Gardner Leader LLP > Newbury, England > Firm Profile

‘Chris Felton is simply brilliant. Clever, savvy, diligent, and an extremely nice man as well. I cannot fault him.’

‘This team provides an astonishingly high quality of service, akin to that of a magic circle firm, but at out-of-London prices.’

‘Chris Felton is the best litigator in the country. He is quietly understated but a master tactician – as is obvious from the great clients he has. Andrew Shipp is a very safe and steady pair of hands to calmly get a good result. Michelle di Gioia is responsive and tactical.’

‘They may be based out of London but the quality and consistency is on a level with any London practice.’

‘First and foremost, they are wonderful lawyers with exceptional technical acumen, but they are also extremely pragmatic, commercial and empathetic.’

‘Good attention to client requirements and appropriate assignment of resources i.e. not going over the top for more minor matters.’

‘We work personally with Chris Felton, Michelle Di Gioia and Andrew Shipp on a regular basis. They are always available, creative with solutions, and help our clients to achieve their aims and goals, rather than just telling them what the law says.’

‘Michael Axe’s franchising expertise and pragmatic attitude resulted in a swift and successful outcome without the need for extensive legislation.’

‘They continue to deliver the highest standards of client care and give us peace of mind that our case will be handled expertly, and that our interests will come first. Gardner Leader have assisted us in litigious, commercial and real estate matters.’

‘We have been enjoying Richard Buckeridge’s legal expertise in contractual and commercial matters for many years. We can certainly recommend him for his dedication to us and the attention we receive every time we seek his advice on a comprehensive range of issues. He is approachable and patient. We have trust in him as he always offers pragmatic solutions to a wide range of our requirements.’

‘I have always found Gardner Leader to be able to deal with any problems that I may encounter. They do this in a very friendly and understanding manner.’

‘I have always dealt with Richard Buckeridge. He fully understands our organisation, and has proved invaluable in giving advice on constitutional matters. With service like this, why would I seek alternative help?’

‘The clear and concise communication on all aspects of each case presented has been excellent’

‘All the relevant partners who have dealing with us as a client have all shown same consistency.’

‘Alastair Goggins is experienced, helpful and friendly. He communicates clearly and is excellent at explaining options and likely chances of success. Outcomes have all been good.’

‘There is strength and depth of numbers in the team and lots of experience and expertise’

‘Alastair Goggins has a good grasp of inheritance dispute cases and is very approachable – he speaks a language his clients understand’

‘With the exemplary legal representation I received from Alastair Goggins and the litigation team at Gardner Leader, I achieved a successful outcome.’

‘Alastair Goggins provided me with accurate and clear legal support whilst handling a very difficult and stressful situation for me and my family with the utmost compassion and professionalism. Alastair was at all times extremely helpful and supportive and would always explain in great detail if I was unsure of anything.’

‘The professionalism of Alastair Goggins and his team has been exemplary throughout my experience of working with them. Their response to my questions and their communication has been swift, providing very clear advice. Alastair Goggins exceeded my expectations and I felt in safe hands being represented by him and the litigation team.’

‘A thriving contentious probate practice in Newbury with great litigation nous.’

‘Alastair Goggins has seen it all and has a great strategic instinct, knowing when to push the other side and when to spool them enough rope to hang themselves.’

‘The advice given is second to none, every option is thoroughly explained at a level the client can understand. This practice also listens to the clients requirements then applies the most cost effective solution.’

‘Simon Fisher is extremely sensible and cost-effective. He is able to deliver firm advice with a light touch. He is able to see the big picture and the direction of a case pretty quickly, and will guide his clients through proceedings accordingly. Simon is no nonsense and reassuring. He also has a good sense of humour. He is a delight to work with.’

‘Suzy Hamshaw is an outstanding family lawyer who combines attention to detail with a friendly and helpful approach to her cases.’

‘A great team with strength of depth at senior level. Very approachable and friendly to work with.’

‘Suzy Hamshaw is an excellent lawyer. She has complete mastery of each of her cases and her level-headed approach ensures that her clients settle when they should settle and fight when they should fight. She regularly obtains great results for her clients.’

‘Well organized, knowledgeable, and prompt with communication.’

‘I wouldn’t choose anyone else to represent me with my personal matters.’

‘Organized, good judgement early on in the process, good quality for reasonable fees.’

‘Suki Hardy is an absolute stand-out partner, who has a fantastic practice acting for US tech companies active in the UK. She is a meticulous technical real estate lawyer who faces off against the Magic Circle on a regular basis.’

‘The commercial property team does big ticket complex real estate acquisition and letting transactions. They have very clever lawyers, who are excellent at collaborative working both with their clients’ other advisers and also with the other side(s) to find solutions to get the deals done.’

‘Karron Whitter is extremely thorough, is an expert in her field, and is always available to answer queries.’

‘Tim Blackman is available for discussion when we need him. He has proven himself as diligent and insightful. We consider ourselves fortunate to work with him. Without exception, we have never needed to contact his partner and, unless timing prevents it, if Tim is absent, we wait until his return.’

‘A dedicated team that can cover all aspects of commercial property solutions from purchases, sales, to leasing. A professional and efficient operation.’

‘All correspondence and queries answered swiftly and efficiently. Richard Buckeridge and Tim Blackman have always been efficient and worked within prices quoted to bring projects to completion.’

‘The practice appears to embrace diversity. The team is supportive and knowledgeable and has a broad range of legal attributes. Tim Blackman is personable and very diligent and breeds trust.’

‘Tim Blackman is excellent to work with. He quickly understands client priorities and needs and preferred means of working. He is personable, honest, hard-working and diligent. Richard Buckeridge is very knowledgeable.’

‘What I have always appreciated is that they treat you as an equal. Often you find that Lawyers can take the high ground and be quite pompous, Gardner Leader are not like that. In all my dealings with partners and associates I have found them approachable and friendly.’

‘I have worked mainly with associate Gail Vallis and Philip Humphries. Both offer good advise but more importantly will say, ‘This will cost you money and will it get you to where you need to be. This sort of advice is priceless and I think speaks highly as to their ethics. I have also developed a strong working relationship with them which of course is always good.’

‘Partners very attentive and happy to make themselves available at short notice. Very experienced team in commercial contracting that we know we can rely on to provide sound and comprehensive advice.’

‘Individuals are experienced in their respective fields and take the time to explain complex matters to enable the business to take informed decisions. Belinda Walters in particular has been exceptional in advising and representing us.’

‘It is the prompt and professional service that marks out Gardner Leader. We have direct contact with a senior partner in the practice and this individual has considerable knowledge and experience within the field in which we operate. Overall, the mix of excellent service and significant expertise is of high value to us.’

‘It is the mix of excellent, specific service and significant expertise that is of high value to us. In particular, Peter James is especially worthy of our thanks and respect.’

‘Very good at understanding their clients, responding swiftly to their requirements and providing practical and effective advice. Their teamwork is a definite strength.’

‘Alastair Goggins is excellent both at managing his team and responding to clients.’

‘Gardner Leader are a comparatively small team, from what might be regarded as an old school high street firm. They provide excellent services to the people of Newbury and surrounding areas.’

‘Andrew Shipp is an astute and careful practitioner, who puts his cases together flawlessly and gets good results for his clients.’

‘A team with broad capabilities and depth. The size and strength of this practice enables their adaptability to changing requirements and time scales.’

‘I have dealt with Alastair Goggins and a team assembled by him. Alastair has been very engaging and easy to work with, evidently very knowledgeable and capable in his field and a good communicator in all discussions and communications that I have had with him. His team have all been efficient, effective and easy to work with.’

‘Approachable and pragmatic. Get the job done.’

‘My organisation engaged with Gardner Leader on the sale of one and then the purchase of another commercial property. Neither the sale nor the purchase were straight forward transactions. However, GL’s experience and knowledge, including their attention to detail and advice, was such that we have the confidence that there will be no issues over ownership and accountability with either property in the future.’

‘The firm is a strong and growing regional firm with an excellent and friendly team.’

‘I work with partners Michelle di Gioia, Alastair Goggins and Andrew Shipp – all of whom are enjoyable to work with, commercially minded and effective lawyers.’

‘The property litigators at Gardner Leader LLP provide a high quality of service, in a modern, efficient and approachable way. There is a high level of genuine care taken for clients and a determination to achieve the best realistic result, whether that be via a litigated or negotiated result. I would recommend the firm without hesitation.’

‘Andrew Shipp is extremely experienced and remains reassuringly calm under pressure. He is pragmatic in his decision-making and is well prepared to do what is necessary to put a client in the best possible position in any given dispute. There is no cutting corners. He genuinely cares about getting the right result for his clients.’

‘The people involved are knowledgeable, very commercial, hard-working, empathetic and all around excellent people to transact with. The individuals within the firm team clearly liked and respected each other too. The collaboration was first class.’

‘Philip Humphreys and Gail Vallis were patient, constructive, and imaginative when the deal faced a few hurdles.’

‘Definitively a “one team” approach, which benefited all those involved, i.e. clients and advisers.’

‘Partners very attentive and happy to make themselves available at short notice. Very experienced team in commercial contracting that we know we can rely on to provide sound and comprehensive advice.’

‘Individuals are experienced in their respective fields and take the time to explain complex matters to enable the business to take informed decisions. Belinda Walters in particular has been exceptional in advising and representing us.’