Rawlison Butler LLP is delighted to report that it has once again been recognised across its key practice areas in both The Legal 500 Guide 2010 and the Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession 2011.  

Rawlison Butler’s Corporate and Commercial Team was recommended by Legal 500, which recognised that the team “is always available and responds quickly”, and that practice head Tim Sadka “cuts to the chase, providing robust assistance and never losing sight of the end result”.  He recently acted for Amadeus IT Group on its acquisition of the minority shareholding held by Aer Lingus in online travel agency Opodo.  Abigail Owen and Andrew Hoad are also recommended.

Legal 500 recognised the Commerce and Technology Team’s work, headed up by Mark O’Shea, who was described as “simply excellent”, “a cut above” and has “thorough understanding and insight”.  The team advises national and international clients on a wide range of matters, extending to the EU and competition aspects of unsuccessful tenders and public procurement arrangements, as well as distribution and pricing issues.  Recent clients of the Commerce and Technology Team include Suzuki GB, The Swarovski Group, Zetes and Amadeus Marketing.

The Commercial Disputes Team at Rawlison Butler was also recognised within Legal 500, with highlights during 2011 including several contractual and IP disputes. Stuart Evans, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes, was highlighted within the guide as “level-headed and consistent” who has particular expertise in cross-border litigation, notably matters involving US law and jurisdiction.  Chambers comments that Stuart is highly respected for the insolvency expertise he brings to the practice, and that the firm remains a strong presence in the region, with a team that handles a broad array of commercial disputes.  They mention that the practice possesses expertise in professional negligence, fraud, contractual issues and IT disputes.  Managing Partner Clive Lee is described as enjoying a broad range of expertise in commercial and corporate disputes, while sources admire his thorough commercial approach to litigation.

Chambers recommends the Employment Team at Rawlison Butler, who focus on disputes and tribunal claims, including bringing and defending substantial discrimination claims.  They also advised clients on non-contentious issues such as TUPE matters.  They count a number of substantial employers in the private and charities sectors amongst clients, including Opodo, Suzuki GB and Scope.   Legal 500 recognised the Employment Team, who last year moved from third to second tier within the directory.  Tony Hyams-Parish, Partner and Head of the Employment Team, was spoken of highly by clients, and specialises in contentious employment issues.  Chambers referred to Tony as an employment specialist with particular expertise in litigation.

Chambers recommends the “first class” Real Estate Team, who win plaudits for their ability to “above all, get the job done”.  It comments that they offer a full-service property practice, but that residential property transactions are noted as a particular area of strength.  The team advised Archstone Lifestyle Homes on the purchase of a care home site in Plymouth.  They also represented Asprey Homes on in the acquisition of an engineering works.  Comments include that “its lawyers work well under pressure” and that “they have an excellent land team, with a great wealth of experience”.  Partner Sean Ryan is mentioned for his all-round expertise in commercial property, including finance, acquisitions and disposals.

Furthermore, the Property Litigation Team, Family Team and Tax, Trust and Probate Team were also recommended in Legal 500 for their regional work.

Managing Partner Clive Lee, comments: "We believe that all our teams at Rawlison Butler are of the uppermost quality and we are extremely pleased that our core specialist areas have been singled out and recommended by the independent Legal 500 and Chambers researchers. This recognition highlights the efforts made by our lawyers to provide the best possible service to our clients."

Both Legal 500 and Chambers are independent guides to law firms and have become the two largest and most in-depth surveys of the UK legal market.

To see the recommendations of Rawlison Butler, please see below:

Rawlison Butler LLP - Legal 500 recommended

Rawlison Butler LLP - Chambers 2011 recommended