UK London (Firms) Pensions

Linklaters has an eminent pensions practice which combines contentious and non-contentious expertise. The team is recognised for its high-quality advice to a diverse range of clients in corporate restructuring, investment matters and liability management. Its clients include sponsors, trustees and insurance companies.

Sacker & Partners is a distinguished pensions boutique with a broad array of experience in defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. Its team offers expertise from a tax and finance perspective, and has strong litigation capabilities. It also has recognised sector-specific knowledge of the financial services, media, energy and retail industries. The firm regularly works with both companies and pensions trustees. Its lawyers are seen leading on innovative matters regarding large scheme restructuring projects.

Travers Smith is highly regarded for advising some of the industry's largest pension schemes on high-profile longevity transactions and bulk annuity purchases. It excels at overseeing complex de-risking exercises and cross-border transactions, as well as at advising stressed schemes. The team's notable client list includes household-name multinational companies.

Baker McKenzie's pensions team provides expert advice to employers and trustees in regard to defined contribution schemes and corporate transactions. It is distinguished for offering innovative financing and investment solutions in de-risking projects, including longevity swaps and asset-backed funding.

Eversheds has an impressive London practice that houses a strong bench of pensions experts. The team represents sponsoring employers, scheme providers and trustees in a wide range of work. Its areas of expertise include pensions insurance and master trusts.

Hogan Lovells has a highly regarded pensions team that frequently advises household-name corporate clients and pensions schemes. It is notable for its restructuring, funding and buy-in expertise, as well as its strength on pensions litigation and cross-border matters. The team has significant experience in high-value scheme mergers and is also reputed for its work handling the creation and structuring of master trusts for auto-enrolment.

Slaughter and May has a highly regarded pensions practice that advises on a range of matters including complex benefit changes and scheme closures. The firm enjoys a strong reputation for overseeing cross-border transactions and de-risking exercises. It has accomplished advisers to household-name employers who sponsor substantial schemes, with particular expertise working in highly unionised sectors.

Arc is a pensions boutique with deep expertise in the field. The team is led by industry-leading practitioners and offers high-quality advice across the full spectrum of pensions issues. Its impressive client base includes both trustees and sponsoring employers.

Freshfields enjoys a reputation for advising on the pensions implications of complex international transactions. The team is distinguished for its deep knowledge and experience of acting for employers in funding and restructuring negotiations with trustees. It has further strength in de-risking and scheme restructuring and in relation to regulatory actions.

Gowling is a large national firm offering expertise across the full spectrum of pensions issues for trustees, employers and providers. The team is notable for its strength handling corporate transactions and large buy-ins and buyouts as well as risk transfer mandates. Its clients include both pension providers and trustees.

Mayer Brown has a strong pensions practice and advises companies and trustees in relation to some of the largest UK pension funds. The team offers strength on wide-ranging pensions issues, including funding arrangements and liability management.

Squire Patton Boggs has a notable pensions team that contains leading pensions investment experts. It stands out for its knowledge in local government pension schemes and is acknowledged for its work on the pensions schemes of not-for-profit organisations and utility companies. The team ably assists both trustees and sponsors regarding defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.

Clifford Chance has a notable pensions team that is experienced at advising both corporate sponsors and trustees. The team is capable of advising on all types of pension matters and it also has the enviable capacity to handle multi-jurisdictional issues.

DLA Piper advises sponsoring employers and trustees across the full spectrum of pensions issues. The team is able to apply knowledge in tax, finance and restructurings to its pensions advice and is also experienced at advising on the pensions implications of corporate transactions. The team is recognised for its ability to provide multi-jurisdictional advice.

Stephenson Harwood handles a wide array of pension matters on behalf of trustees and sponsoring companies. The team is well versed in advising on investment opportunities, liability reduction and restructurings. It is capable of advising on both contentious and non-contentious pensions matters. It regularly works on matters relating to both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

Fieldfisher has an established pensions practice known for its expertise when advising on pensions schemes in the utilities, energy and transport sectors. The firm handles complex benefit amendments, buyouts and pensions issues relating to corporate transactions for corporate sponsors and trustees.

Reed Smith has a full-service pensions offering and advises both trustees and employers on defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. The team is noted for its work on amendments to scheme rules and on investment issues, as well as advising on scheme mergers and consolidation.