Dispute Resolution: West Midlands

This firm's dispute resolution group is a commanding presence in the market and acts for an impressive array of national and international clients. The practice possesses a wide range of expertise in the commercial and corporate spheres, including major contractual, shareholder, fraud and M&A disputes. Clients include HSBC, Siemens and Britannia Building Society.

Commercial Awareness "They focus their approach on a strategy that is tailored to the client's business aims."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Greg Lowson is widely recognised as a leading figure in the market. He is a solicitor advocate and accredited mediator, with extensive experience of complex high-value disputes. Sources say Jonathan Fortnam is "an excellent strategist who grasps the key issues in a dispute quickly." His corporate expertise is matched by his know-how in the professional negligence and procurement sectors. 

This team is hailed by sources as a leading force in the West Midlands, with one interviewee enthusing: "They are extremely highly rated." The team's sterling reputation is well earned, thanks to its experience of frequently acting in high-profile trials. In a recent case in point, the firm acted for CPC Group in its high-value breach of contract claim against Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company over the proposed redevelopment of the Chelsea Barracks in London.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Manning Cox is firmly established as a leading presence in the market and possesses considerable expertise in complex corporate and commercial disputes. Clients highlight Tom Ellis for his "excellent academic approach and business acumen." His impressive client list includes Sotheby's Auction House. Head of department James Gordon recently acted for Russian property developer Synergy in its dispute with RGI International. Andrew Smith wins praise as "one of the best litigators in the region." He demonstrated his abilities acting in the CPC Group litigation. 

This disputes practice continues to be a significant presence in the West Midlands market, acting for a range of national and international clients. High-profile clients include HSBC, DSG International and Kodak. The team enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the breadth of its expertise in commercial and corporate disputes, along with a growing presence in domestic and cross-border arbitration.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nicholas Bamford is commended by sources for his expertise in a broad range of commercial disputes and for his specialisation in civil fraud issues and directors' duties. Department head Neil Bowker has been active recently defending Compass Group against high-value claims arising from an alleged introductory-fee arrangement.

This team is highly popular with clients, who praise its ability to "work well with in-house teams." The Birmingham office of this national firm acts for an impressive array of clients, including Santander UK, Severn Trent Water and National Grid. The group's diverse expertise sees it act in financial services and banking, utilities and fraud-related disputes.  

Client Service "They always seek to deliver for the client and are always willing to put themselves out in terms of availability and turnaround."

Commercial Awareness "They're very quick to grasp the salient business issues of a difficult case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Busby enjoys a highly regarded practice encompassing commercial disputes, professional negligence and banking issues. Mark Surguy recently joined the firm from Pinsent Masons. He has a strong reputation in the region.

This compact team continues to impress market sources with its range of capabilities in corporate and commercial disputes. The firm's expertise includes professional negligence, contractual and real estate disputes, and banking and financial issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources are full of praise for Stephen Goodrham, who is hailed as "an assured and top-quality litigator." He possesses experience in a wide variety of commercial matters, with a particular knowledge of injunctions, professional negligence and partnership disputes.

The disputes team at Shoosmiths acts in concert across its Birmingham and Milton Keynes offices and enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the high calibre of its work. The team acts in an impressive range of disputes spanning the retail, automotive and IT sectors. Its high-profile roster includes Jaguar Cars and Land Rover, Next and Calor Gas.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced commercial litigator Alexandra Bishop is hugely popular with clients, who say "she combines fantastic experience and legal knowledge with outstanding client communication." She divides her time between the firm's Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Northampton offices. 

This firm enjoys a well-deserved reputation in the market for the quality of its commercial disputes practice. The two-partner team possesses wide-ranging expertise including professional negligence, property, contractual and breach of warranty disputes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Lancaster is highly regarded by market sources for his abilities in dealing with commercial disputes. He brings an outstanding knowledge of the construction industry to his practice and is a CEDR-accredited mediator.

Clients praise this team for its "efficient and realistic billing structures." The team acts across a range of disputes, including contractual, insolvency and public sector disputes as well as professional negligence. It acts for clients such as Motorola, Lloyds Banking Group and the Wincanton Group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the Birmingham team Adam Kendall wins glowing praise from clients: "He is incredibly diligent and always ensured we were happy with how matters progressed."

Clients are full of praise for this team, which acts in a variety of domestic and international cases. The team's wide-ranging expertise of corporate and commercial disputes includes competition law, professional negligence and breach of warranty issues.

Commercial Awareness "They were very commercially aware." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Whittingham frequently acts in cross-border disputes, with a particular specialisation in commercial agency and professional negligence-related matters.

This firm's disputes team continues to impress market observers. The practice continues to cement its position in the local market, acting in a variety of corporate and commercial matters encompassing contractual, shareholder disputes and fraud.  

Commercial Awareness "A very commercially minded team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Raymond Joyce is praised as "a highly tenacious litigator with outstanding commercial acumen." As a former civil engineer he brings formidable experience of the construction law sector to his practice.

This Cradley Heath-based team is a strong presence in the local dispute resolution market. The practice handles a wide variety of commercial and corporate disputes spanning partnership, shareholder and contractual disputes, as well as banking-related matters. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise Neil Williams for his "very commercial" approach to litigation. He leads the team and has particular expertise in professional negligence disputes.

This firm enjoys a strong reputation for the quality of its work in both domestic and cross-border commercial and corporate disputes. The team demonstrated its capacity for high-end litigation recently in acting for Siemens before the Competition Appeals Tribunal in a major case against National Grid.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of practice Stephen Barker continues to be one of the leading practitioners in the local market. He has broad expertise in commercial and corporate disputes and is a CEDR-accredited mediator. Jonathan Hofstetter is admired by market sources for his commercial disputes practice and led the team acting for Siemens. He adds expertise in the technology and IP sectors to his cross-border disputes experience.

Sources say this is "an extremely professional outfit with fantastic legal knowledge." The practice advises on a number of domestic and cross-border corporate and commercial disputes. Its impressive client roster includes Bupa, the Law Society and Toyota Tsusho.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of practice Steve Allen is praised by sources for his "commercial approach and outstanding client relations." He adds particular expertise in shareholder issues and breach of warranties to his general corporate and commercial disputes practice.

This team acts in commercial disputes across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on contractual issues. It has won significant clients such as GM UK and Saab Great Britain.  

Commercial Awareness "They are very commercial and take pains to understand how your business operates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior partner Patrick Moran elicits admiration from sources for his "diligent and pugnacious approach to litigation." 

The team at Martineau wins glowing praise from clients, who say "they fine-tune their approach to achieve the best results for your business." The firm recently demonstrated its capability when it represented British company YouTravel.com and its Greek subsidiary against claims in the Florida Bankruptcy Courts. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

Client Service "The practice is highly efficient and always available to meet your needs." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Andrew Adams receives high praise from clients for being "a very pragmatic and solutions-focused lawyer." He adds expertise in corporate recovery and debt recovery to his practice. Timothy Speed continues to impress sources, who say he is "approachable and friendly, but firm with the other side when necessary." 

The Birmingham-based disputes team of this national and international player enjoys a strong reputation for its work in the region. The practice boasts a wide range of expertise in contractual and shareholder disputes, financial services and professional negligence. The team acts for high-profile clients such as AXA UK and Aston Villa FC.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the Birmingham department, Simon Garbett is highly regarded for his broad commercial and corporate disputes practice.

This team boasts excellent regional coverage with offices in Halesowen, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Nottingham. The team handles a variety of commercial and corporate disputes as well as professional negligence cases. The team is ably supported by the firm's strong fraud and asset recovery department.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Lowe leads the disputes practice.

This team enjoys a strong presence in the market, acting in a wide variety of corporate and commercial disputes. The firm possesses expertise in partnership and shareholder disputes, IP, insolvency and professional negligence.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Diane Bennett joins the team from Eversheds. She is highly popular with clients, who enthuse that she "listens to your concerns and excels at suggesting a strategy for moving forward."

This Brierley Hill-based team enters the rankings this year with the glowing praise of sources. The team handles a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters, including contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes, and IP and professional negligence matters.

Client Service "They deliver pragmatic analysis and outstanding client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Julia Lowe is highly praised by clients for her "commercial and pragmatic approach, which is married to great strategic vision."

Sources say this firm "delivers a speedy service and provides effective alternative solutions for the client." The team handles a variety of commercial disputes, including contractual disputes, franchising and product liability issues.

Client Service "Their excellent supportive approach reassures corporate clients that they are doing the right thing."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Beesley is the head of department.