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London
Year-on-year improvement at this firm has seen
it achieve a healthy position in the corporate arena. Keeping abreast
of movements in AIM, Charles Russell LLP has benefited from the enormous
number of listings in the energy section over recent years. M&A
is also thriving, with cumulative deals pushing the £1 billion
mark. In the past year the firm advised key client Canaccord on a number
of high-profile transactions, as well as The Club Company on its £95
million sale. Clients recommend the firm for its down-to-earth approach,
describing the team as "highly likeable and a real pleasure to
work with ."
An acknowledged leader in the AIM field,
Simon Gilbert is "commercially savvy and handles matters in a smooth
and sensible way ." One client emphasised that Gilbert himself
"should be personally credited" with the success it had experienced.
Other key figures within the department are Alexander Keepin and Clive
Hopewell.
Clients/Work Highlights: Abacus Group;
Canaccord Adams; Hudson Group; Mwana Africa and Yamana Gold.
Simon Gilbert is ranked in tier 2 of
3 as a leading individual.
Guildford
With a growing presence in Guildford,
this eight-strong corporate finance practice is enjoying continued success
in the region. The team represents an impressive array of clients, and
recent highlights include acting for South Western Investments and its
shareholders on the sale of the Park Lane International Hotel, acting
on the sale of the 2nd Byte group of companies to the Trader Media Group,
and advising the shareholders of Domo on the sale of the company to
Cobham.
Tim Jenkins draws praise from clients
for a "cool, relaxed manner that inspires confidence.
Clients/Work Highlights: An enviable
client roster also features British Car Auctions; BDO Stoy Hayward;
Clydesdale Bank and NatWest. Clients recommend the team for its "consistently
high level of work from all the members, at all stages of the transaction."
Cheltenham
This Cheltenham-based practice has a
strong presence in the region, with the seven-strong team drawing praise
for a "good, slightly old-school philosophy; it is extremely proficient
and professional." The team has been involved across the spectrum
of corporate disposals, acquisitions and flotations. It advised a range
of hedge funds on the takeover of Global Oceanic Carriers; Trifast on
the acquisition of a controlling stake in Techfast in Malaysia; and
Lambert Iron Ore on its AIM admission. Clients were keen to attest that
the firm genuinely provides "City service at regional rates."
In Francis Rundall, Charles Russell has
an "excellent, in some ways unconventional, lawyer" who manages
to unite both clients and peers in unanimous praise. They described
him as a lawyer who commands "the highest regard, both as a person
and as a legal pro." Clients valued the "charming, reasoned
approach" that made him "a great negotiator." Richard
Norton was variously described as "extremely knowledgeable,"
"very streetwise" and "commercially savvy." All
of which were evident in his central role advising various hedge funds,
including Trafalgar Asset Management on the Global Oceanic Carriers
takeover.
Clients/Work Highlights: Clients include
Zurich Group, Dunbar Bank and JP Morgan Cazenove.
Francis Rundall is ranked in tier 1 of
4 as a leading individual. (Up one tier from last year).
Richard Norton is ranked in tier 3 of 4 as a leading individual.
Oxford
Peter Elliott of Charles Russell LLP,
heads up the firm's Thames Valley offering. "Hugely active,"
peers credited him as the driving force behind the firm's increasing
prominence in the region. A key figure locally, sources commented that
he "knows his way around the corporate jungle here." Amongst
the highlights from a busy year include acting for the AIM-listed Celoxia
Holdings in relation to a proposed share reorganisation.
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