Chambers UK 2010 Gives High Rankings to Six O'Melveny London Lawyers in Four Practice Areas

Chambers UK: A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2010 edition, has recognized six of the Firm's London lawyers for excellence in their respective practice areas. 

This year, the London Investment Funds team has moved up to Band 3 (Investment Funds: Private Equity). Chambers UK writes: [This team] acts for limited and general partners, and advises investors on exits, selling investments and portfolio reorganization. The emerging markets are also a focal point, and the group advised Actis LLP jointly with Clifford Chance on one of the largest private equity funds ever raised for the emerging markets, at USD2.9 billion. The group benefits from strategic bases in China and Singapore. 

The guide continues with several quotes from the Firm’s clients: "A genuine competitor for secondary transactions." "Its ability to offer seamless US/UK advice as well as a wide Asian network is appealing." "The team remains cool and calm under considerable time pressures."

Three partners are ranked within Investment Funds:Private Equity: 

• Partner John Daghlian (Band 2) - "John Daghlian played a leading role in the Actis matter and sources applaud his "inspired approach to the most complex of issues.""
• Partner Solomon Wifa (Band 3) - "Solomon Wifa has impressive expertise in fund formation in the emerging economies of Africa, China and India."
• Partner James Ford ('Up and Coming') - "James Ford impresses clients as "a great negotiator with a proven ability to get things done." He handles private equity and venture capital work, and is "singularly committed to reaching the end goal.""

Additional Accolades:

• Partner David Foster (Band 5 - Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration) - "David Foster is the lead partner at O'Melveny & Myers LLP and has been handling professional negligence, contractual and media-based arbitrations. Top barristers say he is "commercially astute and can be relied on because he gets to the point quickly.""
• Partner Jan Birtwell (Band 4 - Tax) - "Jan Birtwell of O'Melveny & Myers LLP draws praise for her in-depth industry knowledge and "clear and concise communication." Her collaborative approach means that she is "tremendously easy to work with." She was part of the team that advised Actis on its USD2.9 billion fund raise for Actis Emerging Markets 3 (AEM3)."
• Counsel Matthew Harrison ('Up and Coming' - Information Technology) - "At O'Melveny & Myers LLP Matthew Harrison concentrates on corporate transactions with a technology element, including structuring and negotiating transactions involving technology companies."

Published annually since 1990, Chambers UK: A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession has established a reputation for its in-depth research. Based on thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients, the guide ranks solicitors and barristers in over 60 specialist areas of law. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. 

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