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Commercial property: Birmingham

Eversheds LLP’s ‘proactive team offers real solutions and drives things forward’. It is regularly involved in large strategic deals and developments locally and beyond. It acted for Birmingham City Council in the development of the Pallasades at New Street station and the negotiation of the anchor deal with John Lewis. It also acted for Birmingham Mailbox in its sale of the Mailbox. Practice head David Jones has ‘swathes of experience’, and Iftkhar Ahmed is ‘very technically competent’.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s ‘excellent team’ has sectoral expertise in diverse areas including healthcare and retail, and counts Avery Healthcare, Waitrose/John Lewis and Herefordshire Council as clients. It is regularly involved in major urban regeneration projects, and continues to act for IM Properties on large investment development transactions. It also advised Craegmoor Healthcare on the property aspects of a high yield bond issue worth £206m. Head of the group Tom Johnson is ‘very knowledgeable and responsive’, and Lisa Middleton is ‘commercial and technically excellent’.

Squire Sanders LLP has niche expertise in property tax structuring and energy work. It continues to advise Aldi on store acquisitions, and advised a syndicate of investors on its acquisition and development of a Holiday Inn Express Hotel with an approximate fund value of £22m. Other clients include Cancer Research, Signet Group and the National Grid. Practice head Nick Green is recommended for his healthcare expertise, while Anne O’Meara is recommended for her regeneration work.

Wragge & Co LLP’s team is ‘tenacious and sees things right through to the end’. The ‘very proactiveEmma Pioli led the advice to Young & Co’s Brewery on its £60m acquisition of 26 properties, and the team also advised on the creation of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. The practice has sectoral specialisms in areas such as retail and data centres, and its residential development team remains active. Other clients include Vodafone, British Airways and Marks & Spencer. Mike Trainerpays close attention to detail’.

The ‘knowledgeable ‘Fiona Thomson heads the team at DLA Piper UK LLP, following David Hayes’ retirement. The team has an impressive roster of clients that includes Compass and Dignity, and acted for Centro in the comprehensive redevelopment of Wolverhampton bus station and the underletting of part of the station to National Express. Roger Collier leads the corporate occupier practice, and is highly rated for his work on mineral property transactions.

Gateley has a strong residential development team that advises Barratt and Persimmon, among others. It advised Wolverhampton City Council on the regeneration of Wolverhampton City Centre, and is advising Compendium Group as the developer of Castlewood Urban Village in Derby. Callum Nuttall is ‘very calm and bright’, and Ray Simpson is also recommended. Alex Jones has joined the team, and specialises in mixed-use developments and funding structures.

SGH Martineau LLP acts for property investors such as West Midlands Metropolitan Authorities Pension Fund; property developers such as Persimmon; and retail outlets such as Claire’s Accessories. The team has considerable expertise in the education sector, where clients include the University of Cumbria. It is advising ExtraCare Charitable Trust on the development of a landmark new retirement village on the old Bournville College site. John Rice and Clive Read are recommended. Ian Lennox joined the team from Wragge & Co LLP.

Shakespeares has joined forces with specialist housebuilding firm Wood Glaister Solicitors. It was instructed by the Trustees of Calthorpe Estate on the transfer of its substantial Birmingham property portfolio, and advised a developer in the defence of a judicial review claim concerning planning permission for the development of a new crematorium. Rob Adeygoes that extra mile for clients’, and practice head Kevin Nagle is also recommended.

Shoosmiths advises household names such as Poundland, Marston’s and Jaguar Land Rover, and has an excellent reputation for handling complex deals. It acted in the formation of a joint venture between Hinton and Paul Johnson Associates relating to the development of a new Travelodge. Simon Boss is recommended for his retail and leisure sector expertise, and Jason Jackson is ‘strong’ on commercial and residential development. Four associates in the group were recently promoted to partner.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has the ‘responsiveJonathan Cox, who specialises in regeneration, stock transfers and stock rationalisations. The practice is also strong in the health and education sectors. It was instructed by Methodist Homes on the purchase of four separate leasehold care home portfolios from Southern Cross.

The ‘very experiencedVictoria Camfield heads the department at Browne Jacobson LLP, which has recently completed a significant number of store acquisitions for new client Cash Generator. Other significant clients include UK Mail, Poundland and Inspired Gaming. Thomas Howard is rated for his healthcare expertise. The group attracts a steady flow of instructions from privately funded property developers and investors.

The ‘very thorough and diligent’ Jonathan Morton heads the ‘responsive’ team at Clarke Willmott LLP, which is particularly strong in the retail sector, and acts for Clydesdale Bank, Pochin Homes, Wentworth Kitchens and Calthorpe Estate, among others.

Cobbetts LLP continues to act for major plcs in the hotel and leisure sector, and retains a strong reputation for its public sector work. It acted for Whitbread in the acquisition of numerous sites throughout the UK for its Premier Inn Hotels portfolio. Other clients include De Vere Hotels and Jaguar Land Rover. The ‘very knowledgeablePaul Inman and ‘pragmaticAdrian Watson are well regarded.

Hill Hofstetter LLP assists in the management of the property portfolios of major international companies such as Akzo Nobel, Sungard and Bosch, and it recently advised Cambridge Medipark on the development of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Sue Simpson is ‘pragmatic’, Nigel Watkins is ‘knowledgeable’, and Jonathan Wright is also recommended.

Mills & Reeve LLP has considerable expertise in the health and education sectors. The team acted for Walsall Teaching PCT on the development and leaseback of a new health centre from Walsall MBC. Other clients include Town & Country Inns and new gain Birmingham City University. Michael Whatley is recommended.


Commercial property: Elsewhere in the West Midlands

Higgs & Sons’ ‘highly skilled team’ had a busy year. It is handling property work for over 70 McDonald’s franchisees, and is on its panel for franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant sales. Other clients include London & Cambridge Properties, Avis Rent A Car and, on the property finance side, National Westminster Bank and RBS. Peter Coleman and Sara Shepherd are ‘experienced’, and Jon Austingets the deal done’.

Knights solicitors llp’s specialist minerals practice continues to thrive, advising major clients such as Hanson Building Products and Tarmac. The group also represents a number of football clubs, and is advising Stoke City FC on the development of its multimillion-pound training facilities. Other clients include Phones 4u, Keele University, Staffordshire Housing Association, and new gain Paddy Power. Glenda Miller and Richard Lashmore are joint heads of department.

Wright Hassall LLP’s work is ‘on a par with the big London firms’. It is acting for Chase Commercial on the redevelopment of a large site in Bromsgrove, and is providing ongoing advice to BMW and JC Decaux (UK). It has niche expertise in advising science parks. The ‘commercially astuteNick Abell heads the team, which includes the ‘first-classHumphrey Halford; David Slade, who ‘gets the deal done’; and Eleanor Deady, who joined from Cobbetts LLP.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP’s nine-partner practice is particularly strong in the retail sector, acting for clients including Claire’s Accessories and Halfords. It also has considerable ecclesiastical law expertise, and regularly advises The Diocese of Lichfield on property matters. A recent highlight was advising a major bank on a large-scale remortgage. David Grove provides ‘solid advice’, and David Lucas is ‘very knowledgeable’. Former practice head Kevin Styles is now at George Green LLP.

Janet James is a primary contact at Shakespeares, and has considerable expertise in the utility sector and windfarm development. The firm is on National Grid’s legal panel, and also has a significant number of commercial development and private investor clients. Richard Cox is also recommended.

Ansons LLP’s team is led by the ‘approachable’ Simon James, who provides ‘sound advice’. It acted on numerous property transactions for Marston’s. Sarah Popp acts for a number of major plcs, including Serco and Dunnhumby (part of the Tesco group).

Derek Morris is the primary contact at Freeth Cartwright LLP following David Jones’ departure from the firm. Recent highlights include acting on the property aspects of the reorganisation of a national pottery company.

George Green LLP’s well-regarded team continues to act for Dudley College on its £30m relocation from five existing sites to a new town centre campus. Kevin Styles (formerly of FBC Manby Bowdler LLP) now heads the team; Ceri Mort is no longer at the firm.

Caroline Irvine is the key contact at Harrison Clark LLP, and has particular expertise in landlord and tenant matters. Recent highlights included assisting a timber products company in exchanging an agreement for lease within a tight timescale.

Lanyon Bowdler regularly advises on site assembly and infrastructure agreements. Andrew Evans led the property advice to Coverage Care Services on the acquisition of a large portfolio of care homes. The Shrewsbury team is dealing with a £30m property refinancing.

Lodders Solicitors LLP is ‘very responsive and attentive’. The ‘fast and accurate’ Nick East heads the team, which acted for IM Properties in the £22m purchase of Purley Way Retail Park. The ‘hugely enthusiastic’ Mark Lee heads the investment team. Stephen Baker is ‘unflappable’.

Band Hatton LLP assists Allied Irish Bank (GB) with its property portfolio, and also advised on the acquisition of a £5m farm in East Anglia. Philip Costigan is the key contact.

The ‘knowledgeableMary Anderson heads the team at Brethertons LLP. It acted for various developers and banks on the funding of new commercial property developments in the healthcare and hotel sectors, and also acted for numerous landowners on large-scale residential schemes.

Keelys LLP advises on the full gamut of commercial property issues, from site acquisitions and disposals to adverse possession and party wall/boundary disputes. James Chisholm heads the department.

The team at ORJ Solicitors LLP is led by Richard Egan. It completed the acquisition of two long leasehold interests for a large furniture retail company, and acted for Finning (UK) in the multimillion-pound acquisition of development land in Cannock.


Construction

Wragge & Co LLP’s team acts for leading names in the construction industry, and also advises John Lewis, Premier Foods and Volkswagen Group UK. It advised Graftongate Investments on the construction aspects of the development, funding and pre-let of a 1.1 million sq feet industrial unit to Amazon. On the contentious side it advised Morgan Sindall in a £6m dispute with Eastbourne Borough Council. The ‘commercialRichard Green and ‘intelligent and very personableAshley Pigott are recommended. Patrick Garner is now at Shoosmiths.

Eversheds LLP has key sectoral expertise in areas such as energy and transport, and acts for clients including Cemex, Network Rail, Severn Trent Water and the Highways Agency. It acted for The Chiltern Railway Company (a UK subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn) on the project to upgrade the Chiltern mainline between London Marylebone and Birmingham. Peter Scurlockgets the deal done’, and Amrik Kandola is recommended on the contentious side.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s Stuart Pemble delivers ‘clear and concise advice’. Clients include a FTSE 30 energy company, Thomas Vale, Interserve, and new gain the London Acadamies Enterprise Trust, and the practice is also advising Shirley Advance on the significant town regeneration project in Shirley. Martino Giaquinto leads a very active construction and engineering disputes team.

Pinsent Masons LLP has been active in sectors including healthcare, rail and utilities. It is particularly strong on the contractor side, acting for major names such as Carillion and Galliford Try. Practice head Anthony Bradleygets to the heart of the problem quickly’, and Nigel Blundell on the transactional side is ‘solutions driven’. Peter Clayton is now based in Hong Kong.

Squire Sanders LLP has been advising the NEC Group on the proposed extension to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, while other active clients include Eagle One, Enterprise and Rust Consulting. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Simon Bradley is recommended, and the team was enhanced by the addition of the ‘very accessible’ Graeme Bradley and ‘very knowledgeable’ Robert Norris from DLA Piper UK LLP.

Insurance claims, ranging from multimillion-pound international design disputes to subsidence claims, continue to provide a steady workflow for DAC Beachcroft LLP, and the health and public sectors are other key focus areas for the team. Clients include Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, AXA and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service. Martin Cannon is highly rated for his contentious work.

DLA Piper UK LLP acted for the Kurdistan Regional Government on the procurement and development of a construction project in Kurdistan, while other clients include Aviva and Blackpool Borough Council. Liverpool-based Jim Pinsent is now the key contact, following the recent move of Robert Norris and Graeme Bradley to Squire Sanders LLP.

The well-regarded David Lloyd Jones heads the team at Gateley. The practice continues to act for developers including Bamfords Trust and Cordwell Developments, and secured new clients such as ABC Nurseries and Study Inns. It also represents banks such as HSBC and Lloyds TSB. It recently advised an international manufacturer on the construction of new facilities and on the refurbishment of existing facilities. Peter Davies is recommended.

The team at SGH Martineau LLP, led by Nik Haria, is known for its experience in the education and energy sectors, and in urban regeneration projects. It is advising one of the UK’s leading public sector pension funds on all aspects of the procurement of the design and construction of a major office development adjacent to Spinningfields. Other clients include Aberystwyth University.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP’s practice is headed by Andrew Lancaster, and has clients throughout the UK, notably Colchester Borough Council and Guinness Trust. The firm was instructed to conduct a comprehensive revision of the National Housing Federation Schedule of Rates contract to bring it in line with current practice.

Cobbetts LLP has been advising S Harrison Developments on the development scheme to promote the regeneration of Lichfield City Centre. It also counts Whitbread Group/Premier Inn and Russells as clients. James Bessey heads the team.

Keith Blizzard now heads the team at Shakespeares, which has particular expertise in the development, leisure, healthcare and utilites sectors. Active clients include Edmond Shipway, Quantum Care and Drayton Manor Park. Ian Yule is now at Weightmans LLP.

The team at Shoosmiths includes Patrick Garner, who joined from Wragge & Co LLP as national head of construction, and the ‘commercialSimon Wain. The team advised Citygrove on the construction aspects of the development of an entertainment and retail complex in Aldershot. Other clients include Hewlett-Packard, IKEA and Boots.

Wright Hassall LLP acts for a range of specialist contractors, including contractors specialising in mechanical and electrical works, and has particular expertise in groundworks. Philip Harris heads the practice, which counts Futures Housing Group, Coventry Construction and Ashe Construction as clients.


Environment

At DLA Piper UK LLP, Roy Tozer ‘really knows his stuff’, and Charles Arrand provides ‘very considered’ advice. They advise on issues such as producer responsibility, statutory nuisance, pollution and waste. Major clients include Total UK and other companies in the gas, construction and transport industries.

Eversheds LLP advised SPX Corporation on the environmental aspects of its acquisition of Clyde Union Pumps, while other clients include Halliburton, Samsung, John Deere and Sims Group UK. It has growing expertise in the chemicals sector, and the ‘top-notchDavid Young is highly rated on the contentious side.

Pinsent Masons LLP has been advising on a range of complex matters, including advising the Nucleur Decommissioning Authority on the UK’s national geological disposal facility for nuclear waste. London-based Richard Ford leads the team, which also counts the Olympic Delivery Authority and Siemens as clients, along with new gains Veolia and NuGeneration.

The ‘pragmatic and technically excellent’ David Gordon heads the team at Squire Sanders LLP, which handles a broad range of issues from non-contentious to civil and criminal matters. Gordon recently advised a renewable energy provider on liability for landfill gas migration, remediation and mitigation options. Faurecia, FMC Chemicals and Kemira Ojy are clients.

Wragge & Co LLP’s ‘pragmaticLee McBride provides advice that is ‘easily understood’. Highlights included acting for a residential developer acquiring a site formerly used as a chemical factory, and advising a major corporate entity on environmental permitting conditions. The team acts for numerous FTSE 100 and 250 corporates and most of the major housebuilders.

Ansons LLP advises Bovis Homes, Ideal Waste Paper and Cannock Chase District Council. David Anderton is ‘extremely knowledgeable’, and an ‘excellent advocate’.

Andrea Bruce heads the team at Knights solicitors llp, which provides transactional support and is currently advising a client on an investigation into contamination of its land.

SGH Martineau LLP continues to advise Lancaster University on an initial planning application for a wind farm involving the provision of two wind turbines on its site in Lancashire. Iain Johnston heads the team.

Zyda Law’s highlights included winning planning permission for EDF Energy for the construction and operation of a dry fuel store for spent fuel at the Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station. Other key clients include the MoD. Paul Zyda is the key contact.


Planning

Mandates for DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘prompt and efficient’ team included advising Land Securities on the development of land for up to 5,000 dwellings on a brownfield site. It is also advising Richborough Estates on a legal challenge against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government following a planning appeal decision. Practice head Peter Taylor is highly rated, and associate David Brammer is ‘very thorough’.

Eversheds LLP has particular strength in the renewables sector. It assisted RWE nPower Renewables in obtaining planning permission for a seven-turbine wind farm in South Wales following a public inquiry; and was also instructed by Birmingham International Airport in relation to a major CPO for the proposed runway extension at Birmingham Airport. Stuart Andrewsuses plain English’.

Pinsent Masons LLP is focused on large-scale regeneration, development and infrastructure projects, and has been providing all the planning advice in relation to the major regeneration project at London’s Earls Court and Olympia. Scottish Power Renewables is also a client. Iain Gilbey is recommended, and senior associate Richard Foster is ‘very knowledgeable’.

Wragge & Co LLP has an excellent reputation, with niche expertise in areas such as energy, infrastructure and logistics developments, and also in highways law. It is advising Goodman Logistics on major proposals for a rail freight interchange, and St Modwen on the redevelopment of the Longbridge site. Andrew Thomas heads the team.

The well-established team at Clarke Willmott LLP includes Rebecca Warren, who ‘consistently demonstrates a keen commercial understanding of development issues’. The firm provided planning advice to Stratford on Avon District Council on the drafting of a s106 agreement, while other highlights included a win in the Court of Appeal.

The ‘oustandingNiall Blackie at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is ‘one to have on your side’. The team represented various landowners in the negotiation of significant option agreements for development land, and has also advised on village green applications.

Gerry Sheedy heads the team at Gateley. Recent highlights include its appointment, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to advise Walsall Council on the making of a Local Development Order.

Irwin Mitchell is advising Persimmon Homes South Midlands on planning matters for the proposed development at Long Marston. It also advised Gazeley on the proposed s106 agreement and commercial development at Meir Park. Oliver Martin is ‘extremely experienced and commercial’.

Knights solicitors llp has an impressive roster of clients that includes Merlin Entertainments and Amos Group. It is representing a client at an inquiry relating to a compulsory purchase under the Transport and Works Act. Andrea Bruce heads the team.

SGH Martineau LLP acted for Rubery Owen Holdings and Kier Ventures in securing planning permission for the residential development of a site and community centre in Sutton Coldfield. Iain Johnston heads the team.

Shoosmiths has been particularly involved in residential and public inquiry work. Major clients include British Waterways Marinas, Citygrove and Larkfleet. Newly promoted partner Tim Willis provides ‘sound and timely advice’.

Squire Sanders LLP provides ‘down-to-earth advice’. It has been advising the Homes and Communities Agency on the planning strategy to pave the way for the development of a £350m engine plant for Jaguar Land Rover. Senior associate Martin Walker ‘generates solutions’.


Property litigation

The ‘very efficient team’ at Eversheds LLP acts for FTSE 250 clients and household regional names across a range of economic sectors, with niche expertise in agriculture, energy and wayleaves. It is acting for Barclays in a major dilapidations claim, while other clients include National Grid and Severn Trent. Practice head Paul Moorcroft is ‘very knowledgeable and accessible’, and Lisa Barge is ‘calm’ and demonstrates ‘incredible attention to detail’.

Wragge & Co LLP’s team operates out of Birmingham and London. It receives a steady flow of instructions from Vodafone, and acts for a number of other clients on telecoms matters involving issues such as erecting new masts. It is increasingly active in rent review cases. Other clients include Persimmon, HMV and CBRE. Paul Kent is a key contact.

Gateley is representing Taylor Wimpey in a complex case pending in the Court of Appeal, relating to a sale of development land that did not complete. Peter Davies is a key contact.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s ‘very knowledgeable’ team advised IM Properties on the resolution of a contested claim for over £1m against a large corporate occupier tenant. It also acts for Fortnum and Mason and Waitrose, and new gain Calthorpe Estates. Group head Alicia Foosizes up cases very well’.

Mainstream landlord and tenant work comprises a significant part of the team’s workload at SGH Martineau LLP, where Martin Edwards is the primary contact. Recent client wins include Claire’s Accessories.

Shoosmiths advises British Waterways, One Stop Shop and Jessops. It successfully acted for Marston’s in an urgent claim for possession issued against the tenants of a public house. Nick Shepherd is recommended. Paul Knight joined from Clarke Willmott LLP.

Clients of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP include housing associations with substantial property portfolios and large organisations in the care home sector; examples include Knowsley Housing Trust. The practice covers residential and commercial property litigation. The ‘very knowledgeableHelen Tucker heads the team.

Browne Jacobson LLP acts for UK Mail and Kirklees Borough Council, among others. The ‘personable and efficient’ Tim Rayner advises on the full spectrum of property-related disputes.

Clarke Willmott LLP had a busy year, and successfully acted for the developer of the largest service station under construction in Europe. Paul Knight recently moved to Shoosmiths; Chris Taylor is now the key contact.

James Coles heads a ‘very competent team’ at George Green LLP. The department regularly deals with high-value claims, and is advising West Bromwich Commercial in various matters.

The ‘experiencedMark English is the key contact at Shakespeares, which team represented Forresters in the reported case of Forresters v Brent regarding the enforcement of a possession order. Susan Archer left the firm.

Squire Sanders LLP’s main strength lies in landlord and tenant work, with senior associate Caroline Wort the key contact. The team acted for the tenant of a historic house in successfully obtaining a vesting order and relief from forfeiture. Clients include Cancer Research UK.

The Wilkes Partnership is particularly experienced in advising on landlord and tenant litigation, and disputes relating to rights over and ownership of land. Mark Abrol and Carl Csukas are ‘very capable’.


Social housing

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is recognised nationally for its expertise in the social housing sector, with the ‘very experiencedJonathan Cox heading the team. The firm is acting for Rochdale Borough Council on the proposed mutual stock transfer of 13,700 homes to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. Helen Tucker is ‘very commercial and responsive’, and Peter Hubbard is ‘an innovative thinker and an excellent communicator’.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a highly regarded practice, and remains one of the principal advisers to the Homes and Communities Agency. The team advised Barking Riverside on the proposed phased development of a mixed-use sustainable development on a large brownfield site in London. Other clients include Wolverhampton City Council. David Meecham is a key contact.

At Shakespeares, Andrew Dudley continues to advise Whitefriars Housing Group on the property aspects of a major regeneration in Coventry, and is advising Elgar Housing Association on its ‘next generation’ retirement village in Malvern. The firm has merged with Gorrara Haden, and Paola Gorrara and Geraldine Haden are recommended.

Wright Hassall LLP provides ‘succinct and reliable advice’. The team acted for Newfiled Housing and Spire Homes on their conversion to charitable status, while West Mercia Housing Group and The Spectrum Group are also clients. Carol Matthews is ‘pragmatic’; Claire Waring is an ‘excellent negotiator’; and associate Rachel Gwynne is one to watch.

Freeth Cartwright LLP acted for Charnwood Borough Council in complex possession proceedings against a tenant who regularly caused nuisance and disturbance to other local residents. Other clients include Derwent Housing Association. Mushtaq Khan joined from Gateley.

Callum Nuttall is the key contact at Gateley following the departure of Mushtaq Khan to Freeth Cartwright LLP. The team acted for Persimmon Homes in the formation of a new, not-for-profit company for the provision of affordable housing. Other major clients include Bromford Housing Association.

The ‘pragmatic and responsiveRanjit Bassey heads the team at Shoosmiths, which saw the departure of Rebecca McGuirk, to Trowers & Hamlins LLP, and Andy Ballard. The firm acted for Accord Housing Association in a scheme for the provision of 63 dwellings and mixed-use units near West Bromwich town centre.

Wragge & Co LLP’s ‘first-class’ team is led by the ‘excellentAndrew Galla. Flagship clients include Sanctuary Housing Association and Orbit Housing Association. Jacqueline Knox is ‘prompt and efficient’.


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