHANCERY, PROBATE, AND TAX No5 Barristers Chambers Imogen Halstead CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE Kings Chambers

Nicholas Truelove

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Ropewalk Chambers

Thomas Herbert

FAMILY AND CHILDREN LAW St Philips Chambers William Horwood INQUESTS AND INQUIRIES Ropewalk Chambers

Thomas Herbert

PERSONAL INJURY Kings Chambers

Nicholas Truelove

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT Kings Chambers Killian Garvey PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINARY LAW Cornwall Street Barristers Jonathan Storey PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION No5 Barristers Chambers Imogen Halstead SOCIAL HOUSING St Ives Chambers

Aadhithya Anbahan

Some lead, others follow.

As one of the largest sets of barristers’ chambers in the UK with over 260 members including 32 Silks, we have the quality and depth of expertise to meet your legal needs. Throughout its 100 year history, No5 Barristers’ Chambers has developed a reputation for breaking new ground and continues to be regarded as a progressive and forwardthinking set. With offices in Birmingham, London, Bristol and Leicester we are well placed to provide expertise at all levels throughout the UK and overseas.

Heads of Chambers:

Adrian Keeling QC & Jonathan Jones QC

Chief Executive & Director of Clerking: Tony McDaid

0845 210 5555

info@No5.com

No5 Barristers’ Chambers provides services on an equal opportunity basis.

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