Renowned for its strength in environmental and safety law, Ashurst advises clients across a range of sectors on regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters, with particular expertise in sustainability, climate change, and energy transition projects. The team supports clients in navigating complex legal frameworks and managing environmental risks across the full project lifecycle. Eleanor Reeves leads the practice and is widely recognised for her ability to advise on the environmental dimensions of transactions, focusing on risk management and regulatory compliance. James Nierinck brings extensive experience in environmental risk management, incident response, and crisis handling, supporting clients through urgent and high-stakes situations. Joanna Fox advises clients in the energy, infrastructure, real estate, and waste sectors on a broad mix of contentious, transactional, and advisory matters, with particular emphasis on environment, health and safety, and fire safety. Isabelle Laborde specialises in regulatory compliance, investigations, and enforcement, including matters involving both civil and criminal sanctions. Julie Vaughan arrived as a consultant in August 2025.

Clifford Chance LLP offers a comprehensive environmental law practice, advising on major energy and infrastructure projects, M&A and real estate transactions, ESG, and carbon trading. The team acts for both national and international clients and is known for its depth of expertise in environmental compliance, risk management, and regulatory frameworks. Nigel Howorth, head of the firm’s climate change and environment groups, is renowned for his work on complex environmental indemnities, environmental insurance policies, and international environmental cases, including matters involving oil pollution, nuclear programmes, and transboundary impacts. Adam Hedley brings deep experience in environmental compliance and projects issues, including pollution, decommissioning, remediation, and EHS permitting. Kirsty Souter advises on a wide scope of regulatory and environmental law, with a strong focus on climate change, carbon trading, and sustainability reporting.

Latham & Watkins regularly advises companies, shareholders, investors, and governments on a wide range of environmental matters, including climate change mandates and EU product and sustainability regulation. Paul Davies advises clients on a broad spectrum of ESG and EHS issues, encompassing transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters. Michael Green’s practice spans strategic and regulatory environmental advice, with a strong focus on corporate transactions and contentious matters involving ESG and sustainability. James Bee has notable experience advising on environmental aspects of corporate transactions, as well as providing guidance in contentious matters involving environmental risks and ESG obligations. Toon Dictus brings expertise in regulatory compliance and contentious environmental law, with a focus on both domestic and EU regulations.

Leigh Day operates a claimant-focused practice, advising on international multi-party actions arising from environmental damage. Co-founder Martyn Day specialises in international environmental and product liability claims, with a particular emphasis on group actions. Daniel Leader focuses his practice on business and human rights, with significant experience in complex group litigation, mass tort claims, and parent company liability. Tessa Gregory advises on matters concerning wildlife and habitats, particularly in the context of planning decisions and development consenting, frequently representing claimants challenging environmental impacts. Rowan Smith specialises in judicial review, with a strong focus on environmental, planning, and human rights law. Ricardo Gama provides further expertise on environmental judicial review claims.

Linklaters LLP offers comprehensive advice to a diverse client base that includes leading banks, corporates, funds, and asset managers, with particular strength in ESG and energy transition matters. The firm is also especially noted for its expertise in the carbon markets, supporting clients on innovative climate finance solutions and emissions trading. Rachel Barrett advises on a wide range of sustainability issues, including environmental regulation, climate risk, and corporate governance. Aileen Buchanan assists clients with ESG considerations relating to energy and infrastructure projects, providing guidance on regulatory compliance, due diligence, and project development. Iyesogie Igiehon plays a key role in ESG mandates, advising on climate transition strategies, decarbonisation, and embedding sustainability into business operations.

With a strong focus on environmental compliance and sustainability, Baker McKenzie advises clients on a wide range of UK and EU environmental law matters, including contaminated land, water regulation, permitting, environmental reporting, and liability. Leveraging cross-border strength, the firm supports clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters involving both regulatory obligations and commercial risk. Graham Stuart advises on operational environmental and health and safety issues for industrial and manufacturing facilities, and is experienced in managing projects, M&A, and climate and emissions risk.

Burges Salmon LLP offers a standout practice with notable expertise at the intersection of environmental and real estate law. The team regularly advises on contamination, land remediation, permitting, and environmental risk management within high-value property transactions, infrastructure developments, and regeneration projects. The firm’s work supports clients in navigating regulatory obligations, mitigating environmental liabilities, and meeting sustainability targets. Michael Barlow leads the team and is widely recognised for his work advising real estate and infrastructure clients on environmental strategy, regulation, and litigation. Sarah Sackville Hamilton brings considerable experience in permitting mandates, particularly in helping clients manage environmental risks during development. Ian Salter is a key figure in nuclear-related real estate and infrastructure matters, advising on regulatory and transactional issues. Ross Fairley, Victoria Barnes and Gabi Gershuny are further key contacts.

CMS advises national and international clients across the chemical, construction, energy, and financial sectors, offering comprehensive expertise in climate and sustainability, environmental taxation, and regulatory compliance mandates. The firm is well-regarded for its ability to support clients in navigating complex legislative frameworks and evolving sustainability standards. Olivia Jamison draws on her strong background in both contentious and non-contentious environmental matters, providing strategic guidance across jurisdictions. Alex Ibrahim focuses on corporate, real estate, and advisory work, with particular insight into sustainability-related transactions. Stephanie Lodola has extensive experience advising multinational clients on sustainability reporting, supply chain due diligence, and forced labour regulations, helping clients meet their compliance and disclosure obligations.

Freshfields is highly regarded for its expertise in environmental and climate litigation, as well as governance and operational advisory work. The practice is co-led by Vanessa Jakovich, who advises on environmental and climate issues and the regulation of major energy and infrastructure projects, and Simon Duncombe, who focuses on environmental matters, product liability, and consumer protection. Douglas Bryden brings extensive experience assisting corporates, financial institutions, and investors on environmental, climate, sustainability, and governance issues. Charlotte Aspin acts on the full spectrum of environmental law mandates, with particular expertise regarding ESG risks, sustainability regulation, corporate governance, and reporting.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP advises clients on a wide spectrum of environmental, planning, and climate-related issues, with particular strength in regulatory compliance, permitting, and risk management. As a core area of focus, the team supports major real estate, infrastructure, and energy projects, with additional expertise in emerging contaminants and ESG regulatory matters. Julie Goulbourne handles investigations and compliance; Catherine Howard focuses on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and energy asset consenting; Silke Goldberg is noted for her EU and UK energy law expertise, particularly concerning the energy transition; and Joanne Holbrook is highly regarded for strategic water sector advice.

Norton Rose Fulbright demonstrates a comprehensive environmental practice with a particular emphasis on ESG, climate change and carbon finance. Caroline May leads the team and is widely recognised for her work on high-profile environmental matters. Lucy Bruce Jones contributes specialist insight on sustainability regulation and environmental risk. Holly Stebbing focuses on environmental disputes in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors, particularly those arising from the energy transition and climate change. Sarah Fitzpatrick brings planning and development expertise, advising on the impact of biodiversity net gain, habitats regulation, and nutrient neutrality on nuclear, solar, and battery storage projects.

Pogust Goodhead maintains a strong presence in major cross-border cases, with a focus on holding multinational corporations accountable for alleged environmental misconduct, particularly involving claims from Brazil. Founding partner Tom Goodhead remains at the forefront of the firm’s high-profile group litigation efforts and is notable for his involvement on landmark cases. Céline Barnwell plays a key role in both litigation and arbitration across sectors such as energy and natural resources. The team also features prominent litigators Jeremy Evans, Christopher Neill, and Tom Ainsworth, each bringing deep experience in handling complex, high-stakes international cases.

Dentons’ environmental practice offers comprehensive advice on complex regulatory and transactional matters, with an increasing emphasis on ESG strategy, climate policy, and carbon markets. Helen Bowdren advises across a spectrum of environmental law mandates, including climate-related risk, sustainability compliance, and health and safety governance. Sam Boileau brings particular strength in the regulation of high-impact sectors such as oil, gas, and waste, and is frequently instructed on contaminated land issues involving site remediation and transactional risk. Alexander McGregor advises on ESG litigation and product liability, while Katy MacAskill focuses on ESG, environmental regulation, and health and safety.

Hausfeld & Co LLP is a highly sought-after disputes firm with a strong focus on environmental and climate litigation. Ingrid Gubbay leads on strategic domestic and international actions for NGOs and communities, including groundbreaking work before the UN. Simon Bishop advises NGOs and asset managers on climate-related corporate reporting, regulatory, and financial market issues. David Lawne is active in climate-focused judicial reviews and litigation before UK and European courts.

Pinsent Masons LLP offers comprehensive expertise on real estate and environmental law matters, including advising on net zero, biodiversity, natural capital, and environmental regulatory compliance. The firm excels on the environmental aspects of major infrastructure consenting and development programmes, particularly regarding renewables and carbon capture projects, and hosts dedicated strength regarding nuclear projects. Fiona Ross specialises in climate & sustainability and infrastructure projects. Richard Griffiths is a leading energy and infrastructure consenting specialist. Eluned Watson specialises in international, UK, and EU environmental law matters, with a focus on nuclear regulation.

Slaughter and May brings particular strength on environmental matters regarding transactions within the clean energy sector. The firm is recognised for its expertise in environmental risk across air, water, and land-based work. Samantha Brady advises on all areas of ESG and sustainability, including guidance on governance, climate and sustainability reporting, greenwashing risks, the role of transition plans in decarbonisation and broader sustainability objectives.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's environment practice excels in regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters, focusing on chemical regulations, contaminated land, biodiversity net gain, and carbon projects. Christian Drage advises on planning and major infrastructure projects. Nick Harding handles complex environmental issues, including contaminated land, waste, and chemical regulations, also managing real estate environmental considerations. Sam Levy also focuses on environmental issues, particularly the REACH regulation, habitat assessments, and contaminated land. Madeleine Lofchy specialises in town and country planning and environmental advice for real estate developments.

Clyde & Co's core practice focuses on land contamination, water pollution, waste, air emissions, and environmental impact assessments, alongside corporate lender liability. The firm regularly handles environmental issues linked to port, marine, and pipeline infrastructure, mineral permitting, and landfill sites. Brian Greenwood specialises in environmental and infrastructure matters, demonstrating deep land contamination expertise. Wynne Lawrence advises on ESG and sustainability issues, including climate liability risk. Nigel Brook co-leads the climate risk and resilience practice, focusing on climate change liabilities and governance. Carolyn Morgan-Welker specialises in environmental, infrastructure, and planning.

Jones Day possesses experience in climate change regulation, real estate litigation, and renewable energy project planning. The firm also handles the environmental and health and safety aspects of transactions, particularly focusing on brownfield remediation. Product regulatory matters and environmental crisis management are also part of the firm's expertise. Chris Papanicolaou advises on environmental matters including waste management, chemicals regulation, climate change, and contaminated land transactions. Will Land advises on environmental, planning, and ESG matters, including compliance with ESG regulations and sustainability issues impacting real estate assets.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s team advises major clients on environmental law matters, demonstrating particular expertise on regulatory matters in the oil and gas, renewables, and chemicals sectors. Team lead Tim Baines specialises in advising corporates and financial institutions on real estate, energy, and sustainability matters. Michael Hutchinson provides counsel on environmental and planning law issues, with his practice spanning the conventional and alternative energy sectors.

Shoosmiths LLP provides comprehensive expertise in environmental law mandates across the UK. The firm's engagement spans environmental risk and due diligence matters within real estate transactions, particularly concerning complex brownfield developments, alongside advice on environmental insurance matters. The team also acts on environmental regulatory compliance mandates, including waste management and REACH compliance, and handles contentious matters. Angus Evers covers a broad range of environmental law matters, with focuses including contaminated land, climate change and renewable energy. Alex Friston supports on the environmental aspects of corporate and real estate acquisitions.

Squire Patton Boggs’ environmental, safety and health team handles a broad spectrum of work, from non-contentious matters to domestic and cross-border regulatory defence. Rob Elvin leads the team, with particular sector expertise in the nuclear, gas, and wind power industries. Dave Gordon specialises in environmental liability issues on large multi-jurisdictional M&A and real estate transactions. Georgie Messant left the firm.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s environment, health and safety team is adept in both contentious and non-contentious matters and offers strong planning expertise across the infrastructure, renewables, and oil and gas sectors. Practice head Nick Walker frequently advises public, corporate, and private clients on environmental matters across the firm’s core energy, infrastructure, and maritime sector focuses. Valentina Keys brings a wealth of knowledge across the waste, chemicals, energy, water, and renewables segments.

Weightmans LLP demonstrates strength in environmental litigation and compliance mandates, acting for clients across sectors including real estate, manufacturing, and waste management. The team provides well-rounded support on litigation, regulatory compliance, ESG obligations, and environmental issues in major developments. Practice head Aidan Thompson is noted for his expertise in environmental liability and compliance issues. Abhay Srivistava advises on ESG-related matters, while Nick Fothergill is experienced in infrastructure projects.

Beale & Co 's environmental team, led by Michael Salau, focuses on defending clients such as environmental consultants, engineers, and utility companies in pollution and contamination incidents. The team possesses particular expertise in waste and water management matters. Salau specialises in the construction and environmental sectors. Andrew Croft offers expertise in assisting clients with the application of ESG regulations.

Freeths LLP advises both private and public sector clients on environmental compliance, planning, permitting and consenting. The team is co-led by Penny Simpson, who specialises in environmental and natural capital matters, with a client base spanning developers, mineral and water industry players, and public sector actors. Alison Ogley leads the firm’s environmental advocacy practice, with a focus on civil matters including judicial reviews, High Court challenges and environmental permit appeals.

Gowling WLG offers particular strength advising on infrastructure development and compliance matters. Ben Stansfield leads the team, assisting clients across industry sectors on a wide range of development projects, with particular expertise regarding nature and environmental protection. Emma Cartledge-Taylor offers extensive planning and environmental law experience, handling contentious and non-contentious issues from regulatory compliance and strategy to disputes.

Kennedys offers significant experience in environmental regulatory defence and environmental insurance disputes. David Wright, a regulatory defence expert, advises on investigations by environmental and other regulatory bodies, also possessing knowledge of nuisance law. Stephanie Power manages a substantial caseload of serious and complex environmental cases, providing advice on enforcement undertakings, environmental permitting, and self-reporting obligations. Marta Tomlinson is sought-after by corporate clients and insurers for environmental enforcement matters, including statutory nuisance proceedings, environmental permitting issues, and potential waste offences.

Macfarlanes LLP‘s environment team advises clients on site contamination risks, sustainability issues, environmental regulatory permitting, and indemnity and insurance negotiations. Nigel Price, head of the team, specialises in environmental law, extensively advising corporate, commercial real estate, and infrastructure clients on transactions, regulatory issues, and disputes.

Reed Smith LLP provides expertise in environmental and climate change law issues across the business lifecycle. Alongside a familiarity with mandates concerning transactions, infrastructure developments, and pollution incidents, the team, led by Kyri Evagora, also offers strategic guidance regarding sustainability as a competitive advantage. Tallat Hussain specialises in environmental and social regulatory compliance, permitting, and impact management for real estate, infrastructure, and energy projects. Julie Vaughan left the firm in July 2025.

Stephenson Harwood advises public bodies, investors and funds on urban regeneration and development schemes across the UK. The team is noted for its expertise in the environmental aspects of redevelopment projects, including regulatory compliance matters. Led by Feroze Abbas, the team provides advice on environmental risks, due diligence and regulatory matters. Rebecca Daniels advises across all areas of environmental law, including contamination, permitting, nuisance and remediation, with experience spanning multiple sectors.