Clients of Birketts LLP are ‘impressed by its pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach, which is invaluable to in-house legal teams’. The firm is a mainstay of the regional property market and is increasingly involved in work for national clients. Grace Kerr in Chelmsford leads the firm-wide real estate practice, and Cambridge is home to a deep bench of talent across the full spectrum of commercial property. Dwight Patten, who specialises in acting for higher education and other educational institutions, local authorities and charities, and Gemma Goddard , who frequently assists private landowners, lead the Cambridge commercial real estate team. Simon Keen leads on strategic land matters, and Helen Stewart oversees the residential development team following the retirement of Kath Herbert. Claudia Haisman-Green also retired in 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Helen Stewart has been fantastically supportive through a very complex and complicated promotion agreement. thoroughly professional and attentive to all clients various needs. tough negotiator who I was delighted to have on our side!!’
‘We have found that Birketts provides commercially focused legal advice, offering London-quality expertise at a regional cost. Prospective clients would be impressed by its pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach, which is invaluable to in-house legal teams, especially when legal advice is aligned with business objectives.'
'They take a bespoke, business-first approach, ensuring that legal solutions are both practical and commercially viable. For a global business like ours, they understand the importance of navigating different cultures and business practices.’
‘I have worked on a number of matters with Simon Keen in the Cambridge office. I have found him to be an exceptionally responsive and dedicated lawyer who consistently delivers high-quality advice within tight deadlines. I have found Simon very easy to work with, proactive in finding solutions and always ensures the legal advice is commercially viable rather than purely technical.’
‘The Birketts Commercial Property team is very impressive. They are responsive, pragmatic, highly effective at resolving issues and very willing to give a clear view and recommendation.'
‘Adding Simon Keen to the team a couple of years ago was a very shrewd hire. Simon brings exceptional City firm quality and responsiveness to the team. He's a pleasure to deal with, works tirelessly to get the right result, and is a faultlessly reliable safe pair of hands.'
Key clients
- Amadeus Capital Partners Limited
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Arbuthnot Latham
- Arena Leisure
- Bathurst Development
- Caterham Cars
- Centre for Computing History
- Church Commissioners for England
- Deluxe Media
- Denbury Homes Limited
- Evercore Partners International LLP
- Grovemere Property
Work highlights
Advising Evercore on its London property strategy, including its major pre-let from BGO of new office premises and the lettings and lease renewals on other premises to maintain business operations pending relocation.
Advising the Church Commissioners for England on its strategic land transactions, including long-term development joint ventures and sales of several consented sites.
Advising Denbury Homes Limited on a new £55m facility with HSBC UK Bank plc to enable it to move forward with its growth plans through to 2029.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Simon Keen
Dwight Patten
Practice head
Grace Kerr; Dwight Patten; Gemma Goddard; Simon Keen; Helen Stewart
Other key lawyers
Sarah Willis