testimonials & rankings

Mark Hodac
“We rely on Mark, and the team at WAB, for commercial legal work. Their advice is sound, practical and they meet deadlines … that’s all we ask!”

John McCombes, Managing Director, Teknos (UK) Limited  

“Mark gives us so much more than textbook answers: sensible and commercial legal advice.”

Colin Davies, Finance Director, Vectair Systems Group

 

Phil Thompson
“Phil supports the entire legal requirements of the global business development function within HH. He is great to work with and a highly valued extension of the core team. In addition to giving great advice, and being astute enough to devise practical workarounds when needed, he manages to keep up with our hectic schedule without ever complaining once.  An all round class act.”
Tony Massey, Group Sales & Marketing Director, HH Associates Group


John Allen

“The management buyout was not simple, as it involved six directors based from six different locations. There was the added complication of a split of the existing company into two separate ones, one requiring a complicated licence arrangement and one which was to be based overseas. John Allen not only managed the legalities with consummate ease and a relaxed manner, but was always able to explain any detail when there was a sudden flourish of hastened activity at the final stages. On top of all this he met our ambitious deadline and came in on budget.”
John Bird, Managing Director, Catalyst Event Management Limited
 

“Here at Ark-H we work with White & Black because, not only do they make an effort to understand us, they help us to understand them and the law.  John acted on our behalf in a recent acquisition and was able to expedite the deal and save us money and ulcers.  White & Black acted with meticulous attention to detail (which one expects from a legal firm) combined with plain speaking and speed of response (sadly, seldom associated with the legal profession).”
Fiona Strong, Managing Director, Ark-H Handling Limited
 

“John is a true professional. His advice is knowledgeable, clear and concise; a very effective communicator in commercial legal matters. He provided an invaluable service which produced great results. I found him to be incredibly personable with excellent client interface. John’s billing is transparent and fair. I would highly recommend him for any commercial law advice and support.”
Tracey Pengilly, Consultant
 

“As an international business operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we need trusted lawyers who are highly responsive to our needs and who appreciate commercial realities. I have come to rely on the lawyers at White & Black to meet this expectation every time.”
Nigel Harris, CEO, Fresh Direct
 

“John understands what makes our business tick, and that’s invaluable. I trust his advice implicitly and wouldn’t do a deal without consulting him first.”
David Heads, Chairman, Stoneheads Associates


Phil Riman
“Phil had an immediate grasp of the legal issues that needed attention and worked closely with our Board to set out how these could be addressed both speedily and satisfactorily.  Phil always took the time to ensure that, given the legal technicality of some of the matters, we understood the context of the issues.  We felt during the entire review process that we were in safe hands.” 
Louise Pepper, Company Secretary, The Work Foundation.

“I have worked with Phil Riman on a number of transactions, including establishing a share option scheme and also a complex multinational disposal programme.  I have complete confidence in Phil's technical ability, knowledge and judgement.  He has a tremendous variety of experience which informs his solution-driven approach to legal matters.”
Richard Harrison, Finance Director, Harrison Catering Group

“Phil engaged with the directors of the business to assess strategic options and was able to bring his highly commercial appreciation of the law in business to bear. He was an invaluable member of the professional team in this respect. Phil is one to take his role seriously and professionally but is able to lighten the often muddy waters of the law with an excellent sense of humour. This makes him an excellent facilitator, negotiator and professional partner who shows a genuine interest in contributing to the success of a business. Phil comes highly recommended.”
Jonathan Hunt, Founder, The Business Plan Team

“Phil is clear about the deliverables and will use his experience and abilities to help the transaction move forward.”
Karim Sekkat, CEO of KAS Technologies Group

White & Black
“As an international business operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we need trusted lawyers who are highly responsive to our needs and who appreciate commercial realities. I have come to rely on the lawyers at White & Black to meet this expectation every time.”
Nigel Harris, CEO, Fresh Direct
   
“This Oxfordshire-based firm is something of an oddity in terms of its location, compact size and youthfulness, having only been established in the summer of 2007. Despite this, venture capital clients offered resounding praise for the firm’s abilities and dedication to the sector, comparing the practice favourably to much larger City firms: it “gives better value than many more well-known firms but provides advice that is easily of the same calibre,” they remarked. The practice is also esteemed for its “business-oriented and flexible approach.” The team acts for a range of venture capital and technology clients, including Freestyle New Media, Photoways and Netvibes. Managing partner Phil Riman's broad experience includes a spell acting as in-house counsel to 3i. Riman is described as “an exceptionally capable lawyer whose extremely commercial and pragmatic attitude inspires confidence in clients.”
Chambers & Partners

“White & Black have been superb.  As one of the world’s leading companies in our sector, we ask a great deal of our advisers and White & Black have consistently exceeded our expectations.  Compared to their larger rivals, put simply, they are more committed, more commercial and so much more able to bridge the gap between the law and business.  I would definitely recommend them.”  
Deane Ingram, Head of UK Operations, Isklar AS.
 

“I have worked with a number of legal firms in recent years. Having done so, I recommend White & Black, who provide services of the very highest quality”. 
John Peace, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, Chairman of Experian, Chairman of Burberry.

‘White & Black Legal LLP is ‘a high-quality, focused niche firm’ established in 2007 by a team which includes Phil Riman. Riman is “excellent in understanding client needs and supporting specific project objectives”.’
Legal 500
 

“I worked with W&B recently on a series of simultaneous transactions and I can honestly say that the whole process should have been far more difficult to pull together than it was. This was entirely due to the skill, charm and project management brought to the project by the W&B team. I recommend them whole heartedly.”
Peter Gould, CEO, Big Worldwide Limited
 

“White & Black were recommended to us for a capital raising we were undertaking for London-based Great Hotels Organisation.  The client wanted top quality advice at a fair price from lawyers who would understand the parameters and objectives of the deal.  White & Black held themselves out as sophisticated City lawyers operating from a more affordable suburban base, thereby  allowing them to deliver good advice for good value.  This they did.   Once I outlined the needs of the transaction, the team at White & Black were able to prepare the agreements with the pertinent provisions included.  Their knowledge of the venture capital and private equity space showed, allowing us to quickly and efficiently document and close our transaction. Thank you White & Black."
Peter Schweinfurth, President, Gulf + Eastern Advisers LLC