Drawing superlative praise from clients, the ‘outstanding, well-led, and well-resourced‘ Burges Salmon LLP fields a deep team who are routinely instructed by high-profile occupiers, local authorities and public sector bodies on big-ticket mandates. The wider group is chaired by Richard Read, an ‘outstanding commercial property lawyer‘ who succeeded Paul Browne as practice head in May 2023. Philip Beer – highly experienced in redevelopment and regeneration projects – advises leading rail and real estate companies on major ventures, while transactional specialist Richard Clark’s recent engagements include high-value site developments and acquisitions for all manner of corporate clients. Ross Polkinghorne, who heads up the real estate sector team, is also well-versed in big-ticket regeneration projects, as well as in new mixed-use, industrial, and education sector developments. Amy Simpson is noted for her public sector acumen.

Steered by projects, real estate, and finance practice head Michelle McGurl, the ‘industry leading’ Osborne Clarke LLP is turned to by numerous leading national investors, developers, contractors and lenders for its expertise in all manner of residential and commercial developments. David North is noted for his expertise in student accommodation matters, working with a litany of developers on high-value corporate deals. A number of global investors turn to international real estate sector head Ian Wilkinson for his capabilities in acquisition and development work, while Colin Stratton is a key port of call for the firm’s residential developer clients. Also specialising in residential development, the ‘outstanding’ Steve Schofield serves as relationship partner to various major housebuilders, who turn to him for strategic and transactional support. Other names to note include Adam Hayward, recommended for his broad transactional practice, and Joanna Risdale, whose recent engagements include logistics acquisitions and big-ticket joint ventures.

Rated by clients for its ‘excellent, practical advice', the team at Ashfords LLP – which is especially well-versed in franchising work – maintains a strong position across the social housing, hospitality, SIPP & SSAS, and residential sectors. The Bristol group is led by Andrew Worley, an experienced partner whose capabilities are concentrated in retail leasing and restaurant franchising work. Kate Topp specialises in residential development matters, including acquisitions and joint ventures, while Isabelle Clement maintains an active housing sector practice, working with various providers on land and unit transactions. Ian Ramsay Tompkins is also noted for his experience in residential matters, acting for both developers and landowners on all manner of deals.

Helmed by national department head Mark Calverley, Bevan Brittan LLP‘s ‘excellent sector knowledge‘ makes them a strong choice for a range of public and private sector clients, including government panels and health trusts. David Hobbs spearheads the firm’s estate management offering, working with leading non-profits and public sector bodies on regeneration projects and investment acquisitions. Beyond his health sector expertise, David Wardle is routinely turned to by local authorities and registered providers for assistance with housing and regeneration schemes, particularly in London and the South East. Rob Harrison spearheads the team's relationship with NHS Property Services Limited, as well as a number of independent health sector operators, while Alison Buckingham runs the social housing offering in the region. Other names to note include Jessica Church, who heads up the housing finance practice.

In addition to acting for a host of local authorities across the South East and South West, Freeths LLP is regularly instructed by a number of utilities companies and developers, who turn to the team for its capabilities in mixed-use developments, regeneration schemes, and infrastructure ventures. Practice head Duncan Tringham is an ‘outstanding‘ real estate partner whose wide-ranging practice covers regeneration schemes and mixed-use developments, both for public and private sector clients. Daniel Cuthbert, who heads up the regional real estate litigation practice, is noted for his telecoms infrastructure acumen, while Michael Bray handles an array of projects in the transport and energy sectors – an area in which Emilie Criddle is also well-versed. Tom Allen, who joined the team from Bates Wells in January 2022, maintains a broad commercial property practice.

Led by national group head Maria Connolly – who also chairs the firm’s cross-disciplinary Future Energy team – TLT is well-regarded for its capabilities in corporate real estate work, advising on premises leasing, deeds of easement, and developments. Julia Lucas, who heads up the firm’s leisure, food, and drink team, works with numerous retailers and pub chains on acquisitions and phased developments.  Matthew Grimwood specialises in clean energy property transactions, while former senior partner Andrew Glynn is noted for his public sector expertise. Other names to note include the leisure sector-focused Julian Mant, and James Webb, a key contact for retail property matters. David Meecham joined the practice from Pinsent Masons LLP in November 2022, strengthening the team’s position in public sector-driven work.

Led by Simon Day – a specialist in landlord and tenant work – Clarke Willmott LLP is instructed by various housebuilders and developers for assistance in transactions, commercial developments, and plot sales, among other matters. Philip Thompson heads up the team’s housebuilder sector, while Karl Brown focuses on development transactions and land sales to social housing associations. Other key names to note include Laurence Lacey, whose broad experience sees him advising both public and private sector clients on multi-million-pound developments and acquisitions. The ‘brilliant‘ Sarah Mogford and Amanda French joined the practice in early 2022, arriving from Lewis Silkin and Neal Bertram Legal Services Limited trading as Bertram Fairbanks, respectively.

Well regarded by clients, the ‘very knowledgeable' team at Foot Anstey acts for clients across the developer, retailer, financial services, and energy sectors. The team is led by the Exeter-based Richard Sutton, a specialist in development work. Imam Qazi is noted for his Islamic finance acumen, while Kutahya Cherry – who was promoted to partner in January 2023 – maintains a renewable energy sector-focused practice. Other key figures include Mark Li, a transport and energy property specialist, whose recent engagements include cross-border acquisitions and portfolio management matters. Stuart Cleak left the practice in July 2022 to pursue freelance opportunities. All named lawyers are based in Bristol unless stated otherwise.

Thrings LLP's real estate practice is frequently engaged for assistance with secured lending, investment, and corporate occupier work, including multi-million-pound transactions. Robert Barnes – a specialist in property finance and commercial developments – heads up the Bristol-based team, advising on sales and leases for various regional clients. Alastair Wallworth and Rebecca Dixon jointly chair the practice’s residential development team, while Caitlin Mills is noted for her broad practice, with recent engagements including investment acquisitions for clients in the agricultural industry.