How We're Viewed by Others
The Chambers UK Guide 2012
The Chambers directory is a 'Who's Who' guide for the legal industry and is drawn from independent research and recommendation by clients and solicitors alike. Below is the entry in the 2012 guide.
Poppleston Allen - Midlands: Licensing
The Firm
Poppleston Allen continues to be ranked in the top band for licensing and is highly regarded as "a national player" and also as "one of the nation's leading licensing practices". With offices in Nottingham and London "the firm provides the full spectrum of licensing advice to a large number of industry clients, acting for hotels, restaurant chains, casino operators, off-licence chains, breweries and universities. The firm is noted for regularly acting for Accor Hotels, ASK Restaurants, Bourne Leisure, Fuller's, Carluccio's, Majestic Wine Warehouse, Northern Racing and PizzaExpress". Poppleston Allen is lauded for it's "first class industry knowledge" and "knowing all of the players".The Lawyers
Managing Partner, Jonathan Smith, is described as "forthright, an able communicator and a skilled negotiator" with a particular key strength in dealing with licensing reviews. Jonathan recently acted for a client subject to a police closure order, which was successfully stayed by means of a judicial review.Lisa Sharkey is praised as "an expert in her field" and noted for her success before licensing committees. Lisa spends her time split between the Nottingham and London offices. She recently acted in the re-licensing of the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour.
James Anderson is praised for "the quality of his advice and his professionalism when dealing with clients". He recently acted for Young & Co Brewery in relation to its purchase of 26 Geronimo pubs, and acted for Mark Hix on the licensing of Hix's.
Graeme Cushion heads the prosecutions and regulatory crime department at Poppleston Allen. Graeme is noted as "wonderful, a troubleshooter" and an "efficient licensing lawyer".
Licensing: London
Clare Eames is noted as being "very clued up and understands the industry" and "is able to see not just the law but how it will affect operations on a practical level". Clare is noted for recently acting on behalf of Shepherd Neame in a licensing review.http://www.chambersandpartners.com/UK/Editorial/45289#per_13184
The Legal 500 Guide 2012
The Legal 500 directory has been published for over twenty years and provides comprehensive coverage on legal services providers.
Poppleston Allen - Nottingham: Licensing
The Firm
Within licensing, Poppleston Allen is a first tier firm and is seen as "head and shoulders above other firms for licensing work".Clients include Mitchells & Butlers, PizzaExpress and industry associations such as the British Beer & Pub Association, which the firm advises on licence applications, transfers and judicial reviews.
The Lawyers
Jonathan Smith, is noted as an "Excellent Managing Partner" and is lauded for his "enormous expertise in handling licensing and hearings";Lisa Sharkey is noted as being "well regarded for her licensing and regulatory expertise".
James Anderson is also noted for his licensing and gaming expertise.
Graham Cushion is regarded as "an expert in his field of prosecutions and regulatory crime".
Clare Eames, who is based in the London office, is noted as being "efficient" and "knowledgeable" and is recognised as a "source of sound advice".
Nick Arron is praised as "always helpful and proactive on gaming matters".
http://www.legal500.com/firms/2709-poppleston-allen/6848-nottingham
