Anna Heaton > Addleshaw Goddard > Leeds, England > Lawyer Profile

Addleshaw Goddard‘s local government team ‘meets every challenge put in its way‘ and leverages the firm’s extensive UK network to act for local and combined authorities at a regional and national level. The team is particularly sought out for its transactional expertise with experience across the energy, transport, infrastructure and public services sectors. Other noteworthy areas of expertise span state aid work, development option appraisals, procurement processes and contentious work. Anna Heaton and Ian Smith lead the group in Leeds and specialise in commercial property work and development projects respectively, while Paul Hirst is recommended for his transport sector knowledge.

The Leeds office of Addleshaw Goddard operates as the global hub for the broader firm’s transport practice, with a strong presence across private and public sector work in the rail, bus, port, airport, and electric vehicle spaces. Paul Hirst leads the team, encapsulating the practice’s wider sector expertise in his work on major projects with both high-profile public and private sector clients, with expertise in infrastructure, concessions, franchises, and stock procurement. Anna Heaton is noted for her specialism in the overlap between real estate and transport, namely transport hub-led regeneration projects. Bill Gilliam is recommended for his disputes focus within this area.

Addleshaw Goddard’s Leeds-based commercial property practice continues to excel at handling a wide range of work, including portfolio management and development projects. Nancy McGuire leads the team nationally, while the regional leadership of real estate transactions expert Lucy Sturrock sees the team advising major property holding entities, such as Columbia Threadneedle Investments, on standout purchases and disposals. Clients in the student accommodation space frequently instruct Peter Mason to assist with large development schemes, while Anna Heaton is a key contact for her ability to advise on urban regeneration projects. Logistics expert Andrew Williamson and investments expert Ian Smith are also highly recommended, and the team underwent further expansion with the arrivals of directors Jennifer Patterson from Ward Hadaway LLP and Ian Barker from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. Bruce Lightbody retired from the firm in April 2023.

The team at Addleshaw Goddard is ably co-led by Paul Hirst and Anna Heaton. It has a ‘strong infrastructure practice’ and is renowned for its considerable strength across all areas of the rail sector – this expertise spans advising on operating franchise/concessions, as well as on rolling stock in both the passenger and freight markets. Hirst is highly regarded for his work on operating concessions, franchise and rolling stock procurements. Heaton has a particular specialism in major transport hub led regeneration projects. Simon Gwynne plays a pivotal role in the department – he is known for his significant expertise in rolling stock and other rail assets, both in the UK and internationally. Carla Hancock joined the team from DLA Piper. Hancock has considerable experience across a broad range of transport and infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on both heavy and light rail projects.