Jonathan Griffiths > Geldards LLP > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Leveraging its traditional public sector strength, as well as handling a substantial volume of work in the private sector, including for manufacturing, financial services and sports clients, Geldards LLP‘s ‘knowledgeable’ four-partner disputes team has visibility in many of the country’s highest-profile and high stakes matters. Team head Paul Hopkins embodies the firm’s versatility, being as adept at representing companies across contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes, as he is for the Welsh government and NHS in relation to, inter alia, competition law cases. Although he does handle some mainstream commercial litigation, Jonathan Griffiths‘ primary focus lies on public law disputes, including defending public bodies in procurement disputes and in judicial review proceedings. Other key partners include Michael Lindsey, who has deep experience in contentious IP matters, and the ‘personable and extremely practical’  Michael Evans, who continues to gain market visibility as a result of his general commercial litigation smarts and his skill at handling contentious insolvency matters.

Drawing upon a breadth of experience developed over many years acting for local authorities, central government and regulatory bodies, Geldards LLP can provide an ‘extremely knowledgeable, professional and very responsive’ service, which is considerate of the often unique challenges and expectations of clients in the space. As well as drawing upon a considerable amount of pure public law expertise, the team, which is headed by ‘amazing’ employment lawyer Helen Snow, operates in a multi-disciplinary fashion across many different practice groups. Construction partner Tony Norris has deep knowledge on contract drafting and framework agreements for central government and local authorities, including on key infrastructure projects, as well as in any subsequent arbitrations. On the planning front, ‘very good tactician’ Charles Felgate has a ‘meticulous eye for detail’ and provides ‘outstanding support’ to local councils and central government on contentious and non-contentious matters including as it relates to Compulsory Purchase Orders. For litigation, Jonathan Griffiths is particularly adept at representing public sector clients, including in the defence of public procurement challenges.