Sharpe Pritchard LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘Experience which can be traced back over a hundred years. Intimate knowledge of the law and an involvement in a large percentage of all election work.’

‘Emyr Thomas is clearly the pre-eminent lawyer in this field.’

‘Particular expertise over generations, bringing unrivalled knowledge and sound advice to local government in need of advice.’

‘Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis have simply unparalleled knowledge and experience of parliamentary law. There is, quite simply, no one better informed and no one with better judgement about how to approach petitioning Select Committees on Hybrid Bills.’

‘Extensive knowledge in a niche and complex area of law which is critical in reaching the right decision when urgently needed.’

‘Emyr Thomas certainly requires an “exceptional availability” score for being on hand in the early morning following local elections to provide advice. Excellent advice.’

‘Alastair Lewis is hugely competent and practical.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard is second to none in its parliamentary expertise. There is nowhere better for intelligent and practical advice.’

‘Alastair Lewis is bright and works particularly hard for his clients. His advice is clear, soundly based, and realistic, and it reflects his extensive experience in this area. Emyr Thomas is likewise very experienced and enthusiastic and is adept at obtaining the attention of committees.’

‘There is, quite simply, no one with better experience and knowledge of how to petition Select Committees in relation to hybrid bills than Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis. They have an unparalleled grasp of parliamentary work.’

‘They have a depth of experience across a number of sectors. We have been working with them for nearly 20 years on many different projects. At all times they have been able to provide the right person with the right level of experience.’

‘Justin Mendelle has been an outstanding partner working with us for many years. He brings a wealth of experience, ideas, and solutions to the long-running case. He is pragmatic, with a razor sharp legal brain, and he plays in the right level of support from the firm to enable work to be turned around very quickly, with exceptional accuracy. He is great at simplifying a complex case for the corporate council team and councillors.’

‘Strong team that are able to respond creatively to find solutions to problems.’

‘Exceptional level of knowledge, not just around the key highway infrastructure discipline, but also in supplementary areas affecting the procurement.’

‘The knowledge provided was fantastic. The practice has a collaborative, positive and comfortable working environment.’

‘The team at Sharpe Pritchard are fantastic. The team overall has an expert grasp of procurement law as well as waste legislation.’

‘The team have been very flexible during procurement projects and have managed changing timescales with ease, being able to draw on a range of colleagues within their immediate team, as well as from wider areas of the business.’

‘The entire team at Sharpe Pritchard have been great to work with. All the partners have been fantastic.’

‘Excellent breadth of knowledge, with individuals able to be brought in to provide specialist advice on projects.’

‘Knowledgeable and very approachable. Efficient and proactive to work with, identifying potential issues and providing clear analysis and explanation of scenarios, helps makes the whole project run smoothly.’

‘The team provided expert advice throughout the project, translating complex matters into an understandable format with patience and professionalism. The team are personable and with their valuable knowledge and support steered us through several complex matters to successful conclusions.’

‘The main reason I keep coming back to Sharpe Pritchard is the personal service that they provide. They understand our culture and approach to creating and delivering contracts.’

‘Justin Mendelle has a unique ability to explain legal terminology and interpretations. His experience and knowledge is the best.’

‘Justin Mendelle provides that balance of strategic and transactional advice that is required and balance of senior to more junior time well. Almost always get the right advisor in the room at the right time.’

‘A real strategic approach to the delivery of outcomes. Instead of purely a transactional approach Justin Mendelle and the team consider the outcomes desired, commercial tensions and the legal ramifications.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard has a great depth of knowledge and experience in construction law and related contentious matters. That, coupled with their practical experience and commercial awareness, make SP an excellent provider of legal expertise within the construction sector.’

‘The availability of staff to react to tight deadlines, their wealth of knowledge and experience, commercial awareness and strategic input all combine to ensure that clients are well served by Sharpe Pritchard. Both Justin Mendelle (Partner) and Melanie Blake (Associate) have provided sterling legal and strategic advice.’

‘Real expertise that gives confidence in the creation and drafting of contracts, reliable, quick to respond and friendly service.’

‘Rachel Murray-Smith and Michael Comba are a dynamic team that provides first-class advice, to the extent that those on the other side of a transaction find it necessary to pass comment on their excellence. It is a pleasure to work with genuine good-natured individuals who are talented in their line of work whilst retaining their modesty.’

‘Rachel Murray-Smith has been a real asset to our project. As well as being an outstanding lawyer, she is very personable and provides advice which is clear to the project team and is commercially based. Coming from a local government background she has a clear understanding of public sector issues.’

‘Rachel Murray-Smith and Helen Batter were excellent at their job. In the middle of the work when it was extremely busy with a lot of information flying about both people were very controlled, detail orientated and gave us a lot of confidence in the work produced (which was to a very high standard).’

‘Huge experience.’

‘Andrew Swaffer has great care and devotion to detail.’

‘The market leader for public sector and parliamentary work.’

‘Andrew Swaffer is super efficient and well-liked by clients.’

‘Bernadette Hillman is quick to respond, clear on timescales to advise, and meets those timescales.’

‘In-depth knowledge, particularly of how local government works, as well as the confidence of the sector through many years hands-on experience.’

‘Andrew Swaffer is a class act who should get greater credit and profiling.’

‘A very experienced team with particular knowledge of the restraints under which local authorities have to operate.’

‘Jo Pickering and her team, including Susie Sharpe and James Nelson, offer a very personal service.’

‘Staff are approachable, knowledgeable and responsive. They give clear advice and work collaboratively with us to find the best outcome.’

‘Lillee Reid-Hunt was very friendly and easy to work with. She was responsive to communication and gave pragmatic and commercial advice.’

‘Knowledgeable team with expertise in procurement of delivery partnerships.’

‘I was particularly impressed by Simon Kiely’s ability to give precise, high-quality advice on litigation – both details and strategy – within a very rapid time frame in every instance, regardless of how large or small the point, and his exceptionally empathetic manner and communication skills.’

‘Their people are excellent, extremely capable and truly helpful.’

‘The breadth of knowledge and experience of public law at Sharpe Pritchard is unparalleled, which means solicitors are capable of dealing with each case in detail, and capable of drawing on their broader expertise in any case.’

‘Simon Kiely is exceptional.’

‘Jonathan Blunden is a standout solicitor. He is very bright, and has a good eye for detail, and makes incredibly valuable contributions. He is also great fun to work with; he’s friendly and personable, with a good sense of humour. One of my favourite solicitors to work with.’

‘The team are real experts in administrative and public law. They have strength and depth.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard has unrivalled knowledge and experience of local government matters, in particular litigation involving local authorities. It is strong on both the substantive law and procedural rules.’

‘George McLellan brings tremendous nous and experience to all commercial judicial review and public law matters. He has significant experience of broader judicial review and human rights work. A top choice.’