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  1. Social housing: local authorities and registered providers
  2. Leading individuals

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.

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