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If you're looking to squeeze that extra million out of a buyer or get out of a particularly messy tribunal, you're going to need an advisor who's a bit out of the ordinary. Meet EN's top 50.
THE LAWYERS
LAWYERS (CORPORATE FINANCE)
REUBEN BERG - BERG LEGAL
Keep fit fanatic and marathon runner. Graduate of Manchester University, started Berg Legal in 1980. The firm continues to punch above its weight. Berg specialises in corporate and commercial law.
DAVID BOWCOCK - EVERSHEDS
Unassuming but sharp partner at Eversheds’ Manchester office, who ran his own Chester-based firm in the mid-90s in between stints with his current employer. Winner of Lawyer of the Year at EN’s 2007 Deals of the Year Awards. Last Year advised Holidaybreak on £100 million acquisition of PGL and £47 million acquisition of NST Holdings, and acted for shareholders of Barrons Caravans on £20 million sale to Discover Leisure. Leads Eversheds’ national corporate healthcare practice.
DARRYL COOKE - HILL DICKINSON
In corporate finance terms Hill Dickinson recruiting Darryl Cooke was rather like Manchester City signing Ronaldinho – at his peak. He is quite simply one of the best corporate finance lawyers outside London. Formerly head of DLA Piper’s private equity team across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A rare lawyer in that he sometimes questions the value of what he does, and would much rather have been a writer or a businessman. Once described by Legal 500 as “the outstanding Darryl Cooke”, which says it all really.
ALEC CRAIG - HALLIWELLS
As much businessman as corporate lawyer. We’d like to say that Alec Craig does a lot of his business on the golf course, but then we might need to call Mark Manley (qv). The blunt-speaking Craig is a major reason why Halliwells continues to be one of the North West’s leading law firms. A lawyer who is capable of bringing eyewatering deals into the region. Was once asked the secret of growth and replied: “You need to get one big-name leader and then younger lawyers will follow.” That remains the case and he is the big name.
PAUL DEVITT - ADDLESHAW GODDARD
Managing partner of the firm’s Manchester corporate division. Specialisms include acquisitions, disposals and takeover offers. Advised Norcros on £116 million IPO and British Airways on disposal of BA Connect. Public takeovers include MyTravel’s £852 million hostile offer for First Choice, JJB Sports’ £42.3 million recommended offer for TJ Hughes and BT’s recommended takeover of Transcomm.
STEPHEN DEVLIN - DLA PIPER
Specialist in public equity and M&A – particularly international transactions. Lead advisor to John Hargreaves’s £817 million reacquisition of Matalan in 2006. Also advised Brian Kennedy’s Latium group on its £52 million acquisition of Ultraframe.
DANIEL HALL - EVERSHEDS
Son of Stuart, the greatest sports commentator the region has seen, though he’ll hate us for mentioning it. Fearsomely focused corporate lawyer who has been involved in many of the largest deals done out of the region. Known for a grasp of detail and work ethic. Likes publicity, but doesn’t really court it. Says the best part of the job is: “Taking the team for a post-deal lunch and waxing over how we stuffed the opposition. The team never tires of it!”
IAN HODGKINSON - MACE & JONES
Heads the corporate department at the firm’s Liverpool office. Specialises in ownermanaged businesses and led the £60 million sale of Dev Shah’s Independent Pharmacy Care Centres last year. Other deals include selling Demon Tweeks and buying Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
KEITH JOHNSTON - ADDLESHAW GODDARD
Senior corporate partner a the firm’s Manchester office. M&A specialist. Bluechip clients include the Co-operative Group and Co-operative Financial Services, PZ Cussons and United Utilities. Immediate past president of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, but we won’t hold that against him.
ROBERT LEVY - KUIT STEINART LEVY
Son of co-founding partner Jack Levy. Specialist in corporate and commercial transactions and serious tax investigations. “Executive partner” in charge of strategic development and management of the Manchester firm, described by clients as “mini full service” which now has fee income of around £10 million and upwards of 140 staff. Clients say he “is a tough negotiator, thinks problems through and takes a sensible commercial approach”.
STEPHEN LEVY - PINSENT MASONS
Cross-border M&A and private equity transactions specialist. UK and overseas client list includes National Grid, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Montagu Private Equity, Gresham, International Game Technology, Affinity Healthcare and Eddie Stobart Group. Joined Pinsent Masons’ Manchester office in 2006 from Hammonds, where he was head of corporate finance.
KEVIN PHILBIN - ATTICUS LEGAL
Founded Wacks Caller, along with Aaron Wacks and Martin Caller, as a corporate finance boutique in 1987. Firm dissolved in 2006 when Caller led an exodus to Pannone, and the remainder was reborn as Atticus. Current director of more companies than you can shake a stick at, chairman of accountants Champion and former chairman of Blackpoolbased Supreme Plastics. Specialist in M&A, joint ventures, fundraising and AIM listings.
LEILA PORTER - BEACHCROFT
Porter specialises in AIM but undertakes the full range of corporate work for both public companies and private companies. Has acted on significant acquisitions and disposals, cross border work, management buy-outs, management buy-ins, VC investments, shareholder agreements, reverse takeovers, and reorganisations. Listed in Legal Experts for corporate finance and in Chambers and Legal 500. She has received an award from us (2003) for acquisition work completed for a telecoms company. Joined Beachcroft as partner in 2004.
EDWARD PYSDEN - EVERSHEDS
Diminutive dealmaker can often be seen being pulled around Alderley Edge by his Springer Spaniel, but has been at the top of the North West corporate finance tree for as long as anyone can remember. Clients rave about his innovative approach and an entire generation of younger lawyers has tried to emulate him. Now seems to concentrate more on project work. The Daddy.
ROBERT STREET - BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET
Looks and dresses like an old fashioned lawyer – and has the type of reputation for care and diligence that is also going out of fashion. Very safe pair of hands who takes on a varied commercial workload and therefore has expertise in areas that many corporate lawyers rarely come across. Built up Chaffe Street into a serious niche player before merging with Brabners. Genuinely nice guy.
SOREN TATTAM - PANNONE
If you export, or buy companies abroad Tattam is a good man to know. Highly regarded for his cross border work, he speaks Danish and Swedish. He is the firm’s international liaison partner. He has extensive contacts in the Scandinavian countries, is chairman of the North of England chapter of, and is a Council member of, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom. Is also the Swedish consul in Manchester Most of his time is spent dealing with transactions and commercial contracts with an international element and advising non-UK parent companies on a variety of matters relating to doing business in the UK and Europe. Also known as something of an IP law whiz.
LAWYERS (OTHER)
ANDREW CHAMBERLAIN - ADDLESHAW GODDARD
Partner and head of the firm’s employment practice. Specialist fields include executive terminations, industrial relations, employment aspects of corporate transactions, restrictive covenants and tribunal claims. Heavyweight who acted for Barclays on a complex tribunal involving race, sex and disability discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle blowing. Member of Royal Lytham and Wilmslow golf clubs.
EDWARD DAVIES - PINSENT MASONS
Experienced mediator. Advises large engineering and infrastructure projects. Clients include United Utilities and Drax Power, as well as Heathrow and Manchester Airports. Moonlights as a lecturer at Manchester Business School and visiting fellow at the University of Manchester.
MARTIN EDWARDS - MACE & JONES
Liverpool-based, though he lives in the leafy Cheshire village of Lymm. Head of Mace & Jones’s employment and HR department. Advises on all aspects of industrial relations law, acting for clients in the public and private sectors throughout the UK. Major cases include the TUPE dispute Brookes v CLS Care Services. Also an internationally-published crime writer.
STEPHEN FOX - RALLI SOLICITORS
Media friendly founding partner. Advises clients on investigations conducted by Government or professional bodies and crime enforcement agencies. Currently the firm’s Money Laundering Officer. Past cases include Arrows, Eagle Trust, BCCI, Kevin Taylor (the Stalker Affair), Alliance Resources, RPD (Australia), Operation Divert, and Aleef.
CHRIS GREEN - WEIGHTMANS
Former prosecutor. Defends companies, public sector bodies and individuals in police, HSE or local authority investigations following fatal or serious accidents in the workplace. Has been involved in a number of manslaughter investigations and prosecutions. Also deals with product liability, food hygiene, consumer protection, trading standards, transport and environmental cases.
BARRY HOLLAND - SOLE PRACTITIONER
Birkenhead lawyer who specialises in licensing law. Clients include many of the country’s largest brewers and off licences. Perhaps the leading expert in the UK in his field. An amazing achievement for a sole practitioner.
CATHERINE JONES - PANNONE
If it’s time to ditch the other half then this is the woman to call. Tough, no-nonsense approach has endeared this divorce lawyer to clients – though obviously few of them are prepared to give chapter and verse. We rely on the grapevine which says she is a very good family lawyer indeed.
MARK MANLEY - BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET
Next time you call one of your suppliers a “stupid, incompetent f***wit”, pause and ring Mark Manley. He will be the one to explain to you why suggesting that your supplier had the morals of a stoat and the honesty of a gangster in front of his staff was a perfectly legitimate expression of the obvious, rather than a vicious slander. Nationally renowned defamation lawyer who has acted for virtually everyone, from celebrities to national newspapers.
JOHN MARTIN - MARTIN & CO
Founder and head of a law firm which specialises solely in employment law. Advises a range of clients, from individuals to plcs. He also conducts his own advocacy in the Employment Tribunal and has appeared in the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Another would-be journalist. Said to have a very detailed knowledge of his subject, the complexity of which grows by the week.
GRAEME ORCHISON - DLA PIPER
Contentious IP specialist. Heads DLA’s technology, media and communications group in the North West. Handles heavyweight patent, trademark and copyright cases, including anticounterfeiting measures in the EC and Far East. Described variously as “very approachable” and “a rough diamond”. Clients include Coors Brewing, Argos and JJB Sports.
MAURICE WATKINS - BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET
Former Manchester Grammar School boy who has become one of the foremost sports lawyers in the country. Has longstanding links with Manchester United, was on the board of the plc until the Glazers took over, but remains on the football club’s board. First port of call whenever a scandal about alleged “roasting”, fighting or other such nonsense breaks around the squad. Has represented the FA at various high-level conferences. One of the few lawyers with a long entry on Wikipedia.
JAMES WHITTAKER - ADDLESHAW GODDARD
Technology, Media and IP specialist. Key member of the firm’s sport business group. Heavily involved in 2002 Commonwealth Games. Other sports clients include the Rugby Football League and Foggy Petronas Racing. Advised British Airways on sponsorship of the England football team and sponsorship of 2003 Rugby World Cup. IT and communications clients include Alphameric Group, Akzo Nobel and Standard Chartered Bank.
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