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With six partners, the ‘well-regarded’ team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP is ‘large, but with good client focus’, and has remained busy thanks in part to a strong institutional client base. It advised The Co-operative Group on a large-scale mixed-use regeneration scheme near its HQ, and is also involved in Manchester Corridor project schemes, including the First Street and Manchester Business School redevelopments. Mark Haywood is noted for his ‘unquestionable knowledge and succinct advice’, and has ‘a solid commercial understanding’. Stephen Kinsey acts for Bruntwood and other regional developers and investors.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s four-partner team is led by Anita Weightman, who continues to act for ITV on its relocation to MediaCityUK, while other representative clients include British Waterways and Mapeley. Roy Beckett focuses on investment and development transactions, recently advising investors on the sale of a trust which owned a prominent local retail and leisure scheme. Martin Hallam left to join gunnercooke LLP.

Eversheds LLP is noted for its regeneration and development work. Department head Nancy Brown focuses on investment transactions. Peter Winnard acted for Muse Developments on the £225m mixed-use redevelopment of Manchester’s Victoria Station. Other clients include Anglo American, AXA, Segro and Lend Lease.

Cobbetts LLP has ‘business acumen, industry knowledge and technical expertise of the highest order’, acting across public sector, retail, leisure, utilities, development and investment matters. It advised Bruntwood on various major leasings, and the Iraqi government on acquiring office and residential space for its consulate. Practice head Mark Barker’s clients include the Greater Manchester Police Authority, Watkin Jones and adidas. Catherine Haslam has ‘a very good understanding of property law and telecoms issues’, and Naveen Gupta is also recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s reputation continues to grow, with client wins including Regatta, Morgan Sindall and DHL. Team head Mike Edge acts for a broad cross-section of clients on development and investment schemes. Rachel Pitman advised Patrick Properties on a £28m refinancing, and has acted for Aldi Stores on contracts and disposals.

Squire Sanders LLP’s expertise includes major development, regeneration and utilities sector schemes. Mark Gaffney is acting for Manchester City FC on the acquisition and development of a football academy and mixed-use scheme. European head of real estate Liam Buckley and Stelios Coutsavlis are advising Rochdale Borough Council on its town centre redevelopment.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP’s Peter Marsden advised Manchester United FC on a £8.2m purchase of numerous sites from SEGRO. Practice head Tony Fitzmaurice has experience in public sector redevelopment schemes. Chris Parkinson, who focuses on urban regeneration matters, joined from the Liverpool office, while the team lost Jim Purves to Pinsent Masons LLP.

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s ‘focused and motivated’ practice head Alison Key advises across the public and private sectors, recently advising Westfield Shoppingtowns on leasing matters for a Nottingham retail centre redevelopment, and acting for Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust on a land exchange agreement with Liverpool City Council. The firm’s 2011 merger added Peter Williams to the team; he is notable for his property finance expertise.

DWF LLP provides ‘professional, prompt, commercially sound advice’. Anita Gupta, whose main focus is on the energy and infrastructure sectors, recently acted for KPMG on a long-term lease at a major city centre office redevelopment. Claire Chapman led the advice to Neptune Developments on a site acquisition for a regeneration scheme. Property finance partner Christian Suddes and Paul Gidman are also recommended.

Gateley advises on developments, large-scale regeneration schemes, property finance and real estate management matters. It acted for the management of Betfred on the property aspects of its Tote acquisition, and advised Consolidated Property Group on acquiring a Bristol retail park worth £52m.

Pannone LLP has a strong focus on redevelopment and public sector matters. The team is led by Stephen Lintott, who ‘enjoys handling complicated issues, is very good at working with other side, and understands what decisions he can take on a client’s behalf’. Penny Cranston joined from Cardiff-based Hugh James.

Hill Dickinson LLP’s Michael Blakey has particular experience in investment matters, recently acting on Eltasco’s £24.5m sale of the Zenith Building. Other clients include DTZ, Selbourne Group and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP has ‘significant technical strength and depth, and works with clients to reach a commercial solution’. It acts for regional property and institutional clients as well as retail and leisure sector companies on the full spectrum of property matters. Department head Steve Eccleston is ‘a phenomenal problem solver’, and Nick Nyunt ‘knows exactly how to handle difficult negotiations’.

Weightmans LLP handles commercial development and urban regeneration matters, advising clients such as Barratts, The Co-operative Bank and Halton Borough Council. Karl Jackson heads the practice.

Berg Legal handles commercial and residential real estate matters as well as property finance work, for clients such as Urban Splash, Nikal, Santander and Handelsbanken. Ian Barker joined from Pinsent Masons LLP to head the practice.

George Davies Solicitors LLP advises across sectors such as retail, leisure, residential and student accommodation. Caroline Hanratty has ‘excellent knowledge, and is pragmatic and commercial’.

Goodman Harvey’s Stephen Goodman is well regarded for his expertise in urban development.

Hempsons acts for health sector clients, with recent matters including strategic acquisitions, sales and disposals. Jane Donnison leads a team that is ‘very proactive in problem solving’. Paul Hardy and consultant Alan Morris are also recommended.

Irwin Mitchell’s strength lies in real estate finance, with Daniel Hickey handling secured lending work. The firm has panel appointments with Santander and Bank of Ireland, while other clients include KPMG, HSBC and Begbies Traynor. Associate Patrick Sheehan is also recommended.

JMW Solicitors LLP ‘applies expertise with a sensible level of commerciality’, and has a strong retail sector focus, acting for clients such as Richer Sounds and developers Brookhouse Group and Dransfield Properties. Paul Walker is recommended.

Lawson Coppock & Hart handles property development and management matters.

Laytons’ team is led by Mark Gillies, whose experience includes real estate finance and development work.

Nexus Solicitors is recommended for its retail sector expertise.

Stripes Solicitors is now led by consultant Neil Sutcliffe, following the move of Andrew Dunn to Ward Hadaway.

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