The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South West > Commercial property: Bristol

Burges Salmon LLP's market-leading real estate practice, which is led by Colin Ligman, acts for a broad base of private sector clients, including major landowners, household name retailers, hotels, developers and construction companies, among others. In addition, the firm advises public sector clients, such as local authorities. Richard Clark is particularly active in the office and retail sectors, where he focuses on advising investors, developers and occupiers. Richard Read has significant experience of the student accommodation sector, and he is also active in the hotels and leisure space. Ross Polkinghorne, who leads the real estate development group, advises both public and private sector clients on high-value regeneration projects. Euan Bremner handles development and acquisition transactions for energy clients. Philip Beer is another key figure.

Bevan Brittan LLP is a first port of call for many housing associations, health organisations and local authorities in complex development and regeneration projects. It also generates work from private sector entities. The team is led by Mark Calverley, who has an outstanding track record advising on major regeneration and development projects nationwide. Illustrative of its excellent reputation, the group advises on some of the biggest disposals and redevelopments of hospital sites in London. Another key figure in the team is Alison Buckingham, who leads the social housing practice in the South West region. Rob Harrison is noted for his work in the health property space.

Clarke Willmott LLP features prominently in some of the largest residential development schemes in the South West, and it is also a powerhouse in commercial development projects, investment acquisitions and disposals, and property portfolio management. Also notable is that the firm is particularly strong in real estate matters with a nexus to the telecoms and renewables sectors. Clients include developers, investors, retailers, telecoms operators, and business occupiers, among others. Louise Brown heads up the group, which includes William Juckes, Laurence Lacey, Greg Lovett and Oliver Smedley. Clare Day departed for Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is renowned for its work in the shopping centre sector, where it acts on high-profile joint ventures and pre-lets, among other matters. Nick Knapman leads the firm’s national real estate shopping centre team and handles contentious and strategic property matters. Julitta Yates specialises in shopping centre asset management work. Elsewhere, the firm has also raised its profile in the housebuilding space, where it acts for a number of the UK's largest residential developers. Bristol team head Graham Brothwood advises multiple corporate clients on their real estate requirements. Ben Pariser has significant experience of acting for mixed-use, residential and commercial developers. Michael Bothamley has expertise in regeneration, development, investment and funding.

TLT’s primary strengths are in real estate asset management, and commercial and residential development. The firm is also able to advise on ancillary areas, such as planning, construction, tax, and environmental law. The real estate practice has developed specialisms in a wide range of industry sectors, including retail and consumer goods, leisure and the public sector. The practice is led by Maria Connolly, who is ‘friendly, knowledgeable and always contactable’. Connolly is particularly known for her work in the clean energy sector, as is Matthew Grimwood. Andrew Glynn specialises in commercial property investment and acts for property occupiers such as banks, lenders and public sector bodies. Julia Lucas supports leisure sector clients in portfolio acquisitions, disposals, refinancings and estate management.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's real estate practice has a strong focus on energy-related matters, rail infrastructure, institutional investment, public sector development and secured lending property finance. The firm acts for both local and national clients, including numerous local authorities, developers, landlords and corporate occupier tenants. The team has secured multiple panel wins recently, with Homes England being one notable example. The 'fantastic’ Andrew Harding specialises in institutional investment, leisure and development projects. Simon Hughes, who heads up the energy and natural resources real estate team, is also highly recommended. Leading the operational property group, Katherine Douglas handles acquisitions, disposals, regeneration schemes and development projects.

Foot Anstey's practice has a focus on housebuilder and mixed-use development work, as well as property matters connected with the energy and infrastructure, financial services, retail and leisure, and public sectors. Richard Walford excels in corporate occupier and infrastructure work. Another key figure is Islamic finance expert Imam Qazi, who has extensive experience of investment, finance and development transactions. Duncan Tringham is also a name to note. In 2018, legal director Mark Li joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and managing associate Kutahya Cherry was hired from CMS.  Paul Clark departed for Burges Salmon LLP.

Thrings LLP acts for clients such as commercial developers, corporate occupiers, retail tenants and property investors, among others. The team advises on all aspects of residential development, corporate occupier and investment work, as well as secured lending. It also has a specialist health and care sector team, which is led by Ben Tarrant. The ‘excellent’ Steve Schofield, who is noted for ‘dealing with contracts commercially’, leads the wider Bristol-based commercial property group. Schofield has developed a niche in land development. Robert Barnes advises institutional lenders on property and development finance. In May 2018, Colin Stratton departed for Osborne Clarke.

At VWV, the commercial property department brings together expertise in property acquisitions and disposals, property development, finance and investment, leases and relocations, and other projects. The practice is led by Steven McGuigan, whose client base mostly comprises property developers, local authorities, lenders and central government bodies. The firm has also built a strong reputation for advising religious and educational institutions, and also international energy companies. Jessica Booz and Simon Linnitt are recommended.