SJ Berwin left out as Segro revamps legal panel

Segro announced its first-ever panel in 2010, when Eversheds, Nabarro and SJ Berwin all won spots following a tender process (1 February 2010). Following an in-house review and presentations from firms that took place around three months ago, Segro reappointed just Eversheds and Nabarro for another three years.

It is understood that SJ Berwin did not pitch to be on the panel this time round. The partner who handled the firm’s relationship with Segro was understood to be among those who left for Irwin Mitchell in 2010 (27 September 2010).

In a statement, Segro general counsel Elizabeth Blease said: “Both firms [Eversheds and Nabarro] provide us with an excellent, pro-active service. The fact that the two firms also work well together is a great benefit to Segro.”

Nabarro’s relationship with Segro goes back to legacy firm Turner Kenneth Brown, which merged with Nabarro in 1995, and client partner Michael Logan has been dealing with the company for around 25 years. Nabarro also has an office within Segro’s Slough office, which was established in relation to subsidiary Allnatt Properties, which was acquired by Segro in the 1980s.

Logan said that in the past year Nabarro has advised Segro on £270m of portfolio disposals, adding that the company was a top-five client for the firm.

Eversheds has been working with Segro for around five years, picking up the work when relationship partner David Emberson moved to the firm from Nabarro, where he had previously done work with Segro.