The pensions team at Shoosmiths LLP is well regarded for its wide-ranging expertise in scheme mergers, restructures and closures, buy-in projects, wind-ups, rule amendments and GMP equalisation. The practice has a tripartite leadership under the ‘exceptional’ Heather Chandler, based in Milton Keynes, Suzanne Burrell, based in Thames Valley and described as ‘one of the best’, and Tracey Hemingway, ‘an excellent advisor’, in Solent. The team regularly advises trustees of occupational schemes and provides support to employers regarding defined contribution schemes. The practice also has strength in scheme security agreements and trustee compliance with data legislation, leveraging support from the firm’s wider banking and data protection teams. Associate Sarah Jenkins is ‘technically extremely strong’ and has experience assisting trustees with a multitude of scheme matters.

With an impressive roster of high-profile clients, Osborne Clarke LLP has broad experience advising employers and trustees on pension law issues, particularly pertaining to restructuring since the firm is a Pension Protection panel member, as well as assisting on public sector pensions, disputes and data protection. The team is based across offices in Bristol, London and Thames Valley, and is led by Bristol-based Jonathan Hazlett. David Hosford, based in Reading, has a focus on risk settlement, including buy-in and -out transactions for defined benefit schemes, and transfers of assets to insurers or master trusts for defined contribution schemes.

Led by London-based Alison Hills, the pensions team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP assists a range of client types, including trustees, sponsoring employers, staff associations and insurers. The firm covers both public and private sector pension matters in the Guildford office, with Maria Riccio providing broad experience in scheme changes, mergers, terminations and debt issues arising from insolvency and restructuring, as well as high-profile litigation. Clare Coley brings valuable trusteeship experience to the Guildford office.

The pensions team at Stevens & Bolton LLP, led by Andy Williams, advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with specific industry expertise in the manufacturing, energy, professional services, and private client sectors. Key types of work include corporate support, employer and trustee advice, scheme governance and funding, and transactional support regarding complex pension arrangements. Williams is noted for his particular expertise advising on reorganisations, TUPE transfers and has experience in the Employment Tribunal and High Court on a range of contentious matters. James Lister brings valuable experience as a trusts litigator. The practice is based in Guildford.