Swindon’s top lawyers have been recognised in the annual Chambers guide – often viewed as the sector’s ‘bible’ and a reference tool for businesses buying in legal services.
The best firms and individual lawyers across more than 70 different practice areas are highlighted in the publication which is based on the research of 140 full-time editors and researchers, interviews and information supplied by firms – making it the most in-depth review of the profession available.
Swindon’s three major law firms – Clark Holt, Thrings and Withy King – feature strongly in the guide in legal areas such as corporate/mergers and acquisitions (M&A), clinical negligence, employment and real estate. A number of individuals in these firms are also highlighted as experts in their field. The strengths of both firms and individuals are considered, based on interviews with clients.
Chambers also gives an overview of recent work. 
Clark Holt and Thrings are rated as ‘band one’ firms in corporate/M&A work.
Clark Holt, which has three partners and one other qualified lawyer working in this area is known for a full-service M&A practice, advising clients on sales and acquisitions, according to Chambers. It acts for management, shareholders and private companies.
Its strengths (with quotes coming mainly from clients) are its commercial awareness: “Unquestionable technical advice combined with an entrepreneur's view of the world and legal processes” and its technical ability: “Clark Holt has a well-balanced corporate practice; I've been impressed with their sale and acquisition skills”.
New client wins include STAR Technology Services and highlights of its work over the past year include advising a senior shareholder of bar group Loungers on the £16m sale of his shares to Piper Equity. It also acted for the shareholders of Exentra Transport Solutions in a £10.7m sale of all issued shares to a Canadian-listed company.
Clark Holt’s notable practitioners in this field are named as Richard Clark, the firm’s highly-respected head of corporate.
He advised the management of Acumus on the sale of their interests in the company to its new owners. Sources say: “He has many years of experience in corporate and M&A and he is able to provide advice on complicated matters in a user-friendly way.”
Jeff Jenkins is a partner advising on corporate finance and transactional matters. Clients say: “We always enjoy the ride with Jeff; he is solutions-oriented and he knows why clients pay: to get deals done with the risks appropriately managed.”
The firm’s significant clients include DMN, Blue Max Banner, The Foundry Limited, McBraida, Handelsbanken.
Thrings has four partners and two other qualified lawyers working in corporate/M&A.
The team is known for advising clients on issues such as MBOs, acquisitions, divestments and restructurings and its ability to handle cross-border work.
Its strength is its client service: “They are thorough and approachable, and they make complex legal matters easy to understand and discuss.”
New client wins include Havard Tisdale and work highlights during the year include advising the management in a buyout of Excalibur Communications and advising the sellers in the disposal of the entire share issuance of Rainclear to Alumasc.
Its notable practitioner is partner John Davies who has experience in matters such as transactions, joint ventures and restructurings. He advised waste company Holland Handling on its sale to M.J. Church. One client said: “He is incredible. He gets us and he really is like our right arm.”
Significant clients include MAN Truck & Bus UK, Honda, Watson Petroleum, The Infinite Group, HSBC.
In the area of clinical negligence (mainly claimant) Withy King emerges as the town’s only band one firm. It has three partners, four associates and two other qualified lawyers operating in this area.
According to Chambers, the firm has an impressive track record advising on complex medical negligence cases such as birth injury claims. It is also noted for its increasing bariatric and dental claims practices.
Its strength is its client service: “The team is very good, supportive and understanding.”
Notable practitioners are Swindon partner Paul Rumley is praised for his campaign against cuts to clinical negligence legal aid funding, and is recognised as “one of the big hitters” on the market. He is known for obtaining “fantastic results” for his clients.
Withy King is also the only band one firm in Swindon for employment. The firm has one partner and two other qualified practitioners working in this area.
The team is known for offering support on HR concerns and employment advice to SMEs as well as larger clients in the manufacturing and retail sectors. It also represents executives and white-collar professionals.
Its strengths are its responsiveness: “They always respond quickly and their advice has never failed us” and market standing: “Their performance has been excellent. I've had plenty of opportunities to change legal providers and have never considered any of them”.
Notable practitioners are Mark Emery who is praised for avoiding legalese and legal jargon. He offers a range of employment advice. Carrie Pearson “delivers sound advice in a timely fashion” on contentious issues, sources say. Malcolm Gregory brings a common-sense approach, according to clients. He is also praised for his ability to understand the working culture of his clients.
Significant clients include PerkinElmer, Wavex Technology, Clarion (GB), Deceuninck, Ohashi Technica (UK).
Clark Holt is ranked as Swindon’s only ‘band one’ firm in Information Technology.
Its team of three partners and one other qualified lawyer is known for its wide non-contentious expertise across the range of IT matters, with particular specialisms in big data and cloud computing.
Its strengths are its responsiveness: “Clark Holt has a refreshing understanding of the commercial aspects of what I am asking for. There is a speed of response, and an appreciation of what is important for the running of our business”, its commercial awareness: “Clark Holt brings a healthy dose of commercial realism into its advice. Members have some appreciation that businesses need to do what is expedient and not try to solve an abstract legal nuance” and its pragmatic advice: “I appreciate the high level of due diligence in the work completed, the team's pragmatism and its ability to identify potential threats that most normal law firms would struggle to pick up”.
It continues to work with e-learning software company Kallidus on all its contractual matters and advise The Foundry Visionmongers on issues around software licensing as well as tie-ups.
Its notable practitioners include Jeremy Holt, an experienced non-contentious IT lawyer. Sources appreciate that he “is approachable and adept at solving complex legal issues in a pragmatic way that a business can implement”. In addition, he is “very focused, a great communicator and easy to get a hold of”.
Martin Bazen is an expert on commercial work, and is the lead partner for the firm’s work for Kallidus on its contractual issues. Clients note that “his approach is always professional and with a friendly manner”. The source continues, saying that his “advice is always clear, even if not what I always want to hear”.
Significant clients include Skipworth Engelhardt Asset Management Strategists, MindTools, Arkivum, Shopatron, The Ark.
Clark Holt is also the town’s ‘band one’ firm for real estate with Thrings and Withy King ranked in band two.
Clark Holt’s team, which has two partners and four other qualified lawyers, is known for working with a wide range of clients, advising on commercial development projects, investments and property finance, and landlord and tenant property management matters.
Its strengths are its commercial awareness: “One particular feature of their work is its commerciality” and its responsiveness: “Clark Holt stands out as being good at turning documents around quickly”.
Highlights of current work include advising Star Technology Services on the sale of a portfolio of leasehold properties as part of a corporate sale.
Notable practitioners include Alasdair Kirkpatrick, who, according to one market source, “knows the issues before you tell him,” while another remarks: “If he is on the other side, I have to be on my mettle. He is an efficient, good lawyer.” Mr Kirkpatrick heads the firm’s real estate practice and focuses on commercial developments and property investments.
Jonathan Ashbridge is noted as a “very well-organised and very responsive lawyer.” He has experience of acting on all manner of real estate finance matters.
Its significant clients include Henry Boot, Hallam Land Management, Deutsche Bank, The Foundry Visionmongers, Oxford Aviation.
To read the full Chambers UK editorial content, please visit: www.chambersandpartners.com/UK
