Press Mentions

To give you a flavour of our people, our work and expertise, below are highlights taken from independent legal directories and other publications.

National Press

Fox Williams has been recognised as one of the top City law firms to call if your organisation is suffering from the fall out of the 'credit crunch' crisis according to The Times Online. Click here

Directories

The Legal 500 2007

Partnership: Senior and name partner Tina Williams heads a group with plenty of breadth and experience, primarily handling work in the professional services arena (both contentious and non-contentious). The firm advised Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP on its merger withStringer Saul, and also acted forKirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP on the UK aspects of its merger withPreston Gates & Ellis(forming K&L Gates), as well as the recruitment of a team of partners from Taylor Wessing's Berlin office. Gavin Foggo and Douglas Preece are also recommended.

M & A smaller deals up to 50m: The e-business sector is a strength for Fox Williams' 20 corporate lawyers. Winning the mandate to advise Esprit Capital Partners on its US $11m investment into social networking site Where are You Now? was a highlight among the 27 deals completed in the year.

Employment: The team is 'unstuffy, professional and pragmatic', with clients noting both good partner leadership and strong assistants. Department head Jane Mann is admired for the 'quality, speed and accuracy of her advice', The practice has been advising financial and insurance clients on team moves and acting for senior executives in high-value disputes.

Immigration: Employment and immigration partner Matthew Davies’ clients include international law firms and companies of all sizes.

Commercial Litigation: Tom Custance deserve particular mention for high-level instructions such as acting for Belgian investment group IFE against Goldman Sachs International, opposite Herbert Smith.

Chambers UK 2008

Partnership: This “outstandingly good” full-service partnership outfit has carved itself a niche in high-profile contentious and non-contentious work, providing a “superb service” in both areas. The team is also an acknowledged authority on sector-specific partnership issues, advising on matters which straddle several fields simultaneously. Its pool of “expert knowledge” has been recently put to use as the firm became increasingly active in helping US law firms to set up in the City, which came in addition to its regular roles in advising on sensitive partner and team exits and other related issues.

The “sharp and articulate” Tina Williams is well respected on both the disputes and the non-contentious sides, and “knows the area inside-out.” She regularly advises large international firms, who appreciate her expertise on mergers and demergers, while the wider market acknowledges the “ground-breaking” work she has completed over the years. Gavin Foggo, who is skilled in representing firms and individual partners in disputes, has a “good tactical head on him” and knows “when to be forceful and when to step back.”

Corporate Finance: Mid-sized companies enthuse about this “customer-focused and flexible” firm that values its clients and possesses a collegiate culture. Fox Williams knows its territory, and has recently concentrated to a large degree on the re-emerging e-business market, knowing it harbours the technology expertise crucial to the sector. Some comings and goings at the firm in recent times have thrown up challenges, but the “commercially astute” corporate team hopes to add to its numbers; while the hire of the excellent head of tax Stephen Lane adds to the firm’s attractiveness. Senior partner Tina Williams won praise from across the market, with interviewees describing her as “an extremely able practitioner .” Head of department is Paul Osborne, while Mark Tasker is another key member of the team.

Dispute Resolution: Fox Williams’ dispute resolution department is energised by lawyers who are “proactive in their approach, always identify the most important issues and never fail to keep their clients informed.” The group advises on the full spectrum of business disputes, ranging from transactional claims to breach of warranty actions. It is also unencumbered by the conflict issues that beset larger firms with significant banking practices. Currently, members are acting for Belgian investment fund IFE Fund SA in media-friendly proceedings against Goldman Sachs International. These stem from the collapse of UK car parts manufacturer Finelist and are founded on allegations of material financial misrepresentation. Gavin Foggo, whose main areas of speciality are corporate governance, directors’ duties and shareholder disputes, is one of the group’s main contacts.

Employment: This niche team has a well-established place in the market, and is attracting a growing number of instructions from City employers in the insurance and financial services sectors, including private equity companies and hedge funds. The group also focuses on clients in the professional services, technology and fashion industries. Advice to law firms is another expanding area, particularly age discrimination. The group is unique in that it also acts for many employees, representing senior executives against large banks and major City institutions.

Sources praise Jane Mann for her “technical excellence.” Head of the department and a recognised name in the market, Mann specialises in City-related employment issues such as bonus disputes, poaching, severance agreements and high-profile litigation, including discrimination cases.

Business Immigration: This small, specialist group works alongside the firm’s well-known employment team, advising mostly business clients on those seeking to enter the UK, including assistance to a number of US clients and referrals from US lawyers. It also counsels on changes to the law concerning illegal working and other compliance and enforcement issues. Former employment lawyer Mathew Davies now specialises in immigration, with a deep understanding of crossover issues between the two areas. He nevertheless elicits much praise for his firm grasp of cases and current issues.