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Ranking tables

UK UK-wide Retail

This section is an industry table ranking law firms that have developed a track record in serving the needs of large, national retailers. A retailer sells goods (not services) to consumers online or in person. Please note that any work for brands (drinks, toiletries etc) should be clearly linked to the sale of those brands to the consumer. Advice on IP to a consumer brand that is not a retailer is not considered here. Firms may also advise retailers on their real estate and planning needs, as well as logistics, franchising and technology matters. They may also demonstrate aptitude in assisting with a retailer's employment, tax and regulatory requirements, along with consumer protection issues and disputes.

All Departments profiles

1
Band 1
  1. Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    1
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    Addleshaw Goddard has a leading advisory offering handling all issues facing the retail sector. The team stands out for its extensive expertise in national and international corporate transactions, and also provides advice on competition matters. Lawyers in the practice are well positioned to advise on associated regulatory work and have significant expertise in the consumer goods and food and beverage spheres.
  2. DLA Piper LLP
    1
    DLA Piper LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper has a well-reputed team handling the full range of retail matters, including trade mark infringement, real estate transactions and corporate acquisitions. It is also able to advise retail clients on business restructuring issues. The team acts for a number of high-profile clients and can leverage its international capabilities to assist clients that have a global footprint.
  3. Eversheds Sutherland
    1
    Eversheds Sutherland
    Retail
    2023 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    The retail group at Eversheds Sutherland has the capability to handle various sophisticated matters for retailers, ranging from distribution and logistics issues to advice on employment issues. The team regularly handles international transactions and frequently acts for department stores, wholesalers and clients in the food and beverage sector, including franchisees.
  4. CMS
    Retail
    2023 | Band 1
2
Band 2
  1. Dentons
    2
    Dentons
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Dentons has a well-established retail group that acts for a number of household-name retailers, as well as brands and franchisers. The team advises across the full spectrum of matters, including real estate, commercial contracts, technology and dispute resolution, as well as assisting clients with major corporate transactions.
  2. Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
    2
    Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Gowling WLG has an impressive team that regularly assists large retailers with complex real estate matters and the negotiation of strategic agreements. The group's additional strengths include IP and IT matters, commercial contracts and a variety of contentious mandates.
  3. Lewis Silkin
    2
    Lewis Silkin
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Lewis Silkin advises on a range of significant matters on behalf of retailers, including IP disputes, brand management and data protection issues. The team also handles corporate transactions and provides support on employment, logistics and real estate matters in the retail space.
  4. Mishcon de Reya LLP
    2
    Mishcon de Reya LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 9 Years Ranked
    Mishcon de Reya has a well-regarded retail department, with particular expertise in contentious matters including intellectual property and real estate litigation. The team also handles non-contentious real estate matters, employment, branding and franchise negotiations. The group's clients include leading supermarkets, fashion retailers and clients in the luxury goods sector.
  5. Osborne Clarke LLP
    2
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Osborne Clark is well regarded for its handling of real estate issues in the retail space, including landlord negotiations, licences to occupy and lease renewals. It also offers significant intellectual property and litigation expertise and has further experience advising on corporate transactions. The firm's strong client base includes department stores and retailers of fashion and homeware.
  6. Shoosmiths LLP
    2
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Shoosmiths represents a wide range of clients in the retail industry, including supermarkets, food and beverage franchises and fashion brands. Lawyers in the team advise corporate occupiers and their parent groups on real estate transactions and litigation as well as assisting with intellectual property, data protection and advertising matters.
  7. Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    2
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Womble Bond Dickinson has a broad retail group with a nationwide offering. The team frequently acts for household-name clients in a variety of matters, including consumer law, intellectual property, employment and the full range of real estate issues. They have additional strength in litigation and often advise entities from the home improvement, supermarket and fashion retail sectors.
  8. Pinsent Masons
    Retail
    2023 | Band 2
3
Band 3
  1. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    3
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's retail team features a number of experienced advisers in the real estate, employment and intellectual property fields, with additional strength in litigation. The group acts for a variety of high-profile retailers and shopping centre developers, with significant experience in corporate acquisitions.
  2. Charles Russell Speechlys
    3
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Charles Russell Speechlys frequently advises clients in the luxury retail sector, with additional focus on sports and lifestyle brands. The team is equipped to handle the full range of retail issues, particularly consumer, trade mark and property law matters. The firm's client base includes well-known shopping centre developers and food and beverage companies.
  3. RPC
    3
    RPC
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    RPC has a respected practice that draws on its real estate and employment departments to advise a host of retailers. The team has notable strength in the negotiation of commercial contracts and is also able to handle a range of contentious matters, including intellectual property litigation. The firm's clients include well-known department stores and high-end goods manufacturers.
  4. Squire Patton Boggs
    3
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Squire Patton Boggs has a robust team of lawyers who are well equipped to handle matters for established retailers. They are capable of advising clients on real estate leasing, corporate restructuring, and labour and employment work. The team advises high-profile grocery, luxury and charity retailers as well as property investors.
  5. Travers Smith LLP
    3
    Travers Smith LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Travers Smith has a respected team with a strong corporate retail offering, able to handle high-profile and international transactions. The firm represents well-known retail groups as well as retail investors, including private equity firms. The team can also assist clients with key strategic agreements, including joint ventures and contracts for licensing, distribution and goods supply.
  6. Walker Morris LLP
    3
    Walker Morris LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    Walker Morris is known particularly for its employment law expertise, as well as its strengths in real estate portfolio management. The team is also active on corporate transactions and IP matters. The team works with a variety of national and international retailers, with a notable base of clients operating in the clothing and FMCG space.
  7. Bird & Bird
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3
  8. TLT LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 3
4
Band 4
  1. Baker McKenzie
    4
    Baker McKenzie
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie's consumer goods and retail team acts for numerous high-profile clients in the retail space, utilising the firm's excellent cross-border profile. The team can advise on significant corporate transactions and real estate matters while also providing support on IP strategy, brand protection and commercial agreements.
  2. Browne Jacobson LLP
    4
    Browne Jacobson LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 10 Years Ranked
    Browne Jacobson has extensive expertise in real estate, employment and IP matters concerning the retail industry. The team advises a diverse range of clients, including high street retailers, distributors and luxury stores. The firm is also known for its work with franchisees.
  3. DWF
    4
    DWF
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    DWF has a broad team that offers advice on data protection and advertising matters, as well as real estate and employment issues. The firm acts for a range of clients including household-name supermarkets, fashion brands and online retailers. The team also has expertise in advising international companies on entry into the UK market.
  4. Foot Anstey LLP
    4
    Foot Anstey LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Foot Anstey's retail team attracts a strong base of brand-name retail clients in the fields of home improvement, luxury and casual dining, among others. It advises on areas such as employment, risk to reputation, data protection, real estate and supply chain issues.
  5. Fox Williams LLP
    4
    Fox Williams LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Fox Williams is well regarded for its particular focus on clients in the luxury fashion industry. Lawyers within the team are experienced in handling intellectual property matters, including trade mark issues and brand management, as well as advising on a range of real estate concerns.
  6. Freeths LLP
    4
    Freeths LLP
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Freeths has a growing presence in the retail sector, acting for retailers and brands in the UK and internationally. The team has strong capabilities and can advise on a broad range of matters including corporate acquisitions, IP disputes, real estate and logistics.
  7. Taylor Wessing
    4
    Taylor Wessing
    Retail
    2023 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Taylor Wessing has an established practice representing clients in the retail sector. The team often advises fashion and designer goods companies as well as online retailers and is noted for its broad capabilities, including corporate transactional and logistics advice. The firm frequently advises on large-scale acquisitions for private equity funds and other purchasers, as well as target companies.