Ranking tables

Transport: Rail | UK

UK-wide

Rankings overview for Lawyers

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Simon Coppen
    Simon Coppen Burges Salmon LLP27 Years Ranked
  2. Anne HarrisEversheds Sutherland

All Lawyers profiles

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Simon Coppen
    S
    Simon Coppen
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Senior Statespeople | 27 Years Ranked
    Simon Coppen has a strong reputation in the sector, with particular expertise in franchising matters. He advises on a multitude of rail matters including contract amendments and regulatory issues, and also has experience of infrastructure modernisation projects.
  2. Anne Harris
    Eversheds Sutherland | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Senior Statespeople
1

Band 1

  1. Brioney Thomas
    1
    Brioney Thomas
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years Ranked
    Head of the firm's transport team, Brioney Thomas regularly advises on infrastructure and franchising projects. She is also experienced in regulatory matters. Thomas's clients include operators, government authorities and rolling stock manufacturers.
  2. 1
    David Rewcastle
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    David Rewcastle is head of the firm's transport section. He is regarded as a leading expert in the rail sector and specialises in franchise agreements, infrastructure projects and rolling stock procurement matters.
  3. 1
    Matthew Hanslip-Ward
    Dentons
    Dentons | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 23 Years Ranked
    Matthew Hanslip-Ward is a leading individual who has significant experience advising on high-profile franchise bids. He also advises key clients on regulatory and infrastructure delivery matters.
  4. Naomi Horton
    1
    Naomi Horton
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 21 Years Ranked
    Naomi Horton is a highly regarded practitioner with enviable expertise in the rail industry. She represents key clients in infrastructure projects, rolling stock procurement and commercial contracts. Horton also advises on franchise bids and mobilisation.
  5. 1
    Paul Hirst
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Paul Hirst is head of the transport sector group at the firm and has established an excellent reputation in the market for his expertise in rolling stock procurement and franchising. He also has extensive experience advising on rail infrastructure projects.
  6. 1
    Paul Irving
    Winckworth Sherwood
    Winckworth Sherwood | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 27 Years Ranked
    Paul Irving is head of the practice and a leading specialist in the sector. He acts for clients on high-profile rail projects and provides strategic advice on planning and authorisation. Irving is particularly noted for his extensive expertise in advising on and drafting legislation.
  7. 1
    Simon Gwynne
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 24 Years Ranked
    Simon Gwynne has a strong reputation in the market and extensive experience in the rail sector. He regularly advises on rolling stock procurement, financing and leasing. Gwynne's impressive client base includes government bodies and financial institutions.
  8. Tammy Samuel
    1
    Tammy Samuel
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Stephenson Harwood LLP | Head of Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years Ranked
    Tammy Samuel, co-head of the rail department, has extensive experience advising an international roster of manufacturers, operators and public bodies on rolling stock procurement and franchising matters. She also has additional expertise in infrastructure development.
  9. Terry van Poortvliet
    1
    Terry van Poortvliet
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years Ranked
    Terry van Poortvliet is the head of the rail department at Ashurst. He advises on a plethora of rail matters and has particular expertise in project financing. He also advises on rolling stock procurement and sale and leaseback, as well as rail-related M&A.
  10. Agnes Koko
    Eversheds Sutherland | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Clive Smith
    2
    Clive Smith
    gunnercooke
    gunnercooke | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 19 Years Ranked
    Clive Smith of gunnercooke is regarded as an expert on rolling stock matters. He has significant experience advising clients on the procurement, financing and maintenance of rolling stock.
  2. 2
    Fiona Hobbs
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 16 Years Ranked
    Fiona Hobbs is experienced in all aspects of rail project development, and has worked with a number of government bodies and financial institutions on significant infrastructure in the UK and abroad. Her practice also includes rolling stock financing, as well as regulatory and rail policy matters.
  3. 2
    Jamie Wiseman-Clarke
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked
    Jamie Wiseman-Clarke has strong expertise in a range of rolling stock issues including leasing, procurement and financing. He has additional expertise in related transactional matters.
  4. 2
    Jason Chamberlain
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Jason Chamberlain has substantial knowledge of the rail sector and regularly advises on rolling stock procurement and leasing. He has additional expertise in advising clients on infrastructure projects.
  5. Jonathan Bevan
    2
    Jonathan Bevan
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 22 Years Ranked
    Jonathan Bevan is considered an expert in rail infrastructure and rolling stock matters. He primarily advises lenders and sponsors on high-profile acquisitions, divestments and refinancings.
  6. 2
    Paul Coleman
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    Paul Coleman is highly regarded for his expertise in rolling stock matters. He regularly advises on rolling stock procurement and maintenance. Coleman also has experience in infrastructure projects.
  7. 2
    Robbie Owen
    Pinsent Masons
    Pinsent Masons | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 27 Years Ranked
    Robbie Owen is the head of infrastructure planning at Pinsent Masons. He is a notable expert in the planning and infrastructure space. He has experience working with notable clients on both sides of high-profile rail construction projects. He advises both operators and government bodies, and represents clients who wish to challenge projects that they feel are damaging their business.
  8. Robert Smith
    2
    Robert Smith
    DLA Piper UK LLP
    DLA Piper UK LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Robert Smith has notable expertise in rail rolling stock including procurement, maintenance and contractual disputes. He also has experience advising on franchising and infrastructure matters.
  9. Suzanne Tarplee
    2
    Suzanne Tarplee
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Stephenson Harwood LLP | Head of Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Suzanne Tarplee, co-head of the rail department, advises clients in both the public and private sectors. She has notable expertise in rail franchising contracts and rolling stock transactions, as well as regulatory matters and infrastructure work.
  10. Tom Johnson
    2
    Tom Johnson
    Freeths LLP
    Freeths LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 2 | 19 Years Ranked
    Tom Johnson, head of rail at Freeths, is noted for his expertise in rolling stock matters. His practice also includes rail financings and rail-related transactions. Johnson regularly advises financiers, operators and government bodies, among other clients.
3

Band 3

  1. Charles J C Ford
    3
    Charles J C Ford
    Hogan Lovells
    Hogan Lovells | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Charles Ford of Hogan Lovells advises on cross-border and domestic infrastructure projects, as well as significant rolling stock programmes and transactions.
  2. 3
    Chris Simms
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Chris Simms has a strong practice advising prominent private and public clients in the rail space on financial, regulatory and commercial matters.
  3. Edward Barratt
    3
    Edward Barratt
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Edward Barratt focuses his practice within the rail industry on rolling stock matters. He also advises on issues including franchising, fares and ticketing, as well as the rollout of low carbon technology.
  4. Graeme McLellan
    3
    Graeme McLellan
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked
    Graeme McLellan has extensive experience in transport and asset finance. He has particular expertise in rail rolling stock matters and regularly advises clients on procurement, financing and complex transactions.
  5. Ian Tucker
    3
    Ian Tucker
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Burges Salmon LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Ian Tucker regularly advises government operators and transport companies on procurement matters and contentious issues within the industry.
  6. 3
    Jeremy Godley
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Osborne Clarke LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Jeremy Godley is recognised for his strength in rail regulatory matters. He is often engaged on significant projects to advise on contractual agreements,.
  7. John Williams
    3
    John Williams
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Herbert Smith Freehills | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    John Williams has a wealth of experience in the railway sector. He has extensive experience advising on rolling stock procurement. Williams is additionally experienced in assisting clients with infrastructure projects.
    Key sectors
    Energy and Utilities|Transport
  8. 3
    Kevin Bell
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Kevin Bell advises on the operator side of rolling stock matters. He also has previous experience within franchising matters.
  9. Mark Elsey
    3
    Mark Elsey
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 27 Years Ranked
    Mark Elsey has significant experience working on large-scale infrastructure projects. His clients include government bodies, local authorities and private companies.
  10. Paul Carrington
    3
    Paul Carrington
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Head of the firm's global rail group, Paul Carrington has developed a strong rail financing practice. He regularly advises on rolling stock matters for lenders and rail companies.
  11. 3
    Russell Clifford
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Russell Clifford is head of the asset finance group at the firm and has extensive experience in the rail sector. He advises clients on rolling stock procurement, leasing and related financing.
  12. Will Spickett
    Eversheds Sutherland | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Band 3
U

Up and Coming

  1. Duncan O'Connor
    U
    Duncan O'Connor
    Broadfield Law UK LLP
    Broadfield Law UK LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    Duncan O'Connor is an up-and-coming lawyer adept at advising on large infrastructure projects. He has experience assisting clients with the upgrade and refurbishment of railways.

Associates to watch

  1. Carla Hancock
    Carla Hancock
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked
    Carla Hancock is a transport specialist who focuses her practice on rail infrastructure schemes, contract management and rolling stock work.
  2. Deborah Boddy
    Deborah Boddy
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 1 Years Ranked
    Deborah Boddy is a senior associate noted for her experience handling rolling stock matters, often advising on contracts, bids, financing and company stock acquisitions.
  3. Jonathan Smith
    Dentons
    Dentons | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 1 Years Ranked
    He has the ability to handle highly complex structures and always manages to find solutions to complex and challenging structures and situations.
  4. Rachael Chapple
    Rachael Chapple
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked
    Senior associate Rachael Chapple has considerable experience of the rail industry, having completed a two-year secondment at the Department for Transport. She advises on matters including franchising, rolling stock and financings.
  5. Rasha Sami
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked
    Rasha Sami is a managing associate who focuses her rail practice on advising both public and private sector clients on issues including procurement, financing and regulatory matters.
  6. Richard Hughes
    Richard Hughes
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch | 2 Years Ranked
    Richard Hughes is a senior associate dedicated to the rail sector. He frequently advises on rolling stock procurement matters and financing mandates.
  7. Andrew Bell
    Eversheds Sutherland | Transport: Rail
    2025 | Associates to watch