Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP's rail team has been successful in its bid to become legal advisors to the Department for Transport (DfT) on rail matters. The appointment follows a year-long, multi-phased procurement exercise.

This is the first time that the DfT has separately tendered for a panel focused on rail matters, which is indicative of their view that it is an area requiring specialist legal insight and support.

"Securing this appointment is testament to the reputation of our rail team and demonstrates the strength of our expertise in the sector," said Tammy Samuel, partner, Stephenson Harwood. "We are pleased to be included on DfT's panel of legal advisors and look forward to sharing our industry insight and legal expertise with this key industry player."

Rail partners Tammy Samuel and Suzanne Tarplee led the multi-disciplinary pitch team along with senior associate Darren Fodey, with representatives from the firm's competition and infrastructure practices also involved. The range of specialism across the pitch team is demonstrative of the breadth and depth of rail expertise within the firm, and of the types of matters on which the team hopes to advise.