Gateley Legal > Birmingham, England > Firm Profile

‘Very experienced partners and team who are willing and able to provide practical solutions to complex situations. The introduction of litigation funding and their general willingness to share the risks on Insolvency and other matters makes them a major player in this market’

‘Mark Wilson has developed into one of the most respected lawyers in this sector and has with Dan French built a very impressive all round team’

‘An experienced team with a strong commercial mindset. They bring a strong combination of strategic thinking and litigation skills to complex cross border matters. The litigation team possess excellent legal, commercial and technical skills, are proactive with the right level of attention being provided by senior staff.’

‘The team is unique in their willingness to share risk, to invest their time researching and working up matters before launching claims, and to think strategically and creatively to the benefit of their clients.’

‘I have dealt with the insolvency litigation team on a very difficult case. They have been extremely supportive, tenacious and ultimately delivered a sound strategy that has enabled success at court.’

‘Victoria Portman – sound legal and tactical advice, extremely supportive throughout whole assignment. Very responsive and prepared to go the extra mile. I would not to be on the other side.’

‘Gateley have a large number of sector and service line specialisms to call upon, to make sure the right people are part of the project team.’

‘My firm needed a swift and accurate response and that’s exactly what we received – Gateley clearly hasa strength and depth of knowledge which was provided to us as a firm when they were able to assemble litigation, commercial and employment experience for our meetings at very short notice. They were also empathetic and understood quickly the needs and the personalities involved with my firm, which also helped and was appreciated.’

‘Natalie Howe has been quick to respond for us and has always been careful to explain and advise on our queries from an all angle basis. This has been very helpful in decision making – she has demonstrated a keen wish to help and serve our best interests too.’

‘Strong case management and structured practical approach.’

‘Natalie Howes – very strict timetabling and strong case management.’

‘The team are approachable, very knowledgeable and collaborative. They are quickly able to get to the nub of often complex matters.’

‘Claire Herbert is exceptional. She is very skilled at what she does and always has time to listen.’

‘A tight knit and effective team who draw on their years of experience at the top end of the region’s work.’

‘Claire Herbert is a dynamic and enthusiastic team leader, who has the respect of her team despite her relatively young years. Natalie Howes is a superb associate whose attention to detail and strong commercial acumen make her a real asset to the team.’

‘The team are always flexible, really helpful and offer practical and commercially focused advice.’

‘Andrew Macmillan provides a fantastic service. He is a first class lawyer and I trust him implicitly to assist with any new challenge we have.’

‘The team has considerable expertise not only in pure employment law but essential ancillary areas such as employment tax and pensions.’

‘Andrew Macmillan is an outstanding employment lawyer, at the very top of his field. He combines legal expertise with uncanny commercial acumen. He is equally at home with contentious and non-contentious issues and is always supportive and constructive. He is also an excellent negotiator.’

‘Chris Kisby is quite outstanding. He completely gets it and provides timely and commercial advice.’

‘Helen Webster and her team are always helpful and keep the legal jargon to a minimum ease of understanding.’

‘Helen Burgess is fantastic, she has invested the time and energy in understanding our organisation, so that she has the context and able to give us very pragmatic advice to us. I can’t recommend her highly enough.’

‘Gateley drives deals with commerciality, determination and strong legal acumen.’

‘Steven Plummer is an outstanding residential development lawyer. His passion, drive, knowledge and service levels are superb.’

‘Although this is a large firm dealing with big clients they have provided us with excellent advice and guidance, at a very reasonable rate.’

‘Adam Youatt has personally overseen our lengthy and complicated property transactions. He has given honest and valuable advice at each stage and has been instrumental in helping us secure a new base for our organisation. He has been responsive, with a communication style that enabled our Trustees to get to grips with complicated legal matters.’

‘Consultative and supportive. They help de-jargon the legal speak and help you understand the decisions that you’re making and the risks that you’re taking. Highly collaborative, supporting a one-team mentality with other advisers and the business. Diverse group of people.’

‘We worked with Mark Metcalfe, who was highly consultative and did a great job of providing excellent service, interpreting our needs, helping us understand the legals whilst being compassionate and thoughtful. Mark was supported by Sarah Souter and Laurel Knight who were also outstanding with their attention-to-detail, work ethic and cheer.’

‘As part of a national team the Gateley’s Reading team is able to provide specialist advice across all aspects of corporate law. Advice is always well considered and information is provided in a timely manner.’

‘Andrew Peddie and Jenni Ferguson from the corporate team give great personal service and are always available either to reply to emails or on their mobile phones. They are a pleasure to work with and look to provide pragmatic constructive solutions to obstacles as these occur.’

‘Nicola Kirk and her team have the rare combination of technical strength combined with a commercial and practical perspective, making them easy to work with and ensures they get the right results.’

‘Nicky is a great restructuring lawyer who has in-depth technical knowledge balanced with commerciality. She is able to build rapport with clients very quickly and is a much trusted advisor.’

‘The thing I like is that it is a local team, with real expertise. Departments all work together, and liaise, not merely recovery but corporate, Banking and others.’

‘The primary insolvency partner is Nicola Kirk. Incisive and intelligent; she doesn’t talk a lot but when she does it is considered and constructive. A real asset in negotiations.’

‘Excellent specialist skill sets.’

‘Nicola Kirk is hardworking, commercial and fun to work with.’

‘Global reach when dealing with overseas restructurings.’

‘Nicola Kirk is very friendly and has a proactive approach. Provides clear and commercial advice to help get transactions completed.’

‘Very informative team who really get to know their client and the client’s desired outcome.’

‘Tom Rush and his team are exceptional in their ability to translate complex legal scenarios into an understandable and successful outcome to his clients. He has taken the time to really understand our business and what we are trying to achieve in each of our transactions with him. Tom’s ability to communicate with our whole team and develop a relationship that ensures the best for all parties is exemplary.’

‘Gateley’s corporate practice in Birmingham benefits from its heritage and DNA in cost-effective, pragmatic legal advice. The firm isn’t into gimmicks and makes us feel that our work is treated as a priority, whilst also giving us partner-led, added value. The corporate team works closely with the banking and tax teams which is also a plus.’

‘A true commercial attitude to law especially when trying to complete a deal.’

‘Gateley’s took more time to understand our businesses approach to deals than any other firm previously. They took time to find out about the culture of our business, our style, and were able to adapt their communication to better represent our business pre sale. It’s a cliché, but they genuinely feel like and sound like an internal business partner rather than an external supplier. This makes the deal process much more collaborative and less stressful.’

‘With Tom, there is no ego, no house view, and he brings a genuinely collaborative approach to the deal process. It is refreshing to work with someone in Tom’s position that genuinely focuses on the desired client outcome and makes a huge amount of effort to ensure that the process is good for all parties.’

‘Gateley Legal has become an integral part of our team. The lawyers have taken time to get to know our business and are therefore able to support us in a way that others couldn’t. The training is really interactive, the weekly newsletter ‘Gateley Insight’ is very informative and the whole team is helpful and forward thinking‘.

‘Benedict Gorner really understands our business, not only the history but the way we are moving forward. He talks in a way that is really easy to understand’.

‘Accessible, empathetic and experienced from minor to complex issues. Benedict Gorner is very approachable, experienced and available, and offers competitive value for money‘.

‘We find that our dealings with Gateleys employment team are always positive transactions. The advice we receive is always practical and balanced. Gateleys has also just launched a new ‘HR Hubb’ app which allows us to access the very latest HR & employment law resources in a single location. We would not hesitate to recommend the Gateleys Employment to our peers‘.

‘Merran Sewell is always pragmatic and considered with her advice and we trust that she really understands our business and how we like to operate and thus her approach is always reflective of this. We would never hesitate to recommend Merran to our peers. Joanne Duck -we have been really impressed with her clear and sensible approach. We find her very approachable and responds quickly to correspondence‘.

‘The team has sufficient strength in depth that we know if we need advice quickly, we can get it. Advice is always sensible and pragmatic and we have found the team to be cost effective and responsive. Benedict Gorner has always been available when needed. Resourcing has been at the right level so we have worked with a number of associates in the team where it hasn’t needed partner input. Fee transparency and communication are both good. Joanne Duck has provided excellent commercial advice. We know that we can trust the team to provide sound advice that is cost effective and practical’.

‘Gateley Legal provides a professional yet practical employment law advice service. They respond quickly to advice requests and provide a comprehensive response which always demonstrates their understanding of the particular situation or issue. I have found Joanne Duck to be professional, knowledgeable and very responsive. She has kept me well informed on the case developments and has guided me through the process step-by-step’.

‘The employment team at Gateley is unique in the way they take the time to clearly explain all scenarios and outcomes in a way that is easily understood by our team, often suggesting opportunities not previously considered relevant. Merran Sewell and her team really take the time to understand our unique business/sector issues and advice is always timely and specific to our circumstances’.

‘Equally adept at the civil as the criminal, and tough yet sensible advisors. Ruth Armstrong, really a first-class lawyer and tough defender. Chris Grainger, excellent associate, bright and conscientious’.

‘Superb knowledge of the law, the sector and the key players. The ‘go to’ firm for H&S issues. Ruth Armstrong is the standout partner, sector leading and the ‘go to’ for all H&S issues. Ably supported by Chris Grainger and Kate Oliver‘.

‘A compact and efficient team that provides pragmatic and commercial pensions advice. Michael Collins is one of the most knowledgeable pension lawyers in the market but provides advice in a clear and easy-to-understand way‘.

‘Very strong pensions lawyers. Thoughtful and sensible practice. Gets off the fence and gives clear advice. Michael Collins gives us clear well thought through advice. He is a highly intelligent lawyer who grasps the issues and helps us to find solutions’.

‘We usually see a partner led approach and extremely high levels of engagement and detailed advice provided at all times – with a strong focus on customer service and support’

‘Andrew Madden is a key contact and trusted adviser over many years whose knowledge and expertise is highly valued.’

‘Massive experience with a team that can handle the cross-over of civil and criminal these contested cases require.’

‘Ruth Armstrong, in my view, is the premier environment and HSE solicitor in the Midlands. Tough, uncompromising but conciliatory in the right case. Dedicated to her clients and a real grafter.’

‘Very strong on regulatory investigations.’

‘Ruth Armstrong is the stand-out partner, sector leading and the go-to for environmental regulatory investigations.’

‘Chris Grainger is very personable with a good approach to resolving most situations.’

‘Very approachable, efficient, and straight to the point.’

‘Chris Grainger has been very professional in the advice that was given. Advice on potential incidents was very thorough and met the very tight time constraints. He supported myself on incidents with the internal management. It was never about charging time.’

‘There is a really strong blend of a focus on local relationships together with access to national specialist skills and experience when needed – they seem to get the balance right between keeping a local team culture within a large corporate. The team is hugely focused and driven to get the best possible outcomes for their clients. Technically strong but with a practical and commercial approach.’

‘Mark Rutherford builds extremely strong and deep relationships with clients – he is very much the trusted adviser for many clients building a huge amount of respect and trust.’

‘Small enough to give personal service, big enough to be totally credible’

‘I enjoyed working with John Buckby – he gave practical and knowledgeable advice and was always responsive and helpful.’

‘Thorough and professional. Good with clients. Litigation treated as a last, not first, resort.’

‘John Buckby – Engaging and diligent. Excellent at managing clients and focussing on the best outcome for them.’

‘The thoughtful and attentive service Gateley’s IP team have been providing us with for several years now has been first rate. Each individual has deep, relevant knowledge that informs useful and proportionate advice on certain challenges we have faced.

‘We have a close working relationship with partner John Buckby, whose intelligence and expertise charts a steady course through the most complex matters. His calm, professional, analytical approach and the honesty and integrity he demonstrates are all top qualities we value.’

‘A strong, flexible team that thinks outside the box and gets to know the client’s business. We like the latter and the fact that we don’t have to explain the logic of why we want to do ‘x’ or ‘y’.’

‘The Gateley team takes a highly engaged and collaborative approach, taking time to understand the context in which their clients operate and adding value accordingly.’

‘We liked that all individuals were contactable throughout the pandemic and that a number actually rang us where government policies impacted on our business.’

‘Excellent all round in corporate and banking – always available and helpful.’

‘Our main points of contact in the corporate and commercial team are Kate Richards and Rebecca Grisewood. In simple terms… they get the job done and don’t engage in ‘point scoring’. They understand that time is precious and that contracts are negotiated. We also like the fact that we can negotiate a fixed price fee at the outset for a piece of work.’

‘We valued their commitment to deliver a very aggressive and demanding program of work.’

‘Clear concise advice, timely responses, they are a well-known law firm with good credentials, local and they recommended an approach that matched with our values. Their billing is fully explained which gives comfort and the way they have all collaborated from different teams has been so helpful and reassuring.’

‘I have sought advice and help from many solicitors, but Gateley’s has been different. They have been available for advice very quickly when needed and Chris Thompson has been personally supportive throughout our case. Other members of the team have stepped in where needed and everyone of them has been friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable in their specific field. I do like the way they use language we can understand too. We just feel like we are in very safe hands.’

‘This was my first contact with Gateley’s employment practice but it will not be my last! A very easy firm to deal with.’

‘Chris Thompson provided great service. He was sensitive to the issues of the matter and this was reflected in his drafting and manner on several meetings.’

‘The team has worked with us for many years and therefore is very knowledgeable of the range of queries and disputes we have. Our relationship with the solicitors and partners is one of openness and trust.’

‘The team’s lengthy experience makes them different from their competitors. For me Avril England and Fran Reade are experts and really approachable.’

‘The individuals leading the practice are superb. Both Patrick Kennedy and Stuart Evans are at the top of their game.’

‘Patrick Kennedy and Stuart Evans are consummate professionals, technically gifted, but also commercial, pragmatic and so user-friendly.’

‘The Gateley pensions team is very good at seeing things through the eyes of trustees having a very successful independent professional trustee practice. This helps them communicate the trustee perspective to members and sponsors of scheme from the trustee perspective.’

‘The team is very personable and has realistic expectations of what can be achieved in relation to a scheme. Team members are able to identify when advice needs to be taken and guide clients in a a collaborative way to meet objectives. Stuart Evans is great to work with and clear in his preferred approach. Jess Pigg has a clear focus on client objectives in her advice delivery and Patrick Kennedy has a great strategic outlook and helps clients take long term view in reducing pension risks.’

‘Good clear advice – they cut through the jargon.’

‘Patrick Kennedy is excellent – knowledgeable, straight-talking, clear advice.’

‘They have the breadth of experience and expertise to deal with any recovery issue. Advice is practical and understandable. They are a great firm to deal with.’

‘Aneesh Prasad is excellent. His professionalism, expertise and advice is outstanding.’

‘Andrew Buchanan leads an exceptionally skilled team. Lots of experience. Sensible solutions to issues. Aggressive stance when necessary.’

‘Aneesh Prasad, Andrew Buchanan, Gavin Clarke combine to make an excellent team at different levels. Particularly strong in construction and property aspects.’

‘The team are commercial and proactive.’

‘Value for money’

‘Gateley Manchester have a great divesity of talent throughout the team with good and relevant industry knowledge . They are always willing to go the extra mile to help us reach our objectives and spend time with us to help us understand the intracasies of a case . I would have no hesitation recommended them and especially Andrew Buchanan who has been excellent.’

‘Andrew Buchanan has massive in-depth legal experience and is happy to impart this to help us achieve our objectives . He is diplomatic and very good in sensitive cases.’

‘Gateley Legal are second to none in the field of Insolvency and corporate recovery. They combine attention to detail, technical knowhow and commercial insight with an ability to communicate clearly with their clients.

‘They provide a savvy and sensible approach to litigation and are easy to deal with. They use technology really well to manage files/correspondence/deadlines.’

‘This is a strong team with good depth of experience.’

‘Matthew Brown, tactical and commercially sound. Has the ability to cut through legal matters with ease and present supported arguments to progress legal matters.’

‘Kulsam Mulla is a rising star. Her ability is well beyond her years in practice. She is calm under pressure and is on top of all of the detail.’

‘Understanding the environment in which they and their clients operate, robust advice but also open to challenge on advice given and strategy of cases.’

‘Team is all approachable and make themselves available when deadlines arise.’

‘Unfailingly courteous. Make everyone comfortable when discussing the various angles and outcomes.’

‘Gateley is an outstanding regional firm providing in-depth expertise in all aspects of commercial litigation, combined with outstanding client care comparable to the best City firms.’

‘The team have a broad range of experience in terms of industry sectors and this is undoubtedly helped by the number of corporate transactions that the firm advise upon.’

‘The partners are approachable but professional giving you the sense that they are totally committed to the clients case and getting the right result rather than being in it for the fees. The associates share the same work ethos and together there is a strong team spirit.’

‘Steve Goodrham is a Birmingham litigation legend, and for good reason. He is intensely clever and has a great nose for the likely outcome. He is no-nonsense with even the most demanding clients, and is immensely commercial in his approach.’

‘Safeea Shafiq is a very high-quality associate who is not just black-letter smart but also very practical. She works hard to earn the trust of every client, and is undoubtedly future partner material.’

‘Gateley Legal is a relative newcomer to the CT&P Midlands market, but has made somewhat of a splash by recruiting, firstly, Gavin Faber, to head the team and, more recently, Andrew McManus, to deputise. Faber has a long standing and well earned reputation within the Midlands market as a true specialist. Similarly, McManus is well known and will undoubtedly provide further depth and credibility to the Gateley Legal offering’.

‘Technically strong, commercially minded and always pleasant to deal with. Gavin Faber – really fights the client’s corner, forms a clear strategy for realising the client’s objectives at the outset’.

‘Gavin Faber is very calm, measured and pragmatic while also having his client’s best interests at heart’.

‘Gavin Faber is an acute and technical litigator with an eye for detail’.

‘Gavin Faber is a stand out litigator. Gavin always gets to the heart of the issues quickly and can grapple with very complex concepts with ease. He takes time to understand his client’s motivation and key objectives and works out how to best achieve them, and advises on the best strategy to ensure that the case is put on the right track at the outset. Gavin is a shrewd negotiator who has excellent judgment on where to pitch an offer to achieve the best settlement’.

‘Gavin Faber is an immensely experienced highly robust contentious trusts and probate litigator. For me he is the pre-eminent strategic thinker in plotting a path through complex litigation. He is a straight talker and very practical, looking to achieve tactical advantage to secure a practical solution. I would recommend him very highly. A person you want in your corner in a fight, but also someone who can find the peace!’.

‘The team covers the gamut of trusts and estate litigation, taking on domestic and international clients. Gavin Faber is the star of the show’.

‘Gavin Faber is great at managing difficult clients and giving them appropriate and focused advice’.

‘Gateley’s intellectual property department contains several highly experienced professionals who are able to provide clear insights into complex legal issues.’

‘Robert Lye can always be relied upon to carry out a thorough assessment of the matter in hand and provide excellent pragmatic advice.’

‘Roger McCourt stands out for his knowledge, professionalism, versatility and commerciality.’

‘The litigation team at Gateley are technically adept and aware of the precedent and case law relevant to their particular areas of specialism. They have a strong team of sector specialists, some of whom are amongst the very best in their fields of expertise I have come across in my career.’

‘Sector experts, commercial and technical and easy to deal with.’

‘Simon Ingham – one of the leading housebuilder dispute lawyers in the country. Knowledgeable, technically strong, commercial and easy to deal with. Overall a good team in support.’

‘Gavin Winter is a skilled litigator who, whilst being extremely capable of advising his clients on the legal technicalities, details and tactics of a case, is also capable of recognising the commerciality in a matter and when it may be better to settle, than pursue a fool’s errand just for a pyrrhic victory.’

‘In terms of the team in Leeds, Gearalt Fahy and Paul Ball are highly respected and top calibre employment lawyers.’

‘They treat clients with respect and empathy and are becoming well known for their drive to increase the number of commercial clients in the Leeds practice.’

‘The team are pragmatic and give practical, logical advice. They clarify expectations and deliver on time.’

‘Timely and pragmatic advice on a full range of employment issues. Very helpful that the team acts for individuals as well as institutions. Top notch advice at not-London-prices.’

‘Paul Ball is excellent and has some strong associates around him, who also respond with humanity, speed and pragmatism.’

‘Legal outcomes can be subjective, but Gearalt and his team cover the ground and do the behind the scenes work to ensure that the advice that they offer is accurate and reliable.’

‘The Gateley team are friendly, approachable and hardworking. They focus on delivering outcomes and do this through working collaboratively.’

‘The individuals who deal with our account, understand our business, and our objectives, work with us to achieve those objectives, and provide both a proactive and when required, reactive approach.’

‘The team are capable, competent and experienced commercial property team.’

‘The standout individual is Phil Gregory, who has worked tirelessly for us over recent years, both in the work he does but also as the front person for the relationship funnelling and delegating work around the practice.’

‘The team has a really strong group of junior partners/legal directors/senior associates. Good technical knowledge, sound strategic and tactical advice, and friendly and personable as individuals.’

‘I have worked with James Seed and he was excellent, providing invaluable guidance through a difficult process. He wasn’t afraid to point out holes in our case and areas of danger, which I really appreciated.’

‘A very effective group of lawyers.’

‘Sarah Sabin is extremely professional, exceptionally knowledgeable and very clear with her advice.’

‘The team has a great, deserved reputation for combining its knowledge of sports law with excellent commercial awareness and advice.’

‘Nick Murrills has built a reputation as a strong litigator in commercial litigation, especially when it has a sports element. Nick is great to work with, has a firm grasp of the law and facts and also keeps his client’s commercial objectives firmly front and centre.’

‘James Seed – a fantastic litigator and an excellent tactician. Great with clients, he knows just what to say to get the best results. Nick Murrills – a highly experienced litigator. A very clear thinker and he hits the ground running, even in complex matters.’

‘I find the firm very flexible, they listen and provide advice to match my specific concerns and they operate in a friendly manner.’

‘The team are very innovative with a strong focus on client satisfaction. Their knowledge and experience in dealing with the litigation funding sector makes them incredibly helpful in any collaboration. Their work is consistently quick and precise.’

‘Individuals are always easy to contact and incredibly professional.’

‘The team demonstrates a systematic approach to resolving complex cross-border fraud cases, a well-organized and well-coordinated team of lawyers takes the client’s problem as their own, and always tries to solve it as effectively as possible for the client.’

‘Knowledgeable, client focused with very good technical capability.’

‘Individuals are always easy to contact and incredibly professional. Richard Healey has been brilliant in the cases where we have collaborated.’

‘Mark Wilson is a standout. He is technically savvy and committed to delivering a positive outcome for his clients.’

‘Rebecca Hume is excellent. Her wide and deep fraud experience from her time in the Cayman Islands means she is well able to advise clients, and provide a first class service. She is a ‘go to’ for me with clients who need advice on issues relating to fraud and asset recovery.’