Blake Morgan LLP > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Firm Profile

Blake Morgan LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 1

Led on the corporate and commercial front by the 'commercially aware' James Williams  and Penri Desscan , respectively, and also able to effectively leverage resources from across the firm's full-service offering, should the need arise, Blake Morgan LLP provides a 'first-class' service to private and public sector clients across a broad swathe of their transactional and commercial contract needs. Although the team is industry agnostic, it continues to handle a significant amount of activity for owner-managers in the health and social care sector on sales and acquisitions. In addition, under the guidance of the 'calm, confident and unflappable' Richard Jones, it continues to pick up a significant flow of venture capital and private equity mandates, with Jones developing strong ties with a number of institutional investors, as well as regularly assisting founders and management teams on fundraising transactions. Promoted to Legal Director in July 2022, James Vaughan has a diverse practice that includes transactional and day-to-day corporate/commercial work for SMEs, owner-managed businesses, as well as larger corporates, while at the other end of the spectrum of seniority, Robert Cherry  regularly provides vital input to clients in his consultancy role.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP provides 'well-informed and responsive' advice across a range of high-profile litigation. As well as being able to leverage his overarching IP credentials to good effect on litigation involving, inter alia, copyright, trade mark and misuse of confidential information, team head Lee Fisher is also noted for his aptitude at handling shareholder and unfair prejudice claims for private sector clients. Drawing upon a 'wealth of experience and excellent judgement', Joanne Thompson is best-known for her public sector expertise (including for central and local government, as well as health authorities), including in relation to the defence of public procurement challenges, as well as public inquiry-related work. Recently promoted to legal director, Sarah Whittle is also a key resource to defendants seeking to defend public procurement decisions as well as in the context of judicial review challenges. Whittle has also taken a new role in spearheading the firm's Court of Protection work for local authorities.

Employment Tier 1

Well-versed at handling 'all aspects of contemporary labour requirements', the partner-led team at Blake Morgan LLP has an excellent reputation among both private and public sector entities for both contentious and non-contentious work. As well as its strong legal and commercial expertise, the team also has deep industry expertise in core targeted sectors, including healthcare, an area that Paula Kathrens , who is appreciated for her 'great client skills', has developed a market-leading reputation for internal disciplinary proceedings involving doctors in NHS Wales. Matthew Smith  has the ability to deliver 'an unusually business savvy level of service' across a range of contentious matters, including as it relates to unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and whistleblowing cases. Joanne Davies  heads up the team and provides 'commercial, efficient and client focused' advice to private and public sector clients on employment issues associated with their transactional work, including as it relates to business acquisitions and subsequent reorganisations and integration.

Employment > Health and safety Tier 1

Led by the ‘friendly and knowledgeable’ Claire Rawle , Blake Morgan LLP has an unusually diverse offering, being equally well-versed at prosecuting and defending health and safety prosecutions in the private, public and third sectors. Rawle herself has a national defence practice that continues to thrive, including in the representation of a growing number of health and social care entities seeking to resist high-stakes prosecutions and inquests, often involving vulnerable patients with mental health issues (where she is able to leverage the firm’s broader overarching competence in the  space). Senior associate and practising barrister Tom Walker often undertakes his own advocacy in multi-day trials and inquests in the firm’s role as sole provider of services to HSE’s Prosecuting Panel for Wales and the South of England. Walker also has additional expertise advising companies on risk management issues relating to product liability, as well as on attendant product recalls. Consultant Robin Havard continues to be retained by the HSE to assist in work-related fatalities.  

Employment > Pensions Tier 1

Working on a standalone basis, as well as alongside other complementary practice areas, including corporate/commercial and employment, Blake Morgan LLP's Cardiff-based pensions team advises employers and trustees across a range of advisory work, as well as in the context of corporate transactions. 'Focused and responsive' legal director Gillian McCue provides 'very accurate advice', particularly on public and third sector-related pensions matters, where she is able to leverage the firm's overarching understanding of the unique challenges facing clients in the space including health and social care entities and further education providers. Splitting his time between London and Cardiff, Ron Burgess regularly advises trustees on their ongoing fiduciary duties associated with running private sector pension schemes.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

One of the few standalone insolvency groups in Wales, Blake Morgan LLP has developed excellent ties among lenders and insolvency practitioners (IPs), ensuring that it receives a significant flow of contentious and non-contentious mandates. Himself a qualified IP, team head Paul Caldicott  has been pivotal to the firm’s success, adept as he is at handling both formal insolvency processes, as well as consensual restructuring mandates. As well as assisting on corporate insolvency work, associate Sophia Farmer regularly advises trustees in bankruptcy on personal insolvency matters.

Insurance > Clinical negligence: defendant Tier 1

Wales > Public sector Tier 1

Public sector concerns inform a significant amount of work handled by the majority of Blake Morgan LLP‘s practice area offerings, from both a contentious and non-contentious perspective. As well as this multidisciplinary approach, the firm also has a core knowledge of pure public law and regulatory matters, enabling it to provide a tailored service addressing issues unique to entities in the space, including at local and central government level. Team head Eve Piffaretti provides ‘expert and sensible advice’ to Welsh public sector and UK regulators across a range of health and social care matters, including on safeguarding issues, mental health and mental capacity law, areas which have an added layer of complexity due to their adherence to secondary legislation which is Welsh specific. Graham Miles ‘ professional regulatory specialism also regularly seems him involved in the health and social care setting, particularly in the context of advising regulatory bodies investigating and presenting fitness to cases involving practitioners in the space. The firm also has vast experience advising public sector bodies on public procurement tenders, as well as in any subsequent judicial review challenges to the process. In this regard, Penri Desscan  and Simon McCann  are very well-known on the contractual side, while Joanne Thompson is recognised as ‘a first-rate procurement litigator with a wealth of experience and excellent judgement’. At a non-partner level, Sarah Whittle is particularly adept at defending health sector clients against challenges to decisions and processes, while Trish D’Souza, who joined from Capital Law Limited in October 2022, has a flourishing reputation advising clients in the education sector.

Real estate > Construction Tier 1

Comprising of ‘very skilled and knowledgeable lawyers across all seniorities’, Blake Morgan LLP‘s Cardiff team acts on its own as well as often alongside other lawyers from offices throughout the network on high-profile domestic and UK-wide projects for developers and contractors. Team head Joanna Rees has vast experience advising on construction issues throughout the life cycle of a project  (from tender through the build phase and on any subsequent disputes which may occur) and regularly works alongside public procurement expert Simon McCann on matters where there is involvement with a public sector entity, including on infrastructure and health projects. ‘Exceptionally capable’ senior associate Kate Howell has developed a strong reputation handling contentious matters before the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) as well as in adjudications and risk management assessments, including as it relates to managing large cladding and defects cases in high rise buildings.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP has a strong reputation advising England and Wales-based private and public sector clients across a range of property litigation, running the gamut from contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims to development disputes. As well as her broad litigation offering for commercial clients with substantial property portfolios, Sian Jones also regularly provides advice in a risk management context, including on the provision of vital training for housing associations regarding the recently enacted Renting (Wales) Act 2016. Legal director Adam Carbis provides ‘a professional and adaptive service across a wide range of property claims’, including defending public sector clients in CPO compensation claims. Senior associate Tanya Barrett focuses on residential landlord and tenant disputes, including her ongoing work for social landlords defending disrepair claims.

Real estate > Social housing Tier 1

The ‘skilled and highly knowledgeable’ team at Blake Morgan LLP provides a ‘prompt and efficient service’ to Wales and England-based housing associations across a myriad contentious and non-contentious issues affecting their operations. Team head Sian Jones is ‘highly knowledgeable in housing law’, and as well as her conventional housing management work  – which includes anti-social behaviour cases – she has also been very active advising individual and consortia of housing associations on the implications of the recently enacted Renting Homes Wales Act. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and gifted’ Louise Howells takes the lead on real estate-related work in the space, including on complex funding issues, acquisitions and onward sales.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1

The 'exceptionally knowledgeable' team at Blake Morgan LLP provides 'first-class' advice to public and private sector clients, including those within the media and retail space, across a broad swathe of non-contentious and contentious IP matters. Team head Lee Fisher has deep knowledge across both "hard" and "soft" IP, leveraging his broader commercial litigation skills to good effect for clients bringing or defending claims, including in injunctive proceedings. Joanna Corbett-Simmons also continues to develop a strong reputation in relation to IP litigation, including on disputes relating to the breach of confidentiality and misuse of confidential information.

Dispute resolution > Professional discipline Tier 1

Fielding one of the largest teams in the country, Blake Morgan LLP is best known for its representation of professional regulators (and those they regulate), particularly in relation to healthcare, education, accountancy and engineering. A longstanding professional discipline specialist, Bradley Albuery in Southampton is regulatory group head; Reading and London-based Clare Strickland leads the Health and Care Professions Council's regulatory advice; and Graham Miles in Cardiff is a client relationship partner for the Teaching Regulation Agency, Education Workforce Council, and Social Care Wales. At legal director level, Antonia Dowgray is the operations manager for the General Pharmaceutical Council, and Nursing and Midwifery Council; and Alison Wood, Sarah Price and Lisa Clark are experienced associates. In May 2023, Delme Griffiths, who is experienced in acting for (and against) professional regulators, and professional discipline expert James Danks were made partners; while former regulatory business group head Nick Leale joined Armstrong Teesdale.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Hampshire Tier 1

Counting AIM-listed companies and private equity houses amongst its key clients, the Blake Morgan LLP team has extensive experience of handling complex M&A in the technology, education, and social care sectors. James Hawkeswood specialises in joint ventures and private equity investments, representing retail and energy corporations, while Mark Hepworth has in-depth expertise in advising on acquisitions and disposals in the healthcare and special educational needs industries. Stephen Archibald is knowledgeable on public company takeovers, and Gemma Spiceley routinely assists private companies from the franchise and childcare space. Matthew Wilson acts for high-net-worth-individuals. Senior associate Jasmin Taylor focuses on group reorganisations.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP‘s corporate and commercial team has demonstrable experience on a broad spectrum of high-end matters with emphasis on the tech, leisure and education sectors. Simon Staples leads on the corporate side, overseeing the team’s deal flow which spans spinouts, cross-border M&A, disposals and equity capital market transactions. Legal director Timothy Coles is also a key corporate name and is an expert in the leisure sector advising on M&A, equity fundraisings, restructurings, and corporate governance matters. Co-head of team and ‘superstar’ Alison Patten-Hall remains a pre-eminent commercial lawyer in the Thames Valley and leads the firm’s nationwide commercial practice. She excels on large-scale projects, especially outsourcing and IT procurements. Tech and GDPR expert Elisabeth Bell bolsters the team’s commercial offering with her know-how on IT projects and issues arising from emerging technologies.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Hampshire Tier 1

Acting on behalf of clients in high-value disputes across the IP, public, and manufacturing sectors, the Blake Morgan LLP commercial litigation group is recommended for its ability to handle contractual claims and cross-jurisdictional issues. Richard Portlock typically advises companies within the food, travel, and leisure fields. Dan Geddes boasts 17 years’ experience as a litigator, mainly in insolvency, while Louise Fuller focuses on the superyacht and marine leisure industries. Michael College is an expert on professional negligence matters, while Gemma Spiceley rounds out the roster of recommended practitioners. Former practice head Jill Bainbridge left the firm in September 2023.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

The commercial litigation practice at Blake Morgan LLP acts both domestically and cross-border for a client base that encompasses corporations, SMEs, financial institutions and public bodies, among others. The group’s deal flow includes construction, insolvency, breach of contract and property litigation matters. Chris Potts heads the department with over 25 years experience in the space, focusing his practice on fraud and insolvency issues, alongside shareholder and company disputes. Nicola Diggle - who now works as a consultant - is well-known for shareholder and contractual disputes, with particular expertise in the IT sector. The team was bolstered by the arrival of partner Thomas Middlehurst from Moore Barlow after Stephanie Walls  retired in July 2022.

Dispute resolution > Debt recovery Tier 1

With offices in Reading, Southampton, Oxford and London in the South East, Blake Morgan LLP‘s commercial recoveries department specialises in finance work, and is especially active in the motor finance industry, as well as the landlord and tenant sector. Group head Sadak Miah is praised for his ‘incredible depth of knowledge and experience‘ and is sought out by high-profile clients such as Mercedes Benz Financial Services UK and Volkswagen Financial Services. ‘Efficient litigator‘ Hannah Smith-Herne heads up the complex team, and handles bespoke and complex litigation.

Employment > Employment: Hampshire Tier 1

Catering to a base of national and international clients across the retail, education, and charity sectors, the Blake Morgan LLP employment department has vast expertise in providing HR legal support and managing employment tribunal proceedings. The team is well placed to deal with complex data protection issues for employers, with the interim head of employment in the south, Rajiv Joshi, contributing extensive experience in assisting businesses within the technology industry from the Thames Valley office. Southampton-based Tim Forer is known for his broad practice advising on contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, while senior associate Vicky Schollar focuses on restrictive covenants and TUPE transfers. Ron Burgess heads up the national employment department, and splits his time between the London and Cardiff offices.

Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP is frequently instructed by international corporations, Thames Valley-based SMEs and public bodies on a full-range of employment law matters, particularly those arising out of the tech and education sectors. Contentious work is a core pillar of the group’s practice and includes employment tribunal and High Court claims. In conjunction with employment, pensions and immigration group head Ron Burgess, Rajiv Joshi leads the Thames Valley-based contingent, focusing on the firm’s key clients in the tech sector. He is supported by associate Madeleine Mould on key mandates, who is the go-to name on the team for strategic and human resources advice. Partner William Downing  departed in 2022, joining Mills & Reeve LLP.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 1

The ‘highly knowledgeable‘ team at Blake Morgan LLP primarily acts for banks and institutional lenders on the full range of mid-market transactions, in addition to dispensing advice to SMEs and social housing providers on development financing matters. Meera Jansen leads the London team, while Southampton-based practice head Kath Shimmin has longstanding experience in financial services compliance, collective investment schemes, and syndicated debt transactions. Leading the Thames Valley practice, advises clearing banks and education charities on mid-market evaluation matters, and associate Jake Holmes is a ‘go-to solicitor‘ who divides his time between the Southampton and Thames Valley offices, contributing his expertise in leveraged and structured finance deals. Former Thames Valley practice head Rebecca McCabe-North has left the firm.

Private client > Family: Hampshire Tier 1

The Blake Morgan LLP group is ‘one of the best in the area’, specialising heavily in complex financial work and private Children Act issues. The team has recently grown its expertise in the areas of Schedule 1, TOLATA, and international matters, and boasts a strong mediation offering. Simon Burge leads from Southampton, bringing extensive experience in handling the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and contested child arrangement claims to the team, while Jennifer Williamson focuses on high-value financial and wealth management cases. Associate Rachel Giles routinely deals with divorces and pre-nuptial agreements.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire Tier 1

From advising high-net-worth-individuals on the use of investment companies, to assisting with the retention of family wealth, to acting as professional trustees, the Blake Morgan LLP private client team offers a ‘first-class service’. The firm has recently established a fintech and crypto assets working group. Practice head Paula Shea boasts 19 years’ experience of assisting sports and media clients with wills, probate, and tax-related matters. Simon Treherne routinely supports farming families and companies with financing and succession matters, while Jonathan Sleep is instructed by individuals to deal with inheritance tax and care fees. Darren Price is knowledgeable on enduring powers of attorney and estate planning. Laura Richards route out the roster of key names. The whole team is based in Southampton.

Public sector Tier 1

Local government work is at the heart of Blake Morgan LLP‘s well-established public sector department, which is also reputed in the health and education sectors. Key contacts for the firm's specialism in local authority leisure projects include Penny Rinta-Suksi, Rajiv Joshi and Edward McMullen. Rinta-Suksi leads the local government team and is recommended by clients as ‘a star in the leisure procurement field’, while Bruce Potter is head of the firm’s nationwide health and care practice. Educational lead Matthew Smith and Vicky Schollar specialise in contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Jennifer Sore, who is ‘outstanding in Highway Law’, is a primary contact for the firm’s local authority clients in the Thames Valley.

Real estate > Commercial property: Hampshire Tier 1

Boasting national and international clients from across the property finance, leisure, and agricultural sectors, the Blake Morgan LLP property services group has vast expertise in handling section 106 agreements, as well as landlord and tenant issues. The team works closely with the property litigation department to provide bespoke advice on dilapidation claims, and Southampton-based practice head, Oliver Sowton, specialises in all aspects of landlord and tenant service matters, including lease renewal management. Daniel Curtis focuses on property and development finance, while Elizabeth Covil supports companies with the disposal and asset management of commercial property. Iain Munro has experience of dealing with the developments of food retail outlets, and Hollie Jones routinely handles portfolio management issues for landlords. John Shallcross and Debbie Brown are also noted.

Real estate > Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP is home to a full-service real estate group that advises major corporate occupiers, institutional real estate investors and higher education organisations on the whole gamut of commercial property matters. Andrew Farmery leads the Thames Valley team, which is spread across Oxford and Reading. George Panteli focuses his practice on acquisitions, disposal, as well as landlord and tenant matters, whilst Michael Ward is the name for financing, leading the real estate finance and corporate support team within the Thames Valley. Legal director Angela Mildenhall advises institutional investors and occupiers with an emphasis on landlord and tenant work for corporate occupiers.

Real estate > Construction Tier 1

Providing ‘measured, quality advice’, the Blake Morgan LLP construction group is highly regarded for representing private and public sector organisations in complex contentious proceedings and advising on high-value transactional work. The firm shows significant strength across the retail, real estate, and education industries, with the team frequently drawing upon expertise from its Oxford, London, Southampton, and Cardiff offices. Practice head Richard Wade has vast experience of advising on procurement strategies and drafting development agreements, while James Bessey specialises in handling large-scale construction disputes, both nationally and internationally. Southampton-based Edward McMullen routinely deals with building contracts. At the senior associate level, Simon Lewis is noted.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Blake Morgan LLP is regularly sought out by high-profile clients in the education sector including academies, colleges, independent schools, and universities for commercial and technology matters. Alison Patten-Hall in Reading assists IT system distributors and providers with development and licensing agreements in addition to supply terms. Elisabeth Bell is also based in Reading and is adept in health-tech and IT procurement projects, while Michael College in Southampton is noted for his strength in contentious technology matters.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 2

Acting on its own as well as often alongside practitioners in the firm's South of England offices, Blake Morgan LLP's 'client-focused' team provides a comprehensive service to debtors and creditors seeking or providing funding on domestic and UK-wide mid-market transactions. Team head Paul Duggan is well-versed across a range of debt financing techniques which he implements to good effect on transactions in the healthcare and hospitality and leisure sectors, in particular.

Insurance > Personal injury: defendant Tier 2

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

With a number of Cardiff-based lawyers who have significant exposure to charities-related work as part of their broader substantive law practices, and also regularly working alongside practitioners from the firm’s standalone sectoral team, which is led from Reading by Ben Brice, Blake Morgan LLP is well-placed to advise a broad spectrum of Wales-based charities and third sector clients. The arrival in October 2022 of litigator Trish D’Souza from Capital Law Limited strengthens the firm’s education credentials in light of her governance, commercial and regulatory expertise for clients in the sector. Public sector head Eve Piffaretti  is also a key member of the team, regularly working with charities who provide care and education services on issues specific to their internal policies and procedures, including advice on safeguarding and the interpretation of policies and procedures in the light of legislative change.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

The ‘experienced and very professional’ team at Blake Morgan LLP has ‘a great depth of knowledge’ across succession and tax planning matters. ‘Extremely proactive’ team head Lisa Davies shows ‘real technical expertise along with practical experience‘, often drawing upon resources from complementary practice areas at the firm, to ensure that clients receive a holistic service in relation to their wealth preservation needs, in particular. Senior associate Nicky Sherrard is also recommended for estate planning matters and administration, as is ‘very professional, yet compassionate’ senior solicitor Holly Jones , including as it relates to the preparation of wills and Power of Attorney.

Real estate > Commercial property Tier 2

Leveraging complementary expertise across the firm's banking, construction and planning practices, as well as being able to resource matters utilising its own in-house quantity surveyors, Blake Morgan LLP's commercial property team can provide a holistic service throughout the life-cycle of projects, particularly as it relates to high value and complex development sites, infrastructure and energy transactions. Mirroring the firm's cross-practice public sector prowess, team head James Egan  has considerable experience advising both local authorities and central government across a range of matters, including on large-scale development projects. The 'exceptionally gifted' Louise Howells has a focus on social housing real estate work and provides a 'solutions-focused' service to Wales and England-based housing associations across a range of acquisition/disposal and financing work. On the private sector front, Nigel Griffiths maintains a market-leading retail leasing practice as a result of his longstanding representation of Canary Wharf Group Plc. Geoff Reed  is also recommended and has vast experience advising both private developers and commercial lenders on property matters.

Public sector > Education: institutions Tier 2

Blake Morgan LLP's education team is instructed by Oxford colleges as well as universities and FE colleges across the country to advise on a wide range of matters and stands out for its deep knowledge of regulatory and student-related issues. Under the leadership of Cardiff-based practice head and employment specialist Matthew Smith, the team has advised education providers on registration and accreditation processes and acted in standout contentious matters related to employee grievances and student complaints. Also in Cardiff, Joanna Rees has advised on major campus developments, and Trish D'Souza, who arrived from Capital Law Limited in October 2022, is a key contact for contentious work and investigations. Oxford-based lawyers Richard Wade, a procurement expert, and John Deech, who advises on property issues, are further names to note.

Public sector > Healthcare Tier 2

Bruce Potter and Eve Piffaretti jointly head the ‘responsive, experienced, capable and personable‘ practice at Blake Morgan LLP. The group handles the full gamut of relevant matters, including national research programmes and public health initiatives, and public enquiries. In addition to advising conduct regulators, Piffaretti has broad knowledge of issues surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable children and adults, and has a great deal of experience in handling issues concerning mental capacity and mental health. Utilising his vast experience of public policy within the healthcare arena, Potter regularly dispenses advice on procurement projects, inquiries, and organisational mergers.

Transport > Travel

Blake Morgan LLP‘s ‘super team with a solid grounding in travel law’ has strong expertise in commercial travel, providing such well-known clients as Air France and KLM, with specialist support in relation to such areas as insolvency, employment and IP. Stojan Essex specialises in related corporate advisory work. Ian Skuse leads the regulatory and commercial practice from London. Additionally, the team has notable experience handling the personal injury side of travel; the ‘versatile’ and focused team in this regard is led by ‘standout practitioner’ Daniel Scognamiglio from Southampton. It is well-equipped to handle complex international matters for claimants in matters involving injury ranging from serious to catastrophic. It also acts for defendants, namely package tour operators and liability insurers, on the defence side of such cases. Associates Ian Skuse and Katherine Ettridge are described as ‘super team members’.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

Blake Morgan LLP houses a ‘really excellent‘ team of ‘top-quality lawyers‘, which advises a diverse range of stakeholders, consisting of landlords, distressed company directors and banks. Katie James leads the team from Reading, utilising her ‘first-rate knowledge and experience‘, and is particularly adept in advising on the administration of distressed care homes. In Southampton, Dan Geddes often acts for insolvency practitioners in claims against debtors and company directors. Andrew Murphy has now moved to Manolete Partners Plc.

Insurance > Professional negligence Tier 2

Located in Southampton, Blake Morgan LLP handles a breadth of professional negligence claims involving financial advisers, property professionals and solicitors. As of late, the team has been engaged in claims pertaining to construction, insurance legal advice and tax planning. Richard Portlock co-leads the team alongside Michael Colledge whose key strengths lie in insurance coverage disputes. Stephen Cannell is also noted for his knowledge of financial services in addition to pension litigation.

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

Blake Morgan LLP is often engaged in charity matters pertaining to the education sector and is well-equipped to advise clients with governance, grant making, joint ventures, and risk management. Ben Brice leads the team and is supported by Laura Sherratt, both of whom are noted for their expertise in commercial charity matters. Rachel Sales in Oxford is particularly adept in charity property and is supported by consultant Joss Saunders who is also based in Oxford. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Reading, unless stated otherwise.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

With a ‘burgeoning reputation’, Blake Morgan LLP is led by ‘exceptional solicitor’  Thomas Middlehurst who splits his time between Oxford and the Thames Valley. He is also often engaged in contentious matters pertaining to executors and trustees, the Inheritance Act as well as trusts of land and property ownership. Abbie Coleman in Oxford has been described as ‘excellent.’

Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 2

Resolving financial issues arising from familial relationship breakdowns is the core currency for Blake Morgan LLP's Thames Valley-based family offering. High-value family litigation is also firmly within the team’s wheelhouse. Team leader James Davies maintains his strong matrimonial finances practice, receiving praise as ‘the very best of Resolution’s code of conduct in practice’. Experienced mediator and former practice head Christine Plews frequently acts on matrimonial finance litigation, whilst legal director Catherine Morgan is another important port of call within the group.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 2

Blake Morgan LLP is known for having the bandwidth to handle the full spectrum of traditional succession and tax services, particularly those involving multiple jurisdictions and overseas assets. Practice leader Susannah Treherne is a go-to name for estate planning and estate administration, and is an expert on cases involving diminished mental capacity. James Greig is a key contact for trusts, high-end probate and inheritance tax planning, whilst senior associate and notary public Kathryn Woodward continues to focus her practice on inheritance tax planning and administering high-net-worth estates.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

Demonstrating ‘broad range and insight’ in relation to all elements of property litigation, the Blake Morgan LLP practice is highly regarded for its advice on judicial review claims in the High Court, and its handling of landlord and tenant disputes. Zoe Wright leads the team from Reading, offering extensive expertise in the telecoms property sector, and regularly handling claims for possession. Southampton-based legal director, Simon Pestell, acts for many commercial property developers, assisting with redevelopment schemes and reviewing property portfolios. In Oxford, Thomas Djan-Krofa focuses on restrictive covenants, easements, and adverse possession claims.

Transport > Shipping Tier 2

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Smaller Deals, £10m-£100m Tier 3

Primarily focused on private acquisitions and disposals, the ‘ highly skilled’ corporate team at Blake Morgan LLP acts for international companies, SMEs, founder-managed businesses and start-ups across the technology, media, engineering and financial services sectors. Practice head Martin Kay - praised for his ‘attention to detail’ - is highly experienced in both on and off-market M&A. Michelle Davenport is noted for her expertise on a range of corporate matters, including exit strategies, M&A and joint ventures.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3

The impressive team at Blake Morgan LLP is led by legal director Ben Brice and acts for some of the largest, household name charities, not-for-profits and social enterprise organisations in the UK, alongside smaller charities. Through its various offices in London, Thames Valley, the South Coast and Wales, the group covers the full spread of issues from advising on collaborative working with charities and third parties to the registration of new charities. Brice is adept at covering various aspects of contentious and non-contentious charity law, and Gina Cheetham is another key member of the team.

Employment > Pensions Tier 3

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 3

Real estate > Environment and planning Tier 3

Demonstrating an ‘in-depth knowledge of both the private and public sectors’, the Blake Morgan LLP planning team specialises in all aspects of residential-led schemes and strategic development projects. The group is well equipped to advise clients from across the leisure, transport and healthcare industries, with considerable strength in supporting joint venture vehicles and local housing authorities. London-based head Amardip Healy is 'held in the highest esteem by her peers', and regularly handles contentious and non-contentious planning matters for developers and property investors. Operating out of the Reading office, senior associate Victoria Charlesson has extensive experience of strategic planning and drafting highway agreements.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 4

With 'a deep understanding of all types of commercial disputes', Blake Morgan LLP predominantly acts in high-value and complex litigation. The 'impressive' Sarah Rees is frequently involved in cases with offshore features; Justin Weare is 'one of the best commercial litigators around'; and Alex Shirtcliff has extensive experience in both domestic and international cases. Elevated to partner in May 2023, Conor Daly, who is 'clear, concise and to the point', specialises in commercial litigation and insolvency litigation.

Public sector > Education: schools Tier 4

Blake Morgan LLP‘s solid education offering targets both state and private schools as well as sector organisations and spans a range of charity, employment, and governance matters. The practice handles disciplinary investigations as well as serious safeguarding issues and is also active across staff structuring and pension matters, and it is also capable of handling school transfers as well as charity incorporations. Matthew Smith, who has acted in numerous employment tribunal cases, leads the team and often works with Southampton-based employment expert Vicky Schollar on matters with sensitive safeguarding aspects. Cardiff lawyer Trish D'Souza, who joined the team from Capital Law Limited in October 2022, is noted for her governance expertise.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 5

At Blake Morgan LLP, head of department, Helen Bunker  does a considerable amount of complex advisory client work. Bunker regularly advises clients who are both UK and non-UK domiciled individuals, trustees and estates and also acts as a professional executor, trustee, attorney and deputy for a number of families. The team advises on a broad array of succession and tax matters and frequently acts for clients with multi-jurisdictional assets.

Real estate > Planning Tier 5

Blake Morgan LLP handles the full spectrum of planning and environmental matters. The planning team is regularly involved in residential-led schemes, and marine planning work is a particular area of growth for the group. Practice head Amardip Healy boasts public sector experience and over 30 years’ experience as a solicitor, specialising in all aspects of planning and highways. Keith Lancaster left the firm in June 2022.

Private client > Family Tier 6

At Blake Morgan LLP, practice head Flora Grossman handles a wide range of matrimonial and cohabitation disputes and has extensive experience in matters concerning companies. In addition, she is experienced in representing clients in disputes regarding arrangements for children, along with more complex children matters involving abuse and domestic violence.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 6

Blake Morgan LLP is recommended for development and agricultural finance, as well as secured and portfolio lending. Lead partner Tony Coyne has significant experience in property related acquisitions, disposals, and investments, in addition to corporate real estate matters, with a particular emphasis on management and secured lending.