Dickinson Dees' pensions team outstrip their competitors in sheer numbers and also in strength and depth of the practice. Experienced practitioners include department head Martin Jenkins, Martin Poore, who specialises in pension fund restructuring, and Elizabeth Haggis, former head of pensions at Halliwells LLP. The team was boosted by the hire of associate Alex Rodger from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, who focuses on outsourcing work and pension scheme closures. A successful 2005 saw the team advise on various mergers, pensions tax simplification and the pensions aspects of the proposed £450m acquisition of Reg Vardy plc. Eversheds LLP has a six-partner pensions team across its offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, with Jacqui Timmins in Leeds at the helm. It has seen a growing volume of instructions on public sector pensions. On the contentious side, Susan Howe has a recognised pensions disputes practice. Tushar Bhate heads Ward Hadaway's solid pensions practice, while other names to note are: Nick James at Hay & Kilner; Nick Smith at Robert Muckle LLP, who handles specialist pensions law advice for UK and international clients; and Robert Butler at Watson Burton LLP. --------------------------------------------------------- Pensions Dickinson Dees, Newcastle Eversheds LLP, Newcastle Ward Hadaway, Newcastle Hay & Kilner, Newcastle Robert Muckle LLP, Newcastle Watson Burton LLP, Newcastle Firms are listed A-Z within tiers |