Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ solicitors, which operates from six, regional offices across the West Midlands, South West and Thames Valley, has built what is believed to be a unique in-house Banking and Finance team, providing business borrowers and lenders with a distinct finance offering.
The 15-strong Banking and Finance department at Harrison Clark Rickerbys delivers highly specialised legal expertise to both borrowers and lenders, covering all forms of lending from traditional senior debt and asset finance, through to peer-to-peer and crowd funding, and bridging finance.
The ground-breaking department has been brought together over the past year as part of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ ongoing strategy to develop uniquely skilled offerings in a number of areas. Including specialists in banking law, real estate finance, asset finance, restructuring and Islamic finance, the Banking and Finance team is uniquely positioned to guide clients through the funding journey. Endorsing its achievements, Chambers and Partners – the guide to the world’s best lawyers – listed the team as Tier 1 for Banking and Finance in its 2015 rankings.
The presence of seven finance partners in the department make it highly significant in terms of size, especially outside of a major city; however distinctiveness is provided by also having two finance industry specialists working in the department. This makes the offering unique, but is consistent with the firm’s client-led approach to its service offerings.
Ex-DLA Piper and Hill Dickinson banking and finance heavyweight Tim Littler, now partner and head of banking at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, leads the department. Tim commented: “The combined experience of our Banking and Finance team is truly exceptional, and probably unique outside of London and the major cities. By bringing these individuals together in one, regional firm, we can offer our clients an easily-accessed, partner-led service delivering the very best legal solutions. If you have a funding requirement, the team can assist, not just in delivering the transaction but by also looking at different forms of funding solution at the outset. When you also add in the industry expertise and knowledge of our in house finance consultants, the offering is truly unique.”
Alongside Tim Littler, the Banking and Finance team also includes six further partners: Tim Walker who is a leader in banking and asset finance law; restructuring lawyer Jon Whitbread; property finance lawyer Mark Carter; finance litigators Adam Finch and Fiona Hayles; and Islamic finance specialist Cindy Bexfield. These partners are supported by associate Jenny Raymond (finance litigation), senior associate Suzie Gilhooly (banking), property finance assistant Emme Kent and associate Harry Bengough. Harry recently joined the team after four years of post-qualification experience with Wragge Lawrence Graham in their London office, whilst Fiona recently joined as a partner from Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham. Senior counsel Gavin Dowell was also recently recruited to the team from TLT in Bristol.
The two finance industry consultants also within the department – Mark Bolshaw who was head of Lloyds Leveraged Finance in the regions, and commercial finance specialist Pete Raybould who joined from Aldermore – ensure that the team’s approach is tailored and focused on the needs of lenders and corporate borrowers alike.
“By combining both legal and banking industry expertise, we can advise clients on the full range of options like no other law firm,” concludes Tim Littler. “In addition to the legal aspects of a finance transaction we can now give invaluable commercial assistance and introduce potential funders to clients.”
Harrison Clark Rickerbys Ltd provides a complete spectrum of City-quality legal services to business and private clients. The firm has a total of 360 staff and partners operating out of offices in Worcester, Cheltenham, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, the Thames Valley and Birmingham, and by appointment in central London.