The Legal 500

The upturn in the property market gained momentum in 2010 but bank lending remained far below pre-credit crunch levels, slowing up deals and leading to many abortive transactions. The market is responding by adjusting and shifting away from debt financing, with buyers funding transactions by relying on joint ventures, international equity fundraising or no debt at all. This trend has had a marked effect on development activity, where the lack of finance has been the main barrier to projects commencing. However, investment into the London real estate market has been increasing, particularly led by overseas equity, with investors targeting the prime and office markets, notably in the City, Canary Wharf and the West End, following a pick-up in occupier demand. Headline-grabbing deals included 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie building), the £495m sale of 25 Bank Street, and Capital Shopping Centres Group’s acquisition of The Trafford Centre in Manchester. Looking ahead, the amount of property lending due for repayment, renewal or refinancing in the next few years raises the prospect of enforcement action by the banks.

Competition for big-ticket jobs remains fierce, but those firms with strong corporate and finance offerings – such as Clifford Chance and Linklaters LLP – are generally faring better than most. Clients are also looking to full-service real estate practices of established players such as Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP and Nabarro LLP, who also dominate in property litigation.

There has been some movement among firms, notably Jon Vivian’s move to Irwin Mitchell LLP, along with three other partners, to build a London presence. Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP recruited James Knox from Linklaters LLP and Michael Metliss from SJ Berwin LLP, but also lost three property finance partners to Simmons & Simmons.

The UK property finance market continued to battle considerable uncertainty, with many banks focusing on restructuring existing loan books. Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance and Linklaters LLP were favoured practices for large, complex and often international deals, and advised on numerous high-profile restructurings. The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) emerged as one of the big three property lenders in the UK, along with RBS and Lloyds Banking Group.

On the construction side, Ashurst LLP is acting on three of the UK’s largest projects: the £4bn Stratford City retail development, 122 Leadenhall Street (the Cheesegrater building) in the City, and the £16bn Crossrail project. Property-related work associated with the impending 2012 Olympic Games kept numerous firms busy, including Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, which is advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on post-Games site development.

2010 saw a tentative start to new developments but a continued upswing in investment deals, with private equity driving the market. Large, complex transactions typically have been led by overseas clients.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is a dominant practice, a ‘deep’ team with ‘outstanding experience in all major areas of commercial property’. The firm acted on 25% of all £50m-plus UK investment deals during 2010, including advising Rockspring Property Investment Managers on its acquisition of a 51% stake in the O’Parinor shopping mall in France. On the development side, the firm advised Canary Wharf Group on its joint venture with Land Securities to develop the Walkie Talkie building (20 Fenchurch Street). Robert MacGregor leads the practice which has continued to grow, notably recruiting James Knox from Linklaters LLP. Chris de Pury, John Kelsey (who is ‘knowledgeable and maintains a sense of humour’) and Simon Kenley (‘exceptional’) are recommended, as is senior associate Ayesha Hasan (‘one for the future’).

Clients use Clifford Chance for ‘large, complicated transactions with the knowledge that there is a depth of talent and quality of service you can rely on’. The firm advised longstanding client Canary Wharf Group on the £495m sale of 25 Bank Street. With far-reaching financial expertise, the firm has strong links with clients such as Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley, and advised the latter’s Special Situations Fund III in taking a minority stake in the 20 Fenchurch Street development. Jonathan Solomon now heads the team following Cliff McAuley’s retirement. Mark Payne, Catherine Cook, Franc Peña (‘very efficient and commercially minded’) and Michael Edwards (a ‘good logical thinker’) are recommended, as is ‘very hardworking’ assistant Marcus Wright.

Linklaters LLP provides ‘big-firm technical excellence’, and handles complex transactions ‘with great assurance, providing the practical experience and industry knowledge found in specialist firms’. A standout transaction was advising Capital Shopping Centres Group on its acquisition of The Trafford Centre in Manchester. The firm also advised on Qatari real estate company Barwa’s acquisition and development of Park House, Oxford Street, and continues to advise Lend Lease on the agreement to redevelop Elephant & Castle. Anne Byrne heads the UK team, with Patrick Plant, Andrew Bruce, Huw Baker, Matt Elliott and the ‘user-friendly and technically very capable’ Joe Conder all recommended. James Knox joined Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Nabarro LLP’s ‘service is very seamless and well co-ordinated’. The firm advised longstanding client Land Securities on the sale of 20 Fenchurch Street to a newly formed joint venture partnership with Canary Wharf Group; and acted for Great Portland Estates on creating the Great Star Partnership and acquiring two multi-let City buildings. Other highlights included advising Hammerson and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on acquiring 10 Gresham Street. Kevin Stimpson heads the team, and is recommended along with Ciaran Carvalho, Deborah Parry, Justin Cornelius (who ‘brings great clarity to a complicated subject’), Martin Grabiner (a ‘good leader’), James Trundle (‘hardworking and commercial’) and Amanda Howard.

Ashurst LLP is ‘very successful at balancing between faultless legal interpretation and pragmatic, commercial advice’. Adrian Dear, the ‘experienced’ Anthony Burnett-Scott, Simon Cookson (who is ‘hard to beat for technical knowledge, negotiating skills and commercialism’), David Jones, Gerald Kelly (‘great to work with’), and practice head Richard Vernon are recommended. The firm is lead counsel for Westfield, including advising on the Stratford City development, and advised British Land on redeveloping 10 Portman Square.

Herbert Smith LLP has ‘unrivalled industry knowledge’ with a ‘very commercial, efficient and knowledgeable team’ that is ‘excellent at managing transactions’. New clients include Norges Bank Investment Management, which the firm advised on acquiring a 25% interest in the Crown Estate’s £1.8bn Regent Street portfolio; and Oxford Properties Group, which was advised on the £600m joint venture development of the 47-storey Leadenhall Building (the Cheesegrater). Practice head Ian Cox is ‘very focused’, and Richard Forsdyke has ‘strong business acumen combined with market knowledge’. James Barnes and Donald Rowlands are also recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP provides ‘absolutely first-rate service’, and the recent merger has particularly benefited the hotels and leisure element of the practice, where clients include Starwood and Le Meridien. The group acted on over 2,000 deals in 2010, totalling over £2bn in value. It won its first instruction from Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan: to negotiate a complex real estate development joint venture with the Crown Estate to redevelop the West End’s Gateway site. ‘Consummate networker’ Michael Stancombe, John Condliffe, Jackie Newstead, Victoria Sutcliffe, and Christopher Berry – who is ‘not fazed by dealing with counterparts at the highest level’ – are all recommended. Additionally, Dion Panambalana and associate Graham Cutts are ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’, and Daniel Norris is ‘right at the top of his game’.

SJ Berwin LLP remains a ‘first-class firm full of intelligent lawyers whose business acumen and industry knowledge is very good’, notwithstanding the departure of Jon Vivian and three other partners to Irwin Mitchell LLP in November 2010. Bryan Pickup and Simon Ricketts head the team, which continues to act for British Land on numerous major lettings; and for the Crown Estate, notably on the Regent Street regeneration. New partner Steven Cowins is ‘intelligent, commercial and personable’, and Pat Jones and William Boss are ‘solid and always available’.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP fields ‘a very strong team with real client focus’. It acts for every active major lender in the UK real estate market, and its funds practice is thriving. Asset management and restructuring are busy areas, and the firm advised Anglo Irish Bank on enforcement options regarding a £100m portfolio. Adrian Collins heads the team, and the ‘very bright and technically excellent’ Jane Hollinshead is highly regarded. Alan Duncan and Lucy Sturrock are also recommended, as are managing associates Andrew Martin and Tony Norris.

Allen & Overy LLP ‘produces good lawyers but also good deal-makers’. It is ‘excellent’ for ‘more complex corporate real estate transactions’, recently advising APG and CPPIB on acquiring a 50% stake in the £1.75bn Westfield Stratford shopping centre. Imogen Moss is ‘technically excellent and very dedicated’, and Adam Cleal and Daniel McKimm are also recommended, as is ‘extremely commercial and very clever’ senior associate Chris Woolf.

‘The quality of work is outstanding’ at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, which has clients including investors such as PRUPIM and Rockspring; high street lenders including RBS, Barclays, HSBC; household name occupiers; leading developers; and many hotel and leisure chains. The firm has been advising the Department for Transport on agreements relating to the sale of High Speed 1, a major project requiring expertise in infrastructure and real estate. Mark Heighton has a ‘no-nonsense approach’; Edward Benzecry is ‘brilliant’; Pranai Karia is ‘thorough and calm under pressure’; Thomas Page and Louise Wallace are ‘highly capable and personable’; Nick Hadley is ‘professional’; Chris Harvey is ‘hardworking and reliable’; and Victoria Peckett is noted for her ‘quick responses’.

DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘excellent and provides a quick response without a drop in quality’. Highlights included the sale of 100 Middlesex Street for the Blackstone Group and the letting of 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, for MF Global. The practice’s strength in retail work attracts clients such as Burberry and LK Bennett. David Taylor’s move to Pinsent Masons LLP was a loss, but team head Catherine Usher and Richard Wilkinson are ‘both impressive’, and Paul Jayson has the ‘ability to think commercially but retain an awareness of contractual risks and commitments’.

Eversheds LLP is ‘unquestionably the best bread-and-butter real estate firm in the UK’. The group assisted on the purchase and sale of £1bn of real estate assets for key client Legal & General, and manages a £6bn-plus portion of its portfolio. The practice also advised LBQ on the financing and development of The Shard and London Bridge Place. Bruce Dear is ‘always attentive’, William Naunton is ‘astonishingly commercial’, Clive Jones is ‘adept at finding creative solutions’, and Stephen Sorrell and Stephen Felstead are also recommended.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP ‘produces high-quality work’, and saw a significant increase in large development and regeneration projects, such as acting for Peel Holdings on the Liverpool Waters development, as well as a growing number of instructions for major corporate occupiers. The hotels and leisure group advises Luminar and Manhattan Loft Corporation, and the public sector practice remains strong. Antony Phillips, Jayne Elkins and Paul Houston are ‘very knowledgeable’.

Forsters LLP has ‘a commercial approach and a good understanding of business needs’. It has a strong institutional investor client base, and advised Invista on selling Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe. On the development side, it acted for Warner Bros on a £100m-plus investment in the Leavesden Studio site. Hotel clients include Rocco Forte Collection. Clients appreciate the ‘continuity of individuals throughout projects’, and praise Sophie Hamilton, Guy Jordan, Howard Gill, Smita Edwards (noted for her ‘strong negotiation skills’) and Eugene McMahon (‘smart, streetwise, realistic’).

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘property team is very strong and resilient with excellent commercial acumen’. It represents four of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and the two largest UK property companies (Land Securities and British Land). Longstanding client Scottish Widow instructed it in relation to a complex mixed-use West End development. Emma Kendall is ‘very commercial and helpful, and drives for results’, and John Fordham and Mark Wheelhouse are also recommended.

Macfarlanes LLP has a formidable institutional client base which includes Legal & General and Royal London Mutual Insurance Society. Among a number of high-end residential schemes it is advising Brookfield on Strata, the 43-storey tower in Elephant & Castle. Arora International Hotels is a significant client, for which recent work includes advising on four Premier Inn hotel developments near major airports. Charles Horsfield, David Sanders and the ‘very thorough and pleasant’ Dominic Cunliffe are recommended.

Norton Rose LLP is ‘a go-to firm – quite simply the most client friendly’. Its ‘excellent’ team advised on over £1.2bn of investment transactions during 2010, and acted for Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia on the £150m acquisition of Whitefriars. On the development side, the London Gateway project keeps the team busy. David Sinclair is recommended for his ‘commercialism and minimalism’, Wasim Khan is ‘reassuringly confident and capable’, and Lindsay Morgan is also well regarded.

Recommended for its ‘good commercial approach’, Olswang ‘brings business acumen and a wider experience to property matters’. The real estate group acted on investment transactions worth over £4bn in 2010, and advised a Swedish life insurance fund on the lease surrender and simultaneous grant of a new lease of a flagship New Bond Street store. Tim Westhead is ‘commercial as well as providing sound legal advice’; Jonathan Lewis demonstrates ‘good attention to detail, experience in development matters’; and Alan Karsberg, Stephen Slater, practice head Gary Watson and senior associate Andrew Harding are also recommended.

SNR Denton’s team ‘combines technical excellence with a refreshingly commercial approach to complex transactions’. It advised key client Sainsbury’s on the real estate aspects of the transaction with its own pension fund culminating in the £750m transfer and leaseback of trading stores. Large schemes and projects remain a focus for the ‘down-to-earth’ team. Richard Budge, Andrew Bedford, Virginia Glastonbury and Nichola West are recommended, and ‘understand the pinch points on a deal’.

Slaughter and May’s ‘erudite and commercial’ team acts on a steady flow of high-end mandates, providing ‘incredibly responsive, consistent and robust advice’. Clients include Derwent London, Lend Lease, and Marks and Spencer plc. Work on the Olympic Village and delivery of infrastructure for the entire Olympic Park continues. Practice head David Waterfield, the ‘charming’ Dermot Rice and the ‘clever and extremely diligent’ Jane Edwarde are recommended.

Taylor Wessing LLP ‘consistently demonstrates commercial understanding and appreciation of market trends, and clearly values client relationships’. The group continues to represent key client Canada Life on its investment portfolio, and acted for HSBC European Active Real Estate Fund on £150m of new acquisitions. Hotel sector clients include Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, and Global Hotels & Resorts/Tiara. Department head Keith Barnett ‘ensures that advice is brought together in a way most appropriate and beneficial for clients’. Richard Grosse and Adam Marks are also recommended.

Wragge & Co LLP maintains ‘superb service levels’. It acted for longstanding client St Modwen on a joint venture with Persimmon to develop 2,000 new homes. The strong retail practice advised new client HMV on selling its landmark Oxford Street store. ‘All team members are very experienced’, with Richard Bate, Sally Pinkerton and Huw Roberts particularly recommended.

Baker & McKenzie LLP provides ‘a first-class, commercially astute service from a very determined team’. The hotels and leisure team represents Hilton Hotels Group and Radisson Edwardian Hotels Group. Stephen Turner is particularly knowledgeable for loan documentation, and Justin Salkeld is ‘very knowledgeable and practical’. ‘Tenacious’ associate Claire Harries is also recommended.

Boodle Hatfield fields a number of ‘highly responsive and commercial partners’: Richard Maughan and Caroline King have ‘excellent knowledge and are very professional’, and Helen Streeton adopts a ‘sensible, practical approach, and is on top of issues, and easy to work with’. Tim Manning, James Black and consultant Graham Lust are also recommended. The firm has a particularly good reputation for London property work, and advised on multiple investment projects for Grosvenor, England’s largest private landlord.

The ‘overall level of service is excellent’ at Burges Salmon LLP. Clients include St Modwen Developments, Aviva Investors and the Crown Estate, which the firm advised on investment acquisitions exceeding £300m during 2010, including that of Racecourse Retail Park. Practice head Richard Clark is ‘great to work with’. The ‘very responsive, very practical, very knowledgeable’ David Gidney, Richard Read, Colin Ligman, Paul Browne and Ross Polkinghorne are also recommended.

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘very good at negotiating complicated deals even when the property is small’. The practice focuses on development, investment, and work for large occupiers including retailers. Clients include Grosvenor, Tesco Express and Frogmore. Martin Quicke is ‘able to delegate and still be firmly in touch with what’s going on’. Graeme Taylor, David Wyatt and Adam Taylor-Smith are also recommended.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP’s team has ‘wide knowledge and is always available to help’. The Mexican Wave initiative with Hogan Lovells International LLP ensures close ties with the City, and is the source of the majority of its investment and asset management instructions. Michael Stevens’s team includes Kate Robinson (‘incredibly committed’), Bill Mackie (‘a developer’s solicitor who knows the business from both sides’), Carol Wakeford (valued for her ‘great pragmatic advice’) and Sarah Ferguson (‘very knowledgeable’).

Dundas & Wilson LLP’s advice is ‘always relevant to business needs and provided in a concise and timely manner’. The group advised Glebe Holdings on the £146m sale of a central London office building. It assists in the running of all Scottish Widows’ funds in Scotland and four UK-wide funds. Iain Lindsay, Alistair Kennedy – who has a ‘very positive, problem-solving attitude’ – and Richard Lampert are recommended.

Fladgate LLP’s ‘excellent’ team advised longstanding client Tritax on various transactions, including forming a new property fund. On the development side, clients include Bondcare Group (one of the UK’s largest nursing home operators), Cathedral Group and Ipro. The hotels team acts for Henzada BV. Allen Cohen, Philip Turner and Anthony Vaughan are recommended, as is Richard Kaufman, whose ‘expertise is tremendous, with above-average know-how and contacts’.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s small, partner-led team demonstrates ‘business sense’. It advised Development Securities on a joint venture with Patron Capital to acquire the MEN Arena. Alan Samson is ‘very smart, productive, and reliable’, Wayne McArdle is ‘very knowledgeable’, and Tom Budd is also recommended.

Howard Kennedy’s team was boosted by the arrival of Paul Groobey, formerly head of the London office of Hammonds. The group advised Frogmore Real Estate Partners in relation to Foundation Park, Maidenhead. The hotels and leisure practice is growing and the residential practice acts for private individuals as well as corporates; Paul Springall is ‘an excellent conveyancing solicitor’.

Jones Day’s approachable team is ‘always first rate’, and represents clients such as British Land, CIT and Delancey. It acted for London & Stamford on the £208m acquisition of the Radial portfolio. David Roberts and David Smith are ‘commercial and always eager to help’, Stephen Walter is ‘very knowledgeable and experienced’, and Alistair Grant is ‘an excellent transactional lawyer’. Associates Alice Conway and Iain Hindhaugh are also recommended.

At K&L Gates, ‘there is willingness to think around the problem, and strong commercial sense’. The firm advised Henderson Central London Office Fund and Alberta Investment Management Corporation on acquiring distressed, special-purpose companies relating to Smithfield Market. Other clients include CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust, Leisure Parcs and RREEF. Piers Coleman is an ‘excellent relationship manager and strategic thinker’, and Wayne Smith is also recommended.

Lawrence Graham LLP fields a ‘very commercial team with excellent response times’. It acted for Development Securities on the £62.2m purchase of the MEN Arena, and is advising on the Bicester town centre regeneration. Other clients include Hermes, Sainsbury’s and LaSalle Investment Management. Jon Lloyd ‘balances commercial objectives with legal detail’. He and Rabinder Chaggar are recommended.

Maples Teesdale LLP is ‘absolutely first rate: provides expert, pertinent advice, and is enjoyable to work with’. It is strong for investment work, and also continues to be instructed by the US government regarding its ongoing embassy relocation. Declan Power, Chris Wilkinson and Katherine Watts are ‘all very good and commercially aware’, and the ‘responsive’ Roger Thornton is also recommended.

Maxwell Winward LLP has ‘pleasant people who simplify rather than complicate matters’. Investment work is flourishing; it continues to act for LaSalle Investment Management on managing the Royal Mail Pension Plan property portfolio. Orla O’Sullivan, Michael Giess and Sally Ashworth are ‘all excellent’, and Neil Stafford is ‘very thorough’.

Mayer Brown International LLP is appreciated for its ‘really good service and good people’ who give ‘pragmatic and sensible advice with an ability to get things done quickly and without fuss’. It advised JPMorgan on acquiring a new 999-year lease of 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf. Key focuses for the practice are data centres, and the hotel and leisure sector. Peter Sugden is ‘a first-class act with wide-reaching knowledge and experience’, Jeremy Clay and James Dodsworth are ‘excellent in all aspects’, Anita Jones is ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’, and Caroline Humble is ‘a rising star’.

Mishcon de Reya is ‘a very commercial firm’, and has made excellent progress through recruitment and client gains. The team, which has a mix of entrepreneurial and investment clients, recently represented the Pears family and LaSalle Investment Management on the £131m acquisition of the Notting Hill Estate. Ian Paul ‘can structure property deals better than most people who work at property companies’. Nick Doffman, Susan Freeman, Daniel Lipman, and Philip Freedman CBE QC are also recommended.

Osborne Clarke ‘provides concise, accurate advice even on a very tight timescale’. The group acted for longstanding client Eurostar on various transactions, while the top-quality retail team advised Polo Ralph Lauren Group on a new-concept flagship store in Central London. Nick Simpson, Colin Kearney and Nadine Strahl are ‘all excellent – showing very strong attention to detail with great client service’, and Dolf Darnton is ‘commercial and switched on’. Associates Hannah Bambury, William Gay and Stuart Cleak are ‘personable and efficient’.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s team delivers ‘prompt and high-quality advice in understandable terms’, and is ‘able to throw the necessary resources at a job’. Major regeneration work is one of its strengths, and it is advising on developing Earls Court and Olympia into a new mixed-use community. Hotels and leisure clients include Accor UK and Whitbread. Claire Hughes (a ‘great personality, good networker’), Adrian Barlow and William Oliver (‘very knowledgeable, decisive’) are recommended. David Taylor joined from DLA Piper UK LLP.

Reed Smith provides ‘top-level service’. It advised key client Telereal Trillium on managing the Royal Mail portfolio, investigating and certifying titles to some 180 properties, restructuring the ownership and negotiating all loan and security documents with Barclays. Duncan Edwards is ‘exacting and highly qualified’; and Andrew Jenkinson and Lawrence Radley are also recommended.

Simmons & Simmons’ real estate practice adopts a ‘highly professional and commercial approach’, and focuses on financial institutions, energy and infrastructure, TMT and life sciences. It advised Deka Immobilien Investment, one of Germany’s largest property funds, on transactions totalling over £190m during 2010. Nick Jones is ‘a complete pleasure to work with’, and Tim Barnard, John Sirs and Carol Hewson are also recommended.

Speechly Bircham LLP ‘provides an excellent service’, and is ‘commercial in its approach and able to see the larger picture’. Commercial investment and development are areas of expertise, and clients include Aberdeen Asset Management and Howard de Walden Estates. Charles Palmer and Mark Smith ‘have very sound legal knowledge mixed with commercial practicality’, and Harbans Chohan (‘efficient’), Jeremy Hudson (a ‘solid performer’), Robin Grove (‘diligent and commercial’), Lee Medlock (‘very competent’) and David Leedham (‘well connected’) are also recommended.

Mike Shaw heads Squire Sanders Hammonds’ team, which recently recruited Patrick Ryan; both lawyers are recommended along with Chris Brigstocke. Quintain is a key client for development work, while the investment team represents various Aviva Investors funds on transactions and restructuring.

Hotels work is a mainstay of Stephenson Harwood’s practice, and the team recently advised Macdonald Hotels and Resorts on acquiring a four-star hotel in Manchester. Department head Marcel Haniff is ‘calm under pressure, and sensitive to clients’ needs’; Jonathon Wilkes is ‘very clear in all advice, cutting through legal complexities’; and Richard Light and Chris Seel are also recommended. The talented Stephen Sumpton joined from McGrigors LLP in June 2011.

‘Innovative but underrated’, Travers Smith LLP acts on high-quality, high-value transactions, such as representing the Peel Group on its £1.6bn sale of the Trafford Centre to Capital Shopping Centres. Julian Bass, Anthony Judge, Simon Rutman and James Styles are recommended. Robin Holmes joined Farrer & Co.

At Trowers & Hamlins LLP, ‘the quality and commitment of the practice remains consistent regardless of transaction value’. The team advised Gatehouse Bank on the £40m acquisition of BT’s Leeds headquarters. Jeremy Joiner, Michael Higginson and Philip Peters are recommended.

Beachcroft provides ‘no-nonsense, practical service, and has a good record of pushing the transactions or issues to a satisfactory conclusion’. The firm acts for Balfour Beatty on all of its property work, including taking 40,000sq ft of new office accommodation at Quorum Business Park. It also handles retail work for clients such as Waitrose. Andrew Chesser and Monica Blake are recommended.

‘Uniformly excellent’, Bevan Brittan LLP has expertise advising local authority and health sector clients. It is acting for Rotherham MBC on the development of its new 172,000sq ft civic offices building. The firm is now on the NYSE panel for UK real estate work. Ian Caplan is recommended, as is ‘very knowledgeable and approachable’ senior associate Jonathan Northey.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team is ‘expert in the industry’, with recent mandates including advising TfL on acquiring land for the London Cable Car project. Andrew Smith ‘advises in a very clear way without losing time on unimportant things’.

Bristows has ‘comprehensive’ expertise in funds and investment, and is particularly good for life sciences and TMT work. Clients include Abingdon Health and Kodak. It represents many corporate occupiers, and advised new client Browns Food Group on acquiring cold-storage facilities. Alexandra Lethbridge and Teresa Edmund are recommended.

Charles Russell LLP advised GM Investment Trustees on acquiring a £30m retail portfolio, and continues to advise Eton College regarding development and venue use agreements for the 2012 Olympics rowing events. Lynn Povey, Simon Davies and Simon Ewing are recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP is ‘very good – thorough and professional – and there is always a prompt turnaround, which is invaluable from a transactional perspective’. It represents the UK’s leading homebuilders, including Persimmon, Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey, and advises BAE Pension Funds on its property portfolios. Robert Lee and Lucy Walsh are recommended, as are Andrew Boulton (‘a joy to work with’) and Reena Patel (noted for her ‘first-rate industry knowledge’).

Dechert LLP acts for property companies, funders and investors, and advised Aviva Life & Pensions UK on its mixed-use development at Trinity Square, Nottingham. It advises Bhs and Marks and Spencer plc on store acquisitions. Steven Fogel, Bill Fryzer, Andrew Hutchinson and Barry Thorne are ‘highly recommended’.

Farrer & Co provides ‘a high degree of personal service, better than some of the larger practices’, and demonstrates ‘good industry knowledge’. The team advised London Underground on an NCP car park development in Hammersmith. Charlie Anderson, Gavin Acheson, Simon Kingston and Carrie Faller (‘very measured, pragmatic and helpful’) are recommended. The practice recruited Andrew Bailey from Addleshaw Goddard LLP, and Robin Holmes – who has ‘very wide knowledge of all aspects of law affecting property’ – from Travers Smith LLP.

Retail and leisure are key features of the ‘very good’ practice at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP, and the team advised X-Leisure on selling two leisure parks, Grant’s of Croydon (£32.5m) and Five Ways Birmingham (£27m). The group continues to advise longstanding clients Pizza Hut and Tragus on acquisitions. Martin Smith, Stephen Lewis and Julian Hindmarsh (‘very approachable, knowledgeable’) are recommended.

In November 2010 Jon Vivian, formerly head of property at SJ Berwin LLP, and three other partners joined Irwin Mitchell LLP to establish a London presence for the firm, which has 14 real estate partners nationally. Clients of the new team include Honda, Gazeley UK and CBRE Investors.

Lewis Silkin LLP represents a diverse range of occupier clients from the medical and dental, restaurant and leisure sectors. It advised Rio Tinto on the under-letting of its headquarters. Leonard Goodrich, Neil Toner, Rachel Francis-Lang and Jonathan Reuben are recommended.

Louis Manches at Manches LLP advised Marylebone Warwick Balfour on establishing Liberty property company, and acted on the creation of shopping centre partnerships for Anglo Irish Private Equity and Vale Retail.

Development work forms integral part of McGrigors LLP’s practice, which continues to advise Fairview New Homes on regenerating the former Colindale Hospital site. The renewables team completed various wind farm option and lease agreements. Alex O’Connor is recommended. Stephen Sumpton left for Stephenson Harwood in June 2011.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP has a strong emphasis on joint ventures, financings and restructurings, often in a cross-border context. Recent highlights include representing AREA Property Partners on its joint venture with Sovereign Land and Shepherd Construction for the acquisition of Wakefield’s Trinity Walk shopping centre. Mark Eagan and Emma Bucknall are recommended.

Karen Mayne heads RadcliffesLeBrasseur’s team, whose clients include The Church Commissioners of England, Royal Mail, and leisure sector clients such as Matchbar Group and Carluccio’s. The firm’s large healthcare practice represents the NHS and private sector healthcare bodies.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s ‘service is very good and responsive’. Highlights included acting for AstraZeneca on moving its head office to 2 Kingdom St, and advising Veolia on disposing of its former headquarters. The hotels and leisure team advised Soneva Properties on a 20-storey development in the City. Martin Barrett and Stephen Malley show ‘excellent depth of experience and knowledge’; and David Johnston recently joined from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Shearman & Sterling LLP advised Stanhope on its partnership with Threadneedle Asset Management Finance and The Carbon Trust to launch the Threadneedle Low-Carbon Workplace Trust. Clare Breeze and practice head Ian Nisse are recommended.

The ‘excellent’ Shepherd and Wedderburn won several new clients including Ocado, which it advised on acquiring new distribution sites. Westcourt Real Estate was advised on potential site acquisitions for a luxury hotel in Covent Garden. Stephen Hubner is ‘committed to clients and committed to a project, no matter what’, and Andrew Bond is also recommended.

Clients speak highly of Steptoe & Johnson, where Brendan Patterson has ‘created an exceptional team’ which includes Sam Kelly, who is ‘hardworking with a grasp of detail’, and ‘excellent commercial lawyer’ Matthew Farmer. The practice completed 50 real estate transactions totalling £3.5bn in 2010.

Thomas Eggar LLP handles property management for clients such as AXA Sun Life, and represents major retailers including Asda Stores and Maplin Electronics. Roger Hickman has ‘a proper understanding of the need for commercial sensibility when dealing with retailers’, and Balbit Thandi’s ‘ability to pre-empt problems is excellent’.

Wedlake Bell LLP’s ‘knowledge of all aspects of the real estate sector is excellent’, and its clients include Warburg-Henderson KAG and Athos/Carlyle. Justin Lewis-Vivas heads a strong team; David Earl has ‘in-depth knowledge – to find such expertise in a medium-sized firm is rare’; Malcolm Macfarlane provides ‘a good balance of commercial understanding versus legal detail’; Philip Matthews’ ‘breadth of knowledge is among the very best’; and John Fluker is ‘a good man to have in your corner’.

White & Case LLP’s key strength lies in cross-border, multi-jurisdictional deals. David Cox’s team continues to advise longstanding client Starwood Capital globally, including on a multi-asset joint venture fund with Great Portland Estates relating to London office towers City Place and City Tower.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s clients range from multinationals to public authorities, and include British Waterways, QBE and Liberty Mutual. The team also advises on UPS’ substantial property portfolio. ‘Always responsive, the team is a joy to work with, and its advice is spot on’, with Malcolm Rogerson being particularly recommended.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s ‘knowledge and experience of the property world is excellent’. Alongside its long-established charity client base, the team’s numerous occupier clients include Amtrust Management Services and GDF Suez. Nick Ivey and Jamie Huard are ‘excellent: always available when needed’.

Bird & Bird undertakes a broad range of real estate transactions for major domestic and international businesses, banks, funds, developers and public sector organisations, and is on the panels of BT, Philips Electronics and Yahoo! Inc. Jonathan Baker, Linda Fletcher and Andrew Stobbart are recommended.

Blake Lapthorn advises on commercial asset management and transactions, including investment sales and purchases, and on high-value residential property transactions. Philip Diamond and Jeremy Taylor are recommended.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s national retail practice represents luxury brands including Christian Dior, Fendi and De Beers. Caroline Green’s team advised on the 15,000sq ft Louis Vuitton Maison on New Bond Street.

Collyer Bristow LLP’s ‘absolutely excellent’ group acted for Crest Nicholson on a £100m development for a mixed-use town centre development in Camberley. Roger Woolfe is ‘efficient and proactive’, and Dominic Giacon is ‘very professional and commercial’.

Davenport Lyons, which ‘has a wide skills set for a firm its size’, acted for the Royal College of GPs on the multimillion-pound sale of its existing headquarters and the acquisition of Euston Exchange. Janet Ayres has ‘a professional approach and good strategic view’, Stuart Darlington pays ‘attention to detail and is very competent’, and Andrew Li is ‘extremely knowledgeable’.

Druces LLP advised Hugo Boss on acquiring part of Moss Bros including 15 UK retail premises. Henderson Global Investors is another client. Nicholas Brent is ‘efficient and helpful’, Derek Collinson takes a ‘keen interest in the client’s business requirements’, Suzanne Middleton Lindsley is ‘open, available and accurate’, and Simon Manuel is also recommended.

Fox Williams LLP advised Restaurants Etc (Soho) in relation to a concession in Selfridges, Oxford Street. Other clients include Westbrook Partners, Urban Space Holdings and FM Global, and retailers and restaurateurs. Simon Smith and Elizabeth Ruff are recommended.

GSC Solicitors LLP advises large corporate occupiers regarding leasing or acquiring headquarters across the UK, and has strength in the hotels, leisure and healthcare industries. Harvey Posener is recommended.

Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP ‘maintains an English sensibility while providing New York response levels and turnaround’. Tim Webb, who shows ‘boundless enthusiasm and is highly innovative’, acts for Bourne Capital and Quintain Estates & Development. Associate Emma Maher is ‘a fantastic operator’.

Hamlins LLP has ‘a clear understanding of the sector and is good at keeping to the issues’. The team is recommended for hotels, leisure and retail work, and in 2010 acted on the £60m sale of Geronimo Inns Ltd to Young & Co’s Brewery. Mark Hurst, Alban Gordon and Joseph Holder (‘particularly diligent, not afraid to tackle complex issues’) are recommended.

Boutique firm Hilmi + Partners LLP ‘punches above its weight, with knowledge and acumen way above many larger competitors’. It represents property funds, developers, investors, and retail and leisure clients, and recently obtained new space in Selfridges for American Apparel Inc. Merter Hilmi is ‘a tough but pragmatic adviser and negotiator’, and Prashant Dave has ‘a wealth of specialist knowledge’.

Ince & Co’s client base ranges from institutional investors to core shipping and insurance clients, as well as companies in energy, retail, and transport and logistics. The team acted on acquisitions and sales of office and investment properties for institutional investors, up to £70m. Trevor Garrood and Richard Morris are recommended.

Kingsley Napley LLP acted for Amsprop Group on the £68m sale of Dolce and Gabanna’s headquarters at 6-8 Old Bond Street, and the sales of 10-10a New Bond Street and 24 Albemarle Street. The team also acted for the von Essen Group regarding a new terminal building for London Heliport. Paul Harbour, Liam MacDonnell and Francis Weaver are recommended.

At Mills & Reeve LLP, ‘the level of service matches, if not exceeds, that received from large London firms’. The team advised the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham on acquiring land pursuant to two major compulsory purchase orders. Charles Staveley is ‘attentive, commercial and personable’, and Nick Finlayson-Brown is an ‘excellent all-rounder’.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP advised Notting Hill Housing Group on acquiring a £56m portfolio of over 400 properties from Transport for London, and advised Capital Shopping Centres on the £525m refinancing of Lakeside Shopping Centre. Anne O’Neill is recommended.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP advised Aviva Investors on a £100m property portfolio sale, and Bank Santander on commercial loans. The ‘excellent’ team includes Peter McElligott and Richard Hunter, who is ‘experienced, pragmatic and commercial’.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal LLP’s property team works with investment fund and tax colleagues to advise on acquisitions and disposals by real estate funds, and to structure investments. It advised Wainbridge Global Opportunity Fund on a £31m purchase. Simon Hardwick is ‘pragmatic, but hard as nails if the need arises’, and Tim Hart provides ‘excellent all-round service’.

Specialist property boutique RLS Solicitors provides ‘a very personal, dedicated service and is very commercially focused’. It acted for TCN UK on leasing an office block from the BBC at Centre House in Wood Lane. Other clients include Soho Housing Association and RBS. Julien Rutler is ‘highly professional, reliable, and easy to work with’. Craig Themis is also recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP ‘provides a first-class, professional service’. The team advised Sirosa Liberty on the £41.5m freehold purchase and leaseback of the Liberty building for an overseas investor. Other clients include Pret A Manager (Europe) and Handelsbanken. Helen Edwards is ‘a strong negotiator’, and Arnold Isaacson is also recommended.

Salans is ‘able to deploy a fairly large team so responses are quick, and the depth in the team is very good’. It was instructed by BDO, as administrators for Allied Carpets Properties on the transfer of 53 stores to Allied Carpets Retail, a new company. Daniel Polden shows ‘breath of knowledge and the ability to solve issues’.

Commercial property boutique Stepien Lake has five partners and acts for property developers on large-scale city centre, mixed and residential developments, out-of-town commercial property developments and joint ventures. Other clients include banks, investment funds, corporate and retail occupiers, and private investors.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP is ‘prepared to go the extra mile’ for clients. Energy and hotels and leisure are areas of expertise. The team advised on the sale of a majority interest in Monaco’s Columbus Hotel, and advised DONG Energy on acquiring a 50% stake in an offshore wind farm project. Felicity Jones, Gary Ritter and the knowledgeable Mark Prevezer are recommended.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has ‘a can-do attitude above and beyond the call of duty’, and typically acts on complex deals. A cross-practice team advised Advent International on its £925m acquisition of the Priory Group, with the real estate team advising on over 100 properties as part of the transaction.

Winckworth Sherwood’s ‘service is extremely good: it is very commercial and the expertise is strong’. The residential development practice is thriving and has been advising Barratt Homes on real estate in London. Bellway Homes and Redrow are also clients. Louis Robert is ‘exceptional’, Sam Dighton and Francesco Ferrari have ‘great general knowledge of the subject area’, and Roger Fitton is also recommended.

Brecher’s clients include Dunbar Bank and Invesco Real Estate. Jeremy Abram shows ‘excellent forward-thinking business acumen’, Nicky Richmond ‘articulates complex legal issues clearly’, Redmond Byrne is ‘excellent for all aspect of real estate work’, and Andrew Brecher is also recommended.

Capsticks provides ‘timely, sound advice’ to its mainly NHS healthcare client base. It advised City and Hackney Teaching Primary Care Trust on developing a GP health centre under LIFT, and associated property work. Philip Brown heads the team.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s Nicholas Shepherd demonstrates ‘long experience, gravitas and technical ability’. The firm advised BP on disposing of 14 UK sites.

Edwin Coe LLP’s ‘excellent’ property group regularly handles deals between £25m-£50m, and has growing expertise in the hotels and hospitality sector. Carolyn West is ‘incredibly knowledgeable, quick and diligent’.

Freemans Solicitors advises developers, investors and lenders. Howard Freeman is ‘very competent, with a detailed knowledge of all aspects of property law and practice’.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP’s clients include Investec Bank, Tishman Speyer and sovereign wealth funds, as well as luxury brand retailers Coach, Hackett and Hilfiger. Nigel Heilpern is ‘extremely reliable’, and Stephen John ‘provides a top-class service’.

Glovers Solicitors LLP’s ‘response times and general service are excellent’. The firm continues to handle most property work for Gondola Holdings (Pizza Express, Zizzi and ASK) and Nando’s, and is sole adviser to Prezzo.

Goodman Derrick LLP’s property practice, which is headed by Simon Catt and Michael Collins, includes a specialised retail property team.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP has particular experience in the media, leisure and entertainment sectors. Melanie Benson is ‘willing to go the extra mile to make a complicated transaction happen on time’.

Healys has a strong retail practice, which advised White Stuff on multiple acquisitions, while the hotels team acted for Lancaster London Hotel on its refurbishment. Service levels are ‘exceptional’.

Hill Dickinson LLP advises banks, corporates and investors on transactions and leasing. It continued to advise a multinational on matters after acquiring a 250,000sq ft Thames Valley headquarters campus. Richard Taylor heads the team.

Hugh Jones & Co’s service levels are ‘excellent’. Aliosman Halil is ‘attentive, creative, highly competent, efficient and always accessible’.

Kennedys handles prime and secondary investment property portfolios. Sally Morris-Smith is ‘passionate about what she does and makes connections among her clients for their benefit’.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s team ‘responds quickly and deals with matters efficiently. Partners lead all teams and have strong backup’. Jennifer Johnson is recommended.

McGuireWoods London LLP’s Petar Orlic is ‘commercial and efficient’. The team undertakes plenty of deals in the £10m-£50m range, for clients including HSBC and Manolo Blahnik International.

Memery Crystal LLP’s Ruth Deehan is ‘a very strong negotiator’, and Alastair Moss is ‘extremely competent’.

Piper Smith Watton LLP’s Stephen Solomons is ‘proactive, with excellent understanding of commercial property’. The firm acted for new client Delph Properties on the sale of over 100 flats in Leicester.

Rochman Landau is ‘thorough and quick to respond, and has a good back-up team and great knowledge of all property matters’.

Russell Jones & Walker’s Peter Klim is ‘extremely knowledgeable, and efficient in turning work around’. Clients include the TUC and Police Federation.

Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP earns a steady workflow from clients including JD Wetherspoon and 99p Stores, including acting for the latter on 62 store openings in 2010. Julian Joseph is ‘very diligent’. Mark Lavers ‘acts for property developers and landlords so helps find a position both parties can live with’.

Thrings LLP advises the Stadium Group of Companies on investment property acquisitions, planning and development projects and ongoing management issues. Ben Jones is highly rated.

Wallace LLP’s ‘impressive’ hospitality and leisure practice acted for Paramount Restaurants, one of the UK’s largest private restaurant companies, in selling over 30 sites.

Wiggin LLP represents media sector clients such as UKTV. Matt Bullock is recommended.

Ashurst LLP’s ‘very capable’ team acts on some of the UK’s highest-profile construction projects. In 2010, it continued to advise Westfield on the £4bn Stratford City retail development, British Land on its Cheesegrater tower development (122 Leadenhall Street), and TfL on procurement for the £16bn Crossrail project. The team’s contentious experience includes energy and PFI projects. Ann Minogue has ‘gravitas’ and ‘superior knowledge as to how the construction industry actually operates’, and practice head Marc Hanson is also highly rated.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘very comprehensive service’ is ‘excellent’, and the group recently expanded its international experience with several projects in Russia. Domestically, it continues to advise Thames Water on a £635m sewage tunnel project, and National Grid in a construction dispute. Bob Maynard heads the contentious practice and John Hughes-D’Aeth heads the non-contentious side; both are recommended along with Terry de Souza, who ‘can speak directly to engineers and understand the complicated technical issues’.

Richard Foley heads Pinsent Masons LLP’s 18-partner team, which is known for its expertise acting for contractors on infrastructure projects and in international arbitrations. Highlights for 2010 included advising Willbros in a $275m claim relating to onshore construction aspects of the West African Gas Pipeline project, and representing Thames Water on a £6bn asset management programme.

Clifford Chance’s team is ‘first class’, ‘pragmatic and commercial’. The practice mainly represents developers and funders in major construction and engineering projects, and is particularly strong in the upstream oil and gas and renewables sectors. Recent highlights include advising the joint venture between RWE npower and E.ON UK on the proposed development of a new generation of UK nuclear power facilities, and acting on a major office-building scheme. Tim Steadman is the key contact for non-contentious work, while Alex Panayides is notable for contentious matters. David Metzger is ‘excellent’, and Marianne Toghill is ‘calm and astute’.

Boutique construction firm Fenwick Elliott LLP is ‘excellent’; it has ‘expansive knowledge in this sector and decorum is a hallmark of its practice’. Recent highlights include advising Chinese contractor Yuanda on the construction of a luxury London hotel. Nicholas Gould is ‘extremely knowledgeable and listens carefully to his clients’, and Richard Smellie, Julian Critchlow and practice head Simon Tolson are also recommended.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘capacity for work is quite breathtaking’, and is ‘superb’. The team is developing its energy sector and international arbitration expertise, and continued to advise the Department of Energy and Climate Change on a carbon capture and storage plant development. Sally Roe ‘drives to conclude deals, and has brilliant insight into the issues that affect businesses’.

Herbert Smith LLP is ‘particularly strong in the latter stages of projects’, and provides ‘advice and service that is very well pitched commercially’. The group recently advised EDF Energy on procurement elements of its new nuclear power stations at Hinkley and Sizewell, and advised Land Securities on its £650m Trinity Quarter shopping centre in Leeds. Nicholas Downing is the main contact for non-contentious work, while Mark Lloyd-Williams leads on contentious matters. Construction litigator Tony Dymond is ‘incisive, rigorous and determined’. Associate Emelita Robbins ‘works well with clients’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s ‘pragmatic and responsive’ team recently advised the King’s Cross partnership on a sustainable space heating service in the King’s Cross development. It has also been kept busy with projects in overseas markets such as Latin America and Abu Dhabi. Practice head John Gerszt is recommended along with the energetic and ‘ever-practical’ Adrian Walker, and Mike Matheou for his ‘commercial understanding and drafting ability’.

Nabarro LLP’s team has a ‘good instinct for identifying the key commercial issues that matter’. It advises suppliers and developers, and is particularly strong on domestic projects. Recent highlights include advising Great Portland Estates on its £400m development at 100 Bishopsgate. Practice head Terry Fleet is recommended, as are Steven Williams (‘thoughtful and highly effective’), Jonathan Douglas (‘a great litigator’), and Penny Moore, whose ‘quality of drafting is impressive’.

Allen & Overy LLP focuses on international power and energy projects, and continues to advise on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail refinery project. It is also advising on several nuclear power projects such as Slovakia’s Belene NPP and Bulgaria’s Mochovce NPP. Nigel Pritchard is ‘excellent on contract formulation’.

Highlights for Baker & McKenzie LLP in 2010 included advising water treatment specialists Degrémont in disputes relating to a major desalination plant in Oman. The ‘calm and measured’ Mike Webster is the key contact, and Jeremy Winter is ‘quick, sharp, amiable and diplomatic’.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘easygoing’ lawyers ‘work collectively, and their market knowledge is second to none’. The practice is strong on both the purchaser and supplier side. Recent highlights include advising Taylor Wimpey on a £145m regeneration project in Portsmouth, and Lloyds TSB on its redevelopment loan for Wakefield’s Trinity Walk shopping centre. The ‘highly approachable and technically outstanding’ Victoria Peckett now heads the practice, following Caroline Cummins’ retirement.

Clyde & Co LLP’s team is ‘generally excellent’ and displays ‘good attention to detail’. In 2010, the practice saw an increase in developer-led work and international mandates, including advising African Minerals on a power station project in Sierra Leone. John Morris leads the 11-partner London team, and ‘gets a clear grasp of situations within a short time’.

Stephen Haller heads DLA Piper UK LLP’s team, which continues to advise in relation to Hatfield Power Station, one of the first power stations to use carbon-capture technology. ‘The firm’s ability to work with the client on a collegial basis is refreshing and comforting.’

K&L Gates recently advised a bid consortium on a £180m social housing project in Leeds. Other clients include Halliburton and London Underground. Kevin Greene is the main contact, and James Hudson is ‘good at pressing home key points’.

Construction is a specialist area for Maxwell Winward LLP, which is particularly experienced in heavy engineering claims. The practice continues to advise Hochtief on various large projects. It ‘understands the technical aspects of a project’, and ‘deploys its senior partners from the very beginning of an assignment’. Max Wieliczko is ‘astute and experienced’, Michael Sergeant is ‘outstanding, personable and well informed’, and Lisa Calderwood has ‘a common-sense approach with a calm, understanding manner’.

Mayer Brown International LLP provides ‘rapid, competent and robust responses’, and receives instructions in the energy sector and across a broad range of international arbitrations. Michael Regan heads the group. Nick Henchie left for Vinson & Elkins RLLP.

Norton Rose LLP ‘provides the right lawyers with the right expertise at the right level’. The practice is particularly strong on the contentious side, but also advises on international energy and rail projects. The ‘very practical’ Donald Warnock is particularly good for rail disputes, and practice head Christopher Hill is also recommended.

Reed Smith ‘has excellent knowledge in the construction sector’ and ‘pulls out all the stops’ for clients. The team has been busy advising on wind power projects, and also recently advised contractor Cameron International in arbitration proceedings relating to contracts to design and supply equipment to an Indian oil refinery. Peter Cassidy ‘quickly exposes weaknesses in an opponent’s case’, and Lynne Freeman is also recommended.

Providing ‘technically superb service’, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s ‘well-organised and strategic team’ is developing its profile in London and has a solid developer client base. It receives a steady stream of instructions from Access Self Storage, and in 2010 continued to advise the UKCMRI on a £500m medical research facility in King’s Cross. The ‘very astute’ Robert Hogarth heads the contentious practice head, and Kevin Forsyth is ‘very sharp and grasps problems quickly’.

Steven Carey heads Speechly Bircham LLP’s ‘always friendly’ team, which ‘provides consistent advice that is easy to understand’. The group continued to advise Northacre on its new residential development in Lancaster Gate, and advised a Gulf investor on trophy properties in London. Duncan Salmon has ‘excellent client-facing skills, is non-confrontational and provides clarity’. Tim Raper is also thoroughly recommended.

Taylor Wessing LLP is strong in contentious work, and in 2010 advised Gas Services International in disputes relating to procurement of gas pipeline equipment. The team also continued to advise Deutsche Postbank on the construction and financing of a £255m development in Bristol. Practice head Helen Garthwaite is ‘very, very clever and always in demand’, and David Quinlan ‘sets the standard for service’.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s lawyers ‘understand clients ’ business needs’, ‘do not waste time on minor issues and give regular updates on costs’. The practice has a strong public sector client base, and is particularly expert in procurement and projects. This large team recently advised Amey Ventures on sub-contract issues on a waste-to-energy PFI project in Yorkshire. Litigator Anthony Yates is ‘calm, thorough and particularly good on client service’, and David Mosey is recommended for non-contentious matters.

Highlights for White & Case LLP in 2010 included advising Saudi Aramco on the construction of a petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia. The team is particularly well known for its expertise in power, metals, mining and infrastructure projects. Ellis Baker and Phillip Capper are recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised The University of Oxford on the £20m development of the Said Phase 2 building for executive education, and also advised new client Hyundai Engineering Co Ltd in LCIA arbitration proceedings concerning a power station in Nigeria. On the contentious side, Mark Hilton is ‘a true marketer and first-class lawyer to boot’, Simon Palmer has ‘great charm’, and Jonathan Tattersall is a ‘good all-rounder’. Andrew McVeigh leads on non-contentious matters.

Beachcroft works primarily for public sector and insurer clients. It represented a confectionery manufacturer and its insurer in defending a contractor’s claim following a fire. Chris Doran heads the team.

Bird & Bird recently advised an NHS trust in construction defects claims under a PFI contract. Renewables sector and non-contentious work increased. Colin Hall left for Winckworth Sherwood in May 2011.

David Johnson heads Boodle Hatfield’s team, which is strong on contentious work. The practice also advised new client PMB Holdings on several redevelopments in the South East.

Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘excellent’ Bristol-based group adopts a ‘constructive and pragmatic approach’. It advised the London Development Agency on a carbon-positive development to build over 600 homes in London’s Royal Docks. Marcus Harling and Will Gard are recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s ‘superb’ group has ‘good business acumen with a willingness to settle disputes, and in general is good value for money’. It recently advised Black & Veatch in several new UK and international disputes. Danny Gowan and Rowan Planterose are ‘very responsive’. Nicholas Taylor heads the non-contentious team, and ‘makes clients feel comfortable’.

Dundas & Wilson LLP’s team, led by Andrew Renton, recently advised a joint venture between Grosvenor House Group and Gravis Capital Partners on the development of new student accommodation in London’s Mile End. Lindy Patterson QC is recommended.

Eversheds LLP’s team is ‘first class’, ‘does not waste time, is willing to be flexible on fees and honours its quotes’. It recently advised The Chiltern Railway Company on the funding and procurement of a mainline upgrade, and the construction of a new section of railway near Bicester. Practice head Simon Oats is recommended along with Richard Ward, who has ‘great depth of knowledge on building contracts’; Robert McNabb, who attracts very high praise from clients; and the ‘pragmatic and client-focused’ Peter Scurlock.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP provides ‘excellent access to partners, and clear, concise, pragmatic advice’. The team recently advised a UK developer on the construction of the Portland Gas underground storage project. Practice head Paul Houston is recommended, and newly promoted partner Alan Woolston ‘has a cool head to deal with complex issues’.

Jones Day’s team ‘communicates effectively and provides succinct legal advice that can be put to commercial use’. It advised Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate in a £500m construction dispute over the Barwa City project. Hamish Lal heads the practice.

Kennedys is particularly strong in contentious matters, and recently advised a joint venture of Amec and Carillion in a £13m claim against WS Atkins relating to the defective design of the second runway at Manchester Airport. Clients appreciate practice head Geoff Lord’s strategic awareness, and the group’s collegial approach.

Macfarlanes LLP recently advised European Land in negotiating the next phase of the Merchants Square development, which includes a 42-storey residential tower in Westminster. Simon Nurney is recommended for litigation, and Doug Wass for non-contentious work.

Lawrence Graham LLP provides ‘practical and cost-effective advice’. It recently acted for J Sainsbury on a £70m partnership development scheme in Bicester. The firm also has a strong institutional and funds client base, including AXA Sun Life and Legal & General, and has seen an increase in projects with forward funding structures. Philip Baker is the main contact.

Lewis Silkin LLP is known for its expertise in education and social housing projects. It recently advised Notting Hill Housing Trust on a £17m acquisition in King’s Cross. Clare Reddy heads the team.

Linklaters LLP recently advised Qatari real estate company Barwa on the £500m acquisition and development of Park House on Oxford Street.

Manches LLP provides ‘an excellent general level of service with rapid responses and good guidance’. The firm advises John McAslan & Partners on various matters, including post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Haiti. Joanne Kelly and Joe Griffiths are recommended.

Highlights for Olswang in 2010 included advising INTO University Partnership on £35m of new student accommodation at the University of Newcastle. Practice head David Weare and the ‘clever and diligent’ Nick Lane are recommended.

Julia Court heads the team at SJ Berwin LLP, which works closely with the firm’s top-notch real estate department on complex development, urban regeneration, hotel and leisure projects. The team is geared towards non-contentious work, and in 2010 advised AXA Sun Life on developing a 215,000sq ft building at 60 Holborn Viaduct.

SNR Denton ‘keeps the client well informed and provides a personal service’. The team recently advised the Isle of Wight Council on a PFI project to maintain motorways on the island. Practice head Robert Turner is ‘outstanding’.

Slaughter and May ‘really gets to know its clients, and has high integrity’. The team continues to advise Arsenal FC on its Highbury redevelopment, including a sports hall and 729 residential units. Steven Edwards is recommended.

Stephenson Harwood acts for developer clients across the further education, energy and renewables sectors. Recent contentious highlights include advising the London Development Agency on the termination of a development agreement relating to Silvertown Quays. Highlights for the non-contentious team included acting for TSG on the construction of an equestrian platform for the 2012 Olympics. Steven Wait and Paul Thwaite are recommended.

Wragge & Co LLP has many contractor clients, and continues to advise St. Modwen Developments on a 20-year scheme to regenerate the former Llandarcy Refinery near Neath, North Wales, into a £1.2bn urban community.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is ‘excellent for resolving disputes’ and ‘understands how to reach a settlement’. It acts for most of the major UK insurers in the construction sector. Practice head Patrick Perry is ‘responsive and astute’.

Beale and Company Solicitors LLP is a construction boutique, where Antony Smith is recommended for disputes, and Rachel Barnes and Simon Delves for non-contentious work.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP is highly rated for its experience in professional indemnity matters. The team represented Central Bedfordshire Council in a £3m claim alleging that highway works caused a neighbouring quarry to collapse. Michael Salau and Keith Lonsdale are recommended.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s lawyers ‘do what they say they are going to do and within the agreed timescales’. The team, which is particularly strong in the education, housing and local authority sectors, also recently advised Elekta on the construction of cancer treatment facilities at several hospitals. Duncan Weir and Andrew Tobin are recommended.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP primarily acts for public sector clients in non-contentious matters. Nigel Brown heads the team, which recently advised Gosport Borough Council on the tender and building contract to replace the existing Gosport Ferry Terminal.

Collyer Bristow LLP recently advised Utopia Leisure in a professional negligence claim against an architect regarding a hotel extension. Jane Hughes is the main contact.

Edward Corbett’s team at Corbett & Co International Construction Lawyers Ltd advises contractors, employers, funders and consultants.

The team at Fasken Martineau LLP leverages off the firm’s strong reputation in the oil and gas and LNG sectors to win work on major international projects. It has also been busy with several student housing projects. Lawrence Bruce leads the team.

Fladgate LLP has been advising on several mature PFI projects in the healthcare and education sectors. Recent highlights include advising a US medical equipment company on a PPP-type project to upgrade and run oncology facilities at a central London hospital. Gillian Birkby is the main contact.

Forsters LLP mainly acts on non-contentious matters. It recently advised Warner Brothers Studios on its £60m building and studio refurbishment programme at Leavesden. LK Harley, owner of the LK Bennett chain, is a new client. Sarah Cook heads the practice.

Glovers Solicitors LLP is ‘easy to deal with and good value for money’. Philip Eyre has good technical experience from his background as a chartered quantity surveyor. In 2010, the team acted for Investec Bank plc regarding a potential professional negligence action relating to a surveyor.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s new construction practice is headed by David Parton. The team advised Delancey on the new Rolls Building in London.

Maples Teesdale LLP is ‘knowledgeable and highly focused on property’, and ‘very responsive’. The practice, which focuses on non-contentious work, recently advised the UK Commercial Property Trust on the construction aspects of sale and purchase transactions for three shopping centres in Shrewsbury. Paul Matcham is ‘unbelievably efficient’, and ‘terrier-like in chasing up matters’.

McGrigors LLP’s team combines ‘pragmatic advice and business acumen’, and is ‘always attentive and realistic’. The team recently advised Scottish Power regarding participation in the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s competition for a demonstration carbon capture and storage project.

Simmons & Simmons demonstrates ‘wide and deep knowledge of construction’, and has ‘surprisingly reasonable hourly rates’. The practice recently advised the Ministry of Defence on a £12bn PFI project for armed forces training facilities. Group head Richard Dyton is recommended along with James Pollock, who ‘goes the extra mile and is very client focused’.

Squire Sanders Hammonds recently advised Quintain on the phased development of the landmark 82-acre site around Wembley Stadium. The practice also acts for other major developers such as the Manhattan Loft Corporation. Olivia Bateman leads on non-contentious matters.

The ‘very thorough’ team at Steptoe & Johnson recently advised longstanding client Rokeby Developments on contracts for three retail parks. Jonathan Raynes has ‘robust academic knowledge and an unassuming manner’.

Travers Smith LLP advised Patron Capital on the construction of two hotels at the Westfield site adjacent to the Olympic Park. Other clients include McAleer & Rushe and Arcelor Mittal. Practice head Kofi Atta is noted for his commercial awareness.

Nick Henchie leads Vinson & Elkins RLLP’s new construction practice, which advised on the $5.25bn Panama Canal Expansion Program, and also acted in the Socotherm arbitration regarding the Dolphin Project.

Watson Burton LLP’s ‘approachable team is always prepared to assist’, and recently advised Bellway Homes on a substantial new residential development in east London. Mark Lawton is recommended for contentious work.

Wedlake Bell LLP represents several subsidiaries of Bupa, and advised new client KIRKBI Real Estate Investments on the demolition and refurbishment of a 12-storey office block in central London. Suzanne Reeves ‘provides sound advice whatever the value or complexity of the issue’.

Allen & Overy LLP focuses heavily on transactional support, particularly for multi-jurisdictional deals, but also advises on regulations. It advised Shell on a business divestment and Dana Petroleum on acquiring Petro Canada Netherlands. Practice head Matthew Townsend, who demonstrates a ‘high level of knowledge and willingness to understand client needs’, advised Khazanah Nasional Berhad – the Malaysian government’s investment arm – on a carbon joint venture with AIM-listed Camco International. Other clients include Amazon, Sita and BNP Paribas. The team has also been advising on carbon allowances thefts in the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Consultant Owen Lomas advises on environmental aspects of M&A, and on carbon trading agreements.

Burges Salmon LLP’s four-partner practice covers contentious, regulatory and energy sector matters, for clients across the public and private sectors, among them DEFRA, Helius Energy, and new clients DHL. Practice head Ross Fairley advises Small Hydro Company/British Waterways on hydroelectric developments. Ian Salter is well known for nuclear regulatory advice; Georgie Messent has ‘deep knowledge’ of environmental compliance issues; and Michael Barlow is ‘extremely knowledgeable, and an experienced, able litigator’.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is highly regarded for its responsiveness, commercial advice and ability to ‘suggest tactics to the client rather than just giving the law’. Areas of focus include waste and renewables, and it handles a range of prosecutions. The team has been advising on water pollution investigations, and representing waste management companies in class actions. It has also been advising clients on CRC legislative changes and their impact on complex real estate funds. Practice head Paul Sheridan is ‘simply outstanding on environmental matters; he provides tailored, concise and extremely thorough advice’.

Linklaters LLP is well regarded for its astute commercial understanding and deep industry knowledge, particularly on environmental aspects of transactions. Practice head Vanessa Havard-Williams, who ‘provides strong team leadership’ and is ‘adept at managing potential regulatory issues’, recently advised various corporations on divestitures and restructuring. Chris Staples is ‘very strong on the carbon finance front’, and recently advised Barclays Bank and International Finance Corporation.

The team at Clifford Chance advises on transactions, where it is ‘keen to really understand a client’s problem and not just answer questions’, and on regulations. Energy and infrastructure are busy sectors for the group, which recently acted for Horizon on nuclear developments; and Shell on oil refinery disposals. It advises clients such as HSBC and BNP Paribas on climate change regulations. Practice head Nigel Howorth is ‘a sharp, patient negotiator, and excellent at explaining environmental risk to clients’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s environment, planning and regulatory group is most renowned for its contentious work. It represents blue-chip clients in High Court proceedings, and practice head Jonathan Isted continues to act for British Pipeline Agency in investigations pertaining to the Buncefield incident. The practice is a major player in the nuclear sector, and advised the Nuclear Industry Association on its successful application to the government for approval of the nuclear newbuild programme. Paul Bowden leads on carbon finance matters. Counsel Daniel Lawrence has ‘sound environmental law knowledge and tactical reasoning’.

Herbert Smith LLP has ‘good industry knowledge’ for energy sector and contentious matters. Practice head Louise Moore, who is recommended for her ‘practical experience and clear advice’, has led on transactions for Chevron and Essar Energy, and advised EDF on its nuclear newbuild programme. In litigation, the practice has been advising an investment group on allegedly stolen EU ETS allowances; and a multinational on high-value pollution damage claims in the US.

Macfarlanes LLP’s team is ‘very imaginative and constructive in its approach to legal issues’, and its service ‘combines professionalism and discretion’. It frequently represents multinationals in cross-border litigation, and also recently advised on M&A, real estate matters, and climate change regulations. Paul Davies has ‘exceptional’ environmental law expertise, and Simon Nurney and Dan Lavender are recommended for contentious issues.

SNR Denton’s practice head Stephen Shergold, who has ‘excellent knowledge and experience on environmental matters’, continues to lead on regulatory advice to Grundon, the UK’s largest privately owned waste management company. Infrastructure and energy projects are a key focus, with newly promoted partner Sam Boileau, who has ‘excellent understanding of client needs’, recently advising Centrica on the Baird gas storage project. It also drafted legislation for the Environment Agency and the Northern Ireland government, and advised J Sainsbury on contaminated land issues.

Slaughter and May is valued for its ‘sensible, commercial approach’ to environmental issues, particularly in connection with transactions. It recently advised Ineos and GE Capital on energy sector deals. On the regulatory side, the group advised Westbrook Partners on CRC compliance; and CDC Climat on its contract with the Environment Agency to develop an emissions reporting system. Practice head Edward Keeble is ‘an excellent drafter and negotiator’, and provides ‘a strong commercial take on situations’.

Ashurst LLP’s environmental group provides transactional and regulatory advice to corporate, finance, real estate and energy clients. Recent instructions have come from Shanks Waste Management, BAE Systems, and London & Continental Railways. It also successfully represented a client in an Environment Agency waste offence prosecution. Practice head Nigel Price is ‘one of the most accomplished environmental lawyers around’.

Baker & McKenzie LLP’s ‘approachable and professional’ environment team is ‘head and shoulders above most other lawyers in the field of compliance litigation’. Its climate change expertise is especially well regarded. Graham Stuart leads the practice, which has an emphasis on international matters in the energy and technology sectors. Clients include Sony, Hewlett-Packard, Macquarie Bank, and new clients Cummins and Invensys. Senior associate Richard Weatherhogg is appreciated for his ‘knowledge and tenacity’ on regulatory issues.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s client base spans the public and private sectors, and includes Thames Water, the Olympic Delivery Authority, and National Grid. The practice advises on infrastructure projects; regulatory compliance; and waste and pollution claims, with recent successes including settling a contaminated land compensation claim for UBS. The group also supports clients such as Tesco and Balfour Beatty on real estate transactions. Andrew Waite heads the practice.

DLA Piper UK LLP competes effectively with City firms, and is well regarded for its ‘excellent knowledge of industry issues’. It advises manufacturing, financial, nuclear and mining industry clients on climate change issues, and on environmental aspects of transactions. Teresa Hitchcock led the team’s advice on ICL’s acquisition of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. For environmental prosecutions, Roy Tozer is ‘tactically excellent, and rarely puts a foot wrong in handling cases’. He represented Total during the Buncefield litigation.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has developed expertise in renewables transactions, and advises corporate and banking clients on regulations and carbon trading. Clients include AEGIS, GDF Suez and Neste Oil. The team also successfully defended Fortum at the High Court in a case concerning EU ETS allowances. Nicholas Rock heads the practice. John Bowman left for Edinburgh-based Burness LLP.

Hogan Lovells International LLP handles climate change related regulatory and transactional matters. Practice head Christopher Norton ‘has a wonderful aptitude for explaining in layman’s terms, is very knowledgeable about environmental regulations, and is incredibly responsive’. On the contentious side, senior associate Magnus Burroughs is ‘very knowledgeable on environmental law, and provides practical advice’.

‘In a league of its own’ as a claimant firm, Leigh Day & Co has a ‘strong commitment to social issues and justice’, underpinned by the team’s strong technical and scientific expertise. Martyn Day is representing Colombian farmers in an environmental damage claim against BP. Richard Stein is ‘innovative, creative and intelligent – a veteran of judicial review with an enduring passion to push the boundaries of the law’. He and the ‘efficient, intelligent, personable’ Rosa Curling successfully represented the WWF and The Angling Trust in their joint challenge against DEFRA’s water management plans. Sean Humber, whose ‘determination is matched by his great ability and knowledge’, has been acting in various water pollution cases.

Mayer Brown International LLP provides ‘creative solutions’. Recent instructions include advising Klesch & Co on acquiring Shell’s German oil refinery business. Other clients include Unilever, AT&T and The Dow Chemical Company. Practice head Michael Hutchinson is ‘pragmatic, and has excellent commercial acumen’.

Norton Rose LLP is well regarded for its strength in depth. Its key focus is advising on regulatory, permitting and liability issues pertaining to energy projects, and its clients include the European Commission, Solena Group and Drax Power. It acted for Crest on the UK’s first contested decision under the contaminated land regime. Practice head Caroline May has ‘in-depth knowledge, and is highly effective in negotiations’.

Pinsent Masons, which is well regarded for its business acumen and industry understanding, acts across the waste, real estate and manufacturing sectors. Energy is a growing focus, with client gains including NuGeneration. Waste sector clients include Veolia, Viridor and WRG. Practice head Paul Rice is recommended, as is Gordon McCreath, who has ‘strong knowledge of specific disciplines and a very high level of contacts’. Richard Ford is leading on environmental work for the 2012 Olympic Park.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP provides ‘very thorough, appropriate advice’ on regulatory and compliance issues, and has ‘in-depth industry knowledge’. A substantial portion of the practice involves transactional support for clients such as Brunner Mond and Travelodge, but the team also recently advised Threadneedle and new client Semparian Capital Management on CRC regulations. Practice head Claire Sheppard ‘applies her high knowledge to clients ’ issues in a thorough way’.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s practice is heavily weighted towards contentious matters; but also advises clients such as Angel Trains on regulatory compliance. It advises insurers on environmental liability claims, with Aidan Thomson providing ‘excellent, concise advice on a market sector that is increasing in importance for insurers’. The team represented TAV Engineering in its prosecution regarding the Buncefield explosions; and also acts for manufacturers on environmental breach claims.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP advises its core client, the Environment Agency, on utility and infrastructure projects. Other clients include South East Water, TfL, and Esso. Paul Thompson heads the group.

K&L Gates has a ‘very approachable team covering a broad range of subjects in depth, and has a pragmatic approach to issues’. Sebastian Charles recently advised on transactions by Water Hall Group, and Jordan Energy and Mining. Scott Megregian is well regarded for regulatory advice, particularly with an international focus, and recently advised various consortia on compliance and appeals.

Nabarro LLP is particularly strong in the waste sector. Practice head Clare Deanesly is ‘the specialist in the waste quarrying industry for environmental matters; a strong lawyer with excellent understanding of risks’. Recent highlights include assisting on Biffa Waste Services’ £1bn contract PPP for a biological waste treatment facility, and advising on CCS aspects of the Barking Power Station development. James Snape is ‘a strong commercial lawyer’ for waste projects; and Tom Bainbridge leads on climate change and energy matters.

Osborne Clarke advises on renewables projects, contaminated land issues, and regulations. Highlights included acting for BNRG Renewables on photovoltaic power projects; ABP and Western Power on regulatory matters; and Castle Cement and St Regis Paper Company on Environment Agency prosecutions. Brian Greenwood and practice head Alan John are recommended.

SJ Berwin LLP advised Amcor on selling its Spanish business; and London City Airport on its lease grant to Shell for a fuel farm development. It provides regulatory advice to clients such as Hilton Hotels, Marks and Spencer plc and Macquarie Bank. The team is well regarded for its technical know-how, and practice head Angus Evers is ‘well versed in a range of environment policies, and understands the implications of legislative changes on real estate matters’.

Recent work for Simmons & Simmons includes advising on energy-from-waste projects. It also advised Deka on regulations affecting a site acquisition at Greenwich Peninsula. Environmental campaigner Tony Juniper, Blackfield Land, InSource Energy and Veolia Water are also clients. Practice head Steven McNab is well regarded.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ reputation has been growing since the arrival of national head David Gordon from Eversheds LLP. Gordon, who ‘knows his business and has his finger on the pulse’, advises on regeneration projects and contaminated land issues. New clients include Taylor Wimpey and TRW.

Travers Smith LLP provides ‘professional advice’ on transactions, projects, regulations and contentious matters. It recently advised on contaminated land issues at the Pinewood Studios development. Clients include private equity firms such as Bridgepoint and Silverfleet, and real estate developers including Glengall Bridge Holdings. Practice head Doug Bryden is ‘commercial’, and has ‘excellent knowledge’ on climate change and other environmental issues.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has a strong position within the growing area of environmental insurance, including defending environmental prosecutions by local authorities and the Environment Agency. Michael Salau ‘gives well-balanced advice on environmental law’.

Clyde & Co LLP provides environment advice in the insurance, aviation and energy sectors. Clients include IATA and Marcol International Asset Management. ‘Bright, astute and knowledgeable’ senior associate Georgina Crowhurst heads the practice.

Dundas & Wilson LLP’s Mark Brumwell advises on environmental aspects of infrastructure and energy projects. Clients include National Grid, SSE Renewables and Nufarm.

Eversheds LLP is recommended for environmental advice to the infrastructure sector. Elizabeth Shepherd heads the team, which acted in an appeal against the Environment Agency regarding EU ETS allowances. Other highlights included advising Lend Lease on CRC compliance; and representing Hertfordshire Oil Storage in the Buncefield litigation, with David Young leading.

Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP’s practice head Cate Sharp has ‘broad knowledge in environmental law’. The group provides strong transactional support across various industries, and clients include AkzoNobel, Rentokil and First London Power.

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s Mehran Massih leads on environmental aspects of corporate and finance transactions. Highlights included advising American Sugar on acquiring Tate & Lyle’s European business, and advising ICE Futures Europe on carbon trading regulations.

Stephenson Harwood advises public and private sector clients on transactions and regulatory/contentious matters, including contaminated land issues and energy-from-waste projects. Clients include Verus Energy, Agropharm, EDF Energy, University of Greenwich, and certain local authorities. Practice head Andrew Wiseman has ‘outstanding knowledge of environmental law and excellent business acumen’.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s planning and environment practice head Alistair Watson advises on real estate and infrastructure developments, including the incorporation of clean technology into project plans.

With ‘first-class knowledge’, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘possesses the complete set of skills required’ to advise public and private sector clients on developments across the UK, including retail, infrastructure and housing clients. Highlights included advising on Cambridge University’s new campus; National Grid Property’s residential project involving 3,200 homes and a solar energy plant; and post-Olympics site development for the Olympic Delivery Authority. It continues to advise on the Thames Tunnel wastewater project; and to act for key client Tesco on its multimillion-pound Sittingbourne regeneration scheme. Tim Hellier, who has ‘excellent knowledge of planning law’, co-heads the seven-partner practice with Timothy Pugh.

Herbert Smith LLP focuses on mixed-use, commercial and infrastructure projects, and has particular strength in the nuclear sector. Matthew White and practice head Patrick Robinson are ‘effective, approachable strategists’. Robinson led on securing consent for Heron International’s luxury hotel complex in Bishopsgate, and Hammerson’s application for the London Wall Place office scheme. White continued to lead on EDF Energy’s nuclear power station proposals, and secured consent for the London Development Agency’s Crystal Palace Park regeneration scheme. Clare Fielding acted in a successful appeal regarding redevelopment of Greenwich market, and represented Real Estate Opportunities on the £6bn Battersea Power Station regeneration scheme.

Ashurst LLP’s planning practice spans retail, residential and infrastructure work. It is acting on Commercial Estates’ proposed skyscraper development proposal, Columbus Tower, and on Hutchison Whampoa’s £500m Lots Road scheme, one of London’s biggest residential developments. Anthony Curnow is advising Westfield on its retail and mixed-use development in Stratford, and Trevor Goode continues to advise Tesco on challenges to its developments.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s practice head Michael Gallimore is ‘very astute, approachable, calm and considered, and has excellent judgement’. He led advice to HelioSlough on its proposed rail freight redevelopment, including a High Court challenge against an appeal decision; and advised Royal Mail on developing three major London sites, including Rathbone Place. Claire Dutch is advising Ballymore on a City regeneration scheme and Covanta Energy on a proposed energy-from-waste plant. Other clients include British Land, John Lewis/Waitrose, and Prudential, as well as new clients Barratt Homes, Londonewcastle and Embassy Developments.

Nabarro LLP represents developers on high-value, landmark schemes. Practice head Martin Evans is leading on the £4.5bn Brent Cross/Cricklewood regeneration scheme, which was granted planning consent, and on the Chelsea Barracks redevelopment proposals. Wesley Fongenie is advising Segro on the Slough Trading Estate regeneration and on rail freight infrastructure proposals. Joshua Risso-Gill has been advising Investream on The Quill student accommodation project.

SJ Berwin LLP has ‘a good understanding of complex elements for planning and large-scale developments’, and is ‘an obvious choice for commercial clients’. It continued to act for Quintain Estates on its Wembley City regeneration, and won appeals for The Crown Estate and Coin Street Community Builders. Simon Ricketts, who is ‘highly imaginative and very calm, and has an absolutely first-rate legal mind’, is representing Conserve the Chilterns and Countryside in its campaign against the HS2 railway proposals. ‘An absolute pleasure to work with’, Duncan Field won a judicial review claim for London City Airport.

SNR Denton’s ‘proactive team consistently goes beyond expectation’, and is best known for public sector work. Clients include development corporations and retail sector interests. Practice head Stephen Webb advised Three Rivers District Council on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment; and Gladedale in a judicial review regarding its proposed redevelopment of Hampton Court railway station. Retail and housing expert David Cox, who provides ‘very sound and concise advice, and is never afraid to challenge conventional practices’, obtained planning permission for redevelopment schemes by J Sainsbury and Preston Tithebarn Partnership. Emma White is advising Fraser Projects on a planning inquiry.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has ‘huge experience in all aspects of planning, especially in the retail sector’. It continues to act for J Sainsbury, including winning a Supreme Court case against Tesco that could have wider impact on local authorities’ CPO powers. It is also advising National Grid and Scottish Power in relation to a transmission connection between England and Scotland, and advising the Department for Transport on the HS1 rail link. Other clients include Westminster Council and The Berkeley Group. Practice head Chris Williams ‘provides strong, strategic advice’.

Clifford Chance focuses on high-value urban and large-scale infrastructure developments and judicial reviews. Recent highlights include advising on Siemens’ £30m exhibition centre at the Royal Docks; Legal & General’s Walbrook redevelopment; and Horizon Nuclear Power’s development of facilities. Nigel Howorth heads the practice.

DLA Piper UK LLP handles planning developments across the UK, particularly in infrastructure. It continues to advise Halton Borough Council on the Mersey Gateway bridge project. Practice head Howard Bassford advises on regeneration schemes, including acting for the London Borough of Barnet on the Mill Hill East redevelopment. Other clients include Covanta Energy, Land Securities, and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Eversheds LLP’s team is ‘experienced and very commercial’, particularly for CPOs, and leverages the firm’s parliamentary law expertise to advise on infrastructure and regeneration projects. Practice head Judith Damerell is advising the Department for Transport on the HS2 rail link and leads on planning matters for TfL, including Battersea Power Station. Stephen Collings and Marcus Trinick are ‘very knowledgeable and experienced’.

Linklaters LLP advises property developers, owners and energy companies on ‘eye-catching projects’. Led by David Watkins, who is ‘inventive and resourceful, and thinks “outside the box”’, the practice often advises on complex issues concerning listed buildings, such as UBS’ City office developments and St John’s Wood Barracks in Westminster. Other mandates include Native Land’s South Bank residential scheme and Gent Fairhead & Co’s waste treatment facility at a historic former airfield.

Osborne Clarke provides ‘good practical advice’, and understands clients’ needs. It continues to act for ABP on its UK ports matters, including advising on proposals for a terminal to service offshore wind farms. It also secured consents for and defended challenges against South Hook LNG’s Milford Haven terminal. It represented Asda and The Co-operative in contentious matters, and acted for Unite Group on UK student accommodation developments. Brian Greenwood is ‘client focused, commercial and pragmatic’.

Pinsent Masons advises on major public and private sector developments, with national practice head Richard Ford advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on the Olympic Park and Stratford City development scheme, and the Westfield retail project therein. Energy infrastructure projects are a growing focus for the team, which is advising Nugeneration on the Sellafield nuclear power station project. Ford and Iain Gilbey, who joined from Shoosmiths, are co-leading a team on the Earls Court and Olympia mixed-use redevelopment.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s expertise includes waste, infrastructure and retail developments as well as projects in the City. Highlights included a successful appeal for J Sainsbury to win consent for extending its Chesterfield store. Other clients include Taylor Wimpey and Peel Environmental. Practice head Marnix Elsenaar is recommended for advice on energy-from-waste projects.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP leverages its public affairs and parliamentary law expertise to advise on infrastructure projects, such as TfL’s Thames cable car scheme and Able UK’s plan to develop a £400m quay to service offshore wind farms. Other clients include National Grid and English Heritage. Mark Challis and John Qualtrough are recommended.

Tim Taylor has taken over as head of planning at Forsters LLP, having replaced Michael Cunliffe, who is now a consultant. Taylor is acting for Warner Brothers on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment, which is set to become the UK’s largest film studio. The contentious side of the practice is well regarded, with Cunliffe recently representing Oxford Brookes University in winning dismissal of a challenge to its proposed campus building. He also won an appeal for Colonnade regarding its Bata Field housing scheme. The team’s public and private sector clients also include Menta Developments, Northacre, Center Parcs, and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

Norton Rose LLP provides ‘good, focused advice’ to public and private sector clients. Highlights included acting for Blue-NG in a planning application inquiry over a power station; and advising Thames Gateway Development Corporation on development applications made by Tesco. Other clients include DP World, Drax Power and Solena. Practice head Nigel Hewitson is ‘very user friendly in his dealings with clients but tenacious in promoting their interests’, and is well regarded for his broad understanding of planning matters.

Olswang’s planning law practice is ‘strongly rooted in advice to commercial clients’, and CPO matters are a key focus. It acted for Evolutions Television in a compensation claim pertaining to the purchase of its premises for Crossrail. It is also acting for ING Real Estate and HSBC on out-of-town retail schemes. Other clients include F&C Reit, Royal Mail, Nationwide, and new clients HMV Group and Maybrook Properties. Practice head Richard Keczkes is ‘very efficient and refreshingly commercial’.

Richard Buxton is ‘the firm for interest groups and residents to use in planning-related judicial reviews’. Highlights included a successful High Court challenge to Cornwall Light and Power’s proposed wind turbine; and a successful appeal for Save Britain’s Heritage, which means developers now have to gain planning permission before major building demolitions. It also acted for architect Keith Garner in challenging the redevelopment near Hampton Court Palace. Richard Buxton is highly regarded, while Susan Ring is earning plaudits for wind farm development work.

Stephenson Harwood’s practice head Barry Jeeps has ‘an ability to understand complex issues and articulate them in a clear, structured and persuasive way’. He is advising the University of Greenwich on campus proposals, and The Peel Group on a housing scheme near Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP represents housing associations, developers and local authorities, focusing particularly on large mixed-use and commercial schemes. It is advising Arab Investments on The Pinnacle skyscraper; Barratt Homes on the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse; and the Metropolitan Police Authority on the 2012 Olympic Games. Tim Johnson heads the practice.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP primarily advises on planning for infrastructure and energy projects, such as the Department for Transport’s Thameslink rail scheme. It also advised Merlin Entertainment Group on sites for family entertainment venue sites. Jonathan Isted heads the practice.

K&L Gates continues to advise Rushmoor Borough Council on the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport; the London Borough of Hounslow on regeneration schemes; and Henderson Global Investors on out-of-town retail developments. Other clients include Laing O’Rourke, First London and Windsor Life. Practice head Sebastian Charles is ‘very bright; proactive rather than reactive’.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s knowledgeable team is well regarded, and its ‘strength in depth and value for money is demonstrated in results rather than costs’. Telecoms is a notable specialism, where it acts for clients such as O2 UK, while the strong contentious team acts in High Court litigation and undertakes advocacy at inquiries, with Stephen Turnbull representing Legal & General and J Sainsbury in judicial reviews. Practice head Trevor Blaney is advising South Western Property on a residential development in Somerset.

Mishcon de Reya’s planning practice is led by Daniel Farrand, who has experience in large-scale developments. Clients include Delancey, Topland Group and Capital & Counties. New clients include the Church Commissioners, which the team advised in relation to listed buildings; and William Pears Group, which it advised on acquiring the Notting Hill Estate.

Richard Max & Co’s niche practice provides ‘bespoke, personal service’. Richard Max, who is ‘determined and doesn ’t give up’, continues to advise Tottenham Hotspur FC on redeveloping its existing stadium site, and is acting for a private landowner regarding proposed rail freight interchanges at Harlington and Radlett. The ‘diligent and painstaking’ David Warman has been advising Barratt Homes on residential schemes.

Slaughter and May advises on mixed-use developments and infrastructure projects, such as Derwent London’s office and residential scheme proposals and the redevelopment of Arsenal FC’s former stadium site at Highbury. Other clients include Westbrook Partners and Global Infrastructure Partners. David Waterfield leads the planning team.

Speechly Bircham LLP’s planning team ‘demonstrates a high degree of commercial sense’. Practice head Clare Prior is committed to clients and has ‘detailed specialist knowledge’, with particular experience in town centre redevelopments and highways law. She acted for Countryside Properties on a s106 planning obligation regarding a mixed-use scheme in East London. Bill Bidder advised Bellway Homes on the 10,000-home Barking Riverside regeneration. Other clients include Berkeley Group, Explore Living, P&O, Wycombe District Council and Taylor Wimpey.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s team is ‘extremely efficient, with a very thorough approach’. It represents developers and financial groups such as Heron International, RBS and De Vere Hotels. Highlights included pursuing compensation claims for Brewster’s Waste Management against the London Development Agency, and for Stayley Developments against National Grid. The practice also advised Canada Life, Derwent London and McLaren Property on London developments. Practice head Alistair Watson ‘provides a very effective service’.

Winckworth Sherwood is well regarded for its parliamentary expertise and advice, which is ‘commercially focused and tailored to clients ’ business needs’. The firm recruited new practice head Karen Cooksley and two other lawyers from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP. The team’s mix of public and private sector clients includes Wimpey, the Department for Transport and the Diocese of Oxford. The practice completed s106 agreements for Barratt Homes’ regeneration schemes, including the £1.5bn Canada Water Basin development. Sara Hanrahan, who has ‘a practical approach to resolving issues and good knowledge of the intricacies of planning issues’, acted for Hanover Housing Association on a mixed-use redevelopment, and is also advising on Crossrail.

DMH Stallard LLP’s core strengths are waste and renewables, where Michael Krantz has ‘expert knowledge and experience’. He advised Taurus Waste and Premier Aggregates on energy-from-waste facilities, and continues to advise DWF Sports on developing the UK’s leading golfing academy. Practice head Philip Kratz represents homebuilders.

Dechert LLP’s recent highlights include obtaining planning consent for News International’s remodelling of its Wapping site. It is advising The Crown Estate on the Luton Town urban extension; and Blackfriars Investments on redeveloping 2 Puddle Dock (The Mermaid Theatre) as a six-star hotel. Justin True heads the practice.

Dundas & Wilson LLP’s planning team is ‘clear, focused, pragmatic and commercial’. It advises National Grid on transmission infrastructure projects, and is advising landowner Lafarge Aggregates on the proposed rail freight interchange on greenbelt land at Radlett. Other clients include Enodis and Land Securities. On the contentious side, it successfully settled a number of CPO disputes. Practice head Stephen McNaught ‘thinks strategically and is an effective negotiator’.

Farrer & Co provides ‘commercially astute advice’, and has been acting on urban extension developments outside London, and listed building and highways issues. The World Wildlife Fund is a significant new client. Practice head Karen Phull is highly knowledgeable, and ‘approachable while also being extremely professional, market-aware and technically competent’.

Fladgate LLP primarily acts for private developers and investors on contentious and non-contentious matters. Recent instructions include advising the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea on planning applications for the Commonwealth Institute, and acting in connection with compensation claims arising from a major development. New clients include Hale Harbour Authority and ING Real Estate. Mark Harnett provides ‘astute, personable and commercial’ service.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP hired Karen Howard from Wragge & Co LLP to lead its planning and regeneration practice. Howard has ‘a strong grasp of clients ’ commercial needs, and works hard to get results’. Recent instructions include advising on Watford Council’s town centre redevelopment, and advising private developers in public inquiries. Tim Fogarty leads on contentious matters.

Travers Smith LLP is recommended for ‘standalone, strategic projects’, and fields a team that ‘puts clients first and goes out of its way to provide outstanding service’. The team has been advising Pinewood Shepperton regarding the public inquiry into its proposals for expanding its film studios; and obtained planning consent for the Olympic Park’s ArcelorMittal Orbit. Real estate head Julian Bass leads on planning advice.

While uncertainty remains in the UK market, with many banks focused on restructuring existing loan books, 2010 did see improvement in activity, with a strong appetite for equity investment in prime UK and German real estate.

Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘team is very strong, with European reach’, and is a favoured destination for large, complex deals. Its high-profile instructions in 2010 included advising Lloyds Banking Group on the consensual restructuring of facilities totalling €1.2bn secured against three large real estate portfolios. ‘Overall, service levels are very high’ and, in particular, Arthur Dyson and Mark O’Neill are ‘commercially minded lawyers who understand what the bank is trying to achieve’. Ian Powell is ‘calm, capable and very astute’; Melissa Samuel is ‘strong and good to have on board’; and Simon Roberts is ‘commercially tenacious and great fun to work with’.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has ‘immense market intelligence and contacts: it has done virtually every deal out there’. It advised J.P. Morgan Asset Management on a loan from a syndicate of six German banks to finance the £557m purchase of Bishops Square. Practice head Laurence Rogers is ‘excellent technically with a winning personality’, and Naveen Vijh, Andrew Flemming, Jo Solomon are Jo Anand are ‘all good partners, very experienced with some excellent support staff’. The team will miss Richard Hughes, Simon Kildahl and Mark Waghorn, who joined Simmons & Simmons.

Clifford Chance is ‘the best firm, period, for any deal which is complex and multidisciplinary or multi-jurisdictional’, and provides ‘Rolls-Royce service’. It advised Barclays Capital on restructuring Elba Group’s €514m of senior, mezzanine and liquidity facilities, an instruction which involved 80 lawyers across eight jurisdictions. Clients single out Andrew Carnegie as ‘hands down, the number-one real estate finance lawyer in the UK’. Jane Cheong Tung Sing, Mark Rees-Jones and Damian Perry have ‘excellent sector knowledge and experience’, and Heather Buttle is ‘very able’.

Linklaters LLP has ‘highly intelligent lawyers at the senior, middle and junior level’, making it ‘number one for big-ticket, complicated projects’. The team acted for Lloyds Banking Group regarding the ongoing restructuring of Battersea Power Station, and for AREA Property Partners on a £380m debt restructuring. David Ereira (‘one of the finest’), Steve Smith (‘exceptional’), Matt Elliott, Anne Byrne and practice head Claire Watson are all recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP focuses on bank-led finance work, particularly for German lenders, and is ‘familiar with issues affecting the banks’. It advised a bank syndicate on a £121m development facility for The Heron in London, and a syndicate led by Bayerische Landesbank on acquisition financing for Bishops Square in Spitalfields. ‘Extremely commercial’ senior partners Emmett Peters, Dave Wilson, Alan Duncan and Martin O’Shea demonstrate ‘impressive willingness to go the extra mile’. Andrew Besser, Paul Salsbury and James Salford are also recommended.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP ‘always takes a pragmatic approach, and delivers on its promise to protect the client and get the deal done’. The team advised Lloyds TSB Bank on a multimillion-pound development facility for a shopping centre in Wakefield. Borrower work included acting for Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust and RREEF on financings. Department head Simon Johnston is ‘cool, calm and collected, with a wealth of experience’. The team’s associates are ‘intelligent and really level-headed’; they include Marianne Mudd, an ‘amazing lawyer with a refreshing approach to business’, and Sarah Allonby.

DLA Piper UK LLP demonstrates ‘good market knowledge; the service is excellent and consistently reliable’, and clients appreciate its ‘commercial approach to get the deal done’. The team continues to focus on quality mid and upper-market lender work, with a solid borrower advisory capability. Clients include Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society and Santander. Practice head Toby Barker is ‘reliable; always calm and approachable’. New partner Christian Francis ‘works incredibly hard, and is pragmatic and diligent’.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s ‘service levels are consistently excellent’. The practice advised on new-money financings, significant CMBS restructurings, and some of the largest restructurings of businesses in the sector, including that of Arora Holdings’ £860m facilities. Another key matter was advising Capita Asset Services on restructuring the £1bn Center Parcs CMBS financing. Other clients include JPMorgan, Metrovacesa and Realstar Group. Simon Johnson and Jeffrey Rubinoff are recommended.

Herbert Smith LLP provides a ‘top level of service and a great team’, advising lenders, investors and developers. Ongoing work includes acting for Lloyds Banking Group and Deloitte on the Thornfield Group’s £400m-plus insolvency. The team also advised Carlyle on financing the £440m acquisition of the White Tower portfolio. Gary Hommel ‘impresses with knowledge of UK financing, insight into risk and creative solutions’, and Simon Chadney is ‘very good on cross-border financing’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is ‘commercially astute and focused on delivering the right solution’. The firm increased its bank panel representations, and has flourishing relationships with the German land banks. It advised Bank of Scotland and Deutsche Pfandbriefbank on a £171m term loan facility to refinance a commercial property portfolio. Mark Donald and Andrew Welbourn co-head the group, ‘bringing wide experience to each situation’.

Nabarro LLP is ‘one of the most used and useful firms’. With its expertise in student accommodation, the team advised Unite Group on the £67m development financing for the Moonraker site. In retail, it advised Grosvenor Liverpool Fund on refinancing the development facility for the Liverpool One shopping complex. Andrew McLean, Amanda Howard and James Dakin are ‘thoughtful, intelligent and responsive’. Duncan Hubbard joined Norton Rose LLP.

Olswang’s Eleni Skordaki has an ‘affable personality which encourages a swifter, more consensual documentation process’. The firm has very strong links with key lenders (predominantly German banks such as Westdeutsche ImmobilienBank), and it advised Eurohypo as agent, arranger and underwriter of a seven-year facility to Legal & General UK Property Income Fund. On the investor side, the team advised Heron International on its joint venture with a fund advised by AREA Property Partners.

SJ Berwin LLP displays ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘always ensures sufficient resources and experience are provided on transactions’. The team advised Evans Randall on its £242.5m acquisition of the Drapers Gardens office complex, and Schroders on matters including a proposed debt origination fund. David Ryland, Raji Bartlett and Ian Borman are recommended.

SNR Denton advised RBS on restructuring residential homebuilder Morris Group’s term and revolving facilities, and acted on financing Hilton hotel acquisitions in Manchester Airport, Stratford-upon-Avon and Wokingham. Lorraine Davis and Andrew Hill are popular with clients. Jayesh Patel joined Stephenson Harwood.

Sidley Austin LLP’s ‘top-notch’ structured finance practice is particularly recommended for high-value restructuring and cross-border matters. It advised Santander on a loan secured on an office development in Manchester, and also advised on the first post credit crisis UK RMBS issuance to be sold to US investors. Key clients include Barclays Capital, Citi and Pirelli Real Estate Fund. ‘Experienced’ practice head Graham Penn is recommended, as are Mark Menhennet and Nick Brittain.

Simmons & Simmons significantly boosted its profile by recruiting Richard Hughes, Simon Kildahl and Mark Waghorn from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, all ‘well versed, highly responsive team leaders’. Once settled, the expanded team will be well placed to capitalise on the firm’s existing focus on financial institutions.

Stephenson Harwood made some ‘really good additions to the team’; Jayesh Patel and senior associate Jonathan Proctor joined from SNR Denton, and Neil Murray from Travers Smith LLP. ‘The quality of advice and industry knowledge is first class, but what marks the team out is its ability to see the commercial realities.’ The group was re-appointed to the RBS panel, and won several new panel appointments. Richard Light is recommended for his ‘responsiveness and commercial advice’.

‘A market-leading brand in mid-market real estate finance’, Taylor Wessing LLP’s new clients include DekaBank, which it advised on acquisition refinancing for 41 Lothbury, EC2, and Deutsche Hypo; and panel appointments included NAMA and the Nationwide Building Society Commercial Division. Rodney Dukes is ‘a very comforting presence either leading transactions or behind the scenes’; Bob Gayford gives ‘prompt and sound advice’; and Jonathan Marks (‘calm under pressure’), Mark Bennett, Paul Harrison (‘a class act’) and Richard Williamson are also recommended.

Ashurst LLP has ‘great understanding of the property market, deals and current thinking’. It acted for Lloyds Banking Group on the £600m restructuring of the Principle Hayley hotel group. Other clients include RBS, Crédit Agricole and Berlin Hyp. Ruth Harris, Sarah Watkinson and David Evans are recommended.

Bird & Bird advises on domestic and cross-border financings, as well as on all aspects of real estate insolvency, and has niche expertise in shari’ah financing. Jonathan Baker and Russell Dellar are recommended.

Eversheds LLP is valued for its ‘excellent knowledge of the property finance sector and good turnaround times’. Lender clients include Lloyds Banking Group, which it advised on some of its biggest exposures, particularly in the leisure sector. The firm also has flourishing relationships with Barclays and Santander. Simon Mead has ‘good technical knowledge, and is easily accessible’, and David Boyd pairs ‘strong client management skills with an ability to understand the bank’s underlying commercial rationale’.

Jones Day advised on over £2bn of property finance deals during 2010, including advising Meyer Bergman on an £82m acquisition facility to fund a 50% interest in the Bentall Centre, Kingston. Andrew Barker, Neil Ferguson and Liz Saxton are ‘practical and commercial’.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s ‘lawyers know what the client is looking for, and the service is very good’. The group acted on a successful debt restructuring of senior, stretch and mezzanine facilities totalling over £340m secured on a portfolio of 16 Hilton hotels. Other clients include Bayerische Landesbank, DG Hyp and RBS. Nick Turner’s ‘vast knowledge and experience in the industry, together with a very hands-on attitude, make him a perfect adviser’.

Macfarlanes LLP represents borrowers and lenders, and recently advised LXB Retail Properties on its £26.5m facility with DeutscheHypo; and Partners Group on its subordinated facility to refinance 5 Canada Square. Colin Morgan now heads the practice following Orla MacSherry’s departure.

Mayer Brown International LLP acted for Reignwood on the £105m financing by Siam Commercial Bank to acquire Ten Trinity Square in the City. Other clients include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Landesbank Berlin. The team’s ‘industry is knowledge impressive; they know their market inside out’. Nigel White is recommended, as is Stephen Walsh, who is ‘one of the best’, and Andrew Hepner, who is ‘proficient and motivated; nothing appears too much trouble’.

Norton Rose LLP’s Lucy Wolley Dod is ‘outstanding – in terms of know-how and taking on responsibility’, and leads a team which is ‘quick to respond to any instructions and has the knowledge to advise appropriately’. Duncan Hubbard joined from Nabarro LLP. Highlights included acting for Europa Capital on selling a strategic stake to Rockefeller Group.

Osborne Clarke provides ‘excellent service, fully understands the client’s requirements, and ensures matters are dealt with in an appropriate timescale’. It won new panel appointments, acted on over £500m of financings and saw a surge in restructurings. Andy Clayton and Ian Wilkinson are recommended.

‘Responsive, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to work with’, Reed Smith mainly advises lenders, such as Santander and Lloyds TSB. Paul Johnston is ‘a natural negotiator – a classic velvet glove on an iron fist when needed’. Charles Bezzant is ‘hugely knowledgeable’, and Terry Green is also recommended.

Travers Smith LLP represents lenders such as RBS, Landesbank Berlin and Lloyds Banking Group. Paul Lyons is recommended. Neil Murray joined Stephenson Harwood.

Bristol-based Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘overall level of service is excellent’. The firm advised longstanding client HSBC on the £75m financing of a portfolio of student investment properties for the Unite Group. Other clients include Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society and RBS. Paul Browne and Richard Leeming are recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP has particular expertise in hotel transactions. It also advised Irish Nationwide Bank on NAMA requirements for its property portfolio. The ‘very good, thorough and professional’ Paul McCartney heads the team.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP acts on mid and high-value new-lending transactions for longstanding lender clients such as Citibank, Lloyds Banking Group and UBS, and for borrowers including London Irish Rugby Club and KMP Partnership. John Nelmes and Andrew Evans provide ‘solid legal advice’.

Fladgate LLP’s ‘very commercial’ team was boosted by the arrival of Kim McMurray (‘excellent in all respects’), formerly head of real estate finance at Halliwells. The firm advised Akkeron Hotels Group on a new £32m credit facility provided by Lloydds Banking Group to acquire 18 Forestdale hotels.

Forsters LLP’s Victoria Edwards ‘has a superb business head and leads an excellent team’, which advised Colebourne Asset Management on refinancing a commercial property portfolio. The team keeps clients ‘fully informed of progress’.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s Tom Budd, Alan Samson and Wayne McArdle are highly regarded by clients – ‘their service is excellent, and they are extremely knowledgeable’. The team advised the owner of Paris skyscraper Coeur Defense on the €2.1bn CMBS restructuring – Europe’s largest for a single asset – and related proceedings.

A leading firm for mid-market deals, Glovers Solicitors LLP’s ‘ability to suggest solutions is a real bonus compared to many firms who simply highlight the issues and await instructions’. Close Brothers and Royal Bank of Canada Trustees are clients. Andrew Parker and Richard Gilchrist are ‘excellent’, and ‘extremely efficient’.

Howard Kennedy is a ‘most straightforward firm’. Jason Lewis ‘runs a particularly good team’, which is valued for its ability to see the bigger picture and was augmented by Mark Phillips joining from DLA Piper UK LLP. The practice advised parts of Santander on over 20 loan advances ranging from £3m to £30m.

K&L Gates’ ‘service is energetic with willingness to think around the problem’. The firm, which advised on a range of transactions involving over £3bn of debt, won a place on the RBS panel. Other clients include Henderson Global Investors, Deutsche Bank and Lloyds Banking Group. Andrew Petersen provides ‘commercial and to-the-point advice’.

Maples Teesdale LLP’s ‘advice is intuitive, commercial and practical, with partner involvement throughout’. Clients include Lloyds TSB Bank, RBS and Nationwide Building Society. Neil Sagoo ‘stands out as having an in-depth knowledge of property law with a very practical approach’, and Roger Thornton is also recommended.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP’s experience as CMBS special servicers kept it busy with restructuring and enforcement matters. Alexander Janes and practice head Hazel Miller are recommended.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP, which ‘provides excellent service and advice’, is well known for cross-border lender work for clients such as Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. It acted for CB Richard Ellis Loan Servicing on the £1.15bn White Tower commercial mortgage securitisation. Justin Jowitt is recommended.

Wedlake Bell LLP’s flourishing practice acted for Warburg-Henderson KAG on a £112m acquisition financing, and for longstanding client Bank of Scotland on restructuring an £88m facility for a care home portfolio. Hilary Platt’s ‘strengths include knowledge, commercialism and speed of response’, and Matthew Lindsay is ‘well connected and commercial’.

Davenport Lyons is ‘very responsive, and provides good support on deals and understanding of the sector’. It joined HSBC UK’s corporate panel, acting for the bank on numerous investment and development debt facilities totalling £100m. Judith Gershon is ‘excellent, with a wealth of experience; very proactive’.

Druces LLP has ‘in-depth knowledge and provides clear advice’. Derek Collinson is ‘particularly approachable, with a good understanding of property’.

Dundas & Wilson LLP advises Bank of Scotland/Lloyds Banking Group on restructuring, and also acts for Clydesdale Bank, Coutts and Bank of Ireland. Kenneth Maxwell is ‘very commercial and understands exactly what the client needs’, Ross Caldwell is ‘very able’, and Nick Padget is ‘very thorough’.

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP is ‘very knowledgeable about not only legal matters but also corporate requirements’. It gained a panel place for a key lender and advises a number of financial institutions. Graham Reid and Mark Johnstone are recommended.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP’s Nigel Heilpern displays ‘deep knowledge; he is very commercial and extremely reliable’. Clients include Investec Bank, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

Mishcon de Reya acts for Anglo Irish Bank, HSBC and RBS, and is a strong choice ‘when something is complex and requires a full spectrum of skills’. Nick Strutt is recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s William Oliver is ‘excellent’, and associate Frances Mallender is ‘professional, with a personal approach’. In terms of deal volume and fee income, the firm is number-one adviser to HSBC’s real estate finance team.

‘Excellent, pragmatic and commercial’, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP represented Clydesdale Bank on a £22m development finance loan for two new hotels. Gwyneth Macaulay is ‘hardworking and good with clients, and knows her subject’.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s top-end team is ‘friendly and approachable with a sound commercial understanding’. Roger Cohen and Wendy Miller co-head the practice, which recently advised Korn/Ferry International on a break option for its London headquarters. Joanna Lampert has a ‘good understanding of the technicalities’, and David Cox is also recommended. Michael Metliss joined from SJ Berwin LLP.

Nabarro LLP’s blue-chip property clients include Land Securities, Hammerson and British Land. The team recently advised Great Portland Estate and Brookfield on a vacant possession strategy for the £800m redevelopment of 100 Bishopsgate in the City. Jennifer Rickard and practice head Iain Travers are recommended.

Ashurst LLP recently advised British Land on a rights of light issue. Other clients include Canary Wharf and Berkeley Homes. The experienced and tough Michael Madden leads the practice, in which of counsel Mark Race is also recommended, and which has a strong level of associate support.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s efficient team recently advised Barclays in a series of professional negligence claims relating to advice given by solicitors that led to loans being issued to mortgage fraudsters. The ‘very engaging’ and ever-popular Nicholas Cheffings heads the practice, and ‘inspires confidence’. Newly promoted partner Mathew Ditchburn is also recommended, along with ‘capable and tenacious’ of counsel Dellah Gilbert and the ‘highly talented’ Paul Tonkin.

Linklaters LLP’s small team recently advised Woolworths’ administrators regarding rent liabilities, gaining a High Court order that helped clarify the company’s liabilities. Katie Bradford is a ‘class act’ and is admired across the market for her expertise in rent reviews and complex, big-ticket litigation.

Allen & Overy LLP advises on standalone pieces of litigation and recently represented a large landlord in a rights of light dispute with a developer neighbour. Beverley Vara is ‘very capable’ and commercially aware. Senior associate Akhil Markanday is also recommended.

Charles Russell LLP is building a credible commercial practice alongside its traditionally strong residential expertise. The ‘meticulous’ Robert Highmore heads the practice, which ‘goes the extra mile’ for clients and has some excellent institutional clients including the Church Commissioners for England and the Dulwich Estate. Emma Humphreys is well regarded.

Clifford Chance’s small but skilled team focuses on complex, one-off property litigation. The practice remains well regarded across the market, despite the retirement of former practice head John Pickston in 2010. Senior associates Ben Hatton (who ‘brings real enthusiasm and commitment to the job’) and Bryan Johnston (who ‘gives an intelligent and informed steer’) are recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP recently advised Humber Oil Terminal Trustees in a lease renewal action, one of the first such cases to consider competition law. The team also has good experience in dilapidations and international litigation. Ian Brierley heads the practice.

Eversheds LLP ‘leaves no stone unturned’ for clients, and recently advised EDF in the first-ever private noise claim brought against a UK wind farm. Will Densham heads the practice, and is recommended along with solicitor Kate Poole, who can ‘master a wealth of technical detail’.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘responsive’ practice is ‘value for money’. Lesley Webber OBE, who is recommended for rent reviews, in 2010 led advice to the Department for Transport in a West End rent review arbitration. Practice head Antony Phillips is also recommended, as is Joe Payne for insolvency disputes and professional negligence issues.

Real estate is a core practice for Forsters LLP, which receives high praise from clients for its commercial awareness. Unusually, the property litigation practice has expertise in residential as well as commercial disputes, and represents clients including Invista Real Estate and Fujitsu Services. Practice head Jonathan Ross is recommended for his ‘straightforward and prompt advice’. Natasha Rees is noted for her enfranchisement experience.

Herbert Smith LLP’s team leverages the wider firm’s reputation in disputes to attract some excellent mandates. It recently advised Standard Life in a high-profile civil fraud claim against the property developer Topland. Martin Dawbney and practice head Matthew Bonye are recommended. Senior associate Frances Edwards is ‘clearly very bright’.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s top-notch institutional investor client base includes AXA Sun Life and Hermes Property. The ‘very competent and trustworthy’ Jane Fox-Edwards heads the practice, which is particularly strong in telecoms matters and recently represented Geo Networks in a High Court dispute regarding the laying of fibre-optic cables.

Mishcon de Reya’s ‘superb’ and assertive litigation team has developed a strong client base of entrepreneurial property magnates, including Jon Hunt and John de Stefano. The team also has notable expertise regarding dilapidations. Practice head Daniel Levy shows ‘enthusiasm and drive’, Richard Gerstein is ‘calm and steady’, and legal director Emma Macintyre shows ‘perseverance and intelligence’.

Olswang handles high volumes of property litigation for clients such as UBS and Legal & General. The ‘excellent’ team recently successfully represented Goldacre in a claim against its administrators. Marcus Barclay and Cameron Lawes are recommended.

‘A breath of fresh air’, Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice is developing strong expertise in rights of light matters, and recently advised Lloyds in various dilapidations claims. Stuart Wortley has an ‘instant grasp of everything and consistent accuracy, which make him a pleasure to instruct’.

SJ Berwin LLP’s lawyers ‘worry away at a problem until they find the answer, and don ’t take anything for granted’. The practice’s excellent pedigree is reflected in blue-chip clients such as the Crown Estate, Axa and British Land. The group took a hit with the move of practice head Michael Metliss to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. However, new practice head Jason Juden is ‘always on the ball’, and senior associate Natalie Johnston is the ‘definition of grace under fire – cool, calm and confident’.

Speechly Bircham LLP receives a substantial flow of work from RBS, and also recently advised Telular Corporation on lease termination and break clauses. Practice head Graham Ling specialises in landlord and tenant work, and ‘instils confidence in clients’. Jeremy Hudson is ‘a delight to work with’, and is recommended for enfranchisement matters.

Wragge & Co LLP continues to advise Global Switch, a former landlord of Lehman Brothers, in forfeiture proceedings. The team also has good experience acting for major retailers such as HMV, John Lewis and B&Q on property litigation nationally. Practice head Anne Waltham is well respected.

At Addleshaw Goddard LLP, ‘queries are answered quickly, precisely and professionally’. The team remains busy on asset management work for institutional landlords and retailers such as Standard Life, Scottish Widows, Primark and Travelodge, and has seen an increase in litigation arising from break notices. Practice head Andrew Blower is ‘personable and knowledgeable’.

Beachcroft handles asset management matters for public sector clients such as Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation, UCL and HM Courts Services, and has seen an increase in service charges litigation. Andrew Chesser is the main contact.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP has built up excellent knowledge of leasehold reform and compulsory purchases. It advises Network Rail on compulsory purchase orders and related litigation for the Thameslink programme. Simon Painter and Andy Couch are recommended.

Boodle Hatfield’s team is ‘extremely conscientious and looks after clients’. It won a leasehold reform dispute for a tenant in 2010. The team represents numerous large estates, such as Grosvenor, on dilapidations matters. Colin Young heads the practice.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP ‘gives sensible and realistic advice, and is very successful at looking for alternative ways of resolving disputes’. The team continued to act for O&H Properties in a large coverage dispute. Andrew Walker is ‘friendly and down to earth’. Caroline DeLaney left the firm in April 2011.

Collyer Bristow LLP is ‘a pleasant firm to work with’, and recently advised New Century Reversions in litigation resulting from the sale of its offices. Matthew Marsh is ‘canny and a master of detail’.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP’s high-calibre team in Tunbridge Wells provides a fixed-fee service to property managers and commercial and residential landlords. It has been busy with compulsory purchase orders and related compensation for the HS1 rail project. Mike Scott and Carol Wakeford are recommended.

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP represented Met Quarter Shopping Centre in successfully challenging the owners of the Miss Sixty chain on a CVA. Caroline Howard, Thekla Fellas and practice head Ken Smith are recommended.

Dundas & Wilson LLP handles the full range of property litigation from asset management to complex one-off disputes. The team benefits from the firm’s relationships with Scottish institutions such as RBS and Scottish Widows. Highlight work in 2010 included representing Land Securities in litigation relating to two shopping centres. Martin Thomas is ‘always able to see a route through the thorniest issues’.

At Howard Kennedy, Michele Freyne is the driving force behind a practice that is gaining market credibility, and acts for major West End developers and wealthy families. In 2010, the team advised several Galliard Group subsidiaries in various large disputes.

Jones Day is developing its reputation in development and insolvency disputes, and acts for Hermes, Hilton Hotels and CBRE. Practice head Richard Anyamene ‘resolves problems practically and to a budget’.

Lewis Silkin LLP mixes residential and commercial instructions, and in 2010 was busy representing longstanding client Pizza Express. Brian Kilcoyne heads the practice, and Paul Hayes is a housing expert.

Maples Teesdale LLP is commercial, ‘good value for money’ and ‘absolutely first rate’. It won a £5m dilapidation claim for RSA. Practice head David Stevens is ‘able to drill down through a mass of facts to get to the essential points. He is bright, thoughtful and articulate’.

The small team at Mayer Brown International LLP recently advised JPMorgan on insolvency issues arising from the former Lehman Brothers HQ in Canary Wharf. ‘Very bright’ senior associate Simon Hartley is the main contact.

Osborne Clarke provides ‘succinct advice that is well measured, and always looks to suggest alternative options’. Clients include Gazeley and Unite. Gary Lawrenson, Patricia Mellody and Bristol-based Leona Briggs are recommended.

Pemberton Greenish is highly rated for leasehold enfranchisement in London. Kerry Glanville is the pre-eminent name in the City in this niche area.

Reed Smith’s ‘commercially savvy’ team is ‘pleasingly competitive with fees’. The practice is increasingly handling big-ticket disputes, and recently advised Commercial Estates Group on a CVA settlement. Practice head Andrew Jenkinson ‘combines a litigator’s eye with the commercial acumen of a transactional lawyer’.

Russell-Cooke LLP is ‘professional and easy to work with’, and regularly receives referrals from big City firms. Jason Hunter heads the team, which has an excellent client roster in the not-for-profit sector.

Highlights for SNR Denton in 2010 included advising Sainsbury’s in a claim for possession against Waitrose in Marlow town centre store. Julian Cridge is recommended.

Simmons & Simmons recently advised a major lender in a professional negligence case relating to mortgage fraud. Carol Hewson is the main contact.

Stephenson Harwood receives a steady stream of high-quality instructions from wealthy individuals, and saw an uptick in professional negligence and dilapidations claims, particularly from major banks. The ‘outstanding’ Sean Fitzgerald is ‘the billionaire’s friend; they come from every part of the globe to avail themselves of his services’.

Taylor Wessing LLP advised new client HSBC European Active Real Estate Fund regarding disputes concerning its UK portfolio. Saleem Fazal ‘exudes a steady confidence’, and Jill Carey is ‘client focused and down to earth’.

Thomas Eggar LLP provides ‘service with the personal touch and charges very reasonable fees’. In 2010, the team was busy advising on leases and break clauses. Richard Brown heads the practice, and Jacqui Joyce is recommended for mediation.

Travers Smith LLP recently advised London Underground in a rights of light dispute at Hammersmith station. The practice saw an upturn in planning agreement disputes. Andrew Ross heads the group.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP mainly represents institutional investors and public sector bodies. The practice, led by Michael Donnellan, advised Nuffield Health in a rent review for one of its private hospitals.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is developing a name in the professional negligence field, leveraging the firm’s great reputation in insurance. Neil Jamieson recently acted for a law firm and its insurers in a £12m credit claim made by Regional Investments.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s small but top-flight practice enjoys an excellent reputation with charities and public sector clients; ‘much larger firms do not compare with the attention to detail that the firm provides’. The team ‘takes a real interest in the individual needs of clients’. Lesley Robinson and William Scott are recommended.

Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘quality’ team recently advised FirstGroup in a landslide damages dispute. Richard Bedford is ‘commercially astute’, and Vivienne Williams is ‘a good negotiator’.

Davenport Lyons recently advised the Berkeley Group on off-plan recovery work and litigation relating to developments in Caspian Wharf and Chelsea Bridge Wharf. Practice head Janet Ayres is recommended, and Janice Northover is ‘a real fighter’, particularly for LVT proceedings.

Jeremy Grose leads Dechert LLP’s team, which recently advised ING on various property matters including dilapidations.

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP saw a rise in residential work and disputes resulting from insolvencies in 2010. Amanda McNeil is ‘ready to fight for clients but conciliatory when needed’.

Fladgate LLP’s ‘pragmatic’ team acted for a tenant restaurateur against its freeholder regarding major damage caused by redevelopment. Alison Mould and Janet Keeley are recommended.

Glovers Solicitors LLP was particularly active advising LPA receivers in 2010. It also advised the owners of Pizza Express in disputes relating to restaurants. The tenacious Edward Vaughan leads the practice.

Macfarlanes LLP has a pedigree practice advising landlords and wealthy families in property disputes. In 2010, the team continued to advise Castle House Developments on its new Strata building in Elephant & Castle. Practice head Willie Manners is recommended.

Manches LLP has a good reputation with occupiers, particularly in the retail sector. It recently advised WHSmith in disputes regarding its shops in several Network Rail stations. Richard Marshall and Siobhan Jones are recommended.

At Norton Rose LLP, new partner Charlotte Bijlani is developing a name for herself as a litigator, with clients praising her ‘calm authority’ and commercialism. The team recently represented a property manager in winning an under-letting claim.

Highlights for Payne Hicks Beach in 2010 included advising Saga in litigation concerning its UK property portfolio. Practice head Andrew Tugwell is recommended.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP is recommended for landlord and tenant advice. Donald Lambert heads the team and is noted for his experience advising institutional landlords. Jenny Reid is ‘quick to grasp requirements and goals’.

Andrew Darwin is the main contact at property boutique RLS Solicitors, which recently advised Clear Channel in a claim against Qatar Airways relating to a restrictive covenant.

RadcliffesLeBrasseur acts for residential and estate property managers. The practice recently acted in a proprietary estoppel case against the Crown Estate.

The team at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP provides ‘calm, strong advice’ and ‘punches above its weight’. It is increasingly focusing on developer clients and mid-sized property companies, and recently acted for Bellway Homes in a neighbourhood dispute. Tim Fogarty and senior associate Chhavie Kapoor are recommended.

Paul Dunbar heads the practice at Rochman Landau, which advises several Japanese corporations, such as Chubu Electric Power, on landlord and tenant issues. Alan Langleben is an ‘impressive mediator’.

Squire Sanders Hammonds recently advised Close Invoice Finance Limited in a professional negligence action against former solicitors following a failure to exercise a lease break. William Lawrence ‘has the personal touch, and is a proactive team player’.

Wallace LLP’s ‘highly responsive’ and focused team is best known for its leasehold enfranchisement work. It recently advised Westbrook Partners in a collective enfranchisement dispute relating to its Dolphin Square housing block. Simon Serota is recommended.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is ‘the law firm of choice’ for social housing finance. It advises on ALMO transfers, and ISDA and LSVT transactions, and recently acted on a three-layered secured loan facility. It acts extensively for Yorkshire Building Society. National head of banking Richard Papworth is recommended, as is social housing team head Lee Shankland, who has a ‘pragmatic, commercial’ approach. Knowledgeable legal director Nick Barlow is also recommended.

Clifford Chance’s ‘proactive’ team ‘has its finger on the pulse’ of the sector. It advises funders on facilities and reorganisations, and recently advised Genesis Security Trust Structure on a £1bn loan facility. The ‘excellent’ Robert Smith heads the team, and Ruby Giblin and Despina Pantelia are ‘first class’.

Devonshires advises on private placement and own-name bond issues for housing associations, with recent work including Circle Anglia Group’s £124m tap issue. Practice head Andrew Cowan is ‘a mine of useful information’. He and Julian Barker are outstanding.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s ‘strong’ and ‘sensible’ team advised London & Quadrant Housing Trust on its £300m bond issue. The Housing Finance Corporation Limited exclusively instructs the team in relation to its loan portfolio and funding arrangements. Practice head Adrian Carter is highly regarded, and is recommended along with Ralph Picken. Anna Clark joined from Winckworth Sherwood.

Winckworth Sherwood advised Alie Street LLP on a £100m development joint venture, and is advising on drawing down the loan. It advised Genesis Housing Group on property aspects of its £250m own-name bond issue. Housing Solutions, Howard Cottage and Notting Hill Housing Trust are new clients. New practice head Louise Lever joined from Clifford Chance, and is ‘commercially and legally astute’. New partner Patricia Umunna is also recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘exceptional’ bond issue practice represents arrangers, trustees and bookrunners. It advised TradeRisks on its novel secured bond joint issue for Circle Anglia Social Housing plc. Geoff Fuller, Simon Hill and Greg Brown are recommended.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advises on ‘a wide range of issues’. It acted for the HCA on mezzanine finance facilities for the Clapham One project, and advised Notting Hill Housing Association on private sector guarantor and joint venture provisions. Former practice head Simon Kildahl moved to Simmons & Simmons in May 2011.

Norton Rose LLP’s team ‘engenders trust and respect’. It is advising Scottish & Southern Energy plc on its solar panel joint venture, and advised Hyde Housing Association Limited and Brent Co-Efficient on the Brent Social Housing PFI project phases one and two. David Coulter and Richard Hill are recommended.

Stephenson Harwood is advising Gentoo Housing Group on the ‘Gentoo Genie’ purchase scheme, and advised Lloyds TSB on a £120m loan utilising a SPV treasury vehicle. Practice head Natalie Elphicke and rising star Kate Higgins are recommended.

Clarke Willmott LLP was appointed by Paradigm Housing Group and The Guinness Partnership to undertake charging work. It also acts for venture capital firm M3. Anne Hayward heads the team.

Eversheds LLP acted for Places for People on a $165m private placement and £25m loan facility. Other clients include Lloyds TSB, Nationwide and Barclays. Philip Vaughan heads the team.

Wragge & Co LLP advised Sanctuary Housing Association on its £120m tap issue, and acted for US investors on a $200m note issue by Places for People. Paula Laird heads the team.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s ‘excellent’ team has ‘great industry knowledge’, and provides a ‘very proactive and innovative service’. It advised Golden Gates Housing Trust, Bolton at Home, First Choice Homes Oldham and Tristar Homes on all LSVTs in the first multiple local authority ‘super ALMO’. The team is co-headed by the ‘practical’ Ian Graham and the ‘charismatic, energetic’ Ian Doolittle. Catherine Hand, Sara Bailey and senior partner Jonathan Adlington are also recommended, as is Scott Dorling, who ‘delivers on what he says’.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s team takes an ‘innovative and creative approach’. It advised the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the HCA on their partnership to secure major regeneration and renewal of Robin Hood Gardens and Blackwall Reach. It is also advising the Olympic Delivery Authority on the disposal of the Athlete’s Village, and Barking Riverside Limited on regenerating a brownfield site with 10,800 homes. Practice head Andrew Yates is ‘excellent’, and Simon Gardiner is a ‘tremendous asset’.

Adopting ‘an expert, comprehensive approach’, Devonshires’ ‘first-rate’ group advised the Salvation Army Housing Association (a registered provider) on becoming a subsidiary of The Salvation Army (a non-registered provider). Nick Billingham is a ‘recognised expert’, Mark London is ‘outstanding’, and Gareth Hall and practice head Andrew Cowan are also recommended.

Winckworth Sherwood’s ‘superior’ team advised Thames Valley Housing Association Limited on its purchase option concerning a 19-acre greenfield site in Wokingham. It also advised Genesis Housing Group on its complex mass regeneration of the Woodbury Down estate. Practice head Andrew Murray is ‘very knowledgeable’, Richard Tinham adopts a ‘very practical approach’, and Louis Robert is also recommended. The team expanded with the addition of Simon Randall from Lawrence Graham LLP; Louise Lever from Clifford Chance; Ruth Barnes from Barnes Morley; and Charlie Proddow from Bevan Brittan LLP.

Bristol-based Clarke Willmott LLP gives ‘excellent advice’. It recently opened a London office and has ‘strengthened its knowledge base’. It handles high-profile development work, such as advising East Thames on acquiring a 0.52-hectare site in Walthamstow with historic contamination. It also represents CityWest Homes, and undertakes charging work. Team head Anne Hayward is recommended, as is the ‘exceptional’ Jonathan Hulley.

DLA Piper UK LLP acted for Thames Valley Housing Association Limited on its bid as part of the Evolution Consortium for the Woking social housing non-HRA PFI scheme. It also advised London Borough of Tower Hamlets on regenerating the Ocean estate.

Eversheds LLP advises housing associations, local authorities and contractors on matters such as joint venture procurement schemes and house-driven regeneration projects. Newcastle-based Mitch Brown heads the firm’s national affordable housing team.

Lewis Silkin LLP has a broad client base, and a particular focus on care and support housing. Recent work includes advising Notting Hill Housing Trust and London Borough of Barnet on the acquisition of and re-provision of housing for people with learning disabilities. Practice head Gillian Bastow and Linda Convery are recommended. Naomi Goode has left the firm.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s ‘proactive’ team has a ‘thorough knowledge’ of the sector. It is representing Family Mosaic Housing on its mixed-use redevelopment of the Docklands Settlements and on redeveloping Highbury Quadrant, a former brownfield site in Islington. Practice head Chris Smith is ‘excellent’. Wendy Wilks is also recommended.

The ‘knowledgeable’ group at Pinsent Masons LLP acts for the HCA in all aspects of social housing. It is advising Portsmouth City Council on regenerating three sites for extra care housing. Practice head Alan Aisbett is recommended and David Meecham ‘builds and maintains trust’.

Birmingham-based Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP advises on procurement, development, regulatory issues, and community regeneration projects. Clients include registered providers, local authorities and over 200 housing associations. Jonathan Cox heads the team.

Bevan Brittan LLP advises on PFI and development schemes. Clients include registered providers, local authorities, developers and regional development agencies. Ken Mortimer heads the team.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP advises on development and infrastructure projects, procurement and regeneration schemes. The team has been re-appointed to the Notting Hill Housing Group panel. Practice head Anne O’Neill is recommended.

TLT LLP advises registered providers, private developers, contractors, and local authorities, and has a focus on development and regeneration schemes. Clients include Origin Housing Group, Genesis Housing Group and Catalyst Housing Group. Paul Butterworth heads the team nationally, and Lynne Murray leads the London team.