Bircham Dyson Bell nets praise in leading industry bible, Chambers UK
The cream of the UK's legal profession were picked out for praise in the 2012 edition of industry bible Chambers UK - and Bircham Dyson Bell shone in an impressive 16 practice areas, garnering accolades for teams and individuals alike.
Tributes from clients and industry peers alike include quotes such as rainmaker and dealmaker, eloquence personified, incredibly powerful team, accessible and responsive, personable, speaks English not legalese, efficient and effective, outward-looking, charming and just plain excellent.
Nigel Higgins, BDB's director of marketing, said: "That the firm appears in so many practice areas of this important legal directory demonstrates the strength of our teams across a myriad sectors. We're thrilled with the feedback given to the Chambers team by our clients and our peers, and immensely pleased the guide agreed enough with those views to publish them.
"We don't underestimate the influence Chambers UK has when it comes to clients and potential clients selecting legal partners - the guide highlights those at the very pinnacle of the legal profession and we're delighted to be numbered among them."
Chambers UK 2012 says:
Administrative and Public Law: Public Sector Law & Governance - Client Service: "The team comes up trumps with its knowledge and broad breadth of experience." Lead partner Richard Langley is commended for his impressive contentious public law practice. "He has excellent links with the best sources of counsel for our case," one interviewee notes.
Agriculture and Rural Affairs: London - The team is also appreciated for its work regarding development options and rights of way issues. Christopher Findley is a recognised authority on Agricultural Holdings Act proceedings, tenancy successions and Single Farm Payments concerns. He is spoken of warmly by clients as both "a rainmaker and a deal maker." Henry Cecil is highly esteemed for his conveyancing practice and his representation of landlords.
Charities: Bircham Dyson Bell continues to attract considerable praise for the depth of its resources and the quality of its advice. Clients also value the team's client service, praising the "very accessible and responsive" lawyers. "On Client Service "Excellent service. We are regularly invited to law updates and seminars that are hosted at their offices; we are kept abreast of legal developments to plan."
Sources say the "personable, easy to work with" Penny Chapman "gives you a balanced opinion in her advice, and speaks English, not legalese." Colleague Jonathan Brinsden "will give you the real picture of what the enforcement landscape is, and is almost always available to respond to queries." Simon Weil "is accessible and prompt in responding, which was helpful."
In employment: This team specialises in industrial action and employee relations work. It has been at the forefront of high-profile injunction cases preventing strike action in the transport sector in the last year. One source says: "They act like human beings and take into account human factors - this is what I like about them."
Local government: The team is best known for its planning and projects expertise in the niche areas of transport, energy and water.
Parliamentary and public affairs: The firm's newly named government and infrastructure team is a leader in public infrastructure schemes such as harbours, railways, reservoirs and other transport and utilities infrastructure. The team has great strength in planning as well as legislative drafting and parliamentary procedures. Lawyers provide a strong consultation offering for projects involving retail, commercial, housing and communications elements. Sources praise the firm's "incredibly powerful team" adding that this is "an efficient and effective, outward-looking department."
Team chief Nicholas Brown is a renowned parliamentary agent. Head of major projects Robbie Owen "is a true professional who will never let you down, he is eloquence personified and is extremely persuasive." Jonathan Bracken advises on public affairs and is rated highly by clients, who say he is "incredibly businesslike: he always gets to the heart of the matter and always gives you the right solution."
Planning: Recognised as one of the top firms for infrastructure work, Bircham Dyson Bell has an impressive list of clients that includes both national developers and public bodies. On Commercial Awareness "Doing a good job on major infrastructural projects. Substantial players in this growing market."
"Charming" Robbie Owen heads the practice and has been a leading individual on such projects as the Northern Line scheme. His expertise in substantial infrastructure projects is recognised by interviewees from across the market. "Steady and experienced" Mark Challis acted for English Heritage over plans to refurbish and redevelop the listed Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington.
Police Law: Mainly Defendant: As well as helping the police to comply with laws and regulations, this strong commercial practice provides a full service that ranges from complex agreements and procurement to employment law. Head of the practice Ian Adamson has considerable experience advising police forces, authorities and their commercial partners on a variety of matters.
Private client: This firm's private client offering is characterised by its ability to provide a rounded service to wealthy clients, drawing as it can on its resources in family, property, philanthropy and charities law expertise. James Johnston's practice has an interesting cross-border flavour - he is fluent in French and has a growing Middle Eastern client base. Further, he is closely involved in initiatives to harmonise succession law across the EU. Judith Millar is much sought-after for her prowess in the establishment and restructuring of family trusts and succession planning.
Public Procurement: This procurement team, which interacts closely with the firm's commercial, construction and litigation departments, earns praise from peers for "its excellent client base and high-quality work."
Transport: Rail: Bircham Dyson Bell is noted for its expertise at the planning and statutory authorisation stages of major rail projects.
More Bircham Dyson Bell fee earners are also mentioned in the guide. John Turnbull and John Hurdley were ranked in 3rd and 2nd bands respectively for Corporate/M&A Mid-Market and Energy and Natural Resources Water. Paul Thompson and Ian McCulloch (both Parliamentary and Public Affairs: Parliamentary Agency) and Sian Jones (Family / Matrimonial) also received mentions.
For the full 2012 UK guide, please go to www.chambersandpartners.com