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What others say

CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2009 - Climate change

"Making a real splash in the market," this group is steaming ahead, winning praise for its timely and reliable advice on a variety of climate change matters, including such growing areas as carbon credit trading and carbon offsetting. Its recent work includes advising a steel producer on the sale of Carbon Reduction Emissions credits. The climate change team works out of several of the firm's offices across the country and is developing an in-depth understanding of renewable biomass and wind energy projects. A number of the firm’s commercial clients also consult the climate change group on sustainability issues and carbon reduction strategies. CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2009 - Environment

UK Group and London

Sources agree that a combination of "in-depth, industry-specific knowledge" and "skill at building the team best suited to the needs of the client" has contributed to the success of this group. Regulatory compliance is a key offering, as the team guides companies over the legal hurdles presented by the REACH and RoHS directives. The group also handles issues regarding PPC permitting, including appeals, and advises on transactions involving contaminated land and other environmental liabilities. It recently assisted Photon with its acquisition of TB Holdings, and is also involved in waste management issues - including, most recently, the Greater Manchester waste PFI project. In addition, the team acts on the full panoply of pollution, nuisance and waste offences. Admired for her skilful ability to “build relationships with all parties in a transaction or case,” Elizabeth Shepherd has a “wealth of experience.” Recent recruit Marcus Trinick is seen as a “real luminary in the market.” An expert in renewables matters, his long track record of appearing in public inquiries on wind farms is widely recognised. Sources laud the nationally utilised environmental litigation skills of Leeds-based Paul Smith, who "really knows his stuff." Meanwhile, the “thorough, personable and proactive” Dave Gordon is admired for his technical know-how.

The Midlands - Rated in Band 1
 
Admired for its “determined, diligent approach that yields clear results,” this practice fields experts in both contentious and non-contentious environmental law and is also singled out for its size and scope. On the non-contentious side, the group attracts a considerable volume of work on the back of its Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) expertise. It is also commended for its knowledge of contaminated land and waste management issues, and acts in tandem with energy colleagues on the environmental aspects of renewables projects. The team also advises on nuisance claims and investigations by environmental regulators, and has been instructed in water pollution and oil discharge cases in the past year. Clients include DuPont and DEFRA, and the lawyers recently advised Tyco International on REACH compliance. Dave Gordon has a background in environmental toxicology and acts on contaminated land issues, water law and regulatory compliance. He possesses an "outstanding, customer-focused attitude" and is also "down to earth and amiable," sources report. David Young is a contentious specialist with a track record in pollution cases, including water, air, asbestos and noise matters. He has "real gravitas," peers agree.

The North - Rated Band 1

As well as taking on a burgeoning contentious caseload, this practice advises on all matters relating to environmental prosecutions, challenges to PPC permits and judicial reviews. “We have been able to forge some exceedingly strong personal relationships with the team,” say clients, who also laud the group’s "outstandingly informative advice." The firm gains similar praise for its non-contentious expertise, where its particular strengths are advising on sustainability issues and regulatory matters relating to Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) obligations, an area where Jane Southworth particularly excels. Praised by sources for bringing "a really useful calming influence to proceedings," she is also involved in the negotiation of environmental indemnities. The team regularly assists with contaminated land and environmental risk management issues. It recently worked with easyJet on carbon offsetting schemes, and the lawyers were also heavily involved with PFI waste management schemes across the UK, helping, for example, to close a £380 million waste services contract between Wrexham County Borough Council and Waste Recycling Group. In Manchester, non-contentious specialist Elizabeth Shepherd inspires confidence among clients with her "positive manner and extremely useful, rational advice." She frequently takes the lead on regulatory matters and is often called upon to assist with the environmental aspects of corporate and property transactions. A stalwart of the environmental arena, Leeds-based Paul Smith is known for his approachable nature and flair for handling litigious matters.

LEGAL 500

UK Group and London

Eversheds LLP acts for some major names, including easyJet, Taylor Wimpey and Boeing, and ‘ meets all the requirements’. The group is currently advising Tyco on a range of energy legislation including WEEE and REACH, and SPX Corp on the environmental aspects of a £250m acquisition, and is expanding its contentious capabilities in London.

The  West Midlands - Rated Band 1

Dave Gordon and David Young co-head Eversheds LLP’s environment practice. Associate Anita Lloyd is a notable expert on climate change and emissions trading issues. The practice has helped Tyco develop procedures to enable compliance with the REACH regulations.

The East Midlands

As part of Eversheds LLP’s pan-Midlands environment group, the Nottingham office is recognised for its defence of private and public-sector clients in threatened group action environmental nuisance claims and other torts.

The North West - Rated Band 1

Eversheds LLP’s team is seamlessly aligned to the firm’s prestigious real estate business according to clients who also praise its expertise in civil litigation and judicial review. Public sector clients acknowledge its 'understanding of local government'. Department head Richard Lloyd is considered one of the leading compulsory purchase orders specialists in the country; he is counsel to the London Development Agency on the CPO aspects of the Olympics development. The firm also has a leading standalone environment practice led by Elizabeth Shepherd, which has an unrivalled record for waste PFI schemes.