Described as 'professional, friendly, and knowledgeable', Devonshires Solicitors LLP offers housing associations and local authorities a comprehensive range of social housing sector work, covering real estate development, housing and leasehold management, mergers and group reorganisations, as well as both contentious and non-contentious construction matters. Gary Grigor, Chris Drabble, Elad Yasdi, Kirsty Thompson, and Zoe McLean-Wells jointly lead the practice from the Leeds office, alongside Mark London, based in London. Drabble is a property specialist in the social housing sector; Grigor represents borrowers, lenders, and trustees in real estate finance matters; and Yasdi has extensive experience in large-scale property stock transfers and rationalisation projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A professional, friendly and knowledgeable firm, they have been able to provide an all-round service that tackles even the most niche, specialist or left-field queries. A large amount of my work has been with Elad Yasdi, who has always provided a first class service, is extremely knowledgeable, always reliable and his expertise in tenanted stock transfers is exceptional.'
- 'All of the interactions I have with Devonshire's employees are professional and solution focused. Kirsty Thompson is brilliant with advice and her knowledge of the housing sector is exceptional.'
- 'They are a great social housing practice with lots of expertise spanning many different practice areas within social housing. A stand out Partner for me is Elad Yasdi, who is one of the best lawyers I have dealt with. He is knowledgeable, responsive and capable of breaking down complex issues in an easy to understand manner.'
- 'Friendly, positive and solutions-based team focused on achieving best outcome for clients. Elad Yasdi is a commercially astute solicitor who is focused on ensuring the best outcome for his clients against the wider context of a transaction.'
Key clients
- Anchor Hanover Group
- The Riverside Group Limited
- Your Housing Limited
- Broadacres Housing Association Limited
- Housing 21
- Richmond Housing Partnership
- Paradigm Housing Group
Work highlights
Advised the Riverside Group, a large housing association, on multiple debt arrangements totaling close to one billion pounds.
Advised Ongo Homes Limited, a registered provider of social housing, on a complex acquisition of close to 850 tenanted properties from Guinness Partnership with a value of circa 45 million pounds.
Advised Wythenshawe Community Housing Group on their recent refinance, which involves the restructuring of existing loan facilities and the negotiation of new loan facilities, together with a loan linked ISDA to facilitate hedging of those facilities with a value around 230 million pounds.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Elad Yasdi
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Gary Grigor; Chris Drabble; Elad Yasdi; Kirsty Thompson; Zoe McLean-Wells; Mark London