Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP handles complex commercial contracts, with a particular focus on energy transition and digital transformation projects. Clients include major players in the retail, manufacturing, energy, and real estate sectors. The broad team regularly advises on joint ventures, high-value commercial contracts, franchise operations, international distribution, and sector-specific regulatory and operational issues, often involving cross-border elements. Paula Bartlett, who heads the commercial team, and Peter Snaith, based in Southampton and Newcastle respectively, are both recommended. In London, Katie Simmonds contributes to many of the firm’s digital matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Efficient and good understanding of commercial considerations.’
- 'Exceptional responsiveness and client service, built on a foundation of trust relationship building. In addition, the team brings a blend of in-house and advisory experience, offering pragmatic, business-savvy solutions rather than theoretical advice.’
‘The readiness to support the client needs seems to be well embedded at WBD, and for me, this is a differentiator that, from experience, separates the team there from other more transactional law firms.’
'A combination of deep sector expertise, a client-centric approach, and a strong track record of delivering measurable results. What sets the team apart is its commitment to proactive problem-solving, agility in complex environments, and wanting to understand our business. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, the team builds bespoke strategies tailored to our unique needs and challenges.'
'A team that combines an understanding of our business with commercial insight. The team’s strengths include: Subject matter expertise across disciplines. Exceptional responsiveness and client service, built on a foundation of trust relationship building. In addition, the team brings a blend of in-house and advisory experience, offering pragmatic, business-savvy solutions rather than theoretical advice.'
Key clients
- Gatehouse Investment Management (investment arm of Gatehouse Bank
- Sirius Analysis Limited
- Yunex
- Ascend Property Management
- Accrue Investment Capital
- Liverpool Victoria Financial Services (LV=)
- Ann Summers
- SeAH Wind
- Alpek Polyester
- Mitsubishi Chemical
- Thorn Lighting (and the wider Zumtobel Group)
- Quilter plc (formerly Old Mutual Wealth)
Work highlights
Advised Gatehouse Investment Management and Ascend Property Managements on a £750 million UK single family rental joint venture with Greykite European Real Estate Fund.
Supported Sirius with a review and update to their full suite of commercial contracting documents for the US and UK markets, including defence-specific considerations such as security clearances and DEFCON standards.
Advised Adaptix on a number of key commercial agreements for exclusive distributorship rights, and for research purposes.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Paula Bartlett
Other key lawyers
Peter Snaith; Katie Simmonds