The lawyers at DLA Piper are highly experienced in handling restructuring matters in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, hospitality and construction. Its clientele includes major banks as well as financial consultants and accountants. The firm advises on a broad range of matters, from contingency planning to insolvencies to distressed M&A. Deborah Brown leads the team in Birmingham, specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency work in a non-contentious setting. Aino Miles is a noted practitioner, experienced in financial distress, disposal and acquisition matters. Huw Dolphin left the firm in October 2023.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s Birmingham office covers the gamut of restructuring and insolvency matters for its client, including in cases of multiple jurisdictions. Its sector knowledge includes retail, leisure, energy, real estate, automotive and healthcare. The firm is also accustomed to advising a range of clients, such as mezzanine lenders, asset-based lenders, private equity funds and insolvency practitioners. Andrew Jordan, who focuses on restructuring advice across a broad range of industries including the automotive and aerospace, co-captains the practice alongside Jenna Poulton, who specialises in real estate restructurings and distressed banking-based lending. Anne-Louise Lawrence further bolsters the firm’s real estate restructuring expertise, especially around retail and leisure mandates.

Gateley Legal employs its ‘vast experience’ to advise clients on all aspects of insolvency and restructuring work, both contentious and non-contentious. The firm advises bank, corporates, investment firms, private equity firms and insolvency practitioners. Both based in Birmingham, Mark Wilson and Dan French lead the team. Wilson covers the contentious side of the practice, including insolvency proceedings involving an element of fraud. French advises on non-contentious insolvency matters, particularly regarding real estate issues for distressed businesses. Within the team, Kathryn Hacking advises liquidators and directors in litigation and investigation matters.

Pinsent Masons LLP offers its clients ‘truly excellent levels of service’ on matters ranging from formal insolvency to regulatory and restructuring assistance. Its lawyers are also experienced in contentious and non-contentious settings, with specialisms in the retail, energy, automotive, aerospace and charity spaces. Amy Flavell leads the Birmingham practice with experience in construction insolvency and distressed situations in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Carl Scott is a noted practice member working on real estate restructuring matters for lenders, distressed companies and insolvency practitioners. Sarah Robinson is another key name, assisting in restructurings and refinancings.

‘Able to run a cross-disciplinary case’, Shoosmiths LLP regularly advises clients on matters spanning a wide array of sectors, including retail, financial services, construction, manufacturing, energy and leisure. The firm acts on major liquidations and administrations, including the administration of Wilko Limited. James Keates directs the practice, acting for banks, asset-based lenders, insolvency practitioners and company directors. Noted team member Aaron Harlow advises on administrations, restructurings and distressed acquisitions. Charlotte Duce bolsters the team’s strength in administration matters, advising major financial consultants acting as administrators.

Counting asset-based lenders, insolvency practitioners and other stakeholders amongst its clientele, Browne Jacobson LLP covers the gamut of restructuring and insolvency advice. In September 2023, Stephen George joined the firm; he now leads the practice in Birmingham, specialising in turnarounds and formal insolvency appointments. Amy Keogh, who joined at the same time, is experienced in providing ABL funding, restructuring and administration support.

Freeths LLP advises a variety of clients on restructuring and insolvency matters, including insolvency practitioners, banks, debt funders, sponsors, corporates and individuals. When needed, the firm can draw on its broader expertise, in areas such as dispute resolution, employment and tax, to enhance its advice. John Jeffreys is ‘a stand out partner’, leading the team alongside Mike Gilmour and specialising in restructuring advice at the national and regional level. Gilmour focuses his own practice on bankruptcy matters, with particular expertise in contentious settings. Grace Millar is a noted member of the practice, with experience in contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters. Su Garner joined from Knights plc in February 2024.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys advises clients from across the spectrum of industries, including construction, automotive, hospitality and retail. Sam Payne heads the practice, providing clients with advisory and transactional support for challenger banks and asset-based lenders. Operating from Birmingham and Worcester, Alan Meiklejohn covers the range of advice for stakeholders relating to restructuring and insolvency. Stuart Taylor is a noted member of the practice, assisting in contentious and non-contentious settings. In July 2023, Monica Kapur left the practice.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP covers both the transactional and contentious aspects of insolvency mandates, advising insolvency practitioners, lenders and corporates. The firm’s niche in education and energy allows it to supplement its restructuring advice in these areas. Leading from Birmingham, Andrew Taylor covers the gamut of restructuring and insolvency, including turnaround options, appointments, asset realisations and antecedent transactions. Sheena Tandy is well-versed in administrations, especially around the healthcare sector.

Squire Patton Boggs has particular expertise in advising clients in the sports and energy sectors on bankruptcy and liquidation matters. The firm is also experienced in the retail and hospitality space. Devinder Singh, who is based in Birmingham and co-leads the team, focuses on contentious restructuring and insolvency work. Fellow co-lead Russ Hill is a key contact in the practice, with a specialty in retail turnaround advice. Oliver Ward-Jones consolidates the firm’s skills in contentious and non-contentious work.

With a 'strong depth of quality and experience’, FBC Manby Bowdler advises clients on all aspects of restructuring and insolvency, including asset sales, formal appointments, corporate group restructurings and litigation. Gareth Ruddock spearheads the team from the Wolverhampton and Redditch offices, handling contentious and non-contentious matters across the restructuring and insolvency landscape. James Sage is noted within the team for his support of small regional businesses to large PLCs alike.

Gowling WLG supports clients in matters across a swathe of industries, with a particular strength in education and real estate but also including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, construction and retail. Jasvir Jootla is the Birmingham head of practice, advising a range of clients in distressed situations in the local market and beyond. Emily Rust is a noted team member with a focus in the energy and retail sectors.

Sydney Mitchell LLP offers a comprehensive service to insolvency practitioners, receivers and lenders. It is experienced in advising clients on their contentious claims, recovery options and duties as receivers. Possessing ‘a real understanding of the law’, Leanne Schneider-Rose captains the practice, with a strength in contentious insolvency claims for insolvency practitioners.

The ‘very experienced’ team at The Wilkes Partnership is highly experienced in advising clients on contentious matters in insolvency settings. The firm handles bankruptcy proceedings for trustees on a regular basis. When necessary, the firm may also draw on expertise from other departments to assist in its advice. David Cleary helms the practice, advising on business recovery and turnaround mandates for a range of clients. ‘Tactical genius’ Andrew Garland specialises in defending directors over antecedent transactions and misfeasance claims.