Ranking tables
Pensions | UK
London (Firms)
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
- Fieldfisher 15 Years Ranked
- Reed Smith LLP 17 Years Ranked
- Simmons & Simmons LLP
Senior Statespeople
Eminent Practitioners
Band 1
- Anna Rogers Arc Pensions Law27 Years Ranked
- Claire Petheram Linklaters27 Years Ranked
- Daniel Schaffer Slaughter and May26 Years Ranked
- Dawn Heath Freshfields12 Years Ranked
- Katie Banks Hogan Lovells18 Years Ranked
- Neil A Bowden A&O Shearman17 Years Ranked
- Susie Daykin Travers Smith LLP16 Years Ranked
Band 2
- Charles Cameron Slaughter and May17 Years Ranked
- Charles Magoffin Slaughter and May14 Years Ranked
- Claire Southern Hogan Lovells15 Years Ranked
- Daniel Gerring Travers Smith LLP12 Years Ranked
- Duncan Buchanan Hogan Lovells19 Years Ranked
- Jason Coates Gowling WLG (UK) LLP18 Years Ranked
- Francois BarkerEversheds Sutherland
- Jeremy GoodwinEversheds Sutherland
- Mark AtkinsonCMS
Band 3
- Carolyn Saunders Dentons24 Years Ranked
- Catherine McAllister Addleshaw Goddard LLP13 Years Ranked
- Clare Hoxey Clifford Chance LLP16 Years Ranked
- Edward Brown Hogan Lovells14 Years Ranked
- Hywel Robinson Clifford Chance LLP19 Years Ranked
- Jane Higgins A&O Shearman10 Years Ranked
- Jeanette Holland Baker McKenzie21 Years Ranked
- Lesley Browning Norton Rose Fulbright23 Years Ranked
- Mark Smith Taylor Wessing LLP14 Years Ranked
- Paul Feathers Gowling WLG (UK) LLP13 Years Ranked
- Philip Goss Linklaters11 Years Ranked
- Rosalind Connor Temple Bright LLP17 Years Ranked
- Samantha Brown Herbert Smith Freehills12 Years Ranked
- Keith WebsterCMS
Band 4
- Andrew Cork A&O Shearman7 Years Ranked
- Arron Slocombe Baker McKenzie14 Years Ranked
- Dan Naylor Travers Smith LLP7 Years Ranked
- David Gallagher Fieldfisher17 Years Ranked
- David James Travers Smith LLP3 Years Ranked
- David Saunders Sacker & Partners LLP13 Years Ranked
- Faith Dickson Sacker & Partners LLP3 Years Ranked
- Jane Kola Arc Pensions Law11 Years Ranked
- Janet Brown Sacker & Partners LLP9 Years Ranked
- Jay Doraisamy Mayer Brown International LLP18 Years Ranked
- Justine Senior Reed Smith LLP17 Years Ranked
- Mark Baker Pinsent Masons3 Years Ranked
- Matthew De Ferrars Pinsent Masons12 Years Ranked
- Rosalind Knowles Linklaters14 Years Ranked
- Stephen Richards Stephenson Harwood LLP8 Years Ranked
- Wendy Hunter Squire Patton Boggs11 Years Ranked
- Will Sutton Reed Smith LLP13 Years Ranked
- Danny TsangSimmons & Simmons LLP
- Sarah SwiftEversheds Sutherland
Band 5
- Amrit McLean DLA Piper LLP2 Years Ranked
- Andrew Murphy Freshfields12 Years Ranked
- Anna Copestake Arc Pensions Law2 Years Ranked
- Eleanor Hart Dentons1 Years Ranked
- Esther White Mayer Brown International LLP5 Years Ranked
- Faye Jarvis Macfarlanes LLP7 Years Ranked
- Fuat Sami Sacker & Partners LLP1 Years Ranked
- Isobel Carruthers Slaughter and May17 Years Ranked
- Jessica Kerslake A&O Shearman6 Years Ranked
- Jonathan Sharp Baker McKenzie12 Years Ranked
- Kirsty McLean Squire Patton Boggs8 Years Ranked
- Matthew J Swynnerton DLA Piper LLP7 Years Ranked
- Monica Ma Keystone Law21 Years Ranked
- Philip Goodchild Stephenson Harwood LLP10 Years Ranked
- Philippa Connaughton Sacker & Partners LLP13 Years Ranked
- Rachel Pinto Herbert Smith Freehills4 Years Ranked
- Raj Sharma Pinsent Masons10 Years Ranked
- Shane O'Reilly Norton Rose Fulbright6 Years Ranked
- Tamara Calvert DLA Piper LLP12 Years Ranked
- Edward SmithSimmons & Simmons LLP
- Emma FrostCMS
- Mark LatimourEversheds Sutherland
- Neil SmithCMS
- Peter A CoyneCMS
Up and Coming
Associates to watch
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 A&O ShearmanPensions2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedOn 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman. The firm maintains a leading practice that offers innovative de-risking solutions and advice on changes to cross-border pension schemes. It is recommended for its regulatory proficiency and for work on the pensions aspects of complex corporate transactions. The team regularly advises both trustee and sponsor clients on strategic decisions, projects and technically demanding areas of pensions law.1 LinklatersPensions2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedLinklaters 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.1 Sacker & Partners LLPPensions2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedSacker & 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.1 Travers Smith LLPPensions2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years RankedTravers 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.
Band 2
2 Baker McKenziePensions2024 | Band 2 | 21 Years RankedBaker McKenzie's pensions team provides expert advice to employers and trustees in regard to defined benefit and 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.2 Hogan LovellsPensions2024 | Band 2 | 21 Years RankedHogan 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.2 Pinsent MasonsPensions2024 | Band 2 | 21 Years RankedPinsent Masons has a national practice that enjoys a strong reputation in traditional pension issues and pensions litigation. It offers impressive expertise in the field of master trusts. The firm has accomplished advisers on scheme merger and consolidation transactions. It also advises corporate clients, trustees and pension providers.2 Slaughter and MayPensions2024 | Band 2 | 21 Years RankedSlaughter 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.
Band 3
3 Arc Pensions LawPensions2024 | Band 3 | 8 Years RankedArc 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.3 FreshfieldsPensions2024 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedFreshfields 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.3 Gowling WLG (UK) LLPPensions2024 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedGowling 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.3 Herbert Smith FreehillsPensions2024 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills has a well-regarded pension practice that is acknowledged for its work on de-risking and for overseeing the pensions implications of corporate transactions. The team is also respected for its strength on equalisation and funding, as well as for its knowledge of the pensions issues facing energy sector clients.3 Mayer Brown International LLPPensions2024 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedMayer 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.3 Squire Patton BoggsPensions2024 | Band 3 | 21 Years RankedSquire 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.
Band 4
4 Clifford Chance LLPPensions2024 | Band 4 | 21 Years RankedClifford 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.4 DLA Piper LLPPensions2024 | Band 4 | 19 Years RankedDLA 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.4 Norton Rose FulbrightPensions2024 | Band 4 | 21 Years RankedNorton Rose Fulbright has a broad pensions practice that is noted for servicing insurance companies, trustees and large corporate sponsors. The team is experienced in all areas of pensions and regularly handles cross-border pensions matters. The firm is also recognised for its work on pensions disputes.4 Stephenson Harwood LLPPensions2024 | Band 4 | 16 Years RankedStephenson 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.
Band 5
5 FieldfisherPensions2024 | Band 5 | 15 Years RankedFieldfisher 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.5 Reed Smith LLPPensions2024 | Band 5 | 17 Years RankedReed 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.