Birketts LLP is ‘excellent at understanding clients’ aspirations and ambitions’, and clients note that the firm ‘provides pragmatic solutions to problems’. The firm-wide real estate practice is led from Chelmsford by Grace Kerr, and has a strong bench of talent in East Anglia through its Ipswich office. Long-standing commercial property specialist Chris Schwer contributes his in-depth knowledge of investment and development work to the Ipswich team, led by Oliver Crichton, whose work spans freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant issues, property finance mandates and corporate support work. Stuart Raven has an impressive roster of corporate, investor, owner/occupier and developer clients, and he routinely deals with the sale and purchase of large investment properties. Paul Squire is a pillar of the firm’s investment practice, and Vicki Chilton leads the highly active utilities team.

Ashtons Legal has strength in depth across the region, and its ‘efficient and professional, yet friendly and knowledgeable team’ counts local authorities, large landowners, corporates and investors among its clients. Led from Cambridge by Magnus McManus, the commercial property practice has notable bench strength in Bury St Edmunds, where Charlotte Vallins, who is ‘highly professional and has a great depth of knowledge’, focuses on commercial landlord and tenant matters, and frequently advises on investment and operational portfolios. Ian Hylton has extensive experience in property finance, and also acts for tenants and owner-occupiers on a vast range of occupier matters.

The Peterborough office of Buckles Solicitors LLP plays a key role in the firm-wide commercial property practice, which handles everything from property investments to social housing developments. Practice head Michael Rabbett handles agricultural, commercial and residential property matters, with a strong focus on advising developers on site acquisitions and unit sales. The ‘superb and efficient’ Colleen Gostick and Chris Mundell are standout advisers on the management of property portfolios for both retail and developer clients; Gostick also spearheads the firm’s work on rural land matters. James Munn, who ‘works hard to meet his clients’ expectations’, has in-depth knowledge of the setup of commercial development sites.

Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds has a reach beyond East Anglia and works on complex acquisitions, disposals and high-value lending facilities. Leveraging its expertise in key sectors such as the engineering, pharmaceuticals, pension fund transactions, and healthcare spaces, as well as its relationships with portfolio investors, the firm is known for providing ‘excellent personal service’. Practice head Tim Mendes da Costa counts on the ‘timely, efficient, commercial and constructive’ Julia Cardy as a key adviser to multi-property portfolio landlords. Jonathan Mathers handles agricultural transactions, while Hugo Greer-Walker handles development work, landlord and tenant matters. Sally Whatley-Brown frequently acts for trusts and estates, public sector bodies and large corporates, while James Southward focuses on lending and refinancing work.

Barker Gotelee in Ipswich has grown its market presence following the arrival of agricultural property specialist Catherine Abbott from Ellisons in 2024. She joins practice head Christopher Green, who focuses on development land deals, including promotion, overage and option agreements, and Oliver Ray, whose broad practice encompasses landlord and tenant matters, acquisitions and disposals, and property refinancings.

At Ellisons, new practice head Ellen Petersen-Clark, who joined from Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in 2024, oversees a strong bench of talent in Ipswich. A prime example is the ‘very efficient’ Toby Kramers, who handles secured lending work, and the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial or mixed-use investment properties. The ‘pragmatic, communicative and responsive’ Bethan Williams is ‘astute and one to watch for the future’. In Bury St Edmunds, Susan Ryan specialises in landlord and tenant agreements and high-value commercial property sales.

Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich is increasingly involved in high-value transactions, particularly in core sectors such as the transport and logistics spaces. Rebecca Cleal leads the ‘courteous and efficient’ commercial property group, which includes residential development specialist Paul Munnings, whose ‘problem-solving is second to none’, and Bradley Powell, who has notable expertise in leasehold enfranchisement work.

Fraser Dawbarns operates in West Norfolk and East Cambridgeshire through its offices in Wisbech, King’s Lynn, Downham Market, March and Ely. Clients appreciate the ‘incredible service’ provided by the commercial property practice, which is led by head of commercial development Jenny Ball in Wisbech. Ball has a particular focus on buying, selling or leasing commercial or agricultural properties. Sarah Johnson, who frequently advises on leasehold block purchases and complex land agreements, and Sophie King are the main contacts in King’s Lynn.

Hunt & Coombs LLP is praised by clients for its ‘competence, reliability and efficiency’. Litigator Naina Tilney oversees the commercial property team, which is predominantly based in Peterborough. Olivia Chalmers frequently deals with the property aspects of business disposals and acquisitions. The ‘knowledgeable, professional and innovative’ David Marsh, who acts for clients across Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, experienced lease adviser Abbie Smith, and Oundle-based property specialist James Steward also play key roles in the practice.