Commercial property: Bristol in South West

‘The firm since taking on the instruction have been excellent. They have excelled at fee / budget management; communication, client management and interpersonal skills;  commercial minded in negotiations, deal doers not blockers; and technology is top level. The firm is real estate focused and you can tell in their approach and expertise. It has been a breath of fresh air working with them, in what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership.’

‘Good cross-discipline and communication.’

‘Richard Clark and Sally-Anne Hayles are assertive and take control of the negotiation, more than happy to take responsibility in there advice rather than always seeking client approval. This coupled with the fact that they are extremely commercial has made the legal negotiations smooth and have avoided them becoming protracted. Their communication and client management is excellent, it took know time at all to understand our commercial drivers and desired outcomes, and have swiftly gone about achieving them.’

‘The whole team is very engaging and people that you genuinely like as a person not just to work with, which makes everything a lot easier. Their experience, expertise that they bring to the table is second to none.’

‘Rick Read – excellent legal mind complimented by a strong practical approach to commercial issues.’

‘Ross Polkinghorne really knows his stuff and applies it in a really user-friendly way. He has made himself one of our team.’

‘Ian Wilkinson is very commercially minded and dynamic, as well as very friendly and personable. He stayed calm and focused throughout a challenging negotiation. ’

‘OC provide a start to finish service for our regional housebuilding business. All  services are provided to a high level. The seamless service provided during the lockdown is testament to the professionalism of the organisation.’

‘Our primary point of contact is Colin Stratton and we continue to be extremely pleased with this service provided.’

‘One of the few firms with high experience of working with the housebuilding industry- offers specialist advice covering all areas. Their housebuilder client list demonstrates how highly rated they are.’

‘Cross-border approach that Osborne Clarke provides in relation to the type of transactions we undertake is very valuable to us. Whilst Osborne Clarke can and do provide a very wide range of services/advice, they are not a faceless organisation.’

‘David North – you get a sense he really values us as a client.’

‘Osborne Clarke’s real estate team are the best we have worked with. They are very experienced and knowledgeable. They are client-focused, responsive and flexible. Legal drafting is always excellent. Advice is commercial and very reliable. If we have a tricky contract we would always choose Osborne Clarke. ’

‘Michelle McGurl is the best real estate solicitor I have worked with. Her knowledge and understanding are amazing. Her advice is excellent. She is always calm and considered even in difficult face to face meetings. Seriously impressive.’

‘Understands client’s requirements. Excellent in separating legal from commercial issues. Great team and communications are very good. CPD events are tailored to client specific issues.’

‘Clear and concise advice. Easy to work with and understands the client and their needs.’

‘Market knowledge and strong partnering ethos, great customer focus, understands our business and drivers.’

‘I’ve dealt with many different staff at Bevan Brittan but it always feels like a seamless experience – a cohesive team working together to the same standards and with the same approaches.’

‘What I value most at Bevan Brittan is their honesty and transparency – I know I can trust their advice.’

‘Mark Calverley is a regular contact, and I genuinely feel that we have a partnership rather than a customer-supplier relationship.’

‘Philip Thompson is excellent, always answers emails promptly and makes himself available for meetings – very knowledgeable’

‘The property team at Clarke Wilmott are able to provide a wide range of expertise across all aspects of property law and can call in assistance from other specialists within thier practice quickly to deliver a seamless service where unexpected problems arise for the client. The depth in the team means that there is always someone available to help with unexpected matters as well as for day to day issues that arise. The land transactions has required some unique “outside the box” thinking which Clarke Wilmott have delivered well and kept the project timeline moving.’

‘Laurence Lacy is very approachable and is able to give detailed, comprehnsive advice on technical issues which “non lawyers” both understand and are comfortable with. He is assisted by Beverely Pike who has grappled with complex land transaction issues with ease. Both have been readily available when needed and their advice has moved the overall project in the right direction.’

‘Personable, responsive, good old-fashioned customer service.’

‘Well respected in the area.’

‘Kate Topp and Ian Ramsay Tompkins are all knowledgeable, friendly and approachable.’

‘Very commercial. Excellent communicators. Great teamwork and a will to get the job done. ’

‘Very experienced regarding our business and acceptable terms. Very commercial and personable. Hard working and very professional. ’

‘A very well organised, professional company who deal with matters in a timely way.’

‘Kate Topp and Ian Ramsey Tompkins are extremely knowledgeable and deal with problems and provide solutions in a very timely manner.’

‘First experience of the Foot Anstey team, very efficient, very responsive, knowledgeable commercial and great at problem solving / effecting our complicated property transaction.’

‘Mark Li – very down to earth, approachable, experienced property lawyer; patient but firm where required protecting client’s interests. Very good at brainstorming commercially viable property solutions to complex property problems and completing transactions quickly and efficiently always with client’s interests at heart.’

‘The team has the unusual combination of highly specialist expertise and a practical, commercially minded approach. In my experience, legal practices tend to be one or the other and it’s rare to find lawyers who have both. This makes them particularly effective at delivering complex real estate/public sector projects. They also have a concentration of market leading experts in public/private collaborations, developments and regeneration projects.’

‘Dan Cuthbert is one of the best property litigators in the country and certainly in the South West. He is experienced, astute, very balanced and commercial yet always wants to do the best for his clients by trying to find the best angle in any dispute.’

‘Duncan Tringham is strategic and solution focussed, deploying a wealth of experience to resolve the many challenges which inevitably arise on complex developments and public/private collaborations. He understands how local authorities think and work and he has navigated many of them through difficult issues and projects that would deter others. His endless energy and calm and measured approach are just what you need to get the projects done and he somehow seems to maintain a good sense of humour even when you are negotiating the completion of a deal at 3 in the morning!’

‘Emilie Criddle – She is thorough, pro-active and determined. She provides a bedrock of support to the team, quietly and effectively completing her tasks to keep the projects on track. She always seems to be a step ahead of me anticipating and delivering what needs to be done.’