Legal 500 Review 2008 - BHP from cloud nine to seventh heaven

In a year in which the firm has under gone a major rebrand, adopt a new trading name from Blackett Hart & Pratt and expanded its number of offices, the Legal 500 points to its ability to “punch above its weight”.

BHP Law rises from ninth to seventh place in the North for its number of advisers, some of whom now operate from the firm’s new office in Teesside, following its merger with well known local firm James & Baker.

 

In recommending the firm in 14 categories this year, Legal 500 acknowledges its entry into fresh areas of law with the arrival of new Partners, as well as affirming its continued strength in many specialisms including corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, agriculture and commercial property.

 

It makes BHP Law a leading example of a regional, multi-disciplinary law firm with national capability at its offices in Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and now Teesside.

In addition, the firm made its first move outside the North East earlier this year by merging with Halifax firm Clarksons to create BHP Clarksons.

 

Through its network of cross-departmental teams, the firm can provide advice on a broad range of commercial and private issues, helping it to maintain and build on its strong reputation among private and corporate clients.

 

The experience of the commercial team extends across many different industry sectors including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, engineering, leisure, construction and service sector.

 

BHP has developed a multi-disciplinary team of specialist commercial lawyers and advisers who can be instructed either individually or as part of a project team.

 

Over the past 12 months the team has been involved in a variety of multi-million pound corporate transactions mainly related to company and business acquisitions and disposals. The team has also advised a number of clients on significant corporate restructures and venture capital investments and has been involved in variety of large transactions in sectors from catering to chemical, pharmaceutical to engineering.

 

The firm has built on its strong reputation for business and company law with the appointment of new Partners including intellectual property specialist Matthew Rippon, David Wilson and also David Lucas.

 

In commercial litigation, BHP’s expanding team led by employment law specialist Graeme Ritzema and Ursula Collie continues to advise clients in the sporting arena and regional corporate firms. Ursula is singled out for her expertise in property disputes, professional negligence and disputed probate.

 

The firm’s merger with Newcastle practice Anderson Haggie in 2006 has seen it act for more clients in the area of debt recovery, the busy team being led by Partner Tom Lisgo.

 

Its strong tradition in agriculture and estates has continued, led by Senior Partner Peter Blackett who heads a “hands-on and experienced” three partner team. It has recently advised a number of large-scale agricultural businesses and farming families, the Legal 500 notes.

 

Partner Simon Robinson and his commercial property team now operate from the Stockton office, where they expect to be well placed to add to their list of high quality instructions. The team specialises in development, investment and agricultural property and Simon is highly recommended.

 

Their service is supported by BHP Develop, the planning and design division of BHP Law, now the biggest independent town and country planning consultancy within a law firm in the region. It can provide a combined legal, planning and design service to commercial property owners, developers and landlords.

 

On the domestic property front, BHP Home was established in the last 12 months as a subsidiary estate agency company as part of the firm’s overall strategy for growth in a range of non legal disciplines.

 

Another area where it is leading change is in its BHP Sport division, a management and representation agency within the law firm led by FA registered agency and former Liverpool player and Darlington FC manager David Hodgson.

 

He is supported by Robin Winskell, who advises some of the region’s leading sports personalities with “clear and thoughtful” advice.

 

The firm acts for both claimants and defendants in the area of personal injury and has a number of successful cases to its name. It now has a dedicated head injury unit, led by Partner Paul Saxon, who works with consultant Des O’Meara to support victims of acquired brain injuries.

 

BHP Law’s private client work continues to grow, particularly in the area of personal tax, trusts and probate. The team is led by Helen Biglin and administers in excess of 100 family trusts, many valued at more than £1m.

 

The family law team at BHP led by Partner Terry Hamer is also singled out for praise being noted for its “solid, clear and thoughtful advice”.

 

The firm is only one of around ten per cent of law firms in England and Wales with joint accreditation to both the Investor in People standard and The Law Society Lexcel accreditation.

 

These standards recognise the development of quality systems and procedures in relation to all areas of legal advice and the firm’s commitment to people development which was further enhanced by it being rated highly in a recent UK Top Legal Employers survey.