BHP is there for every legal requirement

Oct 26 2008 The Journal

A FAST growing range of specialisms, new arrivals and two mergers in the last 12 months have seen BHP Law reach its highest position yet in the Legal 500.

In a year in which the firm has undergone a major re-brand, adopted 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.

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 re-affirming its 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 firm with national capability from its offices in Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and now Teesside.

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

The team has been involved in a variety of multi-million pound corporate transactions mainly related to company and business acquisitions and disposals, and has advised a number of clients on significant corporate restructures and venture capital investments.

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, David Lucas and Stephen Greenway, who was in-house lawyer for the Williams Formula One team.

In commercial litigation, BHP’s expanding team is led by employment law specialist Graeme Ritzema.

BHP Law is new to the ranking for insolvency and corporate recovery thanks to the arrival of internationally renowned specialist Graham Ridler, while in professional negligence Blaine Ward is singled out for his work with a number of leading insurance clients.

Legal 500 states: “The firm has a small but highly-regarded practice and is punching above its weight in terms of a heavyweight client base.”

Partner Simon Robinson and his commercial property team specialises in development and investment property, while Senior Partner Peter Blackett heads a “hands-on and experienced” three partner team in agriculture and estates.

Their service is supported by BHP Develop, the planning and design division of BHP Law.

On the domestic property front, BHP Home was established in the last 12 months – following mergers with Adamsons and Mitchell Dodds on Tyneside – as a subsidiary estate agency.

The family law team at BHP led by Partner Terry Hamer is also singled out for praise. Another area where it is leading change is in BHP Sport, led by FA registered agency and former Liverpool player and Darlington FC manager David Hodgson.

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 in Newcastle by Partner Paul Saxon.

:: For more information, visit www.bhplaw.co.uk