Gowling WLG is noted by clients for providing a ‘first class service’, often assisting with residential development mandates and on strategic land work. Practice head Julia Dacre Field routinely acts for housebuilders in matters involving residential and mixed-use development schemes, having joined the firm in January 2023 from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP. Kathryn Wood specialises in housebuilding matters, while Mark Owen is an expert in strategic land development, and primarily acts for landowners and land promoters. James Lawson is a key name for public sector clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Patrick Jackson has excellent technical skills combined with an astute eye for the commercial details.’
‘Emma Speight: outstanding young lawyer, dynamic, motivated and very commercial.’
‘The people make this practice unique; they always provide a first-class service and have a really strong team of individuals.’
‘I use the Gowlings Leeds team, primarily due to their expertise in residential development land, both acquisition, sale, JVs etc. However, they also have the breadth of talent and resource to call upon, to cover the other parts of our business, commercial leases, investment sales and acquisitions, and general day to day L&T matters. It is this breadth, combined with a depth of knowledge, that makes them my one stop shop.’
‘Julia Dacre-Field and Patrick Jackson are my two main points of contact. Julia's wealth of experience is particularly useful when it gets to the trickier more complex deals. Patrick's versatility helps cover a wide range of issues, not just development land sales. It is that versatility aligned with the ability to see the deal from the other side, not trying to win a battle, that gets the deals done, which is actually what's important for the client.’
‘We work predominately with Kathryn Wood and Emma Speight. Our business has followed them both to which ever firm they are at. Put simply they understand what our needs are and deliver on whatever timescales the project requires.’
‘Kathryn Wood and Emma Speight are very proactive and commercially minded in their approach to matters. The have excellent in-depth knowledge on a wide range of matters. They are easy to deal with and always readily available to look at/discuss matters if needed and to deal with these in a timely manner.’
‘Julia Field is outstanding, extremely capable with a wealth of knowledge. Practical and timely advice. Calm and measured she capably sees transactions through. She leads the loyal and experienced team in Leeds who also meet her exacting standards. Patrick Jackson is a reliable and trusted adviser and builds great rapport with clients.’
Key clients
- Commercial Estates Group
- Barratt & David Wilson Homes
- Taylor Wimpey
- Vistry Partnerships
- Lovell Partnerships
- Banks Group
- Persimmon Homes
- Harron Homes
- Jones Homes
- Miller Homes
Work highlights
Acted for Taylor Wimpey on its joint acquisition with Miller Homes of a site in Marske (near Redcar) for an 800 unit residential led mixed use scheme.
Advised Homes by Honey acting on their acquisition of Phase 3C Waverley, Rotherham which we turned around from instruction to completion in under 2 weeks.
Advising Barratt & David Wilson Homes on their acquisition of land at Hipperholme for around 160 units.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Julia Dacre Field
Other key lawyers
Kathryn Wood; Mark Owen; Patrick Jackson; Emma Speight; James Lawson