Pensions (non-contentious)

Hogan Lovells International LLP

With in-depth expertise across the pensions space, Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘best in class’ team is regularly sought out by a number of large trustees, funds, and multinational companies. The team has extensive expertise assisting with a variety of issues including GMP pay equalisation matters, buy-ins, and scheme mergers and rearrangements. Practice head Katie Banks is commended for her ’phenomenal knowledge and clear-thinking’, while Duncan Buchanan has experience in defined benefit schemes in the oil, gas, pharmaceuticals, retail and transport sectors, in addition to cross-border expertise. ‘Trusted expert’ Claire Southern excels in pensions transactions and restructuring mandates, and Edward Brown has experience in a range of transactions, liability management exercises, and benefit changes. Counsel Beth Sheehan and senior associate Charlotte Yeates are also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The practice is very diverse and the people are very good at engaging with clients in plain English. They also are very good at coming up with pragmatic solutions and do not sit on the fence.’
‘Our pension fund has worked for many years with Claire Southern as its principal contact, and she and her team have continued to provide practical recommendations, whilst providing legal advice of the highest order.’
‘Katie Banks: her reputation precedes her. She is very easy to work with and provides that confident aura of her deep expertise in pension legal issues. She is down to earth and happy to provide her junior members of the team with the platform to learn and shine.'
'Charlotte Yeates: She is extremely knowledgeable. Always prompt in her responses and met all very short critical deadlines. Went above and beyond on a very complex project.'
'Amol Chalisgaonkar (Associate): Amol is a young pensions lawyer. I have dealt with him on our complex pensions change project and witnessed not only his pensions expertise and knowledge, but also his impressive negotiation skills when dealing with the other sides lawyers. He was calm, professional, creative in his solutions and also firm. Definitely a lawyer to watch out for! ’
‘Edward Brown - We have worked with this partner for many years, he has a strong understanding of the pension scheme and the corporate structure. Edward has successfully supported us on a large number of liability management projects and delivered on some of the most complex legal issues we have experienced. He is highly flexible in his approach always delivering on the requirements of the client and easy to work with at all levels.’
‘The client delivery team at Hogan Lovells are best in class. They provide tailored, clear practical advice, taking account of our unique and often complex circumstances. We have a long relationship with the firm and it is clear they have a deep understanding of our culture and principles. This is reflected in the high quality of their work.’
‘Claire Southern is a trusted expert. Her ability to consider all relevant factors and bring clear, complete advice to a range of different stakeholders is second to none. She is supported by a very strong team.'

Key clients

Pension Protection Fund
Pilkington Superannuation Scheme
Marsh McLennan (Mercer)
Ernst & Young LLP
Cable & Wireless Pension Scheme
M&G
Ford
McKinsey and the Trustee of the McKinsey UK Pension Schemes

Work highlights

Acted for the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) in the successful Court of Appeal case of Hughes. Subsequently, acted for the PPF on the implementation of the case and other associated matters.
Advised Marsh McLennan, a Fortune 500 company, on its sale to Aptia, a new company supported by Bain Capital, of Mercer’s pension administration business in the UK and the health benefits administration business in the US.
Acted for M&G on the £286m buy-in transaction with Northern Bank, securing the retirement benefits for 1,917 members.

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