Addleshaw Goddard’s finance team is preeminent within the region, acting as the core panel firm for all UK clearing banks. The group has a particularly strong real estate finance focus, with Nick Barlow considered to be the ‘go-to banking partner’ for funding in the social housing sector as well as sustainable and green financing. Practice head Andrew Fordham has experience advising a range of lenders and borrowers while managing associate James Washington’s practice focuses on leveraged finance. Clients praise the pair for providing ‘an excellent level of service’.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP act for a number of listed PLCs and large private companies in the Yorkshire and North East market. The team also sits on the corporate panel of all clearing banks and handles leveraged finance, investment grade lending and real estate financings. Practice head Paul Castle is an expert in education finance, advising a number of UK universities and further education colleges. Principal associate David Parry is recommended for his experience in acting for borrowers and lending banks. Former practice head Kathryn Walters departed in August 2021 to join Ward Hadaway LLP.

Walker Morris LLP’s ‘first class’ banking practice is well known for advising on wholesale funding lines, consumer finance and SME finance businesses. Led by Michael Taylor, the group is regularly instructed on significant deals in the region and advises banks and borrowers on all aspects of corporate banking and debt finance. Experienced partner Philip Scott joined the team in 2021 while Peter Considine has moved to a consultancy role.

DLA Piper’s banking and finance department houses a dedicated real estate and project finance team that is spearheaded by ‘star performer’ Kirstie Allerton. The group leverages its international network to effectively handle cross-border mandates; co-head Sarah Day has extensive experience in highly structured and cross-border transactions, acting for both UK and US banks.  Areas of expertise include debt finance and asset-based lending. Legal director Laura Gordon and senior associate Robert Cockburn are noted for their expertise in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects.

Irwin Mitchell advises both lenders and borrowers on the full spectrum of banking and finance matters, including real estate investment and development, mezzanine finance and private equity funding. The group has seen an increase in instructions on CBILS and CLBILS loan facilities and associated inter-creditor matters. Practice head Paddy Sturman  has extensive cross-border expertise and regularly handles syndicated and club financings. Robert Farrell left the team in November 2021 to join offshore law firm, Loeb Smith Attorneys.

Experts in real estate finance and ABL transactions, the team at Shoosmiths LLP is now led by Anna Robson, replacing former practice head Tim McNamara who left the firm in December 2021 to join CMS. The group is well-equipped to advise on private equity, venture capital and debt financing, and under Anna’s leadership, continues to strengthen its leveraged finance offering. For expertise in real estate finance, principal associate Parin Galaiya is recommended.

The team at Squire Patton Boggs has extensive expertise in acquisition finance, real estate investment and treasury and derivatives; Jeremy Ladyman concentrates on the latter. It is also adept at handling complex asset-based lending structures, with practice co-head Tom Telford building a strong specialism in this area. Nicholas Bell jointly leads the team and has a broad practice that includes significant PFI capabilities for schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP specialises in three principal funding areas: real estate, corporate and public finance. The group acts for a variety of clients, including high street banks, private equity investors and local and national government bodies. Practice head John Connor has a wide-ranging practice that includes advising on the origination and sale of loans, property finance and invoice finance facilities. Mark Casey specialises in debt finance transactions and associate Jake Unsworth provides strong support to the team.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP handles a broad range of transactional services for both lenders and borrowers, with strengths in cross-jurisdictional matters that is reflected by practice head Nick Scott’s experience working with overseas lenders based in Europe. In addition to shipping finance and agricultural lending, property and real estate finance is another area of strength for the group that is spearheaded by Helen Mellors, who has a focus on clients in the university accommodation and care home sectors. Mark Davies and Andrew Oliver are also recommended.

Clarion acts predominantly for non-bank lenders and is developing its borrower-side practice too. The sizeable team specialises in bridging finance and is also frequently instructed on matters involving real estate and development finance; Phillip Dine is an expert in this area. Marie Pugh leads the team that includes asset based lending expert Ben Slack and legal director Andrea Unwin.

DWF specialises in transactional banking work and has experience handling cross-border financings, particularly for entities based in North America. It continues to develop its expertise in large scale development finance projects in addition to increasing its profile in the healthcare sector. National head of finance and restructuring, Chris Ramage is a debt finance law expert while Jenny Crew, who heads the Leeds team, focuses on acquisition and structured finance as well as real estate finance.

Led by Manjit Virdee, Schofield Sweeney continues to develop its expertise in secured real estate finance, asset based lending, development funding and invoice financing. The group acts for clearing banks, challenger banks and private equity fund specialists across the UK. It also has expertise in acting for private lenders in peer-to-peer lending for new start-ups, as well as real estate bridging finance; Karen Crutchley is the name to note.