The UK Legal 500 recommends

Transcription

1 The UK Legal 500 recommends Weightmans LLP

2 Weightmans This PDF is an extract of the main recommendations for the firm in the 2007/08 edition of The UK Legal 500 Detailed list of recommendations: the attached pages contain the main recommendations for the firm. This list below is a separate and more detailed list of ALL practice areas for which the firm is recommended. Note: only the main recommendations are included in this PDF (all other references can be viewed online at or in the printed book version) East Midlands Insurance Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant London Dispute resolution Debt recovery Insurance Clinical negligence - Defendant Personal injury - defendant TMT (technology media and telecoms) Computer games North West Corporate and commercial Corporate and commercial: Liverpool Dispute resolution Commercial litigation: Liverpool Debt recovery Human resources Employment Insurance Clinical negligence: defendant Personal injury: defendant Professional negligence Public sector Education Health Local government Real estate Commercial property: Liverpool Commercial property: Manchester Construction TMT (technology, media and telecoms) Intellectual property Transport West Midlands Insurance Clinical negligence: defendant Personal injury: defendant Public sector Health

3 Dispute resolution London Weightmans LLP

4 Debt recovery Debt recovery DRYDENS Bradford IRWIN MITCHELL Clyde & Co Coltman Warner Cranston LLP Coventry Moon Beever Salans Bromley Farrer & Co Judge & Priestley Bromley Manches LLP Martineau Johnson Birmingham Optima Legal Services Bradford steeles (law) llp Norwich Thomas Eggar LLP Chichester Ward Hadaway Newcastle Weightmans Jim James heads Ward Hadaway s specialist unit, which handles up to 2,500 cases annually and in 2006 recovered over 6m for businesses in the North East of England. Weightmans is instructed by both public and private sector bodies in the recovery of substantial debts. Jill Cox is the name to note.

5 Insurance London Weightmans LLP

6 Clinical negligence Defendant Clinical negligence defendant CAPSTICKS HEMPSONS Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP Bevan Brittan LLP Kennedys RadcliffesLeBrasseur Howrey LLP Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP Weightmans Berrymans Lace Mawer Eastwoods Solicitors Plexus Law, a division of Parabis Law LLP Trowers & Hamlins Since dismal rates forced Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP to quit the NHSLA panel, the firm's go-it-alone strategy appears to have paid off. The practice is expanding: in addition to taking on internal recruits, Dr Gaynor Whiter has joined the firm from Davies Arnold Cooper. The firm's insurance client base has grown with the addition of Markel International (in addition to existing clients Novae, Brit, QBE, St Paul Travelers and Marketform), and the practice has attracted more private sector organisations (like Priory and Veritas), plus individual GPs and dentists. Department head Dorothy Flower is well regarded within and outside of her specialist area of reproductive healthcare claims. Other standout partners include Clare Jaycock and Nick McMahon. The arrival of ex-hempsons and Clyde & Co partner John Mitchell at Weightmans London office in 2006 has added another heavyweight to the firm's national practice, as well as complementing the well-regarded Rena Field's practice. Other London partners who reinforce the firm's reputation for 'tough negotiation' and 'real understanding of the workings of the NHS' include Beth Buchanan and Sarah Ellington. Berrymans Lace Mawer continues to enjoy an enviable reputation for adept disposal of claims, making creative use of ADR techniques where appropriate. The firm is called upon to handle various sensitive matters by the GMC, GDC and NHS disciplinary bodies, and continued a successful record at trial in Vicki Swanton and head of department Gary Allison manage a 'helpful and responsive' team.

7 Personal injury defendant Personal injury defendant BEACHCROFT LLP BERRYMANS LACE MAWER GREENWOODS SOLICITORS Badhams Law Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP Davies Lavery Herbert Smith LLP Kennedys Davies Arnold Cooper Hextalls LLP Vizards Wyeth Watmores Hill Dickinson LLP Holman Fenwick & Willan Ince & Co Norton Rose Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP Weightmans Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP fields a three-partner personal injury team led by Gavin Reese. The firm routinely handles claims in excess of 1m and at present is handling a string of public liability claims concerning severely brain-damaged children. The firm has also been active in the court, handling a leading case on temporary deemed employment at Court of Appeal level. Panel-wise, the firm also had a good year, earning a place on the general liability panels of Aspen Insurance, the AA, DAC/QBE, Arch, B&Q, Sportscover and The Grosvenor Estates. Clients find the firm simply first rate: responsive, thoughtful and pleasant. Trained osteopath James Miller is highly regarded. Dan Mitchell forms the London end of a national industrial disease team at Weightmans, which is part of the firm's employer s liability team. The practice handles occupational disease claims and high-value public liability matters in addition to recovery actions for insurers.

8 TMT London Weightmans LLP

9 Computer games Computer games HARBOTTLE & LEWIS LLP OSBORNE CLARKE BIRD & BIRD BRIFFA BRISTOWS DAVENPORT LYONS LEWIS SILKIN LLP LOVELLS LLP MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP DLA Piper UK LLP Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LG Manches LLP Marriott Harrison Pinsent Masons Redd SJ Berwin LLP SK Sport and Entertainment Speechly Bircham LLP Weightmans Liverpool In May 2006, Speechly Bircham LLP established a dedicated IP department which was joined, later in the year, by Robert Bond from Faegre & Benson LLP. Bond brought some sector expertise and clients Eutechnyx, Firefly Studios and Second Life creators Linden Labs. Liverpool-based John Schorah is the computer expert at Weightmans and enjoys a strong reputation in the industry from both his legal work and his time as CEO of publisher Rage. The practice handles corporate transactions including funding and acquisitions as well as commercial developer and publishing work.

10 East Midlands Weightmans

11 Personal injury and clinical negligence defendant Personal injury and clinical negligence defendant BROWNE JACOBSON LLP Nottingham Berryman Nottingham Freeth Cartwright LLP Derby, Leicester, Nottingham Weightmans Leicester Langleys Solicitors Lincoln Freeth Cartwright LLP has a dedicated team handling defendant personal injury work for insurers such as Markel, IGI Insurance and The Underwriter. Claims where the value exceeds 1m are currently underway in areas such as employer s liability and personal injury. Insurance clients and corporates have praised Weightmans for its level of service when conducting defence work on their behalf. In April 2006 the firm refocused and enhanced its specialised services by separating workplace casualty and workplace disease into discrete practice areas within each office. Langleys Solicitors insurance team is based largely in York and acts for NFU Mutual. Lincolnbased partner Christopher Price is praised for his fast turnaround times and strong results.

12 North West Weightmans

13 Corporate and commercial Liverpool Corporate and commercial Liverpool DLA PIPER UK LLP BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET LLP DWF HALLIWELLS LLP HILL DICKINSON LLP Mace & Jones Lees Lloyd Whitley O Connors LLP Weightmans Lees Lloyd Whitley has an emerging presence in the corporate and commercial arena. Tim Polding and Mark Fergusson are both recommended. Weightmans has a strong reputation with local SMEs and the public sector, and is beginning to gain recognition from larger corporate clients. Areas of expertise include computer games, through John Schorah.

14 Commercial litigation Liverpool Commercial litigation Liverpool DLA PIPER UK LLP Brabners Chaffe Street LLP DWF Halliwells LLP Hill Dickinson LLP Weightmans Bermans Lees Lloyd Whitley Mace & Jones Morecrofts Solicitors Hill Dickinson LLP was successful in a number of big-name cases in 2006, and was joined by partner James Southworth in January Litigation specialist Geraldine Ryan is now based in Manchester. Weightmans acts for private and public sector clients on a broad range of commercial litigation matters, with particular expertise in shareholder, IP, partnership and property disputes. Andrew Cox is recommended. Lees Lloyd Whitley offers the full range of commercial litigation services under team head Mark Burch.

15 Debt recovery Debt recovery BERMANS Liverpool, Manchester COBBETTS LLP Manchester HALLIWELLS LLP Manchester LEES LLOYD WHITLEY Liverpool PANNONE LLP Manchester Berrymans Lace Mawer Liverpool, Manchester DWF Liverpool, Manchester Thomas Higgins & Co Wallasey Aaron & Partners LLP Chester Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Liverpool Hibbert Durrad Moxon LLP Nantwich Hill Dickinson LLP Liverpool Weightmans Liverpool Hill Dickinson LLP s Jonathan Berkson maintains a pre-eminent reputation in the region for his debt recovery expertise. Clients include Kingston University, Leggett Freightways and Bibby Financial Services. The team is praised for its unrivalled expertise in the Merseyside area, coupled with a friendly and approachable demeanour. Weightmans collected over 10m in the course of Head of commercial litigation Andrew Cox leads the team.

16 Employment Employment ADDLESHAW GODDARD Manchester DLA PIPER UK LLP Manchester, Liverpool DWF Liverpool, Manchester EVERSHEDS LLP Manchester HALLIWELLS LLP Manchester HAMMONDS Manchester MACE & JONES Liverpool, Manchester BEACHCROFT LLP Manchester BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET LLP Liverpool, Manchester COBBETTS LLP Manchester PANNONE LLP Manchester PINSENT MASONS Manchester Aaron & Partners LLP Chester George Davies Solicitors LLP Manchester Hill Dickinson LLP Manchester Kuit Steinart Levy Manchester Martin & Co Manchester Weightmans Liverpool Berg Legal Manchester Berrymans Lace Mawer Liverpool, Manchester Forbes Blackburn, Preston Gorvins Stockport Hempsons Manchester Hibbert Durrad Moxon LLP Nantwich Keoghs LLP Bolton Laytons Manchester Lees Lloyd Whitley Liverpool nexus Solicitors Manchester Wacks Caller Manchester Martin & Co is an employment boutique headed by John Martin. In 2006, the firm was appointed as legal adviser to Urban Splash and two further education colleges. The firm also represented 90 former employees of Allsports in a class action for unfair dismissal. Weightmans Liverpool and Manchester employment department has experienced a 30% growth in turnover in each of the last three years. It now represents the Royal Mail in the North West and North Wales, and handles a large volume of litigation for major corporate clients, public authorities and police forces. David Jacks leads the group. Berg Legal represents senior executives, AIM-listed clients and SMEs. Alison Loveday is recommended.

17 Clinical negligence defendant Clinical negligence defendant HEMPSONS Manchester HILL DICKINSON LLP Liverpool Berrymans Lace Mawer Manchester Weightmans Liverpool Berrymans Lace Mawer is currently advising on a negligence claim worth approximately 1m against a leading high street optical chain. Team head Michael Brown has over 20 years experience in handling clinical negligence matters and comes highly recommended. Vicky Morris heads the North West healthcare team at Weightmans, and is also the client partner for the NHSLA. The team specialises in high-value birth injury cases, with both Morris and partner Richard Jolly experts in this area.

18 Personal injury defendant Personal injury defendant BEACHCROFT LLP Manchester BERRYMANS LACE MAWER Liverpool, Manchester DWF Liverpool, Manchester HALLIWELLS LLP Manchester HILL DICKINSON LLP Liverpool KEOGHS LLP Bolton WEIGHTMANS Liverpool DLA Piper UK LLP Liverpool, Manchester Davies Arnold Cooper Manchester Silverbeck Rymer Liverpool, Manchester Addleshaw Goddard Manchester colemans-ctts Manchester Forbes Blackburn George Davies Solicitors LLP Manchester Horwich Farrelly Manchester Rowe Cohen Manchester Keoghs LLP bolstered its personal injury team in 2006 with the hire of Finbar Cahill as a partner from Henmans LLP. Under the direction of David Tyson, the team continues to go from strength to strength, winning new clients Aspen Insurance and Westminster Insurance who join the likes of AXA, Endsleigh, First Group and Liverpool Victoria on the client list. Specialist areas for the firm include motor and household, industrial disease, catastrophic injury, and travel and sports injury claims. Weightmans is an excellent firm, always willing to assist, provide guidance and develop best practice. In 2006 the team welcomed the arrival of partner John Lees from Flint Bishop Solicitors, who brings a strong client base in the Lloyd s motor market to the team also saw the establishment of a dedicated disease unit, which will work alongside the firm s transport, workplace casualty and large loss and technical claims units. DLA Piper UK LLP in 2006 successfully defended Henlys in a significant High Court vibration white finger claim. Robert Muttock heads a team that has seen a substantial rise in disease and healthcare cases, areas which are increasingly impacting on corporate clients.

19 Professional negligence Professional negligence WEIGHTMANS Liverpool, Manchester ADDLESHAW GODDARD Manchester BERRYMANS LACE MAWER Manchester, Liverpool DWF Liverpool, Manchester HILL DICKINSON LLP Liverpool Beachcroft LLP Manchester DLA Piper UK LLP Manchester Davies Arnold Cooper Manchester Halliwells LLP Manchester Keoghs LLP Bolton Legal Risk Liverpool Pannone LLP Manchester Aaron & Partners LLP Chester Robin Simon LLP Manchester Rowe Cohen Manchester Weightmans extended its dominance in professional negligence market with the hire of leading health and safety prosecutions lawyer Chris Green from Berrymans Lace Mawer. The firm was also reappointed to the panels of MIB, QBE and Zurich as well as winning new work from Quinn Direct. Client note the team s professional but informal approach, with group head Mike Grant singled out as professional but excellent value for money; he gives a positive financial outcome to our business. John Gosling heads the practice at Addleshaw Goddard and recently represented the defendant barrister in the high-profile Jassi v Gallagher case, successfully opposing an appeal to the Court of Appeal. The firm acts for clients across a diverse range of professions including educational institutions, financiers and solicitors.

20 Education Education ADDLESHAW GODDARD Manchester DLA PIPER UK LLP Liverpool, Manchester EVERSHEDS LLP Manchester DWF Liverpool Weightmans Manchester DWF has represented John Moores University for almost a decade, and further enhanced its credentials with its appointment to the Welsh Further Education Purchasing Consortium s legal panel in Weightmans has a strong profile in the education sector, particularly in employment matters.

21 Health Health Addleshaw Goddard Manchester Cobbetts LLP Manchester Hempsons Manchester Hill Dickinson LLP Liverpool Weightmans Liverpool Eversheds LLP Manchester George Davies Solicitors LLP Manchester Allan Mowat leads Hill Dickinson LLP s thriving healthcare practice. The firm has strong connections to NHS trusts, and in Lawford Martin the firm boasts an individual with extensive experience in NHS LIFT schemes and other NHS projects. Victoria Green is a specialist in primary care contracts, in the medical and dentistry arenas. Weightmans handles a broad range of healthcare work, both clinical and non-clinical. The firm s credentials were augmented by the arrival of the former chief executive of the Wirral Healthcare Trust, Frank Burns, as a consultant in Eversheds LLP s leading public sector expertise extends to the healthcare environment; the firm is regularly involved in PFI projects and public inquiries.

22 Local government Local government Addleshaw Goddard Manchester Cobbetts LLP Manchester DLA Piper UK LLP Liverpool, Manchester Eversheds LLP Manchester Aaron & Partners LLP Chester Beachcroft LLP Manchester Berrymans Lace Mawer Liverpool, Manchester Pannone LLP Manchester Weightmans Liverpool In 2006, the Merseyside Consortium, a collection of local authorities, appointed a legal panel featuring DLA Piper UK LLP, Cobbetts LLP and Weightmans. It is widely acknowledged as one of the most important appointments in recent years. Addleshaw Goddard remains active in the projects sector saw the firm advise Oldham Metropolitan Council on the largest-ever English PFI sheltered housing scheme for older people, and it also acted for Manchester City Council on its 200m pathfinder BSF project.

23 Commercial property Manchester Commercial property Manchester ADDLESHAW GODDARD DLA PIPER UK LLP EVERSHEDS LLP COBBETTS LLP BEACHCROFT LLP HALLIWELLS LLP HAMMONDS PANNONE LLP DWF Kuit Steinart Levy Mace & Jones Pinsent Masons Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Field Cunningham & Co George Davies Solicitors LLP Berg Legal colemans-ctts Hempsons JMW Solicitors Laytons Goodman Harvey Heatons LLP Hill Dickinson LLP Lockett Loveday McMahon (LLM) nexus Solicitors Rowe Cohen Weightmans Lockett Loveday McMahon (LLM) advised Meridian Healthcare Limited on the property aspects of its care home acquisitions, illustrating its expertise in this sector. nexus Solicitors has a thriving property practice, representing a series of prominent national retailers; Subway and Swinton Insurance are two examples of its retail tenant client portfolio. Desmond O Driscoll leads the practice, which is becoming more active on the developer side and in the secured lending arena. Weightmans Anne Dobie is recommended for property development and secured lending work, and works alongside a more substantial department in Liverpool. Clients praise the group s speed of response, quality of advice and co-ordination of ancillary matters.

24 Commercial property Liverpool Commercial property Liverpool DLA PIPER UK LLP HILL DICKINSON LLP Brabners Chaffe Street LLP DWF Halliwells LLP Mace & Jones Lees Lloyd Whitley Murphy Hodgkinson LLP Weightmans Since launching in 2000, Murphy Hodgkinson LLP has made a significant impact in the region, particularly in relation to residential development. Founding partner Karen Murphy has an outstanding reputation for mixed-use development, and recently advised Lowry Homes plc on the redevelopment of Manchester City FC s former stadium Maine Road. Weightmans now has a substantial practice in Liverpool, with an impressive record in both public and private sector work. It was appointed to the Merseyside Consortium s legal panel and handled two major projects for Liverpool City Council in Clive Bleasdale is recommended for development projects.

25 Construction Construction PINSENT MASONS Manchester DLA PIPER UK LLP Liverpool, Manchester EVERSHEDS LLP Manchester Addleshaw Goddard Manchester Beachcroft LLP Manchester Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Liverpool Cobbetts LLP Manchester Davies Arnold Cooper Manchester Halliwells LLP Manchester Hammonds Manchester Hill Dickinson LLP Liverpool, Manchester Mace & Jones Liverpool, Manchester Pannone LLP Manchester Trowers & Hamlins Manchester DWF Liverpool, Manchester Rowe Cohen Manchester Weightmans Liverpool, Manchester George Davies Solicitors LLP Manchester Rowe Cohen s construction team has experience across a range of procurement and drafting work as well as contentious matters. Weightmans Janet McCann recently represented a sub-contractor in a major housing PFI contract in the North West. The firm is particularly recommended for insurance and professional negligence work. George Davies Solicitors LLP has a small but active construction practice handling a good blend of contentious, development and transactional work.

26 Computer games Computer games HARBOTTLE & LEWIS LLP OSBORNE CLARKE BIRD & BIRD BRIFFA BRISTOWS DAVENPORT LYONS LEWIS SILKIN LLP LOVELLS LLP MACLAY MURRAY & SPENS LLP DLA Piper UK LLP Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LG Manches LLP Marriott Harrison Pinsent Masons Redd SJ Berwin LLP SK Sport and Entertainment Speechly Bircham LLP Weightmans Liverpool In May 2006, Speechly Bircham LLP established a dedicated IP department which was joined, later in the year, by Robert Bond from Faegre & Benson LLP. Bond brought some sector expertise and clients Eutechnyx, Firefly Studios and Second Life creators Linden Labs. Liverpool-based John Schorah is the computer expert at Weightmans and enjoys a strong reputation in the industry from both his legal work and his time as CEO of publisher Rage. The practice handles corporate transactions including funding and acquisitions as well as commercial developer and publishing work.

27 Transport Transport HILL DICKINSON LLP Liverpool WEIGHTMANS Liverpool Aaron & Partners LLP Chester Halliwells LLP Manchester Rowe Cohen Manchester Hill Dickinson LLP boasts a traditionally strong shipping practice that has become even more prominent, nationally and internationally, following its merger with Hill Taylor Dickinson in November The firm is advising Liverpool City Council on the construction of a new cruise liner facility at Pier Head. Commercial shipping specialist John Hulmes leads the team. Weightmans has a diverse transport practice spanning the marine and transit market, the motor sector, rail, aviation and fraud. In a major highlight for 2006, the team advised on a large multi-jurisdictional coverage action relating to the grounding of a super yacht. Clients commend the firm s refreshing client-focused approach, with team head Chris Ball singled out as an excellent all-round solicitor who pays great attention to detail. Tim Culpin, team head at Aaron & Partners LLP, is a leading authority in road haulage matters and regularly defends hauliers in relation to fuel duty and clandestine entrants offences. Warehousing and logistics are also strong areas.

28 West Midlands Weightmans

29 Clinical negligence defendant Clinical negligence defendant BEVAN BRITTAN LLP Birmingham BROWNE JACOBSON LLP Birmingham WEIGHTMANS Birmingham Mills & Reeve LLP Birmingham Sarah White takes over the mantle of Birmingham clinical negligence head at Browne Jacobson LLP, due to Simon Tait s relocation to the Nottingham office. In 2006 the team dealt with claims on behalf of numerous NHS trusts, including The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust and West Midlands Strategic Health Authority. Weightmans specialises in sensitive and high-value brain injury claims. The highly regarded Tony Yeaman leads the national practice from Birmingham and has extensive experience in complex group actions and large-loss cases. Mills & Reeve LLP fields two leading clinical negligence specialists, with partners Fiona Hawker and Jill Mason both highly experienced in medical law. Although the burgeoning medical regulatory team is still in its early stages, 2006 saw continued growth and further expansion is anticipated.

30 Personal injury defendant Personal injury defendant BEACHCROFT LLP Birmingham BERRYMANS LACE MAWER Birmingham BULLER JEFFRIES Birmingham EVERATT & COMPANY Evesham SHAKESPEARE PUTSMAN LLP Birmingham WEIGHTMANS Birmingham Browne Jacobson LLP Birmingham DLA Piper UK LLP Birmingham Davies Lavery Birmingham Irwin Mitchell Birmingham Keoghs LLP Coventry ORJ Solicitors LLP Stafford Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP Birmingham Wragge & Co LLP Birmingham Simpson Millar Birmingham Shakespeare Putsman LLP s new integrated personal injury team is led by managing partner Julia Holden, who recently handled a claim worth 9m. Steven Warburton is also recommended. Although Weightmans presence in Birmingham is limited, with only one partner based in the region, the practice enjoys extensive national resources. David Tuck is recommended for his advice to insurers and public authorities on respiratory diseases. In 2006 Browne Jacobson LLP continued its push into the West Midlands insurance market with a number of new high-value instructions. Motor Group head Simon Robinson is a specialist insurance practitioner and clients praise his handling of complex catastrophic claims.

31 Health Health Mills & Reeve LLP Birmingham Pinsent Masons Birmingham Bevan Brittan LLP Birmingham Browne Jacobson LLP Birmingham DLA Piper UK LLP Birmingham Wragge & Co LLP Birmingham Cobbetts LLP Birmingham Weightmans Birmingham The health team at Cobbetts LLP is led out of the Manchester office, but IT specialist Frances Anderson covers the Birmingham practice. In 2006 the team was kept busy advising Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust on its application for foundation status. Penelope Marshall leads the public sector practice at Weightmans. The firm has recently advised an NHS trust on a complex Data Protection Act application and continues to act for the NHSLA on its specialist litigation panels.