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Commercial property: Birmingham

At Eversheds LLP, Iftkhar Ahmed is ‘commercial’, with a ‘strong client base’ among corporate occupiers, and David Jones is ‘very experienced’ on all aspects of commercial and mixed-use developments. The seven-partner practice sees a steady flow of complex and sizeable transactions. It advised Land Securities on the sale of Stratford Shopping Centre London, and Mitchells & Butlers Retail on its disposal of the Hollywood Bowl ten-pin-bowling business. Other clients include HSBC and Hammerson. Practice head Helen Annable is well regarded.

Pinsent Masons LLP is advising Waitrose on its national new stores programme, and also advised new client Orascom on a property option agreement for its acquisition of over 600 hectares of former china clay mining land in Cornwall. Other clients include Calthorpe Estates, Corus and Birmingham City University. Tom Johnson, who has considerable retail sector expertise, heads the practice.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ clients include Jurys Inn and National Grid. The ‘experienced’ Anne O’Meara and Monique Sutherland advised Advantage West Midlands and East Midlands Development Agency on the establishment of the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty. The ‘attentive’ Nick Green heads the team, which also includes Mitchell Ball (noted for his ‘clear advice’) and Melanie Williams, who is recommended for her experience in property tax structures.

Wragge & Co LLP has a heavyweight team featuring group head Adrian Bland, the ‘very commercial’ Richard Bate, and the ‘very well-connected’ Christopher Hunt. It advised Slough Borough Council on securing three key agreements for the council’s Heart of Slough project, and assisted Goodman in securing £47m funding for the construction of a 468,000 sq ft regional distribution centre. Robert Caddick is ‘very experienced in big-ticket development work’.

DLA Piper UK LLP has the ‘very competent’ David Hayes and Fiona Thomson, who produces work of the ‘highest quality’. The practice advised Trebor Developments/Wrenbridge JV on the development of a new Innovation Centre and business units for Decorum Borough Council, and also acts for Busy Bee Nurseries, Electrolux and Blacks Leisure Group. The ‘pragmatic’ Roger Collier has considerable mines and minerals expertise.

Gateley has a new head of department in Rebecca Sherwin, with Richard Pettifor having moved in-house. It has an active residential development practice, and key clients include Wolverhampton City Council and Morris Homes. James White is now a partner and has considerable retail experience. The team’s corporate occupiers’ practice was strengthened by the firm’s acquisition of the former Halliwells real estate team.

Martineau’s ‘proactive team’ acts for clients such as Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Claire’s Accessories UK, and Lloyds Banking Group, and recently advised the University of Worcester on its proposed 10-year joint venture with a developer for the development of 10 acres of a 40-acre site. Leading individuals include John Rice, who is particularly strong on property financing, and the ‘extremely calm’ Bhavesh Amlani. Kathy Toon has joined the firm, adding expertise on the retail side.

Shakespeares’ 11-partner practice has the ‘well-known and respected’ Kevin Nagle at the helm. The practice advised CEVA Logistics on the sale and leaseback of a site, and advised Cannock Developments on the acquisition of a hotel premises. Clients include large-scale operators and developers, and a number of organisations in the care home sector. Major clients include Barratt Homes and Wesleyan. Rob Adey is another key contact.

Shoosmiths is the exclusive property adviser to One Stop Stores (part of Tesco), while other leisure and retail clients include Marston’s and Poundland. The team has also been busy advising social housing clients, and has seen an increase in property financing work. Simon Boss heads the six-partner practice, and is praised for his ‘can-do attitude’. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Joel Kordan is recommended for residential and commercial development work.

The ‘excellent’ Greg Moss and Jane Trevithick jointly head the practice at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, which has been involved in a number of large and complex property development, stock rationalisation and social housing refinancing projects. New client wins include Royal British Legion, IET Connect and Seventh Day Adventists. ‘Very diligent’ associate Beth Margetson is also singled out for praise.

Browne Jacobson LLP acted for Bradford City Council in its joint venture with a private sector developer on a scheme for the regeneration of the Canal Road Corridor in Bradford, while other clients include Poundland. Victoria Camfield heads the team, and Thomas Howard is rated for his healthcare experience.

Clarke Willmott LLP is strong in the retail sector, with Jonathan Morton the lead partner. It advised Trine Developments on the refinancing and forward sale of part of a proposed mixed private and public sector residential apartment scheme. Significant clients include easyGroup, Gloucestershire PCT and Pochin Homes. Kathy Toon is now at Martineau.

Adrian Watson is the key contact at Cobbetts LLP, which acted for W Wing Yip and Brothers Property and Investments in the acquisition of two investment portfolios, and whose other clients include Jaguar Land Rover and Accord Housing Group. Eleanor Deady has left the firm.

Hill Hofstetter LLP provides a ‘consistently high level of service’; recommended partners include the ‘commercially astute’ Nigel Watkins, and Jonathan Wright, who ‘adds common sense and value to deals’. The team advised a German company in the negotiation of contracts for the sale and installation of various biogas plants in the UK.

Mills & Reeve LLP is highly rated for its sector expertise in healthcare and education in particular. Michael Whatley heads the practice, which counts Tower Hamlets College and GE Real Estate as clients. It advised The Borough of Telford & Wrekin on the £350m Southwater town centre regeneration scheme.

The Wilkes Partnership counts Gallan Group and Frontier Estates as clients, and secured new instructions from Johnsons Cars and Floor 2 Go. Mark Colder is a primary contact.

Commercial property: Elsewhere in the West Midlands

The five-partner team at Higgs & Sons provides a ‘first-rate service’. It acts for names such as McDonald’s, Avis Rent a Car, and London and Cambridge Properties, one of the UK’s largest private landlords, and also has considerable expertise in property financing, advising clients such as RBS and National Westminster Bank. The ‘thoroughly professional and pleasant’ Sara Shepherd and Peter Coleman are highly recommended.

Knights solicitors llp’s property practice is ‘City standard’ but with ‘the fees and accessibility to fee-earners of a provincial practice’. It advised on the acquisition of 15 industrial, retail and commercial sites for investment clients (value approx. £65m), and has a notable mines and minerals practice. Clients include Hanson Quarry Products and Tarmac. Karl Bamford is ‘technically excellent’.

Wright Hassall LLP has a number of ‘sensible and commercial lawyers’, among them practice head Nick Abell and ‘good all-rounder’ David Slade. It acts for BMW and JCDecaux (UK), and was formally appointed to the legal panel of Orbit Homes, as well as remaining on the panel for Myers La Roche. Recent work includes advising Butchers Pet Care on the £38m acquisition of a new headquarters and manufacturing facility.

The ‘very helpful and professional’ Kevin Styles heads the team at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, which has considerable expertise in agriculture and the retail sector (advising Halfords and Claire’s Accessories UK among others). The group is also advising the Diocese of Lichfield in relation to its portfolio of properties across the region. The firm has a strong housing team led by David Lucas.

Led by David Jones, KJD Freeth LLP acts for a broad range of clients in the public and private sectors, including advising local authorities in urban regeneration projects. The team has developed a niche practice advising on manorial rights and rights of reverter.

Shakespeares’ lead partners are Janet James and Richard Cox. The team represents National Grid, and has experience in renewable energy projects. It is also active in landlord and tenant matters.

Ansons LLP has been advising Marston’s on various property transactions, and acted for Veolia Environment Group on the sale of a former coal and clay pit. Simon James heads the team, and Sarah Popp is complimented for her ‘proactive advice’.

Ceri Mort heads the department at George Green LLP, and recently acted for Dudley College in connection with the college’s proposed £30m relocation from five existing sites to a new town-centre campus. Another highlight was acting for Walter Smith Fine Foods on an acquisition of 15 shops.

Harrison Clark LLP’s Cindy Bexfield provides ‘excellent support and advice’, and has a broad range of experience including niche expertise in Islamic property investment funding. The practice remains strong in its core areas of residential development, sports club development, and medical practices.

At Lanyon Bowdler, Andrew Evans is appreciated for his ‘attention to detail’, and Roger Taylor is ‘very knowledgeable’. The team advised Tomlinson’s Dairies on the acquisition and development of a new dairy.

Band Hatton LLP’s Philip Costigan is ‘very diligent and responsive’. The team has a diverse client base that includes landlords and tenants, and various charitable organisations.

Brethertons LLP specialises in areas such as secured lending, care homes and leisure, alongside niche expertise in wind farms and IT and telecommunications masts. Mary Anderson heads the department.

Keelys LLP advises on the full gamut of commercial property issues, from site acquisitions and disposals to agricultural leases. Practice head James Chisholm is recommended.

The ‘extremely capable’ Nick East heads the team at Lodders Solicitors LLP. The ‘knowledgeable’ Mark Lee led the advice to IM Properties on a £67m sale of retail premises.

The ‘very practical’ Richard Egan leads a ‘very capable team’ at ORJ Solicitors LLP. Deal highlights included acting for Freeman Holdings in the purchase of a large industrial unit.

Construction

Wragge & Co LLP has a number of leading lights for construction work, among them Simon Baylis (who ‘knows what he is doing’); Michael O’Shea (‘very switched on’); and Ashley Pigott (‘technically very astute’). The firm acts for Balfour Beatty and John Sisk, and secured Rotary (International) and Hyder Consulting (UK) as new clients. Its recent highlights include acting for Aceramais in litigation arising from a housing development in Cheltenham.

DLA Piper UK LLP advised Centro on the redevelopment of Snow Hill station, and Aviva Global Investments on contracts for the Plaza Development in Birmingham, and also acts for names such as Virgin Holidays, West Midlands Police, and Vue Cinemas. The ‘very experienced’ Graeme Bradley is recommended for his expertise in domestic and international engineering and construction projects.

Eversheds LLP is highly regarded for its work in major construction and utility-led infrastructure projects. The ‘well-thought-of’ Peter Scurlock is recommended for non-contentious work, while Amrik Kandola is a lead partner on the contentious side. The firm advised RWE npower on the gas turbine upgrade project at Little Barford Power Station, and Birmingham International Airport on the multi-phase project to convert the two current terminals into one terminal.

At Gateley, David Lloyd Jones is ‘one of the best non-contentious lawyers in town’, although the team suffered a ‘big loss’ with the departure of Andrew Jones and Alastair Young. The group is advising Parkridge Developments on the property and construction aspects of a new commercial development for the construction of a supermarket in a major London suburb. Significant client wins include Ladbrokes.

At Pinsent Masons LLP, newly promoted partner Anthony Bradley and Peter Clayton on the contentious side ‘get up to speed very quickly’, while Nigel Blundell is noted for his ‘quick responses’ on the transactional side. The team has diverse sector expertise, in areas including rail, education and utilities, and acts for names such as Carillion Construction, Royal Mail Group, Lovell and Kier.

Beachcroft’s focus on insurance and the public sector has ensured a strong work flow for the team. The practice advised Queen Mary University of London on issues relating to the construction of a health and fitness facility at the Student Union premises, and it also acts for The John Lewis Partnership and Solihull Sixth Form College. Martin Cannon and newly promoted partner Nick Basi are recommended.

Martineau remains strong in the education sector, as well as acting for private sector clients, and recently advised Aberystwyth University on the resolution of a dispute over the cancellation of a new-build project following a failure to obtain detailed planning permission. Paul Mountain is recommended on the non-contentious side, while practice head Michael Craik is the primary contact on the contentious side.

Mills & Reeve LLP advised Cheval Property Holdings on the £70m development of the Three Quays site on the River Thames, while other major clients include Cranfield University and Johnson Matthey. The ‘erudite’ Martino Giaquinto is recommended for contentious matters, along with the ‘first-class’ Stuart Pemble on the non-contentious side.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP’s ‘experienced team’ represents a significant number of housing providers and local authorities, and is appreciated for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the charity sector’. Major clients include Colchester Borough Council and Gloucester City Homes. The ‘practical’ Andrew Millross is well regarded, and Andrew Lancaster is another key contact.

Cobbetts LLP acted for Whitbread Premier on a number of projects, and resolved various performance issues, defect claims and fee claims for Conwy County Borough Council. It has also been involved in a number of prestigious international projects. James Bessey is recommended.

Shakespeares is acting for Sandwell and Dudley Councils in the drafting of two framework agreements for highways works, and has also been active on the contentious side. Quantum Care and Feltham Construction are also clients. Ian Yule is recommended.

Shoosmiths is advising Citygrove Securities on the construction aspects of a major town-centre mixed-use development, and Boots (UK) on the contract for the construction and installation of a mechanical warehouse system for Boots.com. Simon Wain (now a partner) heads the team.

Philip Harris heads the department at Wright Hassall LLP, and has particular strength in arbitration. Kingerlee Construction and Ashe Construction are major clients.

Environment

Eversheds LLP has a ‘very knowledgeable and professional team’. Highlights included advising Lloyds TSB Development Capital on the environmental aspects of the purchase of AIM Aviation, while other clients include Halliburton. Manchester-based Elizabeth Shepherd and regulatory investigations and enforcement expert David Young are recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP continues to advise on all the environmental aspects of the remediation strategy for the London Olympic Park, while other highlights included acting for IM Properties in its acquisition of a former manufacturing facility in the Midlands. The firm also acts for English Partnerships, Carlton Power, and new client West Somerset District Council. Richard Ford heads the group.

At Squire Sanders Hammonds, the ‘pragmatic and technically excellent’ David Gordon heads the team and has particular experience in chemical/regulatory matters. The ‘strong team’ acts for names such as Goodyear and Taylor Wimpey, and garners praise for its ability to deal with high-value environmental warranty and indemnity claims. Rob Elvin ‘gets the job done’.

Wragge & Co LLP continues to flourish in its core areas of property development, corporate support, environmental enforcement and regulatory advice. It recently advised a minerals operator on issues regarding leachate and gas at a landfill site, and also advised a major waste management company on permitting issues for the exploitation of landfill gas. Lee McBride is recommended.

Ansons LLP provides a broad range of environmental advice to clients such as Bovis Homes, Ideal Waste Paper Company and Lichfield District Council. David Anderton is an ‘excellent advocate’.

The team at DLA Piper UK LLP, under Roy Tozer and Charles Arrand, is increasingly attracting instructions on advisory matters, permit appeals and criminal prosecutions in addition to transactional work. Key clients include National Express Group and Coors Brewers.

Hill Hofstetter LLP’s ‘very responsive’ team advises on the full gamut of environmental issues including claimant and defendant litigation and corporate criminal defence. Richard Chalkley and Darren Smith are recommended.

Recent work for Knights solicitors llp includes advising on protected species legislation, and on contract terms for the disposal of a landfill site. Andrea Bruce heads the team.

Martineau is advising Lancaster University on a significant planning application for a windfarm involving two wind turbines on its site near the M6 in Lancashire, while other clients include Moorlands and City Railway Company. Iain Johnston heads the team.

Planning

DLA Piper UK LLP remains active on major projects such as acting for Barratt Developments and Connolly Homes on a development of land that includes 3,000-3,500 homes and a broader mixed-use development. Peter Taylor has ‘built up a good team’, and associate David Brammer is praised by clients for his ‘professionalism’.

Eversheds LLP has ‘heavy hitter’ Rod Bull, who ‘gets the job done’. Major clients in the residential development sector include Taylor Wimpey, and the firm secured significant instructions in the energy, utilities and minerals sectors, from clients such as Tarmac. The firm advised REG Windpower on the promotion of seven onshore wind farm projects in 2010.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s excellent team was enhanced by the addition of Iain Gilbey from Shoosmiths, who co-heads the group with Richard Ford. The team has considerable expertise in the nuclear sector, and was appointed to advise the three key local authorities on planning, highways, compulsory purchase and consenting matters relating to the £15bn Hinkley C New Nuclear Power Station. New clients include Waitrose.

Under the leadership of Andrew Thomas, Wragge & Co LLP has particular strength in strategic residential-led developments, major regeneration schemes and highway infrastructure projects, and considerable experience in judicial reviews. It continues to advise on the £17bn Crossrail project, and acted for St Modwen on the regeneration of Longbridge. Marks & Spencer is also a client.

Rebecca Warren heads a ‘strong team’ at Clarke Willmott LLP, which advised Evergreen Extra MSA Holdings on the planning and environmental due diligence for nine motorway service areas, and secured two significant wins for major clients at public inquiries. The Crown Estate is a client.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP predominantly acts for landowners and developers, and in 2010 handled matters including Village Green applications and judicial reviews. Practice head Niall Blackie is ‘very thorough and personable’.

Gateley advised Malvern Hills District Council on the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of a Grade I listed building, and also advises Crosby Homes (Special Projects). Director Gerry Sheedy heads the team.

The ‘very focused’ Andrea Bruce heads the team at Knights solicitors llp, and has ‘unsurpassed’ experience in minerals planning law. The firm acts for Stoke-on-Trent City Council and new client CLS Services.

Martineau is acting for North Warwickshire and Hinckley College in the disposal and development of two sites with a combined value of £12m, and advised Toyota on the content of a specific planning application for an anemometer. Iain Johnston heads the team.

At Shoosmiths, Southampton-based Kirsten Hewson is the national head of planning, and Tim Willis is a ‘very capable associate’. Active clients include Ballymore Properties and First Base. Iain Gilbey is now at Pinsent Masons LLP.

Squire Sanders Hammonds was appointed to the Legal Panel of Orbit Homes, and received its first planning instruction from National Grid. Senior associate Martin Walker is the key contact.

Property litigation

Eversheds LLP’s three-partner team includes the ‘very fair and professional’ Paul Moorcroft, who is the firm’s national head of real estate litigation; newly promoted partner David Feist, who offers ‘practical rather than just theoretical advice’; and Lisa Barge, who is well respected for her work in residential property litigation and in the leisure sector. Able to ‘see the bigger picture’, it counts Next and Anglian Water as clients, and is notable for its experience in agricultural law, energy and wayleaves.

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘cracking reputation’ under the leadership of Anne Waltham. It had a busy year advising on a broad range of developers’ problems, option disputes and contested lease renewals, and is acting for Persimmon in a case concerning a disputed conditional land sale. Other clients include Argent, Taylor Wimpey, and new gain Smiths News. Director Paul Kent is recommended.

Gateley is advising BT in a very high-value dilapidations claim, and is also dealing with an ongoing matter for a major housebuilder which rescinded a contract to sell part of a development site. New client wins include Opus Land. Iain Davies heads the team, and is ‘always polite and professional’.

At Martineau, practice head Martin Edwards has the ‘happy knack of simplifying complex matters for the layman’. The team continues to receive significant instructions from major education and banking clients, and is retained by a growing number of City pension funds and investors. Mainstream commercial landlord and tenant work comprises a significant part of the team’s workload.

Pinsent Masons LLP acted for Lichfield District Council in defending a claim by an adjoining landowner for substantial damages as a result of the closure of a property at short notice, while other clients include Poundland, Fortnum & Mason, and Tesco Bank. Alicia Foo has carved out a niche in disputes arising out of the Electronic Communications Code.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a very large and dedicated housing litigation team, and regularly advises registered social landlords and the Chartered Institute of Housing in possession and injunction matters. It includes the ‘knowledgeable’ Hilary Harrison and Helen Tucker, who is complimented for her ‘excellent ability to communicate with clients at all levels’.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s clients include Alliance Boots, UK Mail, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. ‘Very practical’ associate Tim Rayner receives many plaudits from clients.

Clarke Willmott LLP represented a large-volume discount supermarket in successfully resisting a tenant’s application to proceed with a second arbitration. The ‘excellent’ Paul Knight heads the practice, whose other clients include Bruton Knowles.

The ‘practical and responsive’ James Coles at George Green LLP is advising in a major trepass/encroachment case, and is also acting for the owner of a substantial private school in a dispute with third parties regarding the development of the site.

Recent highlights for Harrison Clark LLP’s diverse practice include being appointed by leading legal costs indemnity insurers to have exclusive conduct of all claims under the property owners’ insurance policies. Andrew Cave is highly rated.

At Shakespeares, head of department Mark English is well regarded and shows ‘great attention to procedural detail’, and the ‘knowledgeable’ Susan Archer is the other contact partner. Crest Nicholson Developments and Wincanton are clients.

Shoosmiths’ key clients include Jessop Group, Crown Paints and British Waterways. Nick Shepherd moved from Milton Keynes to Birmingham and now heads the team, while Darren Clegg has left the firm.

Squire Sanders Hammonds continues to act for Signet Group and Cancer Research UK. Senior associate Caroline Wort has been advising the trustees of a charitable fund in a substantial dilapidations claim.

The Wilkes Partnership is experienced in property and probate cases, and receives a steady stream of instructions on commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Mark Abrol is recommended.

Social housing

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a ‘strong team with a broad range of experience’, featuring the ‘very experienced’ Jonathan Cox and ‘very knowledgeable’ Peter Hubbard. The group acted for Midland Heart in defending an appeal by a shared owner, and acquired a number of significant new clients, among them Flagship Housing Group and Derwent Living.

At Gorrara Haden Solicitors, Paola Gorrara and Geraldine Haden ‘give reassurance that they know what they are doing’, and form a ‘very knowledgeable team’. Gorrara was involved in the negotiation of the management and nomination agreements for Accord Housing Association in a multi-party development project, and Haden recently dealt with a number of complex litigation matters involving succession rights and anti-social behaviour.

Pinsent Masons LLP is one of the principal advisers to the Homes and Communities Agency. It also acts for registered social landlords and is experienced in advising on social housing PFI. It is advising Portsmouth City Council on the regeneration of three sites in Portsmouth for extra care housing. Alan Aisbett heads the group and, together with David Meecham, provides ‘intelligent and tailored advice’. Other clients include Accent Housing Group.

Rebecca McGuirk now heads the team at Shoosmiths, and has particular expertise in employment and pensions matters for housing providers and public authorities. Clients include Accord Housing Group, Wolverhampton Homes and Midland Heart. Andy Ballard is ‘proactive’, and the ‘experienced’ Ranjit Bassey is recommended on the property side.

Gateley’s advice is of a ‘very high standard’. Mushtaq Khan heads the housing management/litigation team, and has ‘very broad experience’, and senior associate Rory O’Byrne ‘always provides advice in a timely manner’. Clients include New Progress Housing Association.

KJD Freeth LLP advised on the acquisition of numerous single dwellings by social landlords, and advised on the completion of infrastructure agreements relating to a site in Shropshire. Derek Morris leads the team, and Peter Ellis is rated for his experience on the funding side.

Wright Hassall LLP acted for Marches Housing Association in the purchase of a development site, and also for Orbit Group and Catalyst Housing in the syndication of mortgage rescue schemes documentation. Carol Matthews and the ‘proactive’ Nick Abell are recommended.

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