Clients of Birketts LLP are ‘impressed by its pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach, which is invaluable to in-house legal teams’. The firm is a mainstay of the regional property market and is increasingly involved in work for national clients. Grace Kerr in Chelmsford leads the firm-wide real estate practice, and Cambridge is home to a deep bench of talent across the full spectrum of commercial property. Dwight Patten, who specialises in acting for higher education and other educational institutions, local authorities and charities, and Gemma Goddard , who frequently assists private landowners, lead the Cambridge commercial real estate team. Simon Keen leads on strategic land matters, and Helen Stewart oversees the residential development team following the retirement of Kath Herbert. Claudia Haisman-Green also retired in 2024.

HCR Hewitsons has ‘a highly regarded and experienced team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a great diversity of sectors’. The firm acts for a broad client base of landlords, tenants, property owners and developers across East Anglia and beyond, and increasingly assists innovative corporations and entrepreneurs taking occupational, development or investment leases or acquiring property. The ‘commercially astute, hardworking and responsive’ Helen Mutucumarana leads the Cambridge commercial real estate team, drawing on her experience in complex landlord and tenant matters, and niche property investment work. James Simpson is national head of property development, which sees him work on residential and commercial projects, and property funding matters. Ceri Riddell is a key adviser to landowners, promoters and developers of both residential and commercial land. Becky Woodcock provides vital support for transactions in the life sciences, biotechnology, tech, charity and media sectors.

Howes Percival LLP‘s Cambridge office is the central hub of its commercial property practice, which is co-led by Michaela Henson and Northampton-based Lucy Lord. The group has ‘very good client focus and the commercial acumen to get deals done’. Henson is a recognised expert in advising landowners, developers and commercial clients on commercial and housing developments, investments, site assemblies and landlord and tenant matters. Steven Beach has particular expertise in commercial property investment work for both private investors and institutional clients, while Susanne Hinde focuses on investment and commercial landlord and tenant work. The firm’s emerging talents include Elizabeth Thomas, who handles investment and landlord and tenant work in the technology and development sectors, and strategic land adviser Tim Bacon.

Mills & Reeve LLP is often involved in high-profile projects. Vincenzo Maggio, who excels in real estate work in the life sciences space, leads the Cambridge group. Michelle Cookson is an expert in complex investment and development projects, while Nick Finlayson-Brown acts for UK and overseas clients in property investment, development and management deals, and Charles Staveley has in-depth knowledge of the real estate investment sector. Other key names include Tom Nash, who handles strategic land and development work, Sarah Cooke, who handles investment and portfolio management matters, and Christopher Pike, who works with property investors in the education and real estate investment sectors.

At Mishcon de Reya LLP, ‘the scale and quality of available resources is impressive’. The firm acts for a stellar roster of clients in key sectors such as the life sciences, technology, proptech, worktech, renewable energy, and hospitality spaces. James Slinger is the lead partner in Cambridge, where Elliot Wilson and Keven Fehmi are key members of the practice. Wilson’s broad-ranging practice includes renewable energy projects, commercial and residential developments, and advice on the property elements of corporate acquisitions. Fehmi deals with complex landlord and tenant matters, particularly for entrepreneurial clients.

Ashtons Legal is ‘responsive and proactive in progressing transactions’. The Cambridge office is home to ‘incredibly responsive’ firm-wide practice head Magnus McManus, who has decades of experience acting for educational charities and is a key adviser to the numerous Cambridge colleges. The ‘energetic, enthusiastic, intelligent and very efficient’ Sheila Small leads the firm’s development practice, drawing on her in-house experience. Rhian Brook is a highly regarded landlord and tenant specialist.

Barr Ellison LLP, which acts for major developers, landowners, promoters, and investors, as well as many commercial landlords and tenants, has a highly regarded practice head in Kelly Peck, and in 2025 hired the vastly experienced Jonathan Greenhalgh from Ellisons. Peck, who ‘provides clear and pragmatic advice in a friendly and approachable way’, assists clients with the management of property portfolios, commercial acquisitions, and refinancing projects. Greenhalgh has a particular focus on development work, notably the acquisition and disposal of commercial, mixed-use, and residential development sites. Joshua Smart and Lucy Harrison, who is a key adviser to affordable housing providers, are emerging talents within the practice.

Clients of Tees Law appreciate the firm’s ‘exceptional legal expertise and strategic approach to property transactions’. Sarah Coates leads the Cambridge team and is co-head of the firm-wide practice alongside James Dowson in Saffron Walden and Victoria Sandberg in Royston. Coates, ‘has a thoughtful approach and the ability to make complex legal matters feel manageable’. Alexander Waples also plays a key role in the practice.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, the firm-wide practice is led from London by James Nadin. In Cambridge, Giorgia Mayes and Joanna Wilde are ‘very accessible and responsive’, and the firm is ‘technically streets ahead in the market’. Mayes frequently advises investors on the acquisition and management of property assets, and Wilde assists with new and renewal leases for both landlords and tenants, and property management matters.

Woodfines LLP has built up its presence in the local market; practice head Suzanna Stephenson is based mainly in Milton Keynes but frequently works from Cambridge, where Neville Drummond is the main contact. Drummond, who is ‘good at seeing the bigger picture‘, has more than 25 years’ experience in development transactions, and landlord and tenant matters. He frequently acts for private sector developers, both nationally and locally, as well as private landowners and housing associations.