Gowling WLG‘s sizeable construction and engineering practice is widely acclaimed for the depth of its capabilities in both public and private-sector driven mandates. Jointly steered by Michael O’Shea and Richard Green , who respectively head up the team’s contentious and non-contentious offerings, the firm is routinely engaged on big-ticket PFI handback disputes, regeneration project procurements, and breach of contract claims. Seasoned construction disputes specialist Ashley Pigott regularly helms multi-million pound disputes in the residential, education, and utilities sectors, while PFI handback expert Sarah Dyer concentrates on cases in the transport and energy sector. Ruth Griffin is a key port of call for a varied roster of retailers and infrastructure providers seeking assistance in high-profile projects. Principal associate Gemma Whittaker is recommended for her capabilities in major developments and automation projects. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.

Fielding a ‘strong, partner-led team‘, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is consistently engaged on a myriad of commercial and infrastructure-driven projects, both regionally and nationally. Non-contentious practice co-chair Peter Scurlock  is highly experienced in high-value project procurements, most notably in the renewable energy and commercial development sectors. Co-chair David Jones is noted for the depth of his expertise in utilities engineering, working with a diverse roster of industry stalwarts on multi-billion pound investments and strategic alliances. Many of the firm’s real estate developer clients turn to Richard Hartigan for support in complex mixed-use projects within the West Midlands and beyond. Principal associate John Batten routinely leads on nationally-significant energy infrastructure developments. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham. 

Mills & Reeve LLP is routinely sought out by various blue-chip corporates, universities, and public sector bodies for representation in high-value commercial developments and contractual disputes. Stuart Pemble heads up the transactional construction practice, working with healthcare operators and internationally-renowned apparel brands on major projects. Martino Giaquinto, who spearheads the construction and energy disputes offering, is highly experienced in litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as pre-dispute advisory services. A number of the firm’s further education and healthcare sector clients turn to principal associate Caroline Foster for her ‘exemplary’ capabilities in construction and engineering projects. Senior associate Patrick Wisheu is recommended for energy sector disputes. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.

Shoosmiths LLP‘s interdisciplinary practice routinely handles a strong mix of contentious and non-contentious matters, ranging from the construction aspects of various big-ticket logistics and infrastructure projects, to high-stakes multi-party contractual disputes. The practice is led by Patrick Garner, a seasoned development specialist whose recent engagement include financing transactions and complex asset protection agreement negotiations. Andrew Outram specialises in strategic issues arising from construction and regeneration projects, most recently for clients in the residential development sector. On the contentious side, the ‘truly outstanding‘ Ian Yule focuses on civil engineering and process plant disputes, while principal associate Michael Bennett is recommended for his experience in contentious proceedings involving coastal defence projects, railways, and power plants.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is sought out by housing groups and local authorities for its ‘first-class knowledge’ of construction procurements, NEC contracts and disputes related to the public procurement of works contracts and remedial works. The practice is jointly led by Andrew Lancaster, a specialist in construction and public procurement disputes for clients in the public, social housing and care sectors; Richard Brooks, an energy procurement expert; and Andrew Millross, who works with social housing RPs on PPP projects and multi-party regeneration schemes. Legal director Helen Thompson, who joined from Berwick Law in June 2021, specialises in construction and engineering contract agreements. Contentious specialist Paul Slinger was a further new arrival from Wright Hassall LLP in February 2022. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.

Working collaboratively across numerous offices, Browne Jacobson LLP‘s multi-capable practice regularly handles PFI contract disputes and public utilities procurement contracts for a varied roster of local authorities, healthcare operators, and private sector clients. Practice head Martin Cannon   is noted for his contentious expertise, handling contractor claims and PFI disputes for various health, education, and local government entities. Zoe Stollard, who joined from Clarke Willmott LLP in March 2022, advises on a wide array on non-contentious matters, most notably in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Senior associate Emma Wake is recommended for her experience in dispute resolution. All named layers are based in Birmingham.

Drawing on its considerable national network of offices, Freeths LLP enjoys a strong reputation in the energy construction space, working with numerous blue-chip corporates, utilities providers, and lenders. Focusing chiefly on non-contentious construction matters and renewable energy projects, practice chair Perveen Akhter advises widely on regionally significant developments, while managing associate Alison Heathcote works with public and private sector entities on building contracts and other procurement matters. On the contentious front, Alex Johnson specialises in cross-border dispute resolution and international arbitration, representing clients in the oil and gas, process plant, and infrastructure sectors. Managing associate Stephen Evans, a disputes specialist, joined the team from Squire Patton Boggs in November 2021.

In the wake of its merger with HCR Hewitsons in May 2021, Harrison Clark Rickerbys has continued to concentrate its position in contentious and non-contentious construction matters, working a number of developers and contractors on projects and claims. Practice head Keith Blizzard‘s broad focus encompasses disputes and commercial advice, while Worcester-based Andrew James is regularly sought out by clients for his capabilities in adjudications and mediations. Daniel Barchet works with various entities on energy projects and mixed-use developments. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham unless stated otherwise.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP is regularly instructed by a range of renowned corporates, lenders, and contractors, who turn to the team for its capabilities in all manner of contentious and non-contentious issues. Practice head Ruth Phillips possesses far-reaching expertise, encompassing building contracts, collateral warranties, performance bonds, and parent company guarantees. The ‘stand-out’ Kate Onions draws considerable praise from clients for her capabilities in big-ticket construction disputes, including multi-million pound defect claims. Ian Griffiths , who spearheads the construction team’s energy and utilities offering, advises on infrastructure projects in the nuclear, solar, wind, and biofuel sectors. Associate Laura Taylor balances both contentious and non-contentious instructions, including RP-led transactions and construction insolvency proceedings. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham. 

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s cross-disciplinary practice acts for a range of stakeholders on projects and claims, including charitable organisations, developers, property management companies, and local authorities, both within the West Midlands and beyond. The team is jointly led by Mark Robinson and Paul Scott, who head up the team’s non-contentious and contentious offerings respectively. Associate Olivia Jenkins is recommended for her capabilities in construction disputes.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s Birmingham-based practice saw key expansion in 2021 with the recruitment of ‘excellent construction lawyer‘ Helen Andrews from Fieldfisher; Andrews now leads the team and covers a broad range of transactional and contentious matters. The group also works closely with the firm’s national network and counts noteworthy housing, health and public sector clients on its roster; key examples include the City of London, the Department for Education and NHS Property Services. The practice has also continued to expand its private sector client base, recently adding a variety of contractors and developers.

Noted for its strong sense of cross-office collaboration, Clarke Willmott LLP‘s ‘exceptional’ construction practice is a popular choice for a number of contractors, developers, housing associations, and corporate occupiers. Peter McHugh is seasoned chartered arbitrator and mediator who handles the full gamut of contentious issues for some of the firm’s most high-profile corporate clients. Mark Scotney, who was promoted to partner in May 2021, is regularly engaged in adjudications for both employers and contractors. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.