Most Highly Regarded Firms: Public Procurement 2010

• August 2010

• Public Procurement

Our research has revealed 307 lawyers in 51 jurisdictions who can be considered experts in this field and some of the leaders are highlighted here.

Global

Allen & Overy LLP reflects the international nature of our research with 11 highly praised names from seven offices listed. The firm is particularly strong in the Middle East: Dubai-based Duncan Macnab, Ian Ingram-Johnson and Bimal Desai are praised as leading lights for public procurement and are also renowned also for their project finance expertise. In Riyadh, Julian Johansen, who is also recognised for his Islamic finance and projects work, has an “excellent legal mind”. Thomas Brown from the firm’s Hong Kong office is “simply outstanding”. In Tokyo, managing partner Aled Davies and the highly experienced Simon Black receive international praise. In the London market, John Scriven and John Wootton are universally respected names in the industry. The firm’s global presence is reinforced Amsterdam-based transactional procurement guru Arent van Wassenaer.

Norton Rose LLP is well recognised internationally with six lawyers listed from four offices. In London, Totis Kotsonis has “an extremely good practice” and Mark Jones is a “very sharp lawyer”. In Singapore, Jeff Smith and Nick Smith form another highly praised duo. In Bahrain, Dominic Harvey is a well-respected figure and is joined on the list by Michael Jürgen Werner in Belgium.

Clifford Chance LLP is well represented in our research again this year with five names over the following pages. In Hong Kong, Huw Jenkins is “first-rate”, particularly for his work on infrastructure and power projects. Adding to the firm’s strong presence in Asia, Stephen Harder is a leading lawyer in Shanghai. In Dubai two familiar project finance names, Peter Avery and Robin Abraham are utilising their tremendous experience on public-private partnership ventures in the region. Paris-based Anthony Giustini is “a great lawyer”, praised for his finance practice.

Four names are listed from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. In London, Sally Roe and Jane Massey are a “very bright, hugely accomplished” duo. Hans-Joachim Prieß is “pre-eminent” in Germany and in Brussels Charles-Antoine Leunen receives wide acclaim.

United Kingdom

At the Bar, Monckton Chambers’ Michael Bowsher QC is a “remarkable” advocate, repeatedly praised in our research for his extensive knowledge. He is joined on the list by the “brilliant” Jennifer Skilbeck.

11 KBW’s Nigel Giffin QC is a figure that many of the leading lawyers themselves turn to for the knottiest of public-law problems and has acted in some of the most formative cases shaping public procurement law. Splitting his time between Brussels and London, Peter Trepte of Littleton Chambers is renowned for his depth of knowledge of EU regulation. At Keating Chambers, Sarah Hannaford is another new addition whose pragmatic approach and razor-sharp intellect garners the highest of praise.

A trio of acclaimed names at Addleshaw Goddard LLP feature over the following pages. In London, Mark Clough QC is a firm favourite and a name that “certainly should be on the list”. In Manchester, Jonathan Davey is “absolutely recommended” and Garth Lindrup is “a wonderful lawyer”.

At Linklaters, two London-based lawyers feature. Oliver Black is a consultant with the firm, praised for his commercial acumen, strategic approach and depth of expertise in procurement and utility regulation work. Head of the firm’s PFI/PPP team, Bruce White’s impressive deal history earns him broad acclaim and he has been involved in some of the largest procurement projects in the UK.

At Nabarro LLP, Cyrus Mehta stands out for his first-class EU and competition expertise. Bristol-based Susie Smith at Bevan Brittan LLP is “a star” and one of the highest nominated individuals in our international research and in Newcastle, Ruth Connorton at Eversheds LLP is “a real gem”.

Europe

In Brussels, Ciara Kennedy-Loest of Hogan Lovells International LLP is “well known” for her excellent expertise and is one of the most nominated individuals in our research overall. At Herbert Smith LLP, Adrian Brown is an “absolute star”.

15 lawyers are listed from the Netherlands. At De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Erik Pijnacker Hordijk is “exceptional” and features in our breakdown of the top 10 individuals in our research. At Loyens & Loeff NV, Maurice Essers and Gert-Wim van de Meent are “excellent”. Stibbe’s David Orobio de Castro and Joop Janssen are recognised industry experts and at Straatman Koster Advocaten, Frederik van Nouhuys is “fantastic”. From Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn, Maarten van Rijn receives a wealth of praise from contemporaries, as does Rozemond Advocaten’s Rob Bleeker.

Denmark houses 14 of the lawyers listed in our research, three of whom hail from Bech-Bruun where Simon Evers Kalsmose-Hjelmborg is particularly highly regarded. At Lett Law Firm Torkil Høg and René Offersen are “great”. Accura Advokatpartnerselskab’s Jesper Fabricius receives numerous recommendations. At Horton, Andreas Christensen is “brilliant”.

At Advokatfirman Delphi, Anna Ulfsdotter Forssell is “one of the best in Sweden”, particularly for her expertise in the life sciences and biotechnology fields. She is joined on the list by the high ranking Kristian Pedersen. At Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå, the “proficient” Louise Widén and Johan Carle are well regarded. At Lindahl, Henrik Seeliger and Anders Nilsson are seen as skilful practitioners.

North America

In Canada, four lawyers appear from Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP. Toronto-based Judy Wilson is again hailed “one of the best in the country” and features in the 10 most highly recommended individuals from our overall research. Vancouver’s Anne Stewart QC is another “star”. Praised by clients as “very knowledgable” Stewart “works extremely hard to get the project done, and done well”.

At Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Ronald Lunau is “top tier” and is joined on the list by Darryl Brown. Heenan Blaikie LLP’s Paul Lalonde is recommended for his specialist technical expertise. In Montreal, Michel Poirier was praised to researchers.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Barbara McIsaac has deep industry knowledge and is joined on the list by Matthew Alter and Gerry Stobo.

In the US, Rogers Joseph O’Donnell features strongly in our research with David Innis, Allan Joseph and Neil O’Donnell highly recommended in our research again this year.

At White & Case LLP, New York-based Eugene Goodwillie is “first-rate”. He is joined in praise and listing by Troy Alexander and Arthur Scavone. Further high recommendations for the firm comprise Brian Miller in Singapore and Anne Rubach-Larsen in Germany demonstrating the firms continuing breadth of legal expertise. Shearman and Sterling LLP’s Cynthia Urda Kassis, renowned for her projects know-how is “tremendous”

In Washington DC, 14 lawyers are listed. Mayer Brown LLP’s Marcia Madsen is “superb” and features in our breakdown of the highest nominated practitioners. At Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, John Chierichella is a “dean of the procurement bar”. Karen Manos from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is “terrific” and Michael Hordell from Pepper Hamilton LLP is a “well known name”.

Worldwide

Clayton Utz’s Douglas Jones is the leading Australian practitioner in our research and features among our most highly regarded individuals overall. Four further lawyers feature from the firm, including the “prominent” Sergio Capelli and Marko Misko.

At Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Jeff Clark is a “very talented lawyer” and is joined on our list by the “excellent” Peter Doyle.

In South Africa, at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc Pippa Reyburn and John Ferraz form a talented team.

DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr’s, Clare Barclay and Kieran Whyte are “extremely competent”.

At Bowman Gilfillan, Claire Tucker and Daryn Webb are viewed by the market as “very strong for public procurement”.

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