The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > North West > Local government

The local government group at Addleshaw Goddard handles complex transactions and provides consultancy and legal advice on matters such as development option appraisals, state aid and procurement. Areas of expertise include powers to borrow and invest, outsourcing and partnership transactions, high value procurement claims, renewable projects and development and construction transactions, often in cash-constrained scenarios. Andrew Pettinger is highly experienced in major outsourcing commercial transactions for local government. He jointly heads the team with Michael O’Connor, who focuses on project finance across various infrastructure and social infrastructure sectors.

DWF is known for its strength in public procurement, with specialisms in regeneration and infrastructure schemes and insurance work for local authorities, with state aid expertise provided by a dedicated team led by public sector and EU competition head Jonathan Branton, who divides his time between the UK and Brussels. Colin Murray heads the practice and has significant expertise in public law, procurement, governance and commercialisation issues. Associate Bradley Martin is noted for his record of advising local authorities on regeneration projects and outsourcing deals.

The team at BLM is particularly known for its advice on development, site acquisitions and funding, social housing, governance and regulatory matters. Other key areas of work include projects and procurements, social care, education, planning and environment, misfeasance, employment and abuse and child sexual exploitation claims. Paul Tarne, who acts for local authorities and emergency services in civil and regulatory matters, jointly heads the practice with Matthew Hyam, who concentrates on acting for stock-owning local authorities and registered providers of social housing. Associate Nicholas Leigh is noted for his 'impressive knowledge' which 'inspires confidence'.

Browne Jacobson LLP's public law practice works with local authorities across the country, and focuses on large scale procurement, regeneration, waste and other contractual matters. The practice has advised on contracts and outsourcing arrangements for services including ICT, social care, children's services, software and software licences, adult and community learning and bus services. It has also provided guidance on alternative delivery models such as community benefit societies. Michael Mousdale has extensive experience acting on local authority PFI schemes and strategic partnerships.

DLA Piper supports local government clients across a range of practice areas, handling corporate and commercial projects, planning, outsourcing, real estate, pensions and litigation. The team offers guidance on large-scale procurements, joint ventures and other commercial collaborations, as well as complex planning issues. Sarah Bell, who has extensive experience in commercial projects and joint ventures, jointly leads the group with UK managing partner Liam Cowell, who specialises in infrastructure and project financed transactions. Gemma Cowap focuses on local authority commercial trading projects and public sector outsourcings.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP is particularly adept at advising local government clients on managing budget pressures and finding new, sustainable sources of income. The practice provides guidance on capital assets, commercial opportunities and developing partnerships with the private sector. The team has extensive experience in social care housing, including local authority housing development and transfer of council housing stock, schools and services such as waste collection and disposal. Suzanne Benson heads the team and specialises in major projects, including strategic land, joint ventures and regeneration.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's team advises on public procurement, transport and education matters, as well as disputes arising from the process of procuring goods and services. Other key areas of work include advising on governance and public sector pensions. The team advises local authorities on projects, judicial review and public sector senior executive severances. Jackie Heeds and Kuljeet Gill are the key contacts in Manchester.

The local government team at Hill Dickinson LLP advises on public procurement, property and regeneration projects, governance, pensions, dispute resolution and telecoms, and also takes on education, health and social contract commission work. Practice head Mark Fitzgibbon undertakes a broad range of procurement and governance work; Tracy Sheehan leads the telecoms team.

Squire Patton Boggs is most well-known for its expertise in regeneration projects and development transactions involving public and private sector collaboration. Other key strengths include funding and development finance, infrastructure and finance projects, public sector pensions, legacy PFI schemes and clean air and decarbonisation initiatives. Mark Gaffney focuses on property development and portfolio transactions; he jointly heads the team with Mark Barker.

TLT handles matters including planning, procurement, tax, real estate and complex projects for local government clients. The practice also advises on commercial contracts, IT work and large-scale development and regeneration projects. Kuldip Dhanoya, who heads the team, has significant experience in advising on the establishments of PFI/PPPs, outsourcing and joint venture arrangements.