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| Home / What Chambers & Partners Say About Us |
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Banking & Finance |
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Banking & Finance |
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This firm offers clients a broad banking and finance service, encompassing property finance, projects and corporate finance. It recently acted for Abbey National Treasury Services in connection with the £25 million refinancing of a large regional retail park business. It frequently receives instructions from London-based firms on the Northern Irish aspects of complex transactions, while it has also been busy handling NAMA work. The firm services key clients such as JPMorgan Chase, Santander and HSBC. Client Service: "They will give you as much time as you need. You can call them at any point and they will always respond." KEY INDIVIDUALS: Tom Adair heads the banking and finance practice. He is noted for his considerable banking and insolvency experience and his "proactive and hands-on" style. He concentrates on general banking, property finance and projects. The firm also houses strong associates, including Graeme McKee, who is noted for his ability to "cut to the chase." Fellow associate David McAleese is praised for his timeliness and approachability. He is particularly noted for his expertise in property finance matters. |
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Corporate/M&A |
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Corporate/M&A |
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The corporate team here advises a wide variety of clients on an interesting range of matters, including the formation, acquisition and disposal of companies, joint ventures and shareholders' agreements. It recently assisted Canadian-based exploration company Dalradian Resources with its IPO on the Toronto stock exchange, and has also worked with Vertical Wind Energy, the University of Ulster and Wrightbus. Clients appreciate the firm's businesslike culture, and say its solicitors are "always good and available to talk, and always up to date." KEY INDIVIDUALS: David Jamison is an experienced corporate partner with a good track record in acquisitions, disposals and mergers, joint ventures and corporate restructuring. He recently advised the shareholders of Bargain Books on the sale of the business and its assets to The Works Stores. Michael Johnston heads the team and is a hugely experienced and very well-regarded practitioner. His recent highlights include advising the management of automated test equipment manufacturer Yelo on a buyout from its Canadian parent Averna. Neasa Quigley brings specific experience of the IT and energy sectors to her work on M&A and other corporate matters. She recently worked with drug delivery development company SiSaf on a second equity funding round. Associate Gerard Armstrong is widely regarded as a very capable practitioner, and commentators anticipate big things for him. He recently advised Invest Northern Ireland on the negotiation of £9.6 million in funding arrangements with NYSE Euronext. |
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Intellectual Property |
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Intellectual Property |
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Carson McDowell has a strong, well-rounded practice that covers contentious and non-contentious IP work. Its clients span various industry sectors, and include University of Ulster, Causeway Data Communications and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Commentators are hugely impressed with the firm's service, and say its solicitors are "extremely down to earth, but very commercially astute and IP-aware. In all dealings they are capable, competent and efficient, grasp complex legal issues easily and explain them to us clearly." KEY INDIVIDUALS: Declan Magee is a highly regarded litigator who continues to head the practice with distinction. Clients say he is "approachable and direct, and just gets on with the job and gets good results." Dawn McKnight is new to the rankings, and arrives with a reputation for excellence in non-contentious matters. Clients say: "She goes beyond the standard brief of a commercial IP lawyer - she'll suggest tactics, she'll help in negotiations, and her hard work has helped us get a couple of deals over the line that seemed impossible at the outset. She's an invaluable part of our team." |
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Real Estate |
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Real Estate |
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This leading five-partner commercial property team maintains a distinguished portfolio of clients, including Tesco, the University of Ulster and Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The team's strength in the retail sector is demonstrated by recent instructions on transactions relating to Damolly retail park, Newry, and Castle Mall shopping centre, Antrim. With a variety of new clients on board over the past year, the team is developing its expertise in the energy and renewable energy markets. Client Service: "They kept us up to speed and delivered a straightforward transaction." KEY INDIVIDUALS: Rosemary Carson is highly respected in the Northern Ireland commercial property market and has an enviable reputation, particularly for landlord and tenant work. She is "keen to get deals done with an efficient and straightforward approach." Jeremy Hill heads the commercial property team at Carson McDowell and advises landowners, retailers and developers. The "very capable" Alan Reilly is a consultant in the commercial property department and advises a range of retail clients, including Tesco. |
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Real Estate: Litigation |
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Real Estate: Litigation |
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This highly regarded team continues to be recognised as a market leader. It has an impressive client base that includes big names such as Argos, which it advises on a variety of contentious real estate issues arising from its Northern Irish properties portfolio. Interviewees appreciate the team's "accessibility and willingness to always offer premier guidance." KEY INDIVIDUALS: Team head Declan Magee is "a great man to work with; he gets things done with as little fuss as possible." |
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Restructuring/Insolvency |
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Restructuring/Insolvency |
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The firm continues to be a significant presence in the market advising liquidators and administrators and acting on corporate restructurings. Recent highlights include acting for the administrator of Belfast Clinic. KEY INDIVIDUALS: Sources say David Jamison is personable and a pleasure to work with. He has considerable experience of transactional insolvency matters. |
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All extracts are from "Chambers UK 2010"
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