Legal Directories

THE LEGAL 500 UK EDITION

September 2005

Corporate and Commercial - M & A Smaller Deals

Kemp Little LLP advises larger corporate and US technology companies on small to mid-size M & A transactions. Charles Claisse was made partner in 2004.

Human Resource - Employment

Kemp Little LLP has an expanding client base, with new wines in the parmaceuticals and financial sectors adding to its roster of IT and telecoms companies. David Williams was made partner, joining Sarah Porter.

Technology, Media and Telecoms

As long as partners struggle to develop sufficiently remunerative practices based on work for TMT clients to satisfy the billing requirements of bigger City firms, media boutiques will continue to proliferate. Kemp Little LLP continue to show that it is eminently possible to thrive in the technology worlds. Each benefits from a loyal following, convinced that few other firms are able to compete in terms of sector focus.

Information Technology

Technology boutique Kemp Little LLP continues to thrive in the shadow of the bigger City firms. It retains a high ranking this year despite departure of name partner Jonathan Little to Simmons & Simmons. Managing partner Richard Kemp and a coterie of dynamic young talent, including David Meredith and Paul O'Hare, are establishing reputations acting for the biggest suppliers such as Microsoft and EDS. Calum Murray leads the firm's increasingly international work for Toshiba.

Outsourcing

Kemp Little LLP wins a second tier ranking on the strength of its unique position in the market as a small but growing IT boutique that punches above its weight. It is described by clients as 'responsive, thorough and value for money'. The firm lost name partner Jonathan Little in spring 2005. Nevertheless it continues to go from strength to strength. This was amply illustrated by partner David Meredith's key role in advising EDS as a primary contractor on the MoD outsourcing. Highly rated partner Calum Murray has been busy for Expedia.

Chambers Guide 2005/6
OCTOBER 2005

Employment - London

The Firm: With lawyers who perform "beyond expectations" and a culture that recognises that client-relationship management is key, the employment team has seen its client base flourish. The team has attracted a diverse and City-based throng of clients who appreciate the firm's provision of "stacks of free literature, free workshops and updates."

The Lawyers: Department head Sarah Porter is "thorough and knows her stuff." With employment law experience across the board - including advocacy skills at employment tribunals - she has built a relatively small but gifted team who "works well on a range of things and really educates clients."

Clients/Work Highlights: AKQA; Clinovia; PalmOne and The Children's Mutual.

Information Technology - London

The Firm: With a "superb client base," Kemp Little "has always been good in IT." The firm has weathered the departure of Jonathon Little to Simmons & Simmons. The team is "pragmatic, proactive and understands its clients' needs," commentators said. "In terms of putting on the relevant individual and at the correct cost level, Kemp Little is the best."

The Lawyers: "The driving force behind the firm," Richard Kemp "can do the job right." Commentators mentioned that "you cannot get better than him," especially on IT encryption and regulatory work. Calum Murray "takes the time to listen and catches the issues very quickly." His "clarity of thought" is illustrated in such matters as two significant outsourcing transactions for Expedia.

Clients/Work Highlights: Argogroup; Intechnology; TeliaSonera; AKQA and CSC Computer Sciences.

Telecommunications - Nationwide

The Firm: This cross-departmental team deals with a substantial number of regulatory and contractual projects. Telecoms regulation and IT regulation exist within the commercial department and the lawyers act alongside specialists in intellectual property, contract and commercial and competition law.

The Lawyers: The small but effective six-strong team is headed by the "intelligent" Richard Kemp. His advice encompasses IT, e-commerce and telecoms and his industry involvement extends to membership of the board of directors of the Computer Law Association and to a place on Nominet UK's dispute resolution panel.

Clients/Work Highlights: Supplier clients include: Argo Interactive; InTechnology plc; MEASAT; Orange and NEC. Customer clients include Goldman Sachs, Thomson Financial and FTSE International.