Simmons completes first deal as main adviser to Anite Group

Simmons & Simmons has closed its first deal for new client Anite Group after being appointed as principal legal adviser in a competitive tender earlier this year.

Simmons, led by partner Damon Le Maitre George, won the role in May and the firm will now act as main legal adviser to the FTSE SmallCap international IT group.

However, it is not known which other firms, or how many, were pitching for the role. A spokesperson for Anite said: “Our policy is not to reveal the process by which we appoint our legal advisers or whether any other firms were involved in this pitch.”

Olswang, led by relationship partner Michael Brader, had previously advised Anite since the early 1990s. During its heydey in the late 1990s, Olswang advised the group on more than 30 acquisitions.

However, following a change of management last year and the appointment of a new chief executive and finance director, the firm’s work for Anite is limited to UK real estate and litigation matters. Olswang was not invited to pitch for the role of principal legal adviser.

Osborne Clarke also continues to advise Anite Group on commercial contracts, employment, property and banking work. Osborne Clarke was not invited to pitch for the principal legal adviser role.

Last month, Simmons closed its first deal for Anite, advising on the £7.5m disposal of its German space consultancy Anite Systems to UK technology company Vega Group. Simmons German managing partner Jane Newman led on the deal, with support from Le Maitre George in London and from Paris managing partner Stephen Walters.

Nabarro Nathanson acted for Vega Group assisted by German firm GSK.