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

Leveraging its expansive UK network, Addleshaw Goddard advises local and combined authorities both regionally and farther afield. With a focus on transactional matters, the team showcases prowess in energy, transport, infrastructure, and public services. Additionally, it offers expertise in state aid, development option evaluations, procurement procedures and dispute resolution matters such as rectification claims. In Leeds, Anna Heaton and Ian Smith co-chair the practice alongside Sara Gilmore, who divides her time between the Leeds and Manchester offices. Rail and transport expert Paul Hirst, commercial disputes partner Louise Dobson and real estate specialist Mark Bramley are further key Leeds-based contacts.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s ‘wide-ranging expertise’ covers a number of sections of the transport sector, including rail, infrastructure, port issues alongside a growing volume of airport-related work. Paul Hirst co-leads the transport department alongside Anna Heaton. Hirst is particularly experienced in the rail sector as well as specialising in infrastructure projects, handling concessions and franchises and rolling stock procurement processes. Heaton has a particular specialism in regeneration projects involving major transport hubs, advising on private investments and the appointment of development partners.

Addleshaw Goddard advises notable clients in the hospitality, transport, and living sectors on the full scope of issues relating to infrastructure development projects and regeneration schemes. The team also regularly acts for institutional and real estate investors in high-value portfolio acquisitions, and for retail clients in lease renegotiations. Lucy Sturrock, who works extensively with hospitality and retail clients on real estate transactions, heads the Leeds practice. Anna Heaton co-leads the firm’s transport group and has broad knowledge of regeneration projects, while Ian Smith advises a broad range of national and local clients, ranging from local authorities to international corporations. Joe Maitland is noted for his strong focus on the retail sector, and Daniel Glowacz regularly assists investor clients.

The ‘hugely impressive and much admired’ team at Addleshaw Goddard is ably co-led by Paul Hirst and Anna Heaton. It is regularly instructed on the premier transactions in this sector. The group has considerable strength in franchising, rolling stock, projects and infrastructure. In addition, it continues to grow its international client base. It is also noteworthy that its clients are a balanced mix of public/private sector clients. The ‘excellent’ Simon Gwynne has a broad knowledge of rolling stock and other rail assets, such as depots. Gwynne continues to be active on various transactions both in the UK and internationally, acting for a diverse range of clients including governments, financial institutions, lessors, lessees and equity investors. Carla Hancock plays a key role in the department. Hancock has considerable experience of advising on a wide range of transport and infrastructure projects, but is primarily focused on the heavy and light rail sectors.