gunnercooke LLP > Birmingham, England > Firm Profile
gunnercooke LLP Offices

55 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2AA
England
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gunnercooke LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Real estate > Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby Tier 2
gunnercooke LLP’s commercial property client base is made up of developers, contractors, landowners, promoters and investors. Alongside general residential and commercial development as well as property investment work, the team has niche specialisations in property related finance and equestrian sport matters. The ‘very experienced team of senior lawyers’ includes Brendan WalshOther key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very experienced team of senior lawyers based locally, dealing effectively and efficiently with our transactions. Your work is dealt with by the partner instructed and not passed down the line.’
‘Brendan Walsh knows what I am thinking before I have to say it, approaching the deal from a pragmatic commercial basis, as opposed to a purely legalistic approach. Gets on with the job, focusing on the key points, leaving the non-issues and pushing the other side when required. We generally manage to get a bit of humour into our meetings to relieve the tedium of the law.’
Key clients
Wilson Bowden Developments Limited
William Davis Limited
English Will Trust of the Rt Hon Olive Countess Fitzwilliam
Garner Holdings Limited
Millhouse Developments Limited
Everards Brewery
Harpur Crewe LLC (US)
Graystacks Developments
Radmarsh Road Holdings Ltd
Zone Developments
LG Capital Limited
Oregon Timber Frame (England) Limited
Rolta Infotech (Hong Kong)
Urban Logistics REIT Plc
Tune Developments Limited
Department of Health & Social Care
Work highlights
- Acted on the acquisition of a prime residential development land and strategic land portfolio in over 40 locations across the East Midlands.
- Advised on the letting of a space ay Denby Business Park for use as warehouse/ industrial accommodation.
- Advised on an acquisition through company purchases and land options of land at Anstey Leicestershire.
Finance > Trade finance Tier 3
gunnercooke LLP is known for ‘good practical and legal knowledge delivered simply and clearly‘, and one client praises its ‘quality of knowledge, service and complete understanding of the underlying trade structuring processes‘. The firm continues to steadily grow its presence in the trade finance market, focusing on work for both borrowers and lenders, among them alternative finance providers, international banks with the UK presence, and commodity traders. Commodities and finance partner Marc Weisberger and Veronika Koroleva are the key figures in a practice that has ‘experience within the sector and a willingness to support and guide, based upon a strong industry and product knowledge‘.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The quality of Knowledge, service and complete understanding of the underlying trade structuring processes.’
‘Experience within the sector and willingness to support and guide, based upon a strong industry and product knowledge.’
‘Good practical and legal knowledge delivered simply and clearly.’
Key clients
SOCAR Trading SA
Green Biofuels Limited
Cabipa Nigeria Limited, Nigeria and Eterna plc, Nigeria
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Limited, London Branch
Worldwide Supply Chain Solutions International Limited
Torq Commodities AG
Stronghold Global Finance (UK) Ltd
Barens CT SA
7 Sigma FinTech Limited
Korea Development Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Green Biofuels Ltd on a $15m supply and investment transaction with BP plc.
- Advised on a $5m potential pre-export finance line and offtake between Torq Commodities AG and a manganese mine in South Africa.
- Advising Eterna plc in its ongoing $20m dispute with a Swiss trade finance bank over the ownership and control of a cargo of baseoil.
Employment > Pensions Tier 3
gunnercooke LLP is noted for advising clients in the public sector and education sector, as well as Master Trusts, on the full range of pensions matters, including outsourcing and corporate transactions. Suresh Bhatt deals with both contentious and non-contentious pensions matters, including advising on CPI/RPI considerations and pensions scam cases. Ginevra Gatrell frequently advises on private sector schemes on compliance, complex pension benefit complaints.Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BBCS
The Kennel Club
Shoe Zone Pension Scheme
Colt Life Assurance and Retirement Scheme
Bridon Group (2013) Pension Scheme
Chartered Management Institute
B E Wedge Holdings Limited Pension
Inspired Gaming Group Pension Scheme
Dalriada Trustees Limited
Methodist Church
Work highlights
- Advised on the buy-out of pension schemes liabilities, including the first insurance company buy-out of benefits.
Finance > Banking and finance Tier 3
gunnercooke LLP‘s banking team acts on a broad range of transactions, with a particular emphasis on real estate financing. Rob FawkeOther key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They were excellent on the transactions we were involved in and a pleasure to deal with. Very responsive and proactive in bringing the issues to a head and dealing with them.’
‘Jill Parker was very organised and drove the transaction forward. She is very practical and keen to find solutions.’
Key clients
Leeds Building Society
Breal Capital Limited
BZ Commercial Finance
Bumper International
AIB Group (UK) plc
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Secure Trust Bank plc
Skipton Building Society
Principality Building Society
Calveton UK
Santander UK Plc
Grupo Tradebe Medio Ambiente SL
Gray Care Group Limited
ETZ PLC
Johnsey Estates UK Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Johnsey Estates UK Limitedon a £16m refinance of existing debt, restructure and property transfers.
- Advised ETZ Plc on a cross-border matter involving financing and investments into the client’s business.
- Advised Leeds Building Society on the two separate issuances of £350m senior preferred notes.
Employment > Pensions (non-contentious) Tier 4
Clients feel that gunnercooke LLP's modern, flexible structure 'makes it very agile - in the post-pandemic world they seem to be pulling in well-respected partners from all over the country'. The team benefits from the firm's professional trustee company, gcTrustees, which acts as a trustee of numerous pension schemes. Parminder Latimer advises trustees, employers and individuals on all aspects of pensions issues, in addition to working with the corporate department in transactions involving defined benefit and public sector schemes. Helen Miles is chair of the NHS pensions board and is experienced in matters requiring clearance from the pensions regulator. Adam Bushby is well-versed in de-riskings, GMP equalisations and pension scheme winding-ups.Other key lawyers:
Parminder Latimer; Helen Miles; Adam Bushby
Testimonials
‘Overall I think it is their pragmatic approach to matters I have referred to them.’
‘Adam Bushby, is very personable friendly and approachable and takes a pragmatic view.’
‘The structure of gunnercooke makes it very agile, particularly in the post-pandemic world they seem to be pulling in well respected partners from all over the country.’
‘Adam Bushby has a wealth of experience and is one of those rare individuals with genuine breadth of experience in both contentious and non-contentious work. Parminder Latimer is conscientious and dedicated with a tremendous appetite for work.’
‘Helen Miles is a great partner to work with. She has great technical knowledge combined with real commercial and practical advice. She is always available and turns things around in a timely manner. Can’t recommend her highly enough. And best of all the charging rates are reasonable, from a lawyer! Would definitely recommend’
‘Helen Miles – her disarmingly friendly persona does not disguise her astonishing talent. Her ability to boil complex matters down to the things that matter never ceases to amaze us.’
Key clients
BBCS
The Kennel Club
Shoe Zone Pension Scheme
Colt Life Assurance and Retirement Scheme
Bridon Group (2013) Pension Scheme
Chartered Management Institute
B E Wedge Holdings Limited Pension
Inspired Gaming Group Pension Scheme
Dalriada Trustees Limited
Methodist Church
Work highlights
- Advising Kamco Ltd in relation to a pension litigation matter against the Trustee of the Plumbing Pension Scheme.
- Advising The Kennel Club Limited on the closure of the staff pension scheme.
- Advising Hitachi Data Systems Retirement Benefit Plan on the insurance company buyout.
Employment Tier 4
gunnercooke LLP is noted for its work on whistleblowing and discrimination cases, data protection and GDPR advice, and its experience in Employment Tribunal claims. Paul Ryman often acts for executives and senior employees and frequently provides corporate support on commercial transactions. Rachel Spink is a key contact regarding Employment Tribunal cases, while Sarah Armstrong often works on restrictive covenant disputes. Jo Tindall and Angela Brumpton are both well regarded.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Paul Ryman has been fair, frank and helpful since our first meeting and up and including the tribunal. He has gone to great lengths to help me and I would recommend Paul to anyone who, like myself, is in need of help.’
‘It is the staff at gunnercooke that stands out. They are very keen and help deal with issues much faster than most firms I have worked with.’
‘The staff I have dealt with has always been very quick to respond and been very helpful and knowledgeable. They are also very friendly and take an interest in our business. In particular my experience working with Sarah Armstrong has been excellent.’
Key clients
Halton Housing
Investors in People
Customade Group
Hologic Limited
Therapie Clinics
PCF Bank plc
Affinity Shipping LLP
Richmond Fellowship
Wybone Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for a client in a case of unfair dismissible and whistleblowing claims.
Private client > Family Tier 4
gunnercooke LLP is a specialist family team covering agricultural-related cases and farming assets involving relationship breakdown. It often represents high-net-worth families on divorce, matrimonial finance matters, and child arrangements, especially regarding cases of alleged abuse and familial violence. Roland Humphreys frequently advises professional footballers, professionals and well-known businesspeople and lawyers on matters such as child maintenance litigation, and alternative family structures.Practice head(s):
Roland Humphreys
Testimonials
‘Highly specialised, very personalised service. The client is dealt with throughout by the fee earner they instructed and not passed down a team. Clients will always get a dedicated service from Roland Humphreys personally. There is always access to other professionals in the practice when needed for different specialisms.’
‘Roland Humphreys is an extremely experienced family lawyer. He specialises in dealing with cases from average net-worth to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and regularly acts for well-known sports people and prominent members of the business and legal communities.His attention to detail and planning are second to none. He is realistic in his advice, but always willing to fight for his clients and obtain the best possible outcome. He is well liked by clients who value his ability to cut through the superfluous and focus on the key issues that really matter. He is well respected by colleagues, counsel and the judiciary alike.’
Work highlights
Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 4
gunnercooke LLP is singled out by clients for its ability to provide a ‘very personal service, given with passion, pride and extensive knowledge‘; the team brings this approach to a range of mandates, including environmental criminal and regulatory defence work, planning and environmental advice and appeals, and land reclamation projects. Key contact Anna Willetts ‘will not leave a stone unturned‘.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The practice are as invested in the case as the individual instructing them; it’s a very personal service, given with passion, pride and extensive knowledge. The knowledge and expertise held is unparalleled in the environmental sector and there is not a better practice out there.’
‘Anna Willetts is a lawyer with determination and tenacity who is not afraid to stand up for what is right and just. She has a true passion, which goes beyond that required for the job; she genuinely cares for the clients and is passionate about seeing justice served. Added to the above is an unrivalled knowledge about environmental regulation and environmental regulators and this makes Anna a lawyer that the environmental regulators should fear – she will not leave a stone unturned.’
‘A very hands-on team willing to work at all levels of engagement. Particularly knowledgeable and current on assessing potential legal outcomes.’
‘Anna Willetts is hands-on and always available on the phone. Will have your back in a crisis and provides a ready sense of assuredness about likely outcomes.’
Key clients
Ripley Property Holdings Ltd.
Assured Energy LLP
Calder Valley Skip Hire Limited
Fowles Crushed Concrete Limited
J&J Transport Limited
Golf Environmental (UK) Limited
Killoughery Waste Management Limited
Kitewood Estates Limited
Stockley Park Golf Club Limited
Work highlights
Real estate > Property litigation Tier 4
With experience handling high-profile complex disputes, the team at gunnercooke LLP regularly advise landowners, investors, and management companies. Dual qualified as a chartered surveyor, Tom Seabrook has a unique understanding of the market and considerable expertise in residential management company disputes and in commercial dilapidations. Jen Morris, who heads the real estate litigation practice from Manchester, provides strategic advice to clients with a focus on landlord and tenant matters.Other key lawyers:
Jen Morris; Tom Seabrook
Testimonials
‘I have found them to be quick to respond, giving good practical advice and is attuned to the problem in hand.’
‘Jen Morris is brilliant. Jen is responsive, thorough, practical and just the lawyer you need when a complex dispute becomes difficult.’
Key clients
Brook Hotels No 1 Limited
Robinson Webster (Holdings) T/A Jigsaw
Mr Pretzels (UK) Limited
Polyseam Limited
Cloud Imperium Games Limited
RAM Properties Limited
Henry Boot PLC and associated companies
Seatriever International Holdings Limited
Christine Blundell Make Up Academy Limited
Work highlights
Real estate > Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 4
gunnercooke LLP entered the Scottish market in May 2021, opening offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. As part of the process, Simon Etchells, a lawyer with 35 years worth of experience in developments and investments, was recruited from Dentons to front the practice; he arrived with a track record in handling shopping centre, retail, leisure, office, restaurant and student accommodation assets and is supported by the firm’s wider construction, corporate, finance and litigation capabilities.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The GunnerCooke approach to the service needed is to find the best suited person to deal with instruction and then agree a sensible fee basis, which in my 45 years of experience is a breath of fresh air having suffered at the hands of the large firms where you pay so much to feed the partners unquenchable thirst for cash.’
‘I have dealt with Simon Etchells who is attentive and accurate with advice and actions.’
Key clients
Ambassador Group Limited
Malin Group Limited
Edinburgh Rail Limited
Sigma Sports Limited/Bradshaw Taylor Limited – linked
Barry Callebaut Manufacturing UK Limited
Laing the Jeweller Glasgow Limited
Nu Space Homes Group Limited/ Expresso Property Limited – linked
Score Group Limited
Keills Property Trust
LFR Leisure Limited
Ambassador Group Limited
Malin Group Limited
Edinburgh Rail Limited
Sigma Sports Limited/Bradshaw Taylor Limited – linked
Barry Callebaut Manufacturing UK Limited
Laing the Jeweller Glasgow Limited
Nu Space Homes Group Limited/ Expresso Property Limited – linked
Score Group Limited
Keills Property Trust
LFR Leisure Limited
Work highlights
- Leading the sale of 9 investment assets across England, Wales and Scotland.
- Advising on the exchange and completion of the acquisition and development of an NHS campus to convert to accommodation.
- Advised on the roll out of a major restaurant chain.
Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 4
Rebecca Ireland heads the gunnercooke LLP employment department in the Thames Valley, where she employs her broad practice in both non-contentious matters and litigation, advises senior executives, and assists with corporate transactions.Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Ireland
Testimonials
‘The team is always there to support if i need advice outside of my normal contact.’
‘I work closely with Rebecca Ireland. She has always been a great support to the business, she understands the business and is prepared to talk through different scenarios and actions. She is honest, reliable, and contactable! I have also recommended her to colleagues within the industry.’
‘Rebecca is very approachable, commercial and practical.’
‘I truly value my partnership with Rebecca Ireland, and her pragmatic and practical employment law advice that she provides me with in a very straightforward style that I really appreciate.’
‘They are highly experienced, practical and efficient. Their advice is always superb. ‘
‘Rebecca Ireland is a superb strategic litigator. Her hands-on approach and tenacity is commendable. I would not hesitate to recommend her.’
‘Rebecca Ireland really takes the time to get to know her clients and understand the issues they may be dealing with in a wider context rather than just the issue at hand. It’s obvious that she builds her knowledge through each interaction so that as a client I don’t have to repeat issues or keep providing contextual or background information. Rebecca works with us to find the pragmatic solution to a situation.’
‘Rebecca Ireland is very approachable, professional and helpful. Rebecca takes the time to explain employment law in a way that is easy to understand. When contacting Rebecca with any queries she is very quick to respond. Plus if she comes across anything that she thinks may be useful or is an update in employment law Rebecca emails me to make me aware.’
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 5
gunnercooke LLP‘s IP practice handles litigation, portfolio management, and licensing mandates for several large clients in the fashion, hospitality, technology, and gaming industries. Within the team, Rosie Burbidge, Rachel Pearse and Harvey Stringfellow are names of note, covering the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Specialised individual teams means a very personal approach to litigation. Full service in respect of the areas of IP means one can deal with gunnercooke from the beginning right up until the end of litigation without needing multiple teams.’
‘Rosie Burbidge is outstanding in her technical ability and commercial sense.’
‘Harvey Stringfellow is a very dogged litigator who works hard for a client whilst making sure that the client is fully appraised of the strengths and weaknesses of their case. Harvey understands the need to marshal convincing, cogent evidence, and works hard with his client to do so.’
‘Rosie Burbidge is my go-to person in the UK: excellent professional, always on top of the latest legal and tech developments, very good communication skills, excellent writing style, and such a lovely person to work with!’
‘The one attribute I really admire working with Rosie Burbidge and her team are they are clearly passionate about what they do. The quality of work is always consistently high, and being very personable and easy to work with just makes things straightforward in an area that can sometimes be complex.’
Key clients
Andcrafted Limited t/a Plank Hardware
Space Ape Limited
Plu&m Ltd
Safe-T-System Ltd
Barking Bags Limited
Betr Technologies Limited t/a Koyo
To Be Someone
Liking Limited
Infinite Consulting SARL
Work highlights
- Managing the global trade mark portfolio for Dragons’ Den stars, Barking Bags and acting on a claim for unregistered design right infringement.
- Acting for Space Ape Games on IP strategy and advice, including managing national and international litigation (particularly in the US) and managing the global trade mark portfolio.
- Acting for Diotima&Co Limited in a dispute over misleading statements regarding the nature of a gemstone with similar properties to diamonds. This includes the use of ASA proceedings in conjunction with trade mark registry proceedings.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Manchester Tier 5
At gunnercooke LLP, the ‘exceptional people doing brilliant work in the swiftest possible time‘ have particular expertise in M&A, corporate restructuring and private equity. ‘Classy operator‘ Nick Ducker is a key senior contact within the team, as is Jo Glass, whose regular workload ranges from the local to the international.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The blend of sector expertise together with a personable approach is much talked of, but rare to actually find. As individuals, the gunnercooke team have been brilliant in supporting us and their connected approach has helped us realise the ambitions we had for the company, culminating in a successful acquisition which we are very pleased with.’
‘Exceptional people doing brilliant work in the swiftest possible time in order to minimise costs to us. Cannot rate them highly enough.’
‘The practice works on a solutions-driven approach which, when working on complex transactions, is a great offering for clients and existing advisers. Their senior experience bandwidth can be called on quickly and efficiently without unnecessary costs or time spent.’
‘Nick Ducker has a great approach to getting deals over the line. Bringing legal diligence in line with relevant risk to ensure a well managed transaction journey for all.’
‘I feel like I’m getting a very personal service and they have the ability of making themselves feel totally available to me at all times. Communication is easy and the flow of information is always understandable. They have a good ability to make complex legal issues understandable to their audience. They work very well as a team and always feel united and committed even when working under pressure to tight deadlines. I couldn’t fault them.’
‘Nick Ducker – a very classy operator! Works hard and is always available to support and guide me through often complex situations in our larger commercial transactions.’
‘I never feel like the fees are too much for the work undertaken.’
Key clients
HH Legal
Paragon Group Ltd
Calveton UK
Breal Capital Limited
Graylaw International Ltd
Telcom Group
Work highlights
- Advising on a cross-border corporate transaction to purchase assets, including a commercial ferry.
- Advising on a £63m investment for a UK internet service provider.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6
gunnercooke LLP is forging a prominent reputation in the cryptoasset field with a roster of approximately 100 clients within the sector. The practice is also adept in supporting new funds and investment managers on set-up, AIFMD and certification matters, among others, and is also active within the payment services and electronic money industries. Key names include Edward Black and James Burnie.Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘gunnercooke have a deep and talented bench of experts that can be called upon to advise on a wide variety of different matters. As a start-up we found their guidance has been invaluable.’
‘Our main partner is James Burnie. James remains a stand-out expert in his field, and he often keeps us informed of legal and regulatory changes that might impact our business before the changes come in to effect.’
‘James Burnie & Edward Black – both are superb. As a start-up crypto fund manager, much of what we are doing is for the first time so they have been very helpful, hand-holding us through the process. Their deep knowledge on esoteric technical aspects of the crypto market re-assured me. They are a great team.’
Key clients
Ziglu Limited
Copper
Attestant
Monolith
Trustology
Nickel Digital Asset Management
Oneify
Helford Capital Partners
Outlier Ventures incubator
Nettle Group
Old Street Digital
Arion Investment Management Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted Ziglu with the legal and regulatory aspects of its business.
- Involved in set-up of a crypto fund, up to $100m, of Old Street Digital which will invest via a range of strategies.
- Advised Helford on new and unusual crypto trading set-ups and strategies and perform feasibility assessments on new structures and projects worth up to $25m.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 6
gunnercooke LLP's 'proactive' bench of advisers handle complex disputes involving financial services, technology, media, real estate, IP, and SME and owner-managed businesses. Shilpen Savani is a commercial disputes and contentious corporate specialist; Philip Rubens assists with contentious financial services matters; and Fergus Buckley 'has great litigation instincts'.Other key lawyers:
Shilpen Savani; Fergus Buckley; Henna Elahi
Testimonials
‘Personal-level involvement with the full combination of legal and business acumen to lay out a winning litigation strategy in litigation – allows this small firm to wipe the floor with larger, higher profile firms.‘
‘Attention to detail, leaving no stone unturned in devising strategy -great game theory from a legal angle.‘
‘Proactive people who are always putting their best foot forward for clients.’
‘Shilpen Savani stands out as an exceptionally bright, yet personable and commercial, litigation lawyer. He does his firm and his clients credit with his understated, yet incisive, delivery and excellent knowledge of the law.’
‘Shilpen Savani is extremely good – knowledgeable, clever, likeable, responsive and reliable. I cannot recommend him highly enough.’
‘Shilpen Savani and associate Henna Elahi have shown to have excellent communication skills – great ability to analyse the requisite information, using it in the best possible manner for the case.’
‘Fergus Buckley is a class act, who is full of energy and will leave no stone unturned for his clients.’
‘Fergus Buckley is excellent at taking a commercial and practical approach, managing client expectations and helping parties to reach sensible compromises. He also has great litigation instincts.’
Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 7
gunnercooke LLP‘s dispute resolution practice has significant experience in conducting disputes work under the rules of major international arbitral bodies, such as LCIA, ICC and ICSID. David Breslin (former international arbitration head at Fladgate LLP) acts in international arbitration in the insurance, financial services, energy and international trade sectors.Other key lawyers:
Real estate > Property finance Tier 7
The real estate finance practice at gunnercooke LLP has continued to grow over recent years with several partner hires, including Daniel Fireman from Howard Kennedy LLP in April 2021. The team acts for lenders and borrowers, including clearing banks, alternative lenders, and developers, on property investment and development finance mandates in the residential, office and hotel sectors. Matthew East, Conor Downey and Russell Dellar are other notable members of the team.Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Shanghai Commercial Bank
Edinburgh House Holdings
Secure Trust Bank plc
Blue Shield Capital
Finance > Transport finance and leasing
Transport > Rail
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Manchester
Finance > Securitisation
gunnercooke LLP launched its securitisation practice in 2021 with the hire of experienced partner Conor Downey from Paul Hastings LLP. Downey focuses exclusively on the financing, restructuring and securitisation of real estate and real estate debt.
Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech
Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Bristol
Employment > Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire
East Midlands > Real estate > Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby
gunnercooke LLP’s commercial property client base is made up of developers, contractors, landowners, promoters and investors. Alongside general residential and commercial development as well as property investment work, the team has niche specialisations in property related finance and equestrian sport matters. The ‘very experienced team of senior lawyers’ includes Brendan WalshOther key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very experienced team of senior lawyers based locally, dealing effectively and efficiently with our transactions. Your work is dealt with by the partner instructed and not passed down the line.’
‘Brendan Walsh knows what I am thinking before I have to say it, approaching the deal from a pragmatic commercial basis, as opposed to a purely legalistic approach. Gets on with the job, focusing on the key points, leaving the non-issues and pushing the other side when required. We generally manage to get a bit of humour into our meetings to relieve the tedium of the law.’
Key clients
Wilson Bowden Developments Limited
William Davis Limited
English Will Trust of the Rt Hon Olive Countess Fitzwilliam
Garner Holdings Limited
Millhouse Developments Limited
Everards Brewery
Harpur Crewe LLC (US)
Graystacks Developments
Radmarsh Road Holdings Ltd
Zone Developments
LG Capital Limited
Oregon Timber Frame (England) Limited
Rolta Infotech (Hong Kong)
Urban Logistics REIT Plc
Tune Developments Limited
Department of Health & Social Care
Work highlights
- Acted on the acquisition of a prime residential development land and strategic land portfolio in over 40 locations across the East Midlands.
- Advised on the letting of a space ay Denby Business Park for use as warehouse/ industrial accommodation.
- Advised on an acquisition through company purchases and land options of land at Anstey Leicestershire.
gunnercooke LLP > Firm Profile
gunnercooke is one of the UK’s fastest growing law firms, providing a wide range of corporate and commercial legal services to businesses, banks and financial institutions. Its model allows its lawyers to spend time building strong relationships with clients, so they can find opportunities to add extra value to their work, acting as trusted advisors.
The firm was founded in 2010 on the basis that its lawyers would provide seniority by requiring them to have a client-focused approach and at least 10,000 hours’ practising experience. Lawyers operate on a fixed-fee basis, meaning work is scoped out from the outset and cost certainty is guaranteed.
gunnercooke is now an established corporate and commercial law firm, winning 61 industry-recognised awards, including: Law Firm of the Year at the Modern Law Awards, Law Company of the Year at The Lawyer Awards and being listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2022. There are currently over 335 partners across 11 offices. Aiming to grow its range of professional services, gunnercooke also has group companies including gunnercooke Operating Partners, a group of management consultants, and gunnercooke Tech, a legal technology arm. The firm has over 26,000 clients in a broad range of sectors including BAE Systems, Jet2, Santander and Johnson Matthey and has seen revenue increase by 51% in the past year.
Types of work undertaken: gunnercooke‘s practice areas are constantly expanding. The firm is particularly well known for its work in corporate and M&A, employment, commercial, dispute resolution, family law, business crime, restructuring and business growth, pensions, private client, FinTech and financial services, banking and finance and real estate.
Dispute resolution: The firm has established a disputes presence in relation to financial services, SME and owner-managed businesses, technology, media, real estate and IP.
Trade finance: The team works across the full range of traded commodities, they handle pre-payment and off-take arrangements, spot and term commodity sales, structured trade and commodity finance, ownership-based structures, trade finance products, receivables financing and supply chain financing.
Intellectual property: The lawyers handle instructions on contentious issues including trademark and copyright infringement, passing off, entitlement and breach-of-distribution allegations. The rapidly growing team offer expertise in the sectors of media and entertainment, professional services, FMCG, entertainment and leisure.
Employment and pensions: The firm advises public sector bodies, including education bodies and registered housing providers, as well as manufacturing and retail. Lawyers also advise employers, trustees and law firms without pensions capabilities on corporate transactions, liability management, trust documentation drafting and liaising with the Pensions Regulator.
Banking and finance: The varied expertise in the team includes leveraged and real estate finance work as well as corporate lending transactions. Lawyers assist financial institutions, corporate borrowers and institutional investors with a range of matters including asset-based lending and acquisition finance issues.
Family law: The firm offers family law advice to a range of private clients, with notable specialist experience in agricultural cases with a family component.
Property litigation: The team experience in high-profile, pivotal and complex real estate disputes, providing effective strategic advice for landlords, developers, investors, occupiers and management companies.
International expertise
Germany
Asia
Brazil and Portugal
France
Spain
Italy
Scotland
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Executive Chairman | Darryl Cooke | darryl.cooke@gunnercooke.com | |
Co-Founder | Sarah Goulbourne | sarah.goulbourne@gunnercooke.com | |
Head of Recruitment | Chris Ball | chris.ball@gunnercooke.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Prem Ahark | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Simona Falticeanu | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Partners : 341 Associates : 29 gcTrust (Support Team) : 50Languages
Italian French Spanish Chinese (Mandarin) German Portugese- Real estate > Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby
Firm Rankings
- Employment > Pensions (non-contentious)
- Employment
- Private client > Family
- Real estate > Planning and environment
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Real estate > Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Manchester
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Manchester
- Finance > Securitisation
- Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech
- Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Bristol
- Employment > Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
- Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire