Corporate/M&A: West Midlands

This outstanding team handles all aspects of corporate law from sales and purchases to private equity deals and admissions to both the AIM exchange and the Official List. It advises such clients as Barclays Ventures, Dechra Pharmaceuticals and Intertek. Highlights include advising Compass Group UK & Ireland on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of VSG Group.

Commercial Awareness "They are strong operators that have built up a strong client base."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Lavery is praised for his expertise in representing clients such as Barclays Private Equity, Lloyds Development Capital and Sovereign Capital in M&A and private equity transactions. Mark Beardmore focuses on MBOs, secondary buyouts, development capital investments and exits. Noel Haywood acts for large domestic and international clients. He has recently assisted Finning International in connection with the sale of Hewden Stuart UK.

This first-rate firm attracts praise for its "in-depth understanding of the nuances of clients' businesses." It benefits from relationships with numerous private equity houses and a strong portfolio of blue-chip clients from sectors including energy and renewables, healthcare and food. Leading highlights include a role in one of the region's largest transactions, advising the Tejani family on the sale of the LPC Group to Sofidel Spa.

Client Service "They show a can-do attitude and commitment to delivering results. We particularly appreciated their willingness to manage issues and not always wait to be instructed."

Commercial Awareness "I was very impressed by the pragmatic and commercial realism displayed by the team, which combined with tact, diplomacy and sensitivity has become a hallmark of Eversheds."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Susan Lewis continues to act for the firm's high-profile national and international clients. "She fully deserves her great reputation," sources say. Stephen Kitts is "good at holding his client's hand through the process and explaining complicated concepts in layman's terms." Keri Rees is "brilliant for corporate matters - prompt, responsive and commercial."

Clients and peers alike praise this team for its commerciality and superb client service. Its client base ranges from owner-managed private companies to FTSE-listed major corporates that include the likes of Premier Foods, Harvard International, Dubai World Ports and Phones4U. In the past year it advised NYSE-listed Cambrex on the USD20 million acquisition of a 51% stake in Indian pharmaceutical company Zenara.

Client Service "You feel they are very much part of your team and generally they give clear, concise advice."

Commercial Awareness "Their advice has been excellently commercial. We really enjoy working with them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeremy Millington specialises in private equity and M&A work. In the past year he advised Automatic Data Processing on the £16.2 million public takeover of OneClickHR. Julian Henwood provides advice on IPOs, secondary fund-raisings, public takeovers and regulatory compliance for publicly-listed companies, financial advisers and brokers. He has experience of acting on international deals and for Scandinavian-based companies. M&A specialist David Vaughan is described as sensible, clear headed and "extremely dedicated to his work." He has a track record of advising on transactions with a German element.  

The team has recently been strengthened by the arrival of a significant number of lawyers from the now defunct law firm Halliwells. Clients praise the firm for the quality of its corporate practice as well as its proactive approach. Recent highlights include advising on the £10 million AIM-placement of Real Estate Investors and acting on the £42 million return of capital by Dunelm Group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Hayward focuses on advising private equity funds on a wide range of corporate matters. He recently represented Kimberly Access on the acquisition of 1st Access Rentals and subsidiaries Pinnacle Platforms and Scotia Plant & Tool Hire. Paul Cliff handles a range of transactional concerns, in particular those involving public companies on corporate and capital markets matters. Katie Silvester recently advised on the acquisition of Primetake by way of reverse takeover. Michael Ward oversees the work of the team. He continues to advise owner-managed businesses and large corporate clients on a variety of matters.

This nine-partner team is felt to have weathered the tough economic climate in a robust fashion. In recent times it has been particularly active in the technology, energy and healthcare sectors. The firm also provides advice on private equity matters to funds including Better Capital, MML Capital, Apax Partners and Barclays Private Equity. Clients enjoy working with this "innovative and easy-to-deal-with" practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading partner Paul Harkin recently advised Halfords Group on the £73 million acquisition of Nationwide Autocentres. Andrew Hornigold is singled out for his "tremendous experience" on technology-led deals. In the past year he advised Synetrix on the £75 million sale of the business to Capita Group.

The team can be counted on to deliver expertise to management teams, private equity houses and corporates on MBOs, M&A deals, reorganisations and debt-for-equity swaps. Highlights include representing the management team at Paperchase on a private equity-backed MBO. Sources are quick to reveal that the group has "great problem-solving abilities and is driven by a sense of commerciality." 

Client Service "They offer teamwork skills, depth and appropriate billing rates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roger Birchall represents large corporates, funders and management teams on both M&A and private equity transactions.

The team attracts praise for its "superb knowledge of the industry and the ability to find solutions." It has experience advising on fund formations and fundraisings, private equity and venture capital transactions as well as M&A deals and corporate restructurings. Sources believe that the team's knowledge base and ability to keep projects on track are real assets, as is its ability to "work extremely hard with a committed and focused attitude." On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Stilton is a vastly experienced practitioner who earns praise for "applying his knowledge creatively." Richard Wrigley advises on private equity-related deals with an international dimension. On the corporate transactional side, he recently assisted on the acquisition of Lucidiom by Noritsu America. Meanwhile, Adam McGiveron advised the management team at Antler on the MBO of the company.

Following a merger with an American firm last year this practice has boosted its profile among international businesses, particularly those with a strong connection to the USA. In recent times the team has advised a range of clients in the IT, leisure and aerospace and defence sectors. Highlights include advising on the £45 million sale of Teaching Personnel and acting on the £32.8 million MBO of Team Telecom Group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Dawes is described as "a commercial, no-nonsense lawyer." His practice focuses on M&A deals with an emphasis on the retail and leisure sectors. Peter McLintock assists his clients in matters including M&A, MBOs and MBIs. He recently advised such names as Gresham, Kelly Services, Teaching Personnel and Team Telecom Group. Geoff Perry specialises in advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He also has particular expertise in the entertainment and live events sectors.

Despite challenging market conditions, the team has attracted high-quality work, particularly from clients in the professional services and natural resources sectors. It has also advised on a number of transactions with an offshore element.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Graham Muth is considered to be a standout performer at the firm. He recently advised Rotary UK on its acquisition of CA Sothers and acted for the management team at UKDN on its private equity-backed MBO.

This Cradley Heath-headquartered firm is regarded as "an efficient outfit that cuts to the chase." The team has proven itself adept at advising on sizeable instructions, as shown in its continuing assistance to Poundland in a £200 million MBO. It also acted in a £300 million debt restructuring exercise for Bakkavor Group. Interviewees feel that the team is "careful, committed and provides dedicated client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Bennett provides corporate and private equity advice to a healthy portfolio of privately held businesses, banks and financial institutions. He recently acted for the exiting and continuing shareholders of Metro Shipping in connection with an investment by Uniserve Group. Guy Green is acknowledged for his experience and deemed "a pleasure to work with."

Harvey Ingram has built a following among the local SME market, which it advises on corporate transactional activity. It houses a range of specialists in such areas as property, tax, pensions and IP whose expertise is called upon where needed. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rick Smyth is a key contact.

Clients have a good impression of the advice provided by this compact corporate team. Whilst UK corporate matters are the bread and butter of the team's work, it also has expertise in advising offshore banks, financial institutions and trust companies. Members of the team take pride in their expertise in dealing with complex transactions including financings, restructurings and joint ventures. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Hill specialises in advising offshore entities on a variety of corporate issues. Recently he advised a large manufacturing company on a reorganisation and restructuring exercise. According to feedback, Jane Thomas "has a way of making complicated legal situations simple to understand, making life easier for clients." Like Hill, she can be called on to give advice on the tax aspects of corporate transactions. Experienced practitioner Peter Seary joins the firm from Shoosmiths. He focuses on M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate governance with a focus on the food and manufacturing sector.

The team benefits from the additional resources brought about by a merger with Needham & James, and concentrates on advising clients in the healthcare and financial services sectors. Clients praise the team for providing "proactive, cost-effective advice" on a range of issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Duncan James is head of the team.

Clients appreciate that the team at Shoosmiths is "very dedicated" and the quality of its advice is delivered to a high standard even when under intense time pressures. Members of the team are respected for their advice on joint ventures, M&A transactions and venture capital issues.

Client Service "The team is extremely responsive and always works to the desired timeframe. They represent us to a high standard and always take a proactive approach."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alistair Peet has a "fantastic breadth of knowledge" and a sense of commercial acumen that earns him his clients' "utmost trust." Martin Letza is described as "creative and commercially sound."