Retail: London & UK-wide

The dedicated retail group at Addleshaw Goddard remains one of the strongest in the sector and acts for an interesting mix of retailers. The team advises on commercial agreements and property matters and is also increasingly active in M&A and restructuring activity. Clients range from major supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Co-operative Food through to high-street chains including New Look and JD Sport, to luxury retailers of the likes of Gucci and Asprey London. One recent highlight has been the group's work for Bank of Scotland concerning debt facilities for Paperchase. Clients go out of their way to praise the firm's depth of retail expertise.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Shufflebotham is the key contact.

Arnold & Porter earns its ranking thanks to a good track record in retail that covers commercial, employment, regulatory and IP matters. Notable clients include WHSmith, Diptyque and Russell & Bromley, and the team has recently assisted Urban Outfitters on a series of corporate and commercial transactions. Sources reveal that they enjoy working with the firm as it has proven itself "good at building relationships and managing the issues."

Client Service “They are highly responsive, taking calls at any time of the day and turning things round quickly.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paula Levitan is head of the retail practice group.

BLP has a broad-ranging retail practice that draws on the firm's strengths in property and corporate matters to perform at a consistently high level. It acts for some of the most recognisable brands in the marketplace, advising the likes of Burberry, Krispy Kreme, Ocado and long-term client Tesco on a variety of legal issues. The team has also recently assisted South Korea's National Pension Service on the EUR230 million acquisition of a retail development near Paris. Clients describe the firm's solicitors as thorough, pragmatic and personable.

Commercial Awareness “They are thoughtful and innovative in their approach, helping to find a way through any commercial difficulties.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Corporate head John Bennett is the key contact.

The team at Bond Pearce handles day-to-day legal matters for many prominent retailers and is an ever more significant presence in this sector. A network of offices throughout the UK enables it to serve clients efficiently and effectively wherever its assistance is required. Notable clients include Sainsbury's, Costa Coffee and Specsavers, and the team recently advised Marks & Spencer on a sustainability strategy.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gavin Matthews is the key contact.

This highly regarded North West firm clinches a ranking this year on the strength of its impressive performance in servicing the retail market. It acts for an interesting mix of clients, but is perhaps best known for its advice to budget retailers including Matalan, TJ Hughes and TJ Morris, owner of the Home Bargains brand.

Client Service “Their lawyers are always client-oriented and focused on delivering quality.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Property partner Neil McBurney heads the retail group.

Charles Russell boasts a retail group that is known among interviewees for its personable and client-focused approach. It works with an interesting mix of clients, from charity shops through to high-street chains, food retailers and luxury prestige brands. Sources note that the practice is of a size that is "big enough to provide all types of assistance, yet small enough to ensure that we get the continuity of team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Craig heads the practice.

Clarke Willmott enjoys a strong presence among clients in the retail sector, owing much of its reputation to the depth and breadth of its property and planning departments. It is particularly well known for its work with fast food chains thanks to the instructions it gains from a large number of such organisations. A recent highlight saw the team instructed by Playboy Enterprises in relation to trade mark infringement issues at its former store on London's Oxford Street.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Graham McIntyre is the key contact.

This highly regarded magic circle firm has a strong retail group that focuses on the top end of transactional work across a number of practice areas. Its consumer goods and retail team handles such matters as M&A, strategic growth and regulatory compliance, and the high-quality service offered by its experienced solicitors is much appreciated by clients.     

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Pudge is the key contact.

Clyde & Co's increasingly influential retail group works with both domestic and international clients and represents a number of well-known brands. Commentators speak approvingly of the firm's offering, praising its commerciality and noting that practitioners "always work to deadlines." Notable clients include ECCO, Aldo and Mango, and the group has recently assisted model and games retailer Modelzone on a UK expansion programme. On November 1st, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert merged with Clyde & Co. The merged entity is trading under the Clyde & Co banner.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Retail property specialist David Wyatt is the key contact.

The retail group at Beachcroft acts for a large number of organisations across an interesting mix of practice areas, including employment, real estate and licensing. The firm advises retailers of all shapes and sizes, with notable names including Greggs, Royal Mail, Westfield and ASDA. Practitioners recently advised Pets at Home on the acquisition of a substantial new distribution centre in Northampton. Commentators report that they can bounce ideas off members of the team and that they are also "pleasant to deal with." On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Commercial Awareness “They really get to the heart of what's important to us, anticipating changes to documents and pressing the points which they know are needed to operate effectively.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sue Jenkins heads the team.

This global firm brings an established and extensive international resource base to the practice's work for the UK retail sector. Dechert advises such retailers as Marks & Spencer, Arcadia and Waitrose, and earns admiration for the level of quality infused through the group's practitioners, their work and the team's client list. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Real estate partner Barry Thorne is a key contact.

DLA Piper retains its ranking in the top tier on the back of another impressive year in which practitioners were instructed on a broad range of high-level issues in the sector. The team is particularly strong in dealing with retail property concerns. It recently assisted Blacks Leisure Group with the rationalisation of its portfolio of stores and advised Invista Real Estate Investment Management on the purchase of Westhill Shopping Centre in Aberdeen. Other notable retail clients include Decathlon UK, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Staples. Clients reveal they are impressed with the "close attention paid to our detailed requirements" by solicitors.

Client Service “The team is full of good individuals who are committed to providing a great service.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Valerie Mather is the firm's national head of retail.

Eversheds uses its national network and deep bench to good effect in assisting clients on a variety of retail issues. Specific areas of interest to the group include regulation, property, employment and e-commerce, and the range on offer is one of the means through which the group is able to distinguish itself. The practice recently worked with high-street retailer Next on a project aimed at ensuring compliance with packaging waste regulations across 25 jurisdictions. It also assisted Phones4U with a national acquisition programme, and continues to support many other established clients including Bodycare, Littlewoods and Forever 21. Commentators speak highly of the commercial approach taken by the team's solicitors, noting that they have "a real sense for getting the job done."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Commercial partner Antony Gold is a key figure in the retail group.

Field Fisher Waterhouse houses expertise encompassing the full range of retail activity and is boosted by the presence of the UK's leading franchising group. The retail team also draws on expertise from practice areas including IP, dispute resolution and real estate. Recent highlights have included assisting online retailer lastminute.com on regulatory matters and acting for West Cornwall Pasty in a dispute over the lease of its Covent Garden store. Other high-profile clients of the firm include the John Lewis Partnership, Ed's Easy Diners and Canterbury of New Zealand.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Wormald heads the retail practice group. 

This well-established firm has a high-quality client base in the retail sector and acts on a wide range of work. Notable clients include Moss Bros, Quiksilver and Cartier, and the team was recently on hand to advise Beaverbrooks the Jewellers on a series of retail unit acquisitions and leasings.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Real estate partner Julian Hindmarsh heads the group.

This international powerhouse has a strong retail practice that continues to perform well at the top end of the market. It recently advised Tesco over a challenge to allegations by the OFT regarding the indirect co-ordination of the price of dairy products. It has also worked with major retail clients such as the Talk Talk Group, Sports Direct and Aldo on financing and regulatory matters. Clients admire that the team is "not overly legalistic and takes a practical, commercial approach" to its advice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Claire Wills is the key contact.

Herbert Smith advises on complex corporate and competition matters to a retail client list that befits a firm of such good standing. It has an excellent international reach and remains much admired by commentators for the quality of its work. The team has devoted further attention recently to JJB Sports due to the retailer's engagement in a series of capital raisings. Other high-profile clients of the firm in this sector include Uniqlo, Westfield and Liberty International. It recently advised the latter on its £1 billion demerger of Capital & Counties.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ben Ward is the practice head.

This international outfit houses a varied retail practice that spans day-to-day work as well as high-level corporate and competition matters. The team recently advised Waitrose on its new ten-year deal with Ocado and it has also worked with such clients as SABMiller, Shaftesbury and Vodafone. Commentators draw attention to the quality of the firm's solicitors, claiming that they are "quick to point out the rights and wrongs of a position" and are familiar with "all the different aspects of how to handle a case."

Commercial Awareness “They have an in-depth understanding of our business.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS The head of the group is Frances Le Grys.  

Linklaters remains one of the go-to firms for retailers seeking expertise in high-value corporate and competition matters. Clients describe the team's solicitors as "pleasant and hard-working; acting quickly to hit deadlines." One recent highlight saw the team advise Apax Partners on the EUR1.3 billion takeover of German fashion retailer Takko. It also acted for Lloyds TSB on the £90 million refinancing of the acquisition of Teen Topco by TPG.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Aedamar Comiskey is the joint global head of the firm's retail sector group.

The retail team at this impressive firm advises clients thoroughly and effectively on a range of issues in the sector. Standout clients include Swarovski, Oporto and Kurt Geiger, and the team has recently worked with Moss Bros on matters relating to its banking facilities and online presence. Members of the retail group are drawn from such practice areas as property, IP and employment.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Corporate partner Matthew Martin heads the group. 

Nabarro is applauded for delivering a high-quality service to a retail client base that includes such prominent organisations as Arcadia, HMV and Hackett. The firm is praised for its expertise in retail property matters and is particularly appreciated for the commitment of its solicitors to this sector. It recently assisted Costco Wholesale on the acquisition of a new warehouse in Southampton.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS The head of the firm's retail practice is Belinda Solomon.

Olswang boasts a practice that focuses particularly strongly on the retail fashion sector. It works with a variety of retail organisations including both high-street, bricks-and-mortar chains and online businesses. Household name clients on its roster include the likes of River Island, H&M and Austin Reed. The group is composed of solicitors with backgrounds in a variety of practice areas including banking, corporate finance and IP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner David Roberts is the key contact.

Osborne Clarke is deeply committed to its work in this sector and acts for retailers of all shapes and sizes. Clients range from supermarkets such as ASDA and Co-operative Food to high-street retailers and luxury brands including such names as Mulberry, French Connection and Polo Ralph Lauren. The team has specialisms in retail-focused IT, employment, real estate and competition work, and receives consistently high praise from interviewees. A recent highlight for the group has been its work with long-standing client Marks & Spencer on both property and IT concerns.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partners Kalpesh Tanna and Dolf Darnton are the the key contacts.

Clients identify members of Pinsent Mason's retail grouping as capable performers. The team draws on the expertise of solicitors from the firm's IP, IT and real estate departments and it has the breadth to advise clients on the full range of issues that arise in relation to retail. It acts for a number of well-known names including Halfords, Jack Wills and Dixons as well as various supermarkets of the likes of ASDA, Aldi, Morrisons and Waitrose.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tom Leman is head of the retail group.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain comes highly recommended by solicitors and draws together experts from the firm's IP, IT and real estate teams in fashioning together its retail offering. Sources appreciate the commercial approach of the group and underline their opinion that practitioners are "extremely sensitive to the needs of business." Notable clients include Sports Direct Group and lastminute.com.

Commercial Awareness “They know what we're like and what we want. Their advice is obviously spot-on legally, but it's the commercial side that gives them their advantage."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Oliver Bray is the group's key contact.

This impressive national outfit has demonstrated a commitment to servicing the retail sector and draws on the expertise of partners from various practice areas to advise clients in this field. Areas of strength for the team include real estate, IP, employment and regulatory law. Clients include Jessops, Thornton's and O2, and a recent highlight has been working with Alliance Boots on a series of property transactions. Commentators are full of praise for the quality of the group's collaborative approach.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Boss is the key contact.

Simmons & Simmons focuses its attentions on working with prominent retail clients in addressing challenging regulatory and commercial matters. The team has experience of dealing with high-value financial transactions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Dewar heads the firm's retail finance practice. 

SJ Berwin carries a significant reputation among clients from the UK retail sector. Its strengths in this area lie in real estate deals and high-profile corporate transactions. A recent highlight saw the group work with Goode Partners and Lion Capital on their acquisition of a majority stake in fashion retailer All Saints. Solicitors have also advised Marks & Spencer in relation to its acquisition of a new head office in Paddington.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Lever and David Parkes are the main practice contacts.

This high-profile firm has a domestic and international practice that is focused on large-scale transactions involving major retailers. The group draws its practitioners from a number of specialisms to assist high-street, fashion and food clients on a mix of corporate, commercial and competition issues. A recent highlight saw the firm advise Thomas Cook on the merger of its retail travel and foreign exchange business with the Co-operative Group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nigel Boardman is a key figure at the firm.   

SNR Denton works with a mix of clients in the retail sector and has a particular focus on assisting them with real estate matters. Solicitors possess the expertise to provide a fully rounded service in relation to retail property development, from acquisition through to planning and environmental considerations, to financing and tax issues. Clients are consistently positive in their reviews of the team's performance and admire the quality of its output.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Bedford is a key contact for retail work at the firm.   

This Bristol-based firm is increasingly a presence in the retail sector. It also has an office in London and advises clients through both locations on a variety of issues including real estate, commercial disputes and regulatory concerns. Commentators praise the firm for its commercial outlook, claiming that it is staffed by "practical and efficient lawyers who just get on with each job with a minimum of fuss."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Perran Jervis is head of the commercial team and a key contact.

Travers Smith is adjudged to have an in-depth understanding of the sector and an impressive list of clients. It acts on a mix of day-to-day legal issues and larger-scale corporate transactions. Standout deals include advising long-standing client the Peel Group in a strategic partnership with Capital Shopping Centres, a move that included acquiring the Trafford Centre. Clients speak of the team's "excellent commercial service" and are quick to praise the quality of its work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tom Purton heads the team.

The retail team at Walker Morris is felt to perform to a consistently high standard in its work on an assortment of issues. The firm advises retailers on real estate, IP, corporate and commercial matters, and recently assisted Dansk Supermarked on the sale of subsidiary Netto Foodstores to ASDA. Commentators are full of praise for the performance of the group's lawyers, who they deem "responsive to the needs of the client" and able to show "a detailed understanding and quick grasp of the key issues."

Client Service “We’re very fast-moving and set short deadlines, but we never have to chase them. If they need additional information they come back quickly, which makes our life much easier."

Commercial Awareness “They are good at understanding our business as a retailer. They clearly know the sector and we benefit from their experiences of working with similar clients.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Property partner Jane Weaver is a key contact.

Wragge & Co enjoys a solid reputation for work in the retail sector that spans commercial, IP, real estate and advertising matters. Its enviable client list includes such household names as Fat Face, Morrisons and Mothercare, and the firm's solicitors have extensive experience of handling both high-street and out-of-town retail issues. One recent highlight saw the team advise HMV on the sale of a landmark store on Oxford Street in a transaction worth £13.75 million.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Hunt is head of the retail department.