The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South East > Commercial property: Hampshire

Blake Morgan LLP's property group encompasses a new homes sales team, which is devoted to major development projects. Elsewhere, the firm has an excellent record of assisting household retailers with store roll-out and distribution centre programmes. On the financing side, it has recently seen a stream of new mandates from operators and lenders providing finance to the healthcare property and retirement living sectors. Group head Sean Palka regularly works with clients in the charity sector. Oliver Sowton's practice is focused primarily on the retail and leisure sectors.

In May 2018, Moore Blatch LLP merged with real estate firm Dempster Binning, which saw name partner Peter Dempster and Dawn Searles join the amalgamated commercial property team. Acquisitions and disposals of commercial property portfolios, property financing work and landlord and tenant transactions are notable mainstays of the work. The land development arm of the practice regularly acts for national housebuilders. Martin Duck is the team head. Luc Algar has specialist experience of acting for transport, logistics and marine sector clients.

The 'approachable' property and planning group at Paris Smith LLP is spread between the Southampton and Winchester offices. Assistance is provided to clients through niche team sub-specialisms in development, planning and plot sales. The group regularly liaises with the charities and education group when advising on the property aspects of schools converting to academies. Elsewhere, housebuilders, major retailers, banks and leisure companies are among the team's key clients. Lisa Busby recently made partner. Mark Howarth and John Mansell are also key contacts, as is associate Emma Pope.

The real estate group at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, which includes five partners, was strengthened by the arrival of managing associate Stephen Baker from CMS in June 2018. In addition, five other solicitors have joined the team. The diverse client roster includes London-based real estate investment funds, international corporate entities, national high street retailers and SMEs. Anthony Alderman is experienced in marine and energy sector transactions, and is also active in port developments. 'Formidable' practice head Tim Burbidge focuses on real estate investment and development.

Property finance is a key area of focus at Clarke Willmott LLP, which acts for names such as Interbay Funding and Lloyds Bank Plc, among others. The firm also demonstrates strong capabilities in property investment transactions, and generates a significant amount of work from London-based clients. Elsewhere, the group is highly reputed for commercial landlord and tenant matters, and is also sought out for its development expertise. Peter Swinburn leads the team.

Coffin Mew LLP's varied list of clients includes property developers, banks and rural estates. The firm's commercial property department advises on the full range of issues in connection with development projects, such as planning and environmental matters, and construction. Other areas of activity include landlord and tenant work and pension property investments. In addition, since its merger with Charles Lucas & Marshall in 2017, the firm has been increasingly active in the advice to rural estates and farms. Practice head Nick Leavey focuses on major development projects. Peter Fellows specialises in property investment and property finance work.

Lester Aldridge LLP's strengths in the real estate sphere are illustrated by the fact that its team has experience of handling development site acquisitions for clients such as McCarthy & Stone Plc and Care South. Property finance is another driver of activity, with the firm generating work from a number of clearing banks. Its team also has significant experience of managing property portfolios for clients in the marine, healthcare and telecommunications sectors, among others. Practice head Roger Wooley is the name to note for development projects, development agreements and disposals.

Irwin Mitchell's Southampton team regularly works with the firm's broader real estate team in the Chichester and Gatwick offices to provide a wide range of expertise to clients. Its varied practice covers real estate finance, regeneration/mixed-use schemes, corporate occupier work and portfolio acquisitions and disposals. One of the key figures in the team is Tina Webster, who excels in complex residential and commercial development projects, large corporate relocations and land promotion. David Fanchi, who has a first-rate reputation in real estate finance, has built up a notable following of lender clients. Philip Gray and Robert Stangroom are also names to note.

Shoosmiths LLP has a notable specialism in the transport & infrastructure sector; the team acts on the acquisition, disposal and development of Network Rail-regulated land, and regularly handles property-related matters for NATS. The firm also generates work with a nexus to the retail, leisure, telecoms and healthcare sectors. Joanne McGuiness is the name to note for large projects involving serial acquisitions and disposals. Property finance specialist Mehar Patel joined the firm in January 2019 from Lendy Limited.

Trethowans LLP has a national reputation in commercial property pension transactions. In addition, its team is a strong performer in property finance transactions and landlord and tenant work, It also provides support on the property aspects of M&A, and advises LPA receivers and insolvency practitioners on restructurings and insolvencies. Paul Longman is the head of the practice. Liz Bryson has expertise in land development matters.

The key names in BDB Pitmans' real estate team are consultants John Newton and Nick Todd. Specialisms of the practice include the acquisition and disposal of farms and agricultural estates, and also the promotion and sale of agricultural and rural land to leading residential developers. The team also has notable expertise in the marine sector, with Newton and Todd acting for a number of regional heavyweight clients, including Premier Marinas, Red Funnel Ferries and Solent & Wight Line Cruises.

Commercial property is a bedrock of Dutton Gregory's work. Its offering has undergone a significant transition, with Alan Sydney retiring from private practice in 2018, along with fellow partners Lorne Campbell and Roger Breese. Denise Bull, who has more than 30 years of experience, succeeded Sydney as the department practice head and the group has been bolstered by a number of lateral hires. The firm undertakes all types of commercial property work, with specialisms in the care homes, charity, retail, hotels, leisure and telecoms sectors.

Foot Anstey provides a full service to clients with its commercial property practice operating on a cross-office basis as one team. In Southampton, an 11-strong team has a particular focus on residential development, with clients in this space including regional and national housebuilders, as well as registered providers of affordable housing. Property portfolio management work is another area of focus, and the firm generates a significant amount of repeat work from a number of key clients; Carol Phillips is the name to note in this area. Martin Hirst is the head of the practice.