Browne Jacobson LLP is a regional powerhouse for commercial real estate and continues to act on the area’s high-value, complex, and significant projects and transactions, and the firm has notable sector-specific knowledge of the retail, social housing, and education spaces. With over 30 years of real estate experience, Sarah Parkinson is active in retail and property developments. Barry Sully has noteworthy experience in long-term strategic land projects including option and promotion agreements, and Suki Tonks acts for national retail and leisure clients regarding lease negotiations, acquisitions, disposals, and property management issues.

At Freeths LLP, Darren Williamson‘s extensive expertise includes advising on institutional fund management issues and portfolio transactions, often acting for large food and retail clients. Jon Smart possesses key knowledge of the retail, care home, and property finance sectors, while Patrick Adie has received many plaudits for his work for residential development clients. James Hart has bolstered the firm’s housebuilding capabilities, and Atiyya Khaliq‘s client list includes leading retailers, motorway service operators, and pharmaceutical companies. Guy Winfield is head of the practice in Nottingham.

Investment and development work, as well as asset management issues, are key facets of Gateley Legal‘s practice; the team is also recognised for its expertise in the healthcare and pensions sectors. Simon Taylor is 'extremely knowledgeable across a wide range of real estate matters’, including strategic land and urban regeneration mandates, while Adam Youatt‘s practice centres on property investment and development work. Property finance and asset management issues are notable aspects of Colin Gittus‘s workload, while Steven Plummer is well versed in various issues impacting housebuilders and land promoters, and Alex Parkes has noteworthy experience in the logistic development market.

Geldards LLP is well respected in the region for its breadth of experience and effective representation of private and public sector clients. Residential and commercial developments continue to be a fruitful source of work, with Graham Banks routinely acting for developers, landowners, and occupiers. Heather Dixon assumes a central role in the firm’s work with industrial and logistics clients, while Paul Hilsdon predominantly caters to public sector clients, including multi-academy trusts and universities. David Watson and Jamie Gordon both retired in July 2023, and Neil Walker and Jay Atubra joined from Browne Jacobson LLP and Ince & Co, respectively, while Tiffany Cloynes departed in April 2023.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP fields a robust commercial property offering with distinct energy sector expertise, regularly acting for energy developers and infrastructure investors. The team is also active in the property finance space, advising banks and funds on acquisitions and investments. Peter Dilks has secured equity and debt raises for his key energy clients, while Victoria Bovington specialises in investment and development finance work. John Buckley and Aller Dawlat are both key members of the team. Sat Ubhi moved in-house in June 2023.

Shoosmiths LLP‘s commercial property team excels in international and national transactions, as well as regional deals; investment and development projects are all hallmarks of the practice. Deborah Gordon Brown is skilled at managing takeovers of sizeable real estate portfolios, refinances, and development agreements, and the practice also benefits from Ellis Gardner-Browne‘s specialist knowledge of the investment, petroleum, retail, and leisure spaces. Matthew Kenwood leads the practice and provides comprehensive advice to occupiers and investors, and Su Kemp is a commercial property lawyer specialising in retail tenant matters. Matthew Kemp and Helen Parrott are also key team members.

Flint Bishop Limited is recognised for its development work, and the team has led on key land sales and purchases across various industries. Janet Rhodes has spearheaded the practice since joining from Freeths LLP in July 2023, bringing over 25 years of commercial real estate experience. Ian Beardmore has advised property and construction clients on key site acquisitions and disposals, and Ben Pickup assists with development matters, from initial promotion to disposal. Sanveer Sandhu regularly advises on the full spectrum of property work.

gunnercooke LLP is ‘very well respected in the property sector’ and Brendan Walsh is recognised for his significant expertise in the delivery of projects and major redevelopments. Matthew Grocock has helped facilitate developments for landed estates, rural landowners, promoters, house builders, and contractors, and Bev Simms focuses on developments and strategic land acquisitions, with notable expertise in landfill and energy transactions. Sarah Gunton has acted on various flagship developments across the UK.

As a property boutique, Landsmiths Solicitors regularly provides clients with specialist advice on a range of commercial real estate issues. The firm regularly manages critical refinancings, and complex development matters, including mixed-use developments, and high-value acquisitions and disposals. Rachael Briggs has amassed considerable experience in landlord and tenant matters, as well as large property portfolios, while Vik Moothia has over 20 years of experience in takeovers, leasehold matters, fundings, developments, and management issues.

Austin Moore & Partners LLP is a boutique firm with extensive experience in a range of corporate transactions. The team is led by Lucy Carter, who has extensive knowledge of commercial real estate issues and a particular understanding of the education and agricultural sectors. Freya Bradley oversees a number of acquisitions, leases and development matters.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited fields a robust commercial property offering which assists with the ‘full spectrum of commercial matters’ and acts for trustees, charities, and developer clients. Riaz Dudhia heads up the practice, with notable expertise in landlord and tenant matters, and commercial developments. Paul Hinchcliffe has acted for numerous industrial and office property owners, advising on high-value transactions. The firm acquired Cleggs in November 2023.

Smith Partnership houses a talented team, capable of handling acquisitions, landlord and tenant issues, financings, and option agreements. The group has also seen an increase in instructions from the energy sector. Team head Jason Wood has considerable experience with development schemes, property finance work, and complex landlord and tenant matters. Danielle Upton is also recommended for property transactions.