Recommended for its expertise in transformative transport reform and infrastructure programmes, the transport team at Addleshaw Goddard combines rail franchising and procurement expertise with knowledge of major urban transit, freight logistics and aviation mandates. The group routinely acts for central government, combined authorities and transport authorities, alongside rail operators, infrastructure owners, freight businesses, airports and airlines. Heading up the group, Paul Hirst draws on longstanding rail experience, placing him as a key port of call for government and private sector clients on transport infrastructure projects. Adept in bus reform and franchising is Sara Gilmore, while Michael Rainey is well versed in giving transport-related commercial and procurement advice, and Lee Hughes handles a range of regulatory crime cases, including road traffic incidents. Samantha Haigh, Ursula Gould and Clare Dwyer are other key members of the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The team has genuine depth of knowledge and experience when it comes to the rail sector. The people are great to deal with, practical, and don't sit on the fence. High-quality support is available from other parts of the business for multidisciplinary projects, e.g., a very strong procurement practice.
- The team stands out generally for their easy-to-deal-with manner, team player approach, and practical grounded advice. Standout individuals include Paul Hirst, Martin Fleetwood, and Ursula Gould, but the team is generally excellent across the board.
- Senior members of the team stand out for their sound judgment, commercial awareness, and industry experience. Andrew Carter has extremely high intellectual skills and combines this with an ability to deliver advice in a succinct, practical, and jargon-free way. Ross Sandford uses his secondment experience within the DfT Rail team’s legal advisers to develop a strong understanding of client needs and provide practical, commercial, well-judged advice. Carla Hancock quickly builds client trust and stands out for her ability to identify solutions and help unlock negotiations.
- A strength of the team is their deep knowledge of the relevant contractual frameworks. They are particularly good at explaining complex issues clearly and succinctly. They also have a wealth of rail industry knowledge and are experienced in advising government departments. They bring in knowledge of other sectors where appropriate and bolster their core team with colleagues who can add expert advice on property, employment, and data protection law where needed. A feature I especially appreciate is the training they provide, which is consistently practical and accessible for clients.
Key clients
- Prologis Group Companies
- VTG Rail UK Limited
- London Luton Airport Limited
- Eversholt Rail
- Department for Transport
- High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
- Greater London Authority / Transport for London
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- Hitachi Rail Limited
- MerseyTravel
- Manchester Airport Group
- HS1 Limited
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
- Freightliner Heavy Haul Limited
- SMBC
- DB Cargo
- Transport for Greater Manchester
- The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
- Associated British Ports Limited
- Merseyrail
Work highlights
Advising Transport for Greater Manchester on its rail integration and reform programme which will bring rail into the Bee Network.
Advising Transport for Greater Manchester on a landmark project to transform the region’s bus and tram shelter estate and its associated advertising infrastructure.
Acting as exclusive adviser to Scotrail on its 10-year rolling stock replacement programme.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Sara Gilmore
Practice head
Paul Hirst; Sara Gilmore; Michael Rainey
Other key lawyers
Lee Hughes; Samantha Haigh; Ursula Gould; Clare Dwyer