Winckworth Sherwood LLP > Manchester, England > Firm Profile

Winckworth Sherwood LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 2

National head of planning at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, Colette McCormack, is at the helm of the firm’s Manchester practice and splits her time between that office and the firm’s London hub. Legal director Joanne Hannah is a name to note in the team, particularly for her work assisting McCormack in advising Wandsworth and Lambeth councils on the ongoing, multi-faceted, complex and high-value matter involving construction and development around Battersea Power Station. Redevelopment and regeneration projects of significant scale are a regular feature of the team’s workload.

Corporate and commercial > Partnership Tier 2

The ‘high quality and thorough’ team of lawyers at Winckworth Sherwood LLP has recently been active across partnership withdrawals and moves, removal of partners and allegations of discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. The team is led by the ‘excellent’ Jo Keddie, who ‘is at the top of her game’ and has significant experience of acting for major clients including magic circle and US global firms in the High Court, Employment Tribunals and international arbitrations. A key destination for law and accountancy firms, private equity houses and investment funds, the team also specialises in advising clients in the residential developer space. Focusing on contentious partnership work is Bettina Bender, who acts for firms and individual LLP members and offers expertise in potential disputes and exit arrangements, misconduct allegations, investigations and internal partnership law. Another key lawyer is Louise Lawrence, whose practice focuses on partner exits, discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Danielle Crawford, noted by clients as ‘highly intelligent’ and ‘very practical,’ is also noted.

Employment > Senior executives Tier 2

Recommended for its ability to handle ‘the most complex and strategically important issues‘, Winckworth Sherwood LLP advises on a range of corporate restructuring and regulatory matters, as well as providing contentious and non-contentious exit guidance. The firm’s core work ranges from acting in extensive discrimination litigation and whistleblowing claims, to advising on breaches of contract. Team head Jo Keddie advises on high-value renumeration terms and complex unfair dismissal issues. Louise Lawrence assists with post-termination restrictive covenants and handles complex sex discrimination cases with an ‘unerring commercial instinct‘. Andrew Yule typically works on discrimination claims based on perceived disability, while Susan Kelly assists with complex negotiation issues.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

Winckworth Sherwood LLP has a varied practice which advises several substantial charities in the UK. Under the joint leadership of Alison Talbot and Joanna Bussell, the team is well placed to advise the full range of charitable organisations across multiple sectors from education, housing and leisure, to arts, culture and ecclesiastical. Talbot covers all aspects of contentious and non-contentious matters for charities, and has supported many charities through disputes, distress situations and organisational change, while Bussell has considerable experience in advising on the establishment of new charities; she also advises on the recruitment, selection and appointment of trustees. Aiden Hargreaves-Smith acts for a wide range of private and institutional charity clients, including major charities, the Diocesan Board of Finance, individual parishes and clergy, bishops and cathedral chapters.

Public sector > Education: schools Tier 2

In addition to its well-established reputation for advising faith schools, Winckworth Sherwood LLP is capable of assisting with religious and non-religious MAT establishments, site acquisitions and disposals, employment litigations and tribunal claims, and issues surrounding parental complaints, particularly in relation to sensitive teaching materials. The practice is led by Andrea Squires, who has advised on academy conversions and is also regarded as a key contact for advice on religious matters in schools. Squires often works alongside Aida Smajlovic, who is regarded as ‘the shining example of an employment lawyer in the education sector‘, in advising on industrial action, reputationally sensitive staff issues, and payment disputes. Theresa Kerr is a key contact for advising on parent issues, especially in relation to religious freedoms as well as safeguarding and exclusion matters,

Public sector > Local government Tier 2

Joanna Bussell, an ‘utterly outsanding‘ London-based commercial expert for local government procurement and outsourcing initiatives, leads the local government team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, which is well-known for handling contracting matters in connection with leisure centre outsourcing projects and is also equipped to advise on charity establishments, joint ventures, and regeneration and infrastructure projects. Planning expert Colette McCormack is based in Manchester and has led on a number of complex residential and commercial projects for the likes of Wandsworth Borough Council, while parliamentary infrastructure specialist Jane Wakeham practices from London and advises on compulsory purchase orders in connection with regional projects. London-based regenerations expert Matt Steinbrecher is also recommended.

Public sector > Infrastructure (parliamentary) Tier 1

Winckworth Sherwood LLP’s infrastructure team comprises ‘intellectually first class, practically minded lawyers‘ who advise on the promotion of parliamentary bills and secondary pieces of legislation for major, strategically important projects. The team is widely noted for its work on the promotion of hybrid bills in relation to all phases of the HS2 railway project, and it continues to advise on the implementation of the project under the leadership of practice head Paul Irving, a vastly experienced Parliamentary Agent and key contact for railways and harbours work. Irving often works alongside Parliamentary Agent Alex Dillistone, whose expertise drafting Transport and Works Act Orders as well as Harbours Act Orders makes her a key contact for clients such as Network Rail and Associated British Ports on a variety of high-value and complex projects. Hazel Anderson and Jane Wakeham are further key contacts in the team, and their experience as Parliamentary Agents allows them to conduct legislative reviews and conduct impact assessments for some of the country’s largest railways and harbour projects. Alison Gorlov continues to act for the firm as a consulting Parliamentary Agent, and Emma Rodican-Jones is another name to note.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Licensing Tier 3

Winckworth Sherwood LLP is primarily known for its licensing work in the supermarket and petrol forecourt arenas. Practice head Robert Botkai has several decades worth of experience in alcohol licensing, enforcement and regulatory law in the pub, restaurant, hotel and entertainment sectors.

Real estate > Commercial property: development Tier 3

The ‘super knowledgeable and attentive’ team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP is geared to advise clients throughout the full lifecycle of real estate projects. Francesco Ferrari leads the department and is proficient in development and regeneration schemes concerning public and private body joint ventures. Andrew Bedford focuses on local authority, mixed-use, and residential and student development schemes, while James Corbett has been praised as ‘excellent’ and assists housebuilders, local authorities and private developers with collaboration agreements and transactions.

Real estate > Planning Tier 3

The planning group at Winckworth Sherwood LLP has an in-depth understanding of the residential development sector. The group advises on complex, residential led mixed-use projects, which is a particular area of expertise for Lindsay Garratt. The group focuses on residential development in London, with key clients including Barratt London and other significant social housing providers. Practice head Colette McCormack supports key clients such as the London Borough of Wandsworth and is leading on significant estate regeneration schemes in London, with support from senior associate Matt Steinbrecher. The team also noted an increase in instructions regarding CIL matters.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 3

Winckworth Sherwood LLP is best known for its experience with development risk and disputes, as well as property asset management. The team is also active on a number of rights of light matters, as well as disputes concerning building safety and cladding issues. The ‘very experienced’ Emma Chadwick leads both the property litigation team and the firm’s wider litigation department, specialising in land, development and commercial and residential lease disputes in particular. Paul Dunbar has over 20 years of experience handling landlord and tenant work, whilst Tim Fogarty focuses on rights of light and neighbourly matters.

Real estate > Social housing: finance Tier 3

Winckworth Sherwood LLP’s social housing finance practice covers all types of debt funding, including bank loans, private placements, and bonds. Practice head Lucy Grimwood specialises in social housing finance with experience in sustainable finance, and is leading the firm’s increased focus on ESG as it relates to registered providers; the team is assisting registered providers with sustainable finance frameworks and advising on sustainability-linked finance. The group has demonstrable experience in the provision of unsecured facilities, a growing area for both the firm and the sector more widely, and Ruby Giblin advises on innovative rent-to-buy projects. Both the housing finance team and the charging team, headed by Jill O’Reilly, have considerable experience acting for both funders and borrowers, and senior associate Rosanagh Herries is leading the team in advising key banking clients. Patricia Umunna has over 23 years’ experience in all types of lending and made the move to consultant in April 2023. Louise Forrest left the team in December 2022.

Real estate > Social housing: local authorities and registered providers Tier 3

With social housing at the core of Winckworth Sherwood LLP's strong capabilities, the team offers registered providers a full-service practice. The social housing team advises for-profit and not-for-profit registered providers and private residential developers, while Charlotte Cook has extensive experience working with sheltered and supported housing and extra care providers. Practice head Charlie Proddow specialises in property development and estate regeneration for both private and public-sector housing providers. The practice is able to draw on other areas of expertise and ‘pull in relevant advice’ from the real estate tax, building safety, and neighbourly matters departments. The group has also seen a boost in the regeneration and stock rationalisation markets, which are particular areas of expertise for Will Rutter.

Transport > Rail Tier 3

Winckworth Sherwood LLP has a strong track record of advising on a variety of planning, promotion and statutory authorisations for major rail projects. Led by Paul Irving , the group is well-placed to advise on issues relating to the promotion of major railway infrastructure and tramway schemes. It is adept at advising on compulsory purchases and compensation, related property issues, environmental impact assessments and other planning matters. Hazel Anderson also plays a pivotal role in the department.

Real estate > Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 3

Jamie Barton leads the commercial property team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP which has expertise in corporate occupier transactions alongside the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors as well as in charity, education and ecclesiastical matters.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

Hugh MacDougald  leads a versatile team at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, which enjoyed another busy year of advising wealthy individuals and family offices on a variety of international tax and estate planning matters. Tim Snaith is also a significant member of the team, which continues to be recommended by clients and intermediaries for its experience in high-end tax, trust, inheritance and probate issues. There have been changes to the team – Dhana Sabanathan departed in January 2023, while James Mabey was promoted to the partnership in April 2023.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4

Winckworth Sherwood LLP frequently assists entrepreneurs, executorships, families, and high-net-worth individuals who are acting on behalf of incapacitated individuals. Philip Collins leads the team and is particularly proficient in claims against estates brought under the Inheritance Act, while Alison Talbot is especially knowledgeable of charity law and governance. Samantha Warner‘s core strengths include estate administration and succession planning.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 4

Winckworth Sherwood LLP has seen a flurry of activity across trusts, high-net-worth estate planning, probate and high-net-worth residential matters. Philip Collins is the stand-out practitioner as head of practice, and is an expert on contentious work involving estate administration, trusts and challenges to wills.

Employment > Employers Tier 5

Winckworth Sherwood LLP‘s employer-side practice continues to grow, with the firm acting for clients ranging from large corporates to charities. The team is particularly recommended for its whistleblowing investigations work. The practice is headed by Jo Keddie, recommended for strategic employment and corporate governance advice to boards of financial services and real estate companies. Also key are TUPE specialist Andrea London and experienced litigators Blair Adams and Susan Kelly, with the latter having niche expertise in employment claims within the Church. Chris Garrett - noted for his capabilities in employment transactional work - is also recommended.

Private client > Family Tier 5

Sarah Ingram now heads the family law department at Winckworth Sherwood LLP. She frequently acts for wealthy individuals and has considerable niche experience in advising offshore and onshore trust companies and trustees involved in divorce cases. In November 2022, Katie Spooner founded her own firm, Family Law in the City, and Hannah Gumbrill-Ward joined Family Law Partners at the end of 2022.

Real estate > Construction: contentious Tier 5

Winckworth Sherwood LLP advises both private residential developers and public sector entities in the UK. With an array of services spanning site acquisition to end-user arrangements, the practice, led by Eleanor Kilminster, manages contentious and non-contentious matters for a diverse client base. Colin Hall contributes to the team with his expertise in decentralised energy schemes.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 5

Winckworth Sherwood LLP advises both private residential developers and public sector entities in the UK. With an array of services spanning site acquisition to end-user arrangements, the practice, led by Eleanor Kilminster, manages contentious and non-contentious matters for a diverse client base. Colin Hall contributes to the team with his expertise in decentralised energy schemes.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market

Real estate > Property litigation