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Hat-trick of prestigious client wins for Milton Keynes’ pension law team

09 November 2007

Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes-based pension law specialists are continuing to enjoy spectacular success adding three high profile international signings to an already impressive client base.

One of the world’s premier food operators, an international IT and communications technology specialist, and an aviation client are the latest to be advised by the national law firm’s highly-respected pension team.

Led by partner David Thompson, the 10-strong Witan Gate-based team - the biggest outside London - is as much-celebrated for its commercial astuteness, in-depth expertise across the sector, and flexibility, as its unrivalled value for money service.

Shoosmiths partner Heather Chandler, said they were delighted to have attracted such high calibre clients.

“Like many businesses these clients face some interesting challenges – dealing with the impact of the new age discrimination legislation. The aviation industry in particular has the potential for some extensive age-driven activities.

“A lot of pensions’ professionals had expected certain exemptions and obviously there are major financial implications which did not materialize. It is a question of proportionality when advising clients seeing what solutions there are to industry-specific questions.

“With the client in the food industry we have been appointed to keep the trustees up to date, they were already doing a good job and wanted advisers who would match their enthusiasm and drive.

“We were very pleased to get this role and hope it will lead to a long relationship. It was very satisfying because they realised what a good job we could do with our resources and expertise – and for a lot less than our rivals,” she said.

The international IT specialist chose Shoosmiths after being impressed by the firm’s ability to assign a specialist dedicated team, rather than dealing with a pool of lawyers.

Pensions team Associate Graeme Simpson said: “They realised we were prepared to go that extra yard. They are building the business with a lot of acquisitions and outsourcings, which means adding large groups of employees in blocks, and we have a lot of experience in dealing with that to tight deadlines.

“It is crucial to get these things right or problems with the pensions arrangements can stall a deal. The make up of the trustee board of this international player means a slightly different approach is needed to keep them in touch with best practice as regards UK pensions schemes.”

The pension law team’s key roles include advising trustees, administrators and employers on pension law and the management of occupational pension schemes.

It is also kept incredibly busy providing support to Shoosmiths’ corporate lawyers dealing with transactions, as well as advising other law firms without their own niche practitioners with pensions expertise.

For further information please contact:
Name: Karen Carter
Phone: 08700 864086
Email: karen.carter@shoosmiths.co.uk

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