DLA Piper is highly regarded in the market for its comprehensive coverage of contentious and non-contentious environmental issues, where the firm excels on compliance, waste management, disposal and environmental approval mandates. The team handles environmental litigation and regulatory investigations, while also assisting clients with the environmental aspects of real estate transactions; the group also advises on new policies and regulations. Teresa Hitchcock
leads the team and is praised for her ‘years of relevant experience in handling environmental investigations’. Other key practitioners include Alastair Clough, who covers regulatory licensing and enforcement work; Ailish Oxenforth, who, alongside contentious work, provides environmental advice to clients; and James Parker, who frequently advises on regulatory investigations.
Environment in Yorkshire And The Humber
DLA Piper
Practice head(s):
Teresa Hitchcock
Other key lawyers:
Alastair Clough; Ailish Oxenforth; James Parker
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable on industrial processes, chemicals, reporting duties, inspections etc. which requires very little additional input from the client regarding his/her specific business. It helps a lot when the client does not need to explain the background in much detail and discussions can go straight into the legal issues at hand.’
‘Teresa Hitchcock has very clearly years of relevant experience in handling environmental investigations. Her knowledge of the process is invaluable and very reassuring to the client. She also has a remarkable attention to detail.’
Key clients
Tokyo Electron Europe Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised a client on chemicals regulations, and application to its business to ensure compliance.
CMS
CMS‘ ‘deeply grounded and exceptional environment team’ is highly regarded in the market for the scope of its practice, with expertise spanning various environmental and product compliance matters, waste management issues and sustainability measures. The team is regularly involved in advising clients on regulatory enforcement issues stemming from statutory bodies and defends clients in environment agency prosecutions, in which practice head Lukas Rootman is particularly strong. Rebecca Roffe covers transactional environmental matters and has recently advised various clients on the statutory biodiversity net gain legislation, Aimie Farmer is well versed in contentious regulatory matters, and Esme Saynor often advises on the environmental aspects of product compliance.
Practice head(s):
Lukas Rootman
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Roffe; Aimie Farmer; Esme Saynor; Megan Hancock; Laura Hipwell
Testimonials
‘A leading team in the national market, in my view. Excellent knowledge of the environment practice area with seamless working between Partners, Senior Associates and Associates when a wider team is required. The team’s client base from industry sectors are second to none in the national market.’
‘This is a deeply grounded and exceptional environment team particularly where it comes to corporate compliance and defence. Their knowledge of high-risk industries and waste undertakings is second to none. They have an outstanding level of commitment to clients and the delivery of real-world solutions.’
‘All members of this team seem to care and are genuinely highly motivated and committed to the client and their interests. This is personified in the lead partner, Lukas Rootman. He stands out as a singularly committed and exceptional lawyer – if you are in trouble in the environmental sphere there is no better to call upon.’
Key clients
Cadent Gas Limited
Sheffield City Council
RE Projects Development Limited
AGR Group
SSE
Plantlife
Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited
Walleys Quarry Limited
Work highlights
- Providing ongoing environmental and planning advice to Cadent Gas Limited in relation to the HyNet Northwest Hydrogen Pipeline project.
- Advised Laing O’Rourke Delivery Limited in relation to action brought against it by the Environment Agency in respect of a pollution incident occurring during a major development on the banks of the River Thames.
- Advised Plantlife on delivering a first-of-its-kind programme to fund and deliver voluntary biodiversity improvements across the UK.
Freeths LLP
The growing environmental practice at Freeths LLP advises housebuilders and property developers, conservation clients and water suppliers on environmental assessments, planning matters and environmental regulations, including those related to Brexit and the recent biodiversity net gain developments. The team is jointly led by Sheffield-based Penny Simpson, who has extensive experience in natural environment law and natural capital law, and Leeds-based Alison Ogley, who advises across the full suite of environmental regulations and is frequently involved in advocacy work. Further key team members based in Leeds are Emma Conwell, who joined the firm in March 2023 and Katie Le Boutillier, who joined in February 2024, both from Walker Morris LLP; both are well versed in environmental due diligence related to transactions.
Practice head(s):
Penny Simpson; Alison Ogley
Other key lawyers:
Emma Conwell; Katie Le Boutillier
Testimonials
‘Penny Simpson combines authority in the field with a very frank and straightforward manner. A great combination when it comes to getting things done.’
‘We use Freeths specifically for advice in respect of environmental law. They have carved a niche that no others we know of can rival. They are our ‘go to’. They provide bespoke, commercial and proactive advice.’
‘Penny Simpson is approachable, omnipresent and fun to work with. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of environmental law and can apply it to specific situations with ease.’
‘Every team member at Freeths is friendly and approachable, they work in an impressive professional manner and it is not a surprise to see how their team dynamic results in successful outcomes.’
‘Alison Ogley (Partner) at Freeth’s has been an excellent individual to work with. During the tendering process Alison made me feel completely at ease. She is extremely professional, and I am in awe at her project management conduct and how she has dedicated herself.’
‘Alison Ogley has so much time and understanding when discussing issues.’
‘Expertise in nature conservation and habitats.’
‘Practical and intelligible advice regards negotiating the most difficult of issues regards European Protected Species matters.’
Key clients
CCSF Defence Infrastructure Organisation (MoD) ,Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Shropshire Council
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney‘s environmental and regulatory practice stands out for its expertise in environmental compliance issues, where the team advises on contentious investigations and enforcement actions relating to waste disposal, air, noise and water pollution and non-compliance with permits, for which clients praise the team's ‘wealth of practical and often industry-based knowledge’. Other areas of expertise include handling the environmental aspects of transactions and providing flood risk advice. Practice head Craig Burman is highly regarded in this space and has extensive experience in environmental legislation enforcement, particularly with regards to the Environment Agency. Ian Anderson is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Craig Burman
Other key lawyers:
Ian Anderson
Testimonials
‘The firm’s response and Craig Burman’s constructive help were speedy, excellent and courteous. In fact, an outstanding model of behavior by any firm.’
‘Craig Burman stood out for the speed in which he absorbed and analysed the facts and legal implications of the problems presented to him and his succinct and articulate explanation of the possible responses to the problems. His courteous manner, personal attention throughout, and his personal follow-up of the case to ensure everything had been properly settled.’
‘Accessibility and insight, which is unique within the environmental law market.’
‘Craig Burnam – experience as both regulator and client advocate is unique. Really approachable, nicest guy you will ever meet.’
‘They are an exceptional law firm who provide advice based on a wealth of practical and often industry-based knowledge. They are simply more commercially minded than other law firms.’
‘Craig Burman is an outstanding environmental lawyer and others can’t compare to his vast knowledge and experience with waste matters.’
Key clients
Water Management Alliance
Colson Transport Limited
Greenhous Group (Holdings) Limited
Leeds City Council
Jeremy Benn Associates Limited
Newlay Concrete Limited
Milton (Peterborough) Estate Limited
Fenwood Estates Limited
Hermes Parcelnet Limited
J N Bentley Limited
Work highlights
- Advised a local flood authority on its powers and rights in respect of a main river flood alleviation scheme, and interrelationship between powers of flood alleviation and rail network management and operation, together with ongoing flood and drainage issues and natural flood management.
- Advised a number of internal drainage boards in respect of their powers to take enforcement action in relation to non-consented works within its bye-law strip.
- Advised Greenhous Group Limited on environmental liabilities in connection with acquisitions and sales of business assets and contaminated land.
Walker Morris LLP
The Walker Morris LLP environmental team works closely with the firm’s construction, corporate and energy teams on complex development projects, handling both contentious and non-contentious work. Exceling in the housebuilding and construction spaces, the team frequently handles planning and environmental mandates including land stability concerns, contamination and waste management issues, and abatement notices. Stuart Ponting and Richard Sagar jointly oversee the team, with Ponting advising clients on environmental investigations and breaches, and Sagar bolstering the team's advocacy work, including acting in planning appeals. Further key contacts in the team include Rachel Turnbull and Josh Kitson.
Practice head(s):
Richard Sagar; Stuart Ponting
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Turnbull; Josh Kitson
Testimonials
‘A good team especially at associate level.’
‘Highly experienced planning team. Have been pre-eminent in the NE market for the last 20 years.’
‘Richard Sagar – leader of the team. Highly experienced and very able. Josh Kitson – one of the best younger planning solicitors around. Able and extremely personable.’
Key clients
Arla Foods
Avant Homes
Caterpillar
Crystal Palace Football Club
Denco Lubrication Limited
Erith Group
FCC Environment (UK) Limited
Harworth Group
Hovis Limited
MVV Environment
Stonebridge Homes
Work highlights
- Advised a national housebuilder in respect of a significant investigation into the transfer and disposal of waste soils, including consideration of potential fraudulent duty of care documentation.
- Advised a national housebuilder in respect of an investigation by Natural England into the alleged breach of a European Protected Species Licence following damage to precautionary measures implemented on site.
- Advised a Premier League football club following receipt of a noise abatement notice from the Local Authority.
Tyr
The ‘small but highly experienced’ environmental practice at Tyr advises on waste management and disposal issues, often representing clients before the Environment Agency, while also covering noise abatement notices. Lyn Dario leads the practice and covers various regulatory aspects regarding environment and planning work. Marie Bourke further strengthens the team and is praised for her ‘great diligence and awareness’.
Practice head(s):
Lyn Dario
Other key lawyers:
Marie Bourke
Testimonials
‘Small but highly experienced. Innovative and open to new suggestions.’
‘Lyn Dario – vastly experienced in environmental law having represented many large clients in past. Marie Bourke brings a degree of criminal law knowledge together with great diligence and awareness.’
‘The team is small and agile and punches well above its weight.’
‘Lyn Dario leads the environmental team at Tyr Law. She is a seasoned specialist and a master strategist. Lyn has the two qualities required when working in a technical area of law: a) an expert grasp of the indicatrices of the vast array of environmental legislation and b) the ability of advising clients commercially.’