High-quality practitioners lead

Sep 26 2003

By The Journal

Dickinson Dees remains Newcastle's corporate firm par excellence, due to its range of high-quality practitioners and breadth of practice. As one client puts it: "They can deal with whatever you throw at them, whereas rival practices may have to refer work elsewhere". The firm's leading experts include M&A specialists John Flynn, Jamie Pass and the 'outstanding' Nigel Williams, as well as department head Nigel Bellis; private equity specialist Chris Harker; and Jonathan Hewitt, who specialises in listings work. A highlight of its 120 transactions was advising Grainger Trust plc on its £477m joint bid for BPT Plc with Deutsche Bank. On the commercial side, new clients include Uniqema, Synextix and Huntsman. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT With six corporate partners and 36 fee-earners in the department, Ward Hadaway is now the closest regional rival to Dickinson Dees. Noteworthy individuals include department head Colin Hewitt, M&A specialist Robert Thompson, Martin Hulls, who specialises in private equity, and Philip Jordan. In 2002, the firm hired a number of corporate finance specialists from Ernst & Young. Headline work includes advising The Sage Group on its £6m sponsorship agreement with the North Music Trust. The departure of senior partner and high-profile rainmaker Michael Spriggs was a blow to Eversheds LLP's corporate practice, although with Michael Spetch and Andrew Davison the department is in capable hands. Davison wins client praise as `easily the best corporate lawyer I've come across'. Commercial head Ruth Connorton is also popular with clients. Spriggs, now managing director of UK Land Estates, remains a major client, and the firm acted for him in a £300m debt and equity funding investment by the Bank of Scotland, and a group reorganisation. Other clients include Newcastle International Airport and Reg Vardy. A smaller firm that punches well above its weight, Robert Muckle boasts a number of highly rated individuals. Robert Phillips heads the department and wins client praise for his quality and speed of service, while managing partner Hugh Welch and senior partner Ian Gilthorpe, who 'gives an extremely personal service', have major profiles in the market. The firm acted in the MBO of Fathom Technologies, and advised the North Music Trust on a £6m sponsorship arrangement with The Sage Group. Watson Burton hired another Eversheds' LLP's partner in 2002, with David Hardman following Nicholas Craig, who had moved across town the year before. Gillian Hall heads the 'exceptional' five-partner team, and wins client praise for her efficiency and her intellectual ability - she 'thinks of the things you'd want to think of if you were clever enough'. The firm acted for management in the £7.5m MBO of Lionweld Kennedy. Senior partner Andrew Hoyle has a strong reputation.

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The Legal 500 Another outstanding year Sep 26 2003 The gap between Dickinson Dees and the chasing pack shows few signs of narrowing and the firm remains the region's clear market leader, dominating every market sector bar insurance as it expands its national client base. more The clients' guide to the UK legal profession Sep 26 2003 Few would have imagined back in 1988 just how The Legal 500 would develop. more Ward Hadaway's exceptional year Sep 26 2003 After an exceptional year, Ward Hadaway continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK's leading law firms. more Growing momentum at Watson Burton Sep 26 2003 Watson Burton has been highlighted as a regional law firm going from "strength to strength" by Legal 500. more Dickinson Dees returns to table with continued national presence growth Sep 26 2003 Dickinson Dees returns to the table, having dropped out in 2002. Despite no London office, the firm continues to develop a national presence in a range of practice areas. more Success stories of leading firm Sep 26 2003 Robert Muckle has consolidated its position as one of the leading commercial law firms, and now works for some of the most successful organisations across the region. more Building strong reputation in field of construction law Sep 26 2003 For construction law, the clear market leader in the North of England is Watson Burton. more Corporate staff to build on success Sep 26 2003 Following a period of considered refocusing, Eversheds' North-East operation continues to work with some of the region's best companies and organisations. more High-quality practitioners lead Sep 26 2003 Dickinson Dees remains Newcastle's corporate firm par excellence, due to its range of high-quality practitioners and breadth of practice. more Top team accolade Sep 26 2003 The 'absolutely first-class' Guy Harvey leads Dickinson Dees' `thorough' six-partner team together with highly-rated John Marshall. more Click here for more Legal 500

Business News Recruitment company forecasts £5m sales Aug 9 2007 A RECRUITMENT company is expecting to reach £5m sales by the end of its second year in business – a five-fold increase it credits to booming North-East manufacturing. more Interest rates to hit 6%, hints Bank Aug 9 2007 BANK of England policymakers signalled borrowers could face a hike in interest rates to 6% before the end of the year. The Bank’s key quarterly inflation report suggested a further rate rise could be needed this autumn. more Growing success for the family Aug 9 2007 AJM Dream Gardens, based in Consett, County Durham, was set up by entrepreneur Martin Boyle, who already ran a natural stone business. AJM Dream Gardens, based in Consett, County Durham, was set up by entrepreneur Martin Boyle. more £2m homes deals in frame for pair Aug 9 2007 A FLEDGLING timber frame manufacturer is on the verge of signing two deals, worth £2m, that will double its turnover and workforce by next year. more PROFITS at Gateshead construction company Tolent have fallen by nearly 30% to £1.5m in the first half of 2007. Aug 9 2007 Turnover also suffered – falling nearly 10% to £76.2m as several contracts suffered delays. more Jobs safe in deal over NEL Power Aug 9 2007 MORE than 50 jobs will be saved after Teesside power station builder NEL Power was bought out of administration by a competitor. more Click here for Business News from The Journal

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