Jonathan Branton > DWF > Leeds, England > Lawyer Profile

Drawing on in-depth knowledge across the energy and natural resources sectors, DWF’s team acts for sponsors, public authorities and lenders. Key areas of expertise include the conversion of coal and gas-fired power stations to renewable technologies, green hydrogen and nuclear developments. Darren Walsh in Liverpool and Manchester regularly handles international nuclear energy and cutting-edge renewable energy projects. Manchester-based Catherine Haslam leads solar projects and has excellent reputation in wind and biomass matters while Jonathan Branton in Manchester and Leeds is a leading competition and state aid lawyer. Melissa Hutchinson left the firm in July 2021 for an in-house position at Boohoo Group PLC.

The team at DWF acts for a wide range of local authority clients and is noted for its expertise on public sector funding and subsidy control. It supports clients on a variety of major high-value regeneration schemes and developments, as well as providing a spectrum of legal advice drawing on the broad know-how of the national multidisciplinary team. Jonathan Branton co-leads the team, drawing on in-depth experience in subsidy control and procurement, while co-head Colin Murray  is experienced in local government law and major regeneration projects.

DWF‘s stellar reputation in the competition law space spans the public and private sectors, as evidenced by the firm’s notable roster of blue-chip international businesses and leading public sector organisations, including both the Scottish and Welsh governments. Practice head Jonathan Branton‘s ‘really good instinct‘ has been instrumental in developing the team’s stand-out capabilities in the areas of state aid and, more recently, subsidy control; senior associate Jay Mehta and director Alexander Rose are also recommended for such work. Colin Murray, who leads the national local government offering, is another key group member.

DWF has noteworthy experience in advising private sector clients on matters spanning merger control work, cartels, dominant market positions, market investigations and enforcement cases. It also covers competition law issues relevant to the public sector such as state aid matters, subsidy control issues, grant funding work, WTO rules and public procurement mandates. Jonathan Branton, who divides his time between Leeds and Manchester, is a specialist in this area; he leads the practice together with Manchester-based Colin Murray. Alexander Rose is well versed in subsidy control work including handling major capital projects relating to the automotive sector and innovative projects.

DWF is regularly instructed by local and central governments and distinguishes itself with a strong public funding and insurance practice. Jonathan Branton divides his time between Leeds, London and Manchester, and focuses on competition, subsidy control and procurement matters. He leads the practice with Manchester-based Colin Murray. Planning specialist Andrew Batterton joined the group in May 2021; he was previously at DLA Piper.