Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce that it won three awards at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards. The firm was awarded Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the year for its collaboration with other professional services firms on the Stronger Together in Leeds network; Deal of the Year for advising GB Group on its $736 million purchase of Acuant from Audax Private Equity, and partner Nick Helm won Projects Lawyer of the Year.
The awards, held in Manchester last week, recognise the lawyers, law firms and in-house legal departments setting the pace in the region, providing a platform to celebrate their achievements over the last 18 months. The shortlists and winners were determined based on The Legal 500’s independent research for the annual UK Solicitors guide.
Stronger Together is a network set up last year to promote racial diversity, inclusion and equality in the region’s professional services sector by leaders from the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms and largest six law firms. The network has developed a cross-firm mentoring programme where accounting mentees are mentored by senior lawyers and vice versa. The programme seeks to share collective experiences of equality and diversity challenges, as well as approaches and ideas on how to overcome potential barriers.
The firm advised GB Group on its $736 million purchase of Acuant from Audax Private Equity, with a team led by Corporate partner Giles Chesher, supported by Louise Barber, Chris Blair, Laura Nemeth, Peter Alfano, Olivia Baccarella, Colleen Geib and over 80 colleagues globally.
Partner Nick Helm has over 20 years’ experience in advising on infrastructure and PPP projects. Noted by The Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Projects, Project Finance and PFI in the North West, Nick Helm is described as “responsive and knowledgeable,” “proactive” and able to “think outside the box to find solutions as well as managing risk.” He was recognised for his work in renewable energy and transport schemes, and for advising on Clean Air Zone Schemes across the region.