Buyers guide to legal services

Corporate & Commercial

If you are a business owner or executive, it's unlikely you will have avoided interacting with corporate and commercial law firms thus far. They are essential services that keep the machinations of business working smoothly. Corporate law firms handle major transactions such as M&A activity, joint ventures and listing on the Stock Exchange.
The Legal 500 produces separate East Midlands and West Midlands editions so here, as with other topics, the information is divided into these regions.

Legal Topics

West Midlands
The top tier in Birmingham was dominated by the region's biggest firms, with DLA Piper praised for being "always involved in the high-profile transactions". Eversheds LLP was buoyed by entrants in the leading individuals section, including mentions for the "pragmatic" Sue Lewis and the "exceptionally skilled" Keri Rees.

Gateley was described as providing "first-class advice in a timely manner", while partners including Simon Gill and Chris Reed were lauded by clients.

Pinsent Masons LLP was involved in some high-value deals, including the £73m Halford purchase of Nationwide Autocentres, and has clients including Homeserve, Saint-Gobain and Glanbia. West Midlands stalwart Wragge & Co was also involved in some major deals, notably advising NTSE-listed Cambrex Corporation on its acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Indian pharmaceutical company Zenara for $20m.

Elsewhere in the West Midlands FBC Mandby Bowler was noted for its "commercial and personable team", while fellow top-tier firm George Green LLP "consistently provides a high level of service". The third firm in this top tier, Harrison Clark LLP, had lawyers described as "attentive and proactive" and "extremely knowledgeable"

East Midlands
Three firms made up the highest level in the East Midlands' Nottingham and Derby region: Browne Jacobson LLP; Eversheds LLP and Freeth Cartwright LLP. Gateley, Harvey Ingram LLP and Howes Percival LLP were listed for the rest of the region.

Browne Jacobson acted for the seller in the MBO of Synseal Grouprsm and sale to HIG Europe, while Eversheds' Stephen Kitts was described as "supersmart", and his team described as the region's "pre-eminent" outfit. Meanwhile Freeth Cartwright's John Heaphy led a team advising the shareholders of Omega Red Holdings on its sale to South Staffs.

Legal 500 top firms

West Midlands: Birmingham

Level 1

DLA Piper UK LLP
Eversheds LLP
Gateley
Pinsent Masons LLP
Wragge & Co LLP
For the full table click here

Elsewhere in the West Midlands

Level 1

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Wolverhampton
George Green LLP Cradley Heath
Harrison Clark LLP Worcester
For the full table click here

East Midlands: Nottingham & Derby

Level 1

Browne Jacobson LLP Nottingham
Eversheds LLP Nottingham
Freeth Cartwright LLP Derby, Nottingham
For the full table click here

Elsewhere in the East Midlands

Level 1

Gateley Leicester
Harvey Ingram LLP Leicester
Howes Percival LLP Leicester, Northampton
For the full table click here

Leading Individuals: West Midlands

Mark Beardmore DLA Piper UK LLP Corporate and commercial
Joanne Ellis Pinsent Masons LLP Corporate and commercial
Guy Green George Green LLP Corporate and commercial
Anne Harris Eversheds LLP Corporate and commercial
Andrew Hornigold Pinsent Masons LLP Corporate and commercial
Paul Hayward Gateley Corporate and commercial

Leading Individuals: East Midlands

Nigel Blackwell Browne Jacobson LLP Corporate and commercial
Andrew Borkowski Geldards LLP Corporate and commercial
Roy Botterill Harvey Ingram LLP Corporate and commercial
Gerald Couldrake Howes Percival LLP Corporate and commercial
Gavin Cummings Browne Jacobson LLP Corporate and commercial
John Heaphy Freeth Cartwright LLP Corporate and commercial; banking and finance
For the full table click here