The offering at Slaughter and May is singled out for fielding the ‘top echelon of lawyers in the industry’. A portion of its recent work has involved advising renowned companies on the design, drafting and implementation of deferred bonus and long-term incentive plans; the group has also advised on the regulatory aspects of multi-jurisdictional financial matters, and complex incentives issues which result from international transactions. Highly experienced practitioner Philip Linnard heads up the team, which sits as part of the broader pensions, employment and incentives group, which Charles Cameron oversees. Ian Brown has specialist knowledge of executive compensation and share incentives, which he implements on transactional work. Rosemary Nelson has transactional and advisory capabilities, while newly promoted partner Philippa O’Malley is noted for her ’technical skill’. Padraig Cronin retired in 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Top echelon of lawyers in the industry, with deep knowledge across all industries and resource within the business, which ensures a fully rounded proposition.’

  • ‘Very good corporate knowledge, excellent response times, great at generating ideas and an assurance that you are getting top-quality advice.’

  • ‘Excellent technical knowledge - they are practical and responsive.’

  • ‘The team at Slaughters are technical experts alongside being very practical in terms of what works for an organisation.’

  • ‘The team's advice was clear, pragmatic, and completely on point for our needs. There was no over-lawyering, or unnecessary noise or complexity; just seamless execution, working closely and in complete alignment with their corporate colleagues.’

  • ‘Philippa O'Malley combines fantastic understanding and technical skill with a really deft client touch. She has an unassuming, relaxed approach, but commands respect by really knowing her stuff.'

  • 'Chloe Sanderson was great at distilling complicated technical matters into a simplified form that I could happily share with non-lawyers in the company, including with the board. She was also proactive and responsive; we always felt we were in good hands.’

Key clients

  • 3i Group plc
  • AngloGold Ashanti plc
  • Deutsche Bank AG
  • Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc
  • Land Securities Group plc
  • M&G plc
  • Ocado Group plc
  • Pollen Street Group Ltd
  • Prudential plc
  • Synthomer plc
  • Vodafone Group plc

Work highlights

  • Advised Vodafone on the share plans aspects of the $19bn merger of its UK business with Three UK.
  • Acted for Prudential plc on the design and implementation of a suite of new discretionary and all employee share plans, which required compliance with both the UK and new Hong Kong Listing Rules.
  • Advised AngloGold Ashanti on the executive remuneration aspects of its move to the New York Stock Exchange, which included drafting a new directors’ remuneration policy and share plans for the new UK-incorporated holding company of the group.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Philip Linnard, Charles Cameron

Other key lawyers

Philippa O'Malley, Chloe Sanderson, Ian Brown, Rosemary Nelson, Richard Surtees