What the European Legal 500 (2008) said about L'Estrange & Brett...

Legal 500 EMEA 2008 - Published April 08

Banking & Finance

Brian Henderson leads a team at L'Estrange & Brett that calls on the banking experience of four partners including the newly made-up Kieran McGarrigle. Property-based lending is a notable strength and the firm recently advised trophy client Ulster Bank on the funding of McLaughlin & Harvey's acquisition of Ayr-based contractor Barr Holdings. Asset finance and securitisation are also key areas and the firm acted alongside lead advisers Allen & Overy LLP , Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on the Northern Ireland aspects of several high-profile securitisations.

Corporate & M&A

The three-partner team at L'Estrange & Brett is commended for its 'excellent understanding of the issues', with joint team heads Paul McBride and Richard Gray singled out for praise by clients. Fane Valley provided two significant instructions over the past twelve months and the firm advised the agri-food company on its acquisitions of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne-based W&K Holdings and Farmrite.

Dispute Resolution

L'Estrange & Brett's disputes practice packs a punch in the areas of agency and distributorship matters and acts for agents, principals, manufacturers and distributors. Over the past year the firm has advised a textile manufacturer on numerous agency disputes to include the termination of their existing agents and the appointment of a replacement agent in France. Adam Brett, Sam Beckett and David Kirkpatrick are the lead partners and other strong areas include arbitration, judicial review and partnership disputes.

Employment

L'Estrange & Brett's employment department works in tandem with its corporate and litigation teams to offer a broad range of semi-public, financial, commercial, retail and manufacturing clients advice on both regulatory and contentious matters. Team head Adam Brett is a 'leading light in the market' and recent transactions include advising the Education and Library Board on the employment aspects of the Belfast Schools Project.

Environment & Planning

L'Estrange & Brett continues to advise Bord Gáis Éireann on the planning, regulatory and environmental issues related to the rollout of the North-West and North-South gas pipelines. Clients praise the team's 'all-around knowledge' and single out litigator Sam Beckett and commercial property specialist Ian Huddleston.

IP & IT

Clients have 'utmost confidence' in the team at L'Estrange & Brett and single out 'responsive' team head Paul McBride and 'rising star' Thomas Dickson. The firm continues to lead the field in this area and in a major highlight recently advised Randox Laboratories on various IP and biotechnology issues, including its £125m expansion programme based on its biochip array system evidence. The team also provides general IP and IT advice to Phoenix Natural Gas, Ulster Bank and FLI International.

Insolvency

L'Estrange & Brett climbs a tier this year due to its strong market penetration. Over the past twelve months Kieran McGarrigle's team advised on a hat trick of high-profile transactions advising on distressed business sales, while formal insolvency work handled includes advising a leading accountancy firm as liquidators of one of Northern Ireland's largest car dealerships.

Project Finance & PFI

L'Estrange & Brett's project finance and PFI unit straddles its energy, commercial property, banking and even employment disciplines to offer market-leading capability in the full spread of projects-related work. The firm acts on the largest projects in the region for both public and private sector clients in the health, energy, education and transport sectors. Recent highlights include advising the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust alongside Addleshaw Goddard on the £230m Ulster Hospital PPP. Clients highlight the skills of partners Adrian Eakin and Donna Matchett, commenting: 'We continue to be impressed by the quality, robustness and timeliness of advice and legal support.'

Real Estate

At L'Estrange & Brett Andrea McIlroy-Rose is commended for her 'excellent knowledge of the commercial leasing market and property issues'. The firm has the capacity to handle large-scale developments such as shopping centres and also advises on property sales and acquisitions. Recent mandates include advising on the £65m disposal of a site at the Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor. Brian Henderson leads a team that also includes respected real estate partner Ian Huddleston.