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Who Represents Who

Find out which law firms are representing which Commercial property: Norwich clients in East Anglia using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

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At Birketts LLP 'the service level is excellent and the work is done in a timely fashion'. One client remarks that it is 'among the best firms for this type of work due to its speed of execution'. 'In all departments the value for money is superb and they offer top professional advice with it', remarks one client. The 'commercially-minded, solutions-focused and extremely diligent' Melissa Loucas, who leads the retail sector group and advises corporate clients based both locally and nationally, including landlords, tenants, occupiers and investors on  acquisitions, disposals and asset management, is 'exceptional – always available to deal with any issues that arise; she gives commercial and professional advice’. Loucas, partner Bhargav Trivedi, associate Andrew Ridout and solicitor Joe Yexley are 'very knowledgeable and able to put complex legal issues in more simple terms; they are very committed, hardworking and personable'. Loucas and Ridout recently assisted an international technology company with landlord and tenant matters, as well as leases for its national network of retail premises. Robert Gibbs leads the strategic land group. Last year, he advised a national retailer on the management of its surplus leasehold property portfolio, which comprised ten sites across the UK.  Rising star associate Greg McCurday is also recommended.

Howes Percival LLP is praised for its 'strong business approach – quietly efficient, providing excellent advice appropriate to the situation and good value for money'. The practice handles major residential and commercial development projects, investment portfolio matters, property finance and renewable energy projects, and it has specific expertise in sectors such as leisure, tourism, education, healthcare and automotive. The firms ‘outstanding‘ partners include practice head and firm chair Tessa Haskey, who has ‘a readily approachable and confident manner', and the 'calm and confident' Joanna Nicholls. Haskey acted for Norse Development Company and International Aviation Academy on the letting of the academy to various users including a  helicopter manufacturer and the local air ambulance service. Tracey Hughes is a leading light in complex development matters. For Heritage Developments, she handled a £5m site acquisition for residential development. Directors Nicola Curle and Alice Liddle are recommended for advice on residential development and the drafting of complex contracts respectively.

Mills & Reeve LLP has 'a very responsive and knowledgeable team that has a strong sense of duty to the client'. The ‘bright, responsive and always pragmatic' Caroline Dean leads the practice and specialises in development work; she acted for Kilverstone Trust on the sale of land for a 5,000-home development near Thetford. 'Absolute star' Carina Cobbold, who specialises in mixed-use development work and large-scale projects, is ‘excellent - a very skilful operator, very knowledgeable with a good depth of experience; her measured yet commercial approach is invaluable'. She handled a sustainable urban extension project near Rugby for Sue Developments, which has a total value in excess of £28m and involved planning permission for 6,200 new homes, as well as commercial retail and leisure space, and four schools. Also recommended are principal associates Lisa-Marie Kennedy, who ‘has a great work ethic and achieves fantastic results‘; Lucy Whipps , who is 'focused, intelligent, hardworking and a great legal mind'; and Zoe Cooke, who handles high-value residential development work for London-based clients. Senior associate Anna Aldous is 'very thorough, conscientious and always available'.

Rogers and Norton fields an ‘absolutely superb‘ practice that is ‘very thorough, knowledgeable and professional‘. Practice head Bruce Faulkner is handling a growing caseload of development work, particularly for developers taking advantage of the Permitted Development rules to convert former commercial space in Norwich to residential use. Legal executive Yvonne Benner ‘has a massive breadth of knowledge; she is exceptionally customer-centric and ensures that the client is always protected and is in full receipt of the all the facts‘. Senior solicitor Lauren Coleman is also recommended and managing partner Richard Etheridge, who handles property matters for GP surgeries, also plays a role in the practice.

At Clapham & Collinge Solicitors senior partner Hugh Berridge leads the commercial property practice, bringing more than 25 years' experience to work for high-net-worth individuals in East Anglia. Solicitor Jade Tinney also plays a key role in the practice, which is supported by legal executive Jack Shreeve who 'works efficiently'. One client remarks that 'he will go far'. Berridge and Shreeve recently acted for the landlords of a tenanted commercial premises in an action to forfeit the lease and take back possession of the property. The team also handled the negotiation of a new lease for a commercial premises in a transaction that required advice on stamp duty land tax.

Cozens-Hardy LLP is 'competent and practical, and looks towards agreeing rather than complicating matters'. The commercial property practice receives instructions for disposals and commercial lettings from clients across the UK and from a diverse range of business sectors including retail, industry, leisure and agriculture. Principal Dan Evans handles property transactions for individuals, companies, pensions schemes and charities, and he is praised for 'his practical approach to matters'. Principal Caroline Linsdell is also recommended. Highlights for the practice included the £8m disposal of land for residential development, the refinancing of property portfolios, and disposals for the development of solar farms.

The commercial property team at Fosters acts for developers, professional landlords and lenders in sales and purchases, commercial leases and the real estate elements of business sales. Senior associate Rachel Appleton has more than ten years' experience in this field and is especially recommended for advice to landlords and tenants.

Leathes Prior has six fee earners in its busy commercial property practice, which handles sales, purchases, leasing transactions and landlord and tenant matters for a large client base in Norfolk, as well as a growing number clients with properties elsewhere in the UK and overseas. The practice acts for clients in a diverse range of sectors including residential development, property investment, financial services, regional, retail and agriculture. It has also developed niche specialisms in insolvency-related property work, healthcare, franchising, post offices and the licensed trade. Practice head Rob Sibley has 30 years' experience in leasehold and freehold acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, agriculture, residential and commercial development, commercial leases and investment property. Also recommended are head of private client William Riley, and solicitors Victoria Smith, James Allen and Cara Keen.

Spire Solicitors LLP has a commercial property team based in Norwich that provides services to clients through its network of eight offices across Norfolk. It has particular expertise in option agreements, commercial estate development, overage, asset management and landlord/tenant matters. Practice head Colin Wright hired Howard Bailey from Ashtons Legal to focus on commercial landlord and tenant work, as well as land and property transactions, secured lending and property development. Solicitor Benedict Keane ‘has a no-nonsense approach and does the work at a reasonable cost'. He has a strong client base among of local and national clients in the licensed trade. Also recommended are Annette Collen, who frequently advises clients in the offshore energy sector, and Tim Chiverton, who has a particular focus on landlord and tenant matters.

Steeles Law has a vastly experienced head of real estate in Michael Fahy, who has more than 30 years' experience in commercial property. His team handles the full range of property matters from acquisitions and disposals to option and overage agreements. His clients include A R Hall & Sons, Lowestoft College and Cygnet Care Limited. He is supported by solicitor Lisha Gorsia, whose recent work encompasses, leases, single and multi-academy conversions, and property transactions including the acquisition of franchises of one of the world's best-known fast food brands. Fahy recently acted for a GP partnership on the development of a new surgery and training facility in the centre of Norwich, and supported the corporate and commercial team in the sale of a funeral services business with multiple business premises across London.

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