2016 Legal 500 ranks Fladgate across the board

Fladgate LLP is delighted to have achieved across the board rankings in the recently launched 2016 edition of the Legal 500 Guide to the UK Legal Profession. The firm achieved 27 rankings with a further 57 individual recommendations.

Commercial contracts

Eddie Powell led the advice to MLCG on the negotiation of a multi-year exclusive supply agreement with NISA as part of its acquisition of 140 convenience stores from Morrisons. In another highlight, Alan Wetterhahn assisted BGO with an online and TV advertising campaign. Other clients include Digital Cinema Media and Krannich Solar.

Individually recommended: Eddie Powell, Alan Wetterhahn

Flotations: small and mid-cap

Fladgate LLP bolstered its practice with the arrivals of Nigel Gordon and life sciences and natural resources expert Chris Chrysanthou from Fasken Martineau LLP. Grant Gordon heads the team, which includes Avram Kelman, who represents numerous tech sector related Israeli companies.

Individually recommended: Chris Chrysanthou, Grant Gordon, Nigel Gordon, Avram Kelman

M&A: smaller deals

Fladgate LLP recruited Graham Spitz from Locke Lord LLP, as well as Chris Chrysanthou and Nigel Gordon from Fasken Martineau LLP. Amy Collins advised the shareholders of GSH Group on its £53m sale to ISS. Luke Morris acted for Privet Capital on its acquisition of Pyser-SGI Group and Aeromet.

Individually recommended: Amy Collins, Chris Chrysanthou, Nigel Gordon, Luke Morris, Graham Spitz

Fraud: civil

Fladgate LLP’s ‘wide-ranging’ practice acts primarily for corporate clients. Led by the ‘tactical and effective’ Sophia Purkis, the team handles a number of high-value claims and is involved in ongoing FX investigations.

Individually recommended: Sophia Purkis

Gaming and betting

Grant Gordon’s practice at Fladgate LLP is part of a larger team that provides IT, IP and M&A expertise.

Individually recommended: Grant Gordon

Banking litigation

Fladgate LLP acts in property sector related banking disputes, financial services claims, and international banking cases. Paul Howcroft, Simon Brew and Alexander Wildschütz are key advisers.

Individually recommended: Simon Brew, Paul Howcroft, Alexander Wildschütz

Commercial litigation

Fladgate LLP acted for a group of retail and institutional investors in litigation against RBS arising from its rights issue. Simon Ekins and Simon Brew are recommended alongside Mark Buckley, who is ‘a great tactician’, Bree Taylor, who is ‘a tough, smart litigator’, and the ‘exceptional’ Steven Mash.  Paul Howcroft, Alexander Wildschütz, David Weare and Digby Hebbard are also well regarded.

Individually recommended: Simon Brew, Mark Buckley, Simon Ekins, Digby Hebbard, Paul Howcroft, Steven Mash, Bree Taylor, David Weare, Alexander Wildschütz

Corporate restructuring and insolvency

Key figures at Fladgate LLP include Jeremy Whiteson and senior associate Peter Reynolds, who recently joined from Memery Crystal LLP. The practice provides ‘responsive and clear advice’ across a range of restructuring and insolvency matters.

Individually recommended: Peter Reynolds, Jeremy Whiteson

Employment: employers

Fladgate LLP saw substantial growth in 2015 with the recruitment of Taj Rehal and Michael McCartney from Howard Kennedy LLP and Fasken Martineau LLP, respectively. The team recently advised Alliance Pharma on the employment elements of its acquisition of 27 products from Sinclair Pharma. Senior associate Mike Tremeer is ‘simply outstanding’.

Individually recommended: Michael McCartney, Taj Rehal, Mike Tremeer, Nick Tsatsas

Professional negligence

Art and cultural property

Fladgate LLP’s ‘knowledge of how the art market works is outstanding’. Under the leadership of Paul Howcroft, who is ‘very clever, approachable, pragmatic and ego-free’, the practice acts for collectors, investors and intermediaries, both domestic and overseas, in transactions and disputes.

Individually recommended: Paul Howcroft

Contentious trusts and probate

Fladgate LLP’s team is ‘excellent’ at handling high-net-worth family finances. Sophia Purkis is rated for her ‘very quick and clear responses’ and is recommended alongside the ‘very competent’ Teresa Cullen.

Individually recommended: Teresa Cullen, Sophia Purkis

Family

Fladgate LLP is singled out for its ‘excellent handling of high-net-worth finance and private children law matters’. Teresa Cullen ‘looks after her clients very well’.

Individually recommended: Teresa Cullen

Personal tax, trusts and probate

At Fladgate LLP, David Way advises on tax and estate planning and structuring issues for national and international individuals and businesses. The ‘thorough’ Richard Kaufman is also recommended.

Individually recommended: Richard Kaufman, David Way

Mining and minerals

Fladgate LLP’s 12-strong team was strengthened by the arrivals of Chris Chrysanthou and Nigel Gordon from Fasken Martineau LLP. Gordon jointly leads the team and advised Xtract Resources on its $13m acquisition of the Manica Gold project in Mozambique from Auroch Minerals. Fellow joint head Paul Airley is also recommended.

Individually recommended: Paul Airley, Chris Chrysanthou, Nigel Gordon

Commercial property

Fladgate LLP’s ‘on-the-ball’ team is led by Richard Reuben, who advised ING Real Estate Development UK on the sale of Hayle Harbour to Sennybridge. Antonia Brandes is advising Castle Lane Property on the redevelopment of 6 Castle Lane in Westminster. The team continued to handle a number of instructions in the hotels and leisure sector for clients such as Odeon Cinemas and Starboard Hotels.

Individually recommended: Antonia Brandes, Richard Reuben

Development 

Investment

Retail

Hotels & Leisure

Construction: contentious

Construction: non contentious

Fladgate LLP’s ‘cerebral and dedicated’ practice includes ‘incisive adviser’ Barry Hembling, who has been busy on behalf of Merlin Entertainments, advising on a portfolio of leisure-related construction projects globally. The team also has expertise in renewable energy and is acting for BTS Biogas on the construction of an anaerobic digestion plant in south Yorkshire. Gillian Birkby and Alan Woolston head the practice and handle a mix of contentious and non-contentious work.

Individually recommended: Gillian Birkby, Barry Hembling, Alan Woolston

Planning

Mark Harnett ‘explains issues very clearly’ at Fladgate LLP, where the team focuses on mid-size schemes for clients such as Hodson Developments and CLTX.

Individually recommended: Mark Harnett

Property finance

Fladgate LLP’s ‘very efficient, astute’ team has ‘the skills and knowledge to cover all areas of a transaction’, thanks to its ‘strength in depth’. Richard Reuben leads the team alongside Kim McMurray, who gives ‘calm, thoughtful advice’. Gideon Dabby-Joory is also recommended.

Individually recommended: Gideon Dabby-Joory, Kim McMurray, Richard Reuben

Property litigation

‘Very effective property litigation firm’ Fladgate LLP has expertise in the leisure, telecoms, site development and high-value residential sectors. Thekla Fellas leads the team, in which Alison Mould ‘knows her game exceptionally well’, and Janet Keeley is ‘extremely impressive’.

Individually recommended: Thekla Fellas, Janet Keeley, Alison Mould

Media and Entertainment

Highlights for Fladgate LLP corporate lawyer David Robinson included advising Cambridge University Press on its acquisition of a list of language textbooks from Advance Materials and assisting One Delta with its acquisition of Audioboom. IP lawyer Eddie Powell successfully defended The United Kingdom Ukulele Orchestra in a trade mark and passing-off dispute with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Individually recommended: Eddie Powell, David Robinson

Sport

Fladgate LLP is praised for ‘delivering real results’ and is best known in the sporting context for football and motorsport. Litigator Mark Buckley and commercial partner Alan Wetterhahn are the key names. Clients include Gareth Bale and Sahara Force India F1 team. James Earl, who is ‘well connected across the sector’, advised PEAK6 on its investment into AFC Bournemouth.

Individually recommended: Mark Buckley, James Earl, Alan Wetterhahn