Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008: Tax

On an annual basis, Chambers & Partners conducts extensive research and analysis in compiling its objective list of talent available at the highest level of European legal practice. Its research methodology has been independently audited and confirmed to be thorough, robust and complete.

In Chambers' 2008 review of legal talent in the area of Tax, our Firm is listed among the best in Europe.

Chambers' comments:

UK Ranking: Tier 4

The Firm: The past year has seen this highly rated tax team handle an ever-increasing workload on the heels of a number of significant additions to the London office's private equity and fund formation practice groups. A keystone of the firm's European offering in this area, two partners and two associates comprise a tax group that clients are "always happy to use," and that they hope will "continue its great progress." Private equity, fund formation, M&A and restructuring remain the bedrock of the practice, with recent successes including advising (for the first time) UK client Providence Equity Partners on its GBP1.46 billion acquisition of Caudwell Communications.

The Lawyers: "Clever, meticulous and thorough," John Baldry is called upon by clients for his expertise in M&A work with private equity components. He is also known for bringing his "creative and user-friendly" approach to restructuring matters. "Seasoned" Ian Taplin is lauded as an "insightful listener" by sources with experience of his work on international tax planning, fund formation and M&A.

Clients/Work Highlights: Collins & Aikman; BA Capital Partners; German Portfolio Holding; Goldman Sachs; Permira Advisers and The Blackstone Group.