Maples Teesdale LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Maples Teesdale LLP
30 KING STREET
LONDON
EC2V 8EE
England

Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 3

The ‘commercial and professional’ team at Maples Teesdale LLP is sought out by an assortment of global and US law firms on real estate matters. Neil Sagoo is proficient in headquarters and business-critical relocations, while Katherine Watts is seasoned in leisure and hotel acquisitions. Helen Kearns is knowledgeable of asset management and Declan Power is active in the distribution, mixed-use, office, and retail sectors. Sam Nichols thrives in transactional construction matters and Jon Blackburn is well-versed in property joint ventures. Tim Dodd joined the team from Katten in October 2022 and provides the team with thorough expertise in the hotel and hospitality sphere. Roger Thornton and Charles Elgood are also key members of the group.

Practice head(s):

Neil Sagoo; Katherine Watts

Other key lawyers:

Helen Kearns; Declan Power; Sam Nichols; Tim Dodd; Roger Thornton; Charles Elgood; Adam Bernstein; Ed Bird; Mark Harryman; Charles Elgood; Martin Smith

Testimonials

‘Partner led service at an affordable fee.’

‘Katherine Watts pays real attention to client requirements.’

‘Neil Sagoo is our main contact and is a great commercial lawyer.’

Key clients

Shine TV Limited

Cine-UK Ltd

Bleckmann Logistics

Eversheds Sutherland

FremantleMedia Group Limited

RSM

Hili Coffee House (UK) Limited

Royal & Sun Alliance

RSM

BDO

Work highlights

  • Representing Cineworld as a tenant/guarantor in respect of 14 claims for rent arrears falling due during the pandemic and period of enforced business closures.
  • Advising Bleckmann Logistics on its occupational requirements.
  • Advising RSM on their portfolio of offices throughout England and Wales.

Real estate > Commercial property: development Tier 3

The ‘commercial and professional’ team at Maples Teesdale LLP is sought out by an assortment of global and US law firms on real estate matters. Neil Sagoo is proficient in headquarters and business-critical relocations, while Katherine Watts is seasoned in leisure and hotel acquisitions. Helen Kearns is knowledgeable of asset management and Declan Power is active in the distribution, mixed-use, office, and retail sectors. Sam Nichols thrives in transactional construction matters and Jon Blackburn is well-versed in property joint ventures. Tim Dodd joined the team from Katten in October 2022 and provides the team with thorough expertise in the hotel and hospitality sphere. Roger Thornton and Charles Elgood are also key members of the group.

Practice head(s):

Declan Power

Other key lawyers:

Neil Sagoo; Katherine Watts; Helen Kearns; Sam Nichols; Tim Dodd; Roger Thornton; Charles Elgood; Adam Bernstein; Ed Bird; Mark Harryman; Charles Elgood; Martin Smith

Testimonials

‘Martin Smith is a first-class real estate solicitor and exceptionally experienced in all aspects of strategic and development land.’

Key clients

City of London Corporation

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Henry Boot Developments Limited

Bywater Properties

Interglobe Hotels

Deutsche Hypo Nord/LB Real Estate Finance

Calthorpe Estates

DTZ Investors

Northview Investment Advisors Limited

Eversheds Sutherland

Cheyne Capital

CBRE Investment Management

Dominus Property Group

Work highlights

  • Acted for City Corporation on a major project in Basinghall Street in London.
  • Advising Columbia Threadneedle Investments on the redevelopment / refurbishment of Royal Bank of Scotland’s former headquarters.
  • Assisted Henry Boot Developments Limited on the disposals of their units comprising The Quad 2, Butterfield Business Park, Luton: sales of four units, and the grant of a lease of one unit.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3

The ‘commercial and professional’ team at Maples Teesdale LLP is sought out by an assortment of global and US law firms on real estate matters. Neil Sagoo is proficient in headquarters and business-critical relocations, while Katherine Watts is seasoned in leisure and hotel acquisitions. Helen Kearns is knowledgeable of asset management and Declan Power is active in the distribution, mixed-use, office, and retail sectors. Sam Nichols thrives in transactional construction matters and Jon Blackburn is well-versed in property joint ventures. Tim Dodd joined the team from Katten in October 2022 and provides the team with thorough expertise in the hotel and hospitality sphere. Roger Thornton and Charles Elgood are also key members of the group.

Practice head(s):

Declan Power

Other key lawyers:

Neil Sagoo; Katherine Watts; Helen Kearns; Sam Nichols; Tim Dodd; Roger Thornton; Charles Elgood; Adam Bernstein; Ed Bird; Mark Harryman; Charles Elgood; Martin Smith

Testimonials

‘Very professional and commercial.’

‘The team are a long held and trusted set of advisors who have a deeply developed understanding of our ethics and values which are key to our long standing track record of success.’

Key clients

Abrdn

CBRE Investment Management

City of London Corporation

CLS Holdings plc

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Henry Boot plc

JR Capital / Chancerygate

Legal & General Investment Management

Patrizia

Pictet

Yoo Capital

Work highlights

  • Acted for City Corporation on a major project in Basinghall Street in London.
  • Advised Pictet Alternative Advisors in partnership with Pinnacle Investments on their purchase of 3 built-to-rent developments.
  • Acted for the City of London Corporation on the purchase of 85 London Wall.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 3

The real estate litigation team at Maples Teesdale LLP places a particular emphasis on management and development work. Rent arrears are a particular area of expertise, alongside rights of light, contested break notices, insolvency and telecoms. Dellah Gilbert is the head of the team, with a particular specialism in rights of light matters and disposals, she advises across the whole spectrum of property litigation. Rosalind Cullis advises on all aspects of commercial property litigation, particularly in matters concerning Covid.

Practice head(s):

Dellah Gilbert

Other key lawyers:

Rosalind Cullis; Claire Munn

Testimonials

‘A partner-led service at an affordable fee.’

‘Rosalind Cullis works hard to understand client objectives and then develop tactics to deliver.’

‘Hardworking and very accessible and attentive to the clients’ concerns.’

‘Rosalind Cullis and Claire Munn are very efficient and easy to work with, excellent for discussing tricky strategic and tactical decisions.’

Key clients

Cineworld/Picturehouse

Rosedale ADL Limited

Abrdn

CLS Holdings

Workspace plc

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Legal & General

Work highlights

  • Defending the client as tenant/guarantor in respect of numerous claims for rent arrears falling due during the pandemic and period of enforced business closures.
  • Acted for the landlord in debt proceedings brought against a tenant of an office block for arrears in excess of £300k following the tenant’s failure to comply with break conditions.
  • Provided advice to CBRE IM for a number of years and currently advise them in relation to five of their shopping centres.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 4

Maples Teesdale LLP offers legal guidance to a broad range of clients including institutional property funds, developers, corporate occupiers, and educational bodies, advising on a variety of development projects from shopping centres to major mixed-use schemes and refurbishments. The team is led by Sam Nichols, who specialises in transactional construction matters including the construction law aspects of acquisitions, disposals, and development. Jo Preece adds to the department’s strength with her vast experience in working on development schemes, acquisitions, disposals, lettings, and financings.

Practice head(s):

Sam Nichols

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Client care – At least two people on your case and both are involved. Responsiveness – Always receive immediate responses. Commercial awareness – Advice is tailored to your needs with implications of the decision explained. Synergy – The team work well with our other advisers such as building surveyors.’

‘They attend commercial property CPD events where I rarely see representatives from other legal firms.’

Key clients

Mileway

Sky UK Limited

Interglobe Hotels

Deutsche Hypo Nord/LB Real Estate Finance

Global Fund Manager, abrdn

International Real Estate Fund Manager, Patrizia AG

Calthorpe Estates

DTZ Investors

Pictet Asset Management

Northview Investment Advisors

Work highlights

  • Prepared Mileway Real Estate UK Limited’s precedent construction contracts are providing construction legal advice on the use of those construction contracts on a project specific basis on schemes across the UK.
  • Instructed to assist Sky (UK) Limited with a number of their UK transactional matters in relation to construction and also to assist with the production of their model form documents.
  • Instructed on Interglobe Hotels’s UK hotel development, starting with the redevelopment of Hotel George, Kensington London.

Real estate > Planning Tier 5

The ‘excellent’ and ‘very knowledgeableJohn Bosworth leads the planning team at Maples Teesdale LLP. The firm has experience advising on all aspects of the town and country planning system, assisting clients with the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters, from compulsory purchase and appropriation, to environmental matters, building regulations, and affordable housing mandates. Recently, the firm has also increased its focus on strategic land cases.

Practice head(s):

John Bosworth

Other key lawyers:

Robin Barnes

Testimonials

‘The advice given was legally sound and, most importantly, strategic and effective.’

‘John Bosworth is a very knowledgeable professional with experience that enables him to advise on how best to obtain the desired result with minimum fuss.’

‘John Bosworth is excellent, super responsive, and nothing is too much trouble. We always refer our planning queries to John as we know our clients are in safe hands.’

‘The planning team provides concise and effective advice at pace.’

‘John Bosworth is an exceptionally knowledgeable and practical planning specialist.’

Key clients

Dominus Group

Abrdn

University of London

Trenport Holdings

Aylesbury Vale Estates

Royal Sun Alliance

Lands Improvement Holdings

J Gliddon and Sons Ltd

Yoo Capital

Syngenta

Beaumont Hotel

Work highlights

  • Advising Dominus Group on a £35.5m mixed use redevelopment at The Green in Southall, a 23 storey tower close to the new Elizabeth Line.
  • Advising Trenport on its 950 dwelling development at Eccles in Kent, undertaking a legal review of the planning application, drafting the section 106 agreement, and advising on a non-determination appeal.
  • Advising a private landowner on a successful judicial review of a decision of West Oxfordshire District Council to adopt a masterplan for land that included the client’s land.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 6

Maples Teesdale LLP is active in investment and development deals, advising both lenders and borrowers in relation to the financing of retail, office, hotels, student accommodation, PRS and industrial assets. Practice co-heads Zoe Miller and Rohan Campbell lead on all domestic and international real estate finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Zoe Miller; Rohan Campbell

Testimonials

‘Very organised team. The team always provide exceptionally good instructions on what needs to be done.’

‘Core team real estate finance team is incredibly strong for a firm of Maples Teesdale’s size and punches well above its weight. Recently promoted partner and head of real estate finance, Zoe Miller, is technically excellent, commercially minded and a great problem solver.’

‘Zoe Miller stepped seamlessly into a difficult transaction and did a great job closing, providing good advice and a good understanding of our commercial needs.’

‘When it comes to anything real estate finance related, the firm is able to provide excellent advice which comes with the benefit of an in-depth understanding of the property sector.’

Key clients

AgFe

Bywater Properties

Deutsche Hypo Nord LB Real Estate

ICICI Bank UK Plc

Investec

Lloyds Banking Group

Martin’s Properties

Maslow Capital

Patrizia

Pictet Real Estate Capital

Tristan Capital Partners

Work highlights

  • Advising CCP 5, the perpetual core plus fund advised by pan-European real estate investment manager Tristan Capital Partners, on the refinancing of the Interchange Building, a Grade A office asset in Croydon.
  • Instructed by Martin’s Properties in connection with an additional tranche of investment financing secured on an additional portfolio of properties and cross collateralised with existing financing arrangements. Martin’s Properties are a leading property investment and development company based in Central London and operating throughout the South of England.
  • Advising the lender on a multi-currency facility to finance the acquisition of two retail parks in Glasgow and Dublin.

Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure

Specialising in providing real estate legal services to a range of clients including hotels, property management firms and fund managers, Maples Teesdale LLP has recently entered into the hospitality and leisure space with the hire of hotel transactions expert, Timothy Dodd, who was previously at Katten.

Maples Teesdale is the leading specialist commercial real estate law firm in the UK and is acknowledged as a leader in its sector.  The firm provides innovative, full service and truly partner led services to UK based and international clients.

Our sole focus is squarely on commercial real estate. This means that all of our experience, knowledge, work and industry relationships are sharply focused on helping you and your real estate requirements.  We have a deep understanding of the market in which our clients operate, and provide legal advice within a commercial context.

It handles all aspects of commercial property, including construction, real estate litigation, real estate finance, planning and corporate work.

The firm: Clients include major institutional investors, property developers, construction companies, banks and occupiers. Among them are abrdn, RSA Group plc, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, CBRE Investment Management, Patrizia, Legal & General Investment Management,  City, University of London, CLS Holdings plc, Pictet Alternative Advisors and Tristan Capital.

Over the last few years, Maples Teesdale has continued to gain significant new instructions and has also made new staff appointments. Clients say the firm has ‘a robust negotiating style and bring intellectual capital to the table. They are thinking, creative lawyers who solve problems’.

Types of work undertaken
The real estate team deals with all types of commercial property work, including development work, acquisitions and disposals, sale and leaseback transactions, all types of investment work including lettings, and landlord and tenant issues.

The construction group gives advice on both contentious and non-contentious matters, negotiating building contracts, professional appointments and related documentation.

The corporate team advises on company and partnership matters, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, partnership and company formations, trading agreements, and purchase and sale of businesses.

The planning team advises on all aspects of the town and country planning system, compulsory purchase and appropriation, highways, environment and energy matters, building regulations, affordable housing and judicial review.

The real estate finance team acts for both lenders and borrowers on property investment and development finance transactions. Developments range from mixed-use residential and commercial developments to large commercial forward fundings on complex property developments.

The real estate litigation team handles all property-related disputes, including specific performance or termination of contracts, injunctions and claims for damages. The team has been very active recently helping clients with service charge disputes, rights of light issues, rent reviews, dilapidations, planning disputes and enforcement of lending obligations.

Maples Teesdales’ strategy is to focus on commercial real estate, build strong relationships with clients in the sector, and provide a partner-led service. The firm is committed to growth and consolidating its position as the leading specialist commercial real estate firm.

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Paul Burke pburke@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Construction Sam Nichols snichols@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Property litigation Dellah Gilbert dgilbert@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Corporate John Bosworth jblackburn@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Property finance Zoe Miller zmiller@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Planning John Bosworth jbosworth@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Commercial property - Development Declan Power dpower@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Commercial property - Investment Roger Thornton rthornton@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
ESG Anastasia Klein aklein@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Hospitality and leisure Adam Bernstein abernstein@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Hotels Tim Dodd tdodd@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Industrial and logistics Mark Harryman mharryman@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Living Chris Xitsas cxitsas@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Offices Neil Sagoo nsagoo@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Retail Liam MacDonnell lmacdonnell@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Strategic land Martin Smith msmith@maplesteesdale.co.uk 020 7600 3800
Photo Name Position Profile
Fei  Pan photo Fei Pan Fei is an Associate in the construction team where he advises on acquisitions, disposals,…
Charis Almond photo Charis Almond Charis is a Trainee Solicitor at Maples Teesdale currently undertaking a variety…
Robin Barnes photo Robin Barnes Robin is a Senior Associate in the Planning team. Robin has experience…
Adam Bernstein photo Adam Bernstein Adam is a Senior Associate in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team and…
Harriet Beswick photo Harriet Beswick Harriet is an Associate in the commercial real estate team at Maples…
Edward Bird photo Edward Bird Edward is a Senior Associate in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team. He has…
John Bosworth photo John Bosworth John is Head of Planning at Maples Teesdale and has extensive experience working in…
Paul Burke photo Paul Burke Paul is the Managing Partner at Maples Teesdale. Paul is a corporate…
Scott Burn photo Scott Burn Scott is an Associate in the commercial real estate team at Maples Teesdale.…
Hester Coltman-Rogers photo Hester Coltman-Rogers Hester is an Associate in the corporate and commercial team at Maples…
James Cox photo James Cox James is a Senior Associate in the commercial real estate team at Maples…
Michael Craik photo Michael Craik Michael is a Consultant in the construction team advising on both non-contentious…
Eleanor Crawford-Drake photo Eleanor Crawford-Drake Ellie is a Senior Associate in the corporate and commercial team with experience…
Rosalind Cullis photo Rosalind Cullis Rosalind is a Partner in our Real Estate Disputes team. She has acted for…
Tim Dodd photo Tim Dodd Tim is a Partner in the corporate and commercial real estate team, specialising…
Charles Elgood photo Charles Elgood Charles is a Partner in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team. He has…
Dellah Gilbert photo Dellah Gilbert Dellah is the Head of Dispute Resolution at Maples Teesdale and has extensive experience…
Mark Harryman photo Mark Harryman Mark is a Partner in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team and is…
James Howland photo James Howland James is an Associate in the commercial real estate team at Maples Teesdale. James has…
Ruqayah Juyel photo Ruqayah Juyel Ruqayah is a Trainee Solicitor at Maples Teesdale currently undertaking a variety…
Helen Kearns photo Helen Kearns Helen is a Senior Associate in the commercial real estate team with experience in…
Anastasia Klein photo Anastasia Klein Anastasia is a Partner in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team and Head of ESG at…
Fiona Larcombe photo Fiona Larcombe Fiona is professional support lawyer who advises the team on all aspects…
Anna McDowell photo Anna McDowell Anna is an Associate in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team. Anna has…
Brooke McNeil photo Brooke McNeil Brooke is a Trainee Solicitor at Maples Teesdale currently undertaking a variety…
Zoe Miller photo Zoe Miller Zoe is a Partner in the Real Estate Finance team and the…
Tom Mills photo Tom Mills Tom is a Senior Associate in the dispute resolution team with wide experience in…
Robert Mullarkey photo Robert Mullarkey Robert is an Associate in the dispute resolution team with experience in landlord…
Claire Munn photo Claire Munn Claire is a Senior Associate in the dispute resolution team with experience in…
Megan Newnham photo Megan Newnham Megan is an Associate in real estate finance team, acting for borrowers…
Sam Nichols photo Sam Nichols Sam is the Head of Construction at Maples Teesdale and has extensive experience advising…
Declan Power photo Declan Power Declan is Head of Real Estate at Maples Teesdale and is one…
Arron Ratti photo Arron Ratti Arron is a Trainee Solicitor at Maples Teesdale currently undertaking a variety…
Hamish Riches photo Hamish Riches Hamish is a Trainee Solicitor at Maples Teesdale currently undertaking a variety…
Mary Romanov photo Mary Romanov Mary is a Senior construction Associate with experience advising on development schemes,…
Neil Sagoo photo Neil Sagoo Neil is a Partner in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team and is…
Samuel Sidenbladh photo Samuel Sidenbladh Samuel is a Senior Associate in the commercial real estate team with experience…
Clare Sivill photo Clare Sivill Clare is a Senior Associate in the commercial real estate team with experience…
Martin Smith photo Martin Smith Martin is Head of Strategic Land at Maples Teesdale with extensive experience in strategic…
Holly Stylianou photo Holly Stylianou Holly is an Associate in the commercial real estate team with experience in…
Shilpa Tailor photo Shilpa Tailor Shilpa is a Senior Associate in the commercial real estate team. Shilpa has…
Roger Thornton photo Roger Thornton Roger is Head of Commercial Real Estate at Maples Teesdale and is a key…
Alex Watkins photo Alex Watkins Alex is an Associate in the commercial property team with experience in all…
Katherine Watts photo Katherine Watts Katherine is a Partner in the commercial real estate team at Maples Teesdale. Katherine…
Stephanie Willis photo Stephanie Willis Stephanie is a Senior Associate in Maples Teesdale’s commercial real estate team.  Stephanie…
Alfred Wrigley photo Alfred Wrigley Alfred is a Paralegal in the commercial real estate team.  He provides support…
Chris Xitsas photo Mr Chris Xitsas Chris is a Partner in the commercial real estate team and heads up…
Number of UK partners : 19
Number of other UK fee-earners : 44
English
Society of Construction Law

 

COMPANY/FIRM: Maples Teesdale
TESTIMONIAL: As a focused team specialising in real estate they have a very high level of commerciality and, as a niche firm, they become connected across the real estate market – this is important to clients because Maples can put people together and draw together information from different people in the market which can be of critical value


COMPANY/FIRM: Maples Teesdale
TESTIMONIAL: The partners are very accessible and work extremely well with our team.  Their speed of delivery is very good, they are technically excellent and their advice is very commercial and focused on getting the deal done


COMPANY/FIRM: Maples Teesdale
TESTIMONIAL: Maples give top quality commercial advice on high value, complex transactions and provide a close–knit team. We get a great deal of care and attention, not just in terms of transactional support but also as a partner to the business, keeping our broader needs in mind and working alongside us to keep us informed of new developments in the law and best practice


COMPANY/FIRM: Maples Teesdale
TESTIMONIAL: We love to work with Maples due to their focus and commitment to commercial real estate and the strength in depth they have throughout the business


COMPANY/FIRM: Maples Teesdale
TESTIMONIAL: We have only recently started to use Maples Teesdale and are very pleased with the level of diligence and professionalism we have received; we certainly envisage a long and fruitful relationship



Key amongst our values at Maples Teesdale is to ensure that we offer a friendly, flexible, supportive, inclusive and collegiate working atmosphere for our staff.

As a firm specialising in commercial property we also value an understanding of the real estate market and strive to be reflective of the industry and the community in which we operate and that we provide commercial advice and are available and responsive to our clients.

We proactively address gender, age, sexual orientation, disability and socio-economic discrimination at all levels of our business; from recruitment to engagement in an active programme of internal and external community, charity and environmental events and initiatives run by our CSR Committee. Our Wellbeing Committee has organised for members of our team to be trained as mental health counsellors and run unconscious bias workshops. We also regularly celebrate cultural diversity, marking events such as religious holidays, Pride and National Womens’ Week.

We are proud of our work with the East End Community Foundation, an organisation that connects businesses with grassroots organisations in the East End. We linked up with the Foundation as we recognise that when you are working in an office in the City it is easy to overlook the poverty and other socio-economic issues on your doorstep. We provide volunteers from our firm for activities as diverse as fixing fences in a community farm, to offering CV and interview technique advice and work experience. Our team is very committed to this relationship and at a recent event we had volunteers from all levels of the firm, from the managing partner to support staff.

As a firm we are signatories to the Commitment Statement and active members of Real Estate Balance, a group which is committed to addressing gender imbalance in the real estate sector. This is an area we are particularly passionate about, because as a specialist commercial property law firm, we have a foot in two industries where women are underrepresented; law and real estate. Earlier this month we organised and hosted our second annual event for our clients and contacts about supporting women in business making the transition into senior management roles and the role of management in 2021. This is part of an ongoing project for us to offer practical advice to women in our in our industries and we are proud of the recognition we have had for these efforts in the market. In September 2020 we interviewed Ric Lewis of Tristan Capital Partners, in association with Bisnow, and discussed how Tristan built a business with an intentional culture that paves the way for diversity and what the real estate sector more broadly can do to solve its diversity problem.

The results of all of the above taken with our ongoing commitment to continued improvement, has been remarkable internally in terms staff engagement, motivation and general well-being and the cohesiveness of the team has been strengthened further.

We recognise that it is our people that make us stand out and that because we can attract and retain the best talent, we are able to offer our clients the best level of service. We offer flexible working and a good work-life balance leading to a very low staff turnover rate which means that clients have consistent teams that they work with allowing long-term relationships to develop. This consistency of teams, enables us to develop a genuine understanding of our clients’ business priorities and plans, assets, styles of working, preferred clauses and procedures. Furthermore, our exclusive focus on the commercial real estate market means that as a Firm, we share our experiences and understanding of the real estate industry both internally and externally, which enables us to keep abreast of developments in the industry and to advise and update our clients accordingly. All of this means that we can tailor our service to ensure we provide commercial advice, delivered in the way our clients want and with deals moving forward swiftly and smoothly.

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Verdict

‘Commercial property specialist’ Maples Teesdale ‘operates purely in real estate’ and continues to draw in those who want to be property lawyers. The London firm often acts for the same clients on several matters across different practice areas. It is therefore ‘likely that on moving seats, you will be working on similar documents and deals, but from a different perspective’. The result is that ‘Maples trainees emerge as real professionals in their field, with multidisciplinary skills that actually relate to their chosen practice’. The firm's consistently high rankings in The Legal 500 gave many applicants the validation they were looking for. Maples has a ‘reputation for excellent, high-quality work whilst respecting a work/life balance’. What’s more, ‘the firm values everyone as individuals. You really feel that your colleagues care about your future’. Trainees have ‘great exposure to work and clients’ and benefit from ‘sitting alongside partners in each department’, where they enjoy having ‘complete freedom to pick their brains’. In fact, partners at Maples are so approachable that they are often found ‘mingling with everyone from secretaries to senior associates’. Some downsides of working at the firm are the ‘limited diversity at senior level’ and that the ‘IT systems could do with a bit of improvement’. Some respondents also thought that ‘some of the firm's practices could be strengthened by winning some more big-ticket work’. Best moments included a ‘secondment to Nestle during my first seat’, ‘helping to complete a high-value logistics deal’ and ‘the Christmas party’, whilst worst moments were ‘being yelled at for something that could have been resolved over a productive conversation’ and ‘quiet periods in some seats’. For a firm with a ‘leading reputation in commercial property’ where ‘trainees are welcomed into the bigger picture’ take a closer look at Maples Teesdale.