Teresa Hitchcock > DLA Piper > Sheffield, England > Lawyer Profile

Focusing on non-contentious mandates, DLA Piper assists board members and senior management in managing risks and on general health and safety compliance issues. The group has a strong national presence, with offices across the UK and is frequently involved in multi-jurisdictional mandates. Teresa Hitchcock leads the team and has a diverse practice that covers product safety and food safety, amongst others. Director Ailish Oxenforth and Alastair Clough are other key practitioners; the latter leads on the firm’s SHE advice on transactional matters.

Praised for its ‘commercial awareness and expertise in environmental compliance’, DLA Piper’s team handles the full gamut of matters, from litigation and defence of environmental prosecutions to transactional work. The practice is also noted for its experience in waste management and disposal issues, recycling and transportation of dangerous goods, and environmental permitting. Standout practice leader Teresa Hitchcock advises on mandates concerning contaminated land, as well as nuisance disputes and regeneration projects, while Alastair Clough handles regulatory licensing and enforcement issues, waste management matters and assessing environmental liability risk in transactions.

DLA Piper handles high-end energy mandates, particularly in the renewables sector, as well as transport infrastructure projects, as demonstrated by its advice to National Highways on the £7bn Lower Thames Crossing Project. The team is collectively led by global chair of energy and natural resources, Natasha Luther-Jones, Ben Peecock, Teresa Hitchcock, Ian Doig and Robert Smith, who has experience in the transport and regeneration sectors. Luther-Jones advises on the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets, and has been instrumental in spearheading the firm’s corporate power purchase agreement practice. Other key members of the team include Stephen Atkinson and senior associate Jennifer Keogh.

The safety, health and environment team at DLA Piper is well regarded for its integrated contentious and non-contentious offering for a portfolio of major national and international clients. The addition of Nick Rock from Reed Smith LLP has brought a major level of expertise in the environmental, health and safety aspects of complex commercial transactions and disputes, especially in regards to the on and off-shore energy, chemicals and technology sectors. He co-heads the team with Teresa Hitchcock, a market leader in environmental law, with particular expertise in contaminated land, nuisance disputes and regeneration projects. Alastair Clough and Ailish Oxenforth are also key members of the team.

DLA Piper‘s London regulatory team works closely with the firm’s teams in other countries, giving them a global reach and allowing them to take on major cross-jurisdictional matters from around the world. A number of big arrivals this year has dramaticall increased the team’s offering. Most notably, Nick Rock has come from Reed Smith LLP, bringing with him a specialism in international health and safety, product regulatory, chemicals, ESG and climate change law. He co-heads the team with Teresa Hitchcock, who provides advice to EU and UK clients on regulatory compliance, labelling and product withdrawals. Senior associate Annie O’Connor is another new arrival, coming from Reed Smith LLP along with Nick Rock.

DLA Piper‘s environmental group works across several areas of environmental law including UK, EU and international environmental advisory work, as well as acting in the defence of environmental prosecutions. The team is led by Teresa Hitchcock, who has expertise in contaminated land, nuisance disputes and regeneration projects, and Nick Rock, who recently joined the firm, having previously been the global head of the Environment, Health and Safety practice at Reed Smith LLP. Rock is highly praised by clients as a ‘market-leading partner’ with ‘outstanding leadership qualities’. Annie O’Connor also joined from Reed Smith LLP, and Olivia Cook joined from Norton Rose Fulbright. The team stands out for its expertise working with contaminated land, compliance issues, environmental approvals and assessments, and waste management and disposal.

DLA Piper‘s Sheffield-based licensing team offers licensing services covering alcohol, gambling, and entertainment to a range of clients including educational institutions, county councils, hotel groups, and casinos nationwide. The practice has extensive experience with contentious license applications, due diligence, and assisting clients which are seeking to alter their operation by dissolving a company that holds a premises licence. Teresa Hitchcock heads up the practice, and is supported by Alastair Clough and associate Charlotte Gibson.

A stellar roster of blue-chip MNCs and public sector bodies turn to DLA Piper for assistance in the full scope of regulatory and legislative matters. Climate change expert Teresa Hitchcock, who divides her time between Sheffield and Birmingham, focuses on contaminated land, nuisance disputes, and regeneration projects.  Senior associate Taryn Jones concentrates on a range of product stewardship matters, assisting a diverse roster of clients who are governed both by UK and EU market standards. Associate Adam Flynn is also noted. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham unless stated otherwise.