Mills & Reeve is ranked stand-alone number one for Corporate & commercial work in Cambridge, which has prospered in these austere times. The bigger Cambridge companies in all industry sectors have held up well while the technology sector drives a healthy dealflow.

The recent decision of Anthony McGurk to leave Eversheds and join Mills & Reeve has further strengthened the latter, which The Legal 500 notes has the largest regional practice, with a team including Tom Pickthorn, Claire Clarke, Brian Marshall and Zickie Lim, and is ‘proactive, and realistic in its estimates’.

The guide adds: “The firm advised Xaar plc on raising £15m for expansion; new client FSU Investments on its offer for AIM-listed SDI Group; and Eastern European brewing group StarBev on restructuring after its $3bn acquisition. One to watch, associate Stephen Hamilton is ‘responsive, and has a “can-do” attitude and a good rapport with clients’. The recent hire of Anthony McGurk (pictured) from Eversheds LLP is a major coup for the firm.”

Since the guide was prepared for publication, Mills & Reeve has also advised Ubisense and Abcam on major transactions as well as advising Hong Kong based CKI on the disposal of Cambridge Water to HSBC in a £74m transaction.

Eversheds, Hewitsons, Taylor Vinters and Taylor Wessing are ranked together in the second tier. The guide says: “The team at Eversheds, including recommended associate Mark Satterly, is ‘excellent on all counts, particularly diligence, attention to detail and commitment to customer service.’

“Still a national heavyweight with many clients outside the region, recent deals for the firm include the $615m sale of Kettle Foods to US-based Diamond Foods.”

Hewitsons has James Lawrence, who the guide reports ‘dissipates any mystery about transactions’; Jason Williams, who is ‘sage, pragmatic, and never afraid to give an opinion’; John Dix, noted for his ‘quick responses, and great advice with a no-nonsense approach’; and Helen Drayton, who has ‘deep knowledge and a personal touch; her rising star has now ascended’.

“The team has been active across MBOs, disposals and VC funding matters, including an £8m equity investment in Ranier Ltd.”

The Legal 500 adds that “James Allen at Taylor Vinters combines with the considerable talents of Adam Bradley, Quentin Golder and John Short in a team that has expanded its client base regionally and into London and draws work from the firm’s new Singapore office. Accountants, banks and large corporates call on its services.”

At Taylor Wessing, corporate and venture capital partners Simon Walker and David Mardle, with Tim Worden and Malcolm Bates on commercial and technology matters, have been joined in Cambridge by corporate special counsel Susanna Stanfield. They specialise in collaboration deals, M & A, IPOs and VC funding. New clients include Aveva and Telecom Italia.

Birketts and Charles Russell are bracketed together in the third top tier. The guide says: “Led by the ‘unflappable, considered’ Adrian Seagers, Birketts has ‘quality analogous to a leading City practice’; ‘its experience and skills give complete confidence, and each transaction is partner led’. Seagers advised PetroTechnik on its purchase by Franklin Fueling Systems.

“Charles Russell continues to make inroads into the Cambridge market, delivering ‘advice of the highest calibre: clear, risk based and extremely helpful’. James Stephen in particular attracts very high praise from clients. Recent highlights include equity fundraising matters for Green Energy Options.”

Birketts is rated stand-alone number one for Corporate & commercial work in Ipswich. The firm is said to provide ‘an excellent all-round service’. The ‘clear and concise’ James Austin, who advised on the sale of controlling interests in Take Care Now Ltd, is praised as ‘efficient, understanding, with a straightforward, common-sense approach’. Corporate finance partner Mark Henry advised Cyden Ltd on funding rounds including a £1m working capital facility.”

Ashton Graham in second place earns a good review, the guide reporting: “Paul Whittingham is ‘an excellent communicator with solid professionalism’. The firm appeals to many clients because it is ‘big enough to know, small enough to care.’ Petra Sharp is now a partner in the practice, which advises SMEs, listed companies, franchises and UK subsidiaries of foreign businesses.”

Mills & Reeve rules the roost as clear number one in Norwich in The Legal 500’s view. Birketts and Howes Percival make joint second while Kester Cunningham John enjoys a third tier ranking in a highly competitive marketplace.

Mills & Reeve’s team ‘makes a real effort’, and features James Hunter, who has ‘excellent experience, and is pragmatic, commercial and very accessible’; Terry Gould, who ‘provides excellent commercial advice’; corporate finance expert Nick Fischl; and Craig Hodgson. Clients include First Property Group, Limerock LLP and Adnams.

Birketts’ Adrian Possener advised One Broker on its purchase of an insurance broker. Andrew Wood joined from Miller Rosenfalck LLP, bringing an international practice and a notable US and Dutch client base.

The guide adds: ‘Practical and cost effective’, Howes Percival ‘impresses with its level of service, good business acumen and commercial pragmatism’. Clients include Ford Retail. Robert Colman’s ‘commercial awareness, admirable legal knowledge and sense of urgency ensure the best possible outcomes’.

“At Kester Cunningham John, Edward O’Rourke is ‘always prompt to respond and proactive’; and associate Damian Humphrey comes highly recommended on corporate issues. Recent deals include the merger of a £4.5m supplier to the offshore industry.”

Buckles and Greenwoods earn high praise for Corporate & commercial work in Peterborough, a thriving environment city whose business parks are also bulging. At Buckles Solicitors, ‘excellent advice is mixed with a sensible, commercial approach,’

The Legal 500 reports, adding: “Nigel Moore is ‘sound and practical, and has an easy manner on difficult technical issues’. With an increasingly diverse client base, it recently advised in relation to two Italian wind farms and acted for US client Baker & Taylor.”

Of Greenwoods, the guide adds: “Acting for a growing list of local and international clients, Greenwoods Solicitors LLP is ‘always extremely efficient, with knowledgeable and amiable staff’. David Woods and Alastair Gunn are ‘extremely high calibre; they communicate very effectively and with style.”

Kimbells in Milton Keynes and Taylor Walton in Luton earn high ratings for Corporate & commercial work in the Beds, Bucks and Herts section of the South East tables. Tees Solicitors in Bishop’s Stortford also does well, figuring in the competitive third tier. The Legal 500 reports: “‘A+ in all respects’, Kimbells LLP’s recent work highlights include advising AFI-Uplift on a multimillion-pound refinancing exercise with Santander, and assisting Independent Media Distribution on issues relating to the termination of a joint venture. Practice head Jonathan Hambleton is a ‘truly gifted lawyer’, and is commended for his business acumen and negotiating skills.”

Taylor Walton is praised for its ‘excellent technical expertise and practicality of advice’, with 2010 seeing it gain new clients Richmond House Group and Bay Media. Corporate head Jeremy Brockis is recommended, as is Mike Pettit, who has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements and reorganisations, says the guide.

In Essex, Birketts’ merger with Wollastons has created a new powerhouse. the firm earns a joint top ranking for Corporate & commercial work in the county.

The guide reports: “Birketts’ Chelmsford team is headed by Nick Burnett and advises clients such as Air Livery, ValidSoft and Ioxin Holdings on cross-border joint ventures, sales and outsourcing matters. Work highlights included advising longstanding client Amlin on its acquisition of a specialist broker. The team now has four partners following Richard Wollaston’s move to senior consultant.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Anthony McGurk, Mills & Reeve