DLA Piper advises corporations, real estate investors, energy providers, developers, and funders on real estate transactions and projects across the real estate, technology, energy, food, and retail sectors at regional, national, and international levels. The team leader based in Sheffield, Nigel Howard, brings over 30 years of experience, specialising in regeneration and corporate real estate, representing developers, public bodies, landowners, multinational corporations, and financial institutions. Another key member, Mark Keeling, handles all aspects of real estate, including sales and acquisitions, and landlord and tenant issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They have developed a good knowledge of the physical estate, and the advice they have provided on complex property matters has been exceptional. For this reason, they have been a preferred supplier on legal advice. As they are based locally as a practice, this too gives them an advantage in possessing second to none knowledge of issues within the city that influence their advice.'
- 'The property team of Nicholas Rouke, Marc Harvey, and Mary Barraclough have consistently provided exceptional service and advice. What makes them standout is their ability to provide advice at short notice which is sometimes demanded, and they are thorough in the views they provide.'
Key clients
- Blackstone
- HSBC
- Ibstock Plc
- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Roundhill Capital
- Solvay
- Tata Steel UK Limited
- University of Sheffield
Work highlights
Advised the University of Sheffield on multiple AMRC sites, including Broughton, where the firm facilitated letting agreements between the Welsh Government and Airbus, Samlesbury, involving Lancashire County Council and BAE, and Derby, in collaboration with the University of Derby and Derby City Council, while also supporting the University in estate management, such as office acquisitions at Sheffield Business Park and the development of The Wave.
Advised Heygate & Sons on securing planning permission for approximately 250 acres of land at Norwood Farm for a 1,900-unit residential development with key infrastructure, facilitated the disposal of multiple phases totaling nearly £82 million to Miller Homes Limited and Vistry Homes Plc for the construction of 1,000 homes and the Sandy Lane Relief Road, and acted on the acquisition of the 350-acre Manor Farm, Grimescote for £7.5 million, along with the transfer of a separate 320-acre farm within Heygate’s ownership.
Advised EQT Real Investments Sarl on the GBP 220 million acquisition of a 2,063-bed portfolio in Bath, Nottingham, Swansea, Bristol, and Glasgow from Watkin Jones, with the first three assets forward funded and the latter two leasehold operational assets acquired upon obtaining landlord’s consent, followed by funding the construction costs through a debt facility provided by LaSalle Investments.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Nigel Howard
Other key lawyers
Mark Keeling; Marc Harvey; Nicholas Rouke; Mary Barraclough