Addleshaw Goddard advises on all aspects of complex commercial property matters, with particular strength in the living, energy, logistics, hotels, and transportation sectors, with dedicated teams focused on specific sectors within the market. The practice is led by Lucy Sturrock, who advises owners, occupiers, developers, and institutions throughout the full property asset lifecycle, particularly within the hotel and leisure sectors; while Ian Smith acts for public bodies and landlords on complex development projects and high-value disposals, with a specialty in the retail sector. Key associate Sally Cowley focuses on retail sector delivery and complex development projects, regularly acting on development and forward funding transactions, acquisitions, disposals, and asset management for institutional landlords and major retailers across multiple portfolios. Daniel Glowacz left the firm in January 2025.

Clarion handles a broad range of commercial property transactions, with particular expertise in residential development, secured finance, and retail sector matters. A key highlight of the firm’s practice is its public sector involvement, particularly advising on the sale of a mental health facility from the private sector to the NHS. The Leeds-based team is jointly led by Martin Grange and Lindsay Texel; with Grange specialising in strategic land development and development finance across the UK, and Texel focusing on residential development projects, acting for landowners and developers on site assembly, land acquisition, disposals, and lettings for residential and mixed-use schemes. They are supported by Alison Batty, who advises on complex property acquisitions and landlord-tenant matters across a range of sectors, including manufacturing and retail.

Known for ‘high quality advice’, Pinsent Masons LLP covers all areas of commercial property, with a particular emphasis on private sector development, healthcare, and the residential sector, including student accommodation and later living. Jonathan Riley and Richard Daffern jointly lead the team; with Riley focusing on regionally and nationally significant housing and manufacturing schemes, and Daffern advising leading institutional investors and corporate clients on property investment. Victoria Goddard is notable for her expertise in financing, development, planning, and net-zero initiatives for university campuses; while Natalie Hughes is recognised for her expertise in forward funding acquisitions and asset management. Stephen Glass leverages his combined investor and residential expertise to support institutional funds and equity funders in BTR investments. They are supported by James Long, who is a name to note in relation to health investment work.

Headed by George Bacon, the ‘highly skilled’ team at Walker Morris LLP manages commercial property matters across various sectors, including student accommodation, build-to-rent, public-private partnership developments, and work in the retail sector. Bacon acts for national retailers, developers, and property investors, while Will Cousins brings significant expertise in the student accommodation sector. Adam Reed is a name to note in relation to high value acquisitions and disposals, large portfolio deals, commercial lettings, and development. Jane Weaver, Joanne Hawkins, and Steve Nixon are also key members of the team; with Weaver and Hawkins focusing on landlord-tenant issues, and Nixon acting for house builders, landowners, and promoters on development sites across England and Wales.

Jointly led by Steve Felstead and Simon Harris, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects, from initial negotiations and agreements to permanent financing and eventual sale, providing comprehensive support across all aspects of development. The firm handles high-profile investment matters across the UK, manages a significant portfolio of regional and national development projects, and offers guidance on real estate financing and restructuring across a range of sectors, including retail, corporate, education, and senior living. Felstead brings over thirty years of experience in real estate investment and fund structuring; while Harris focuses on investment and development work for a range of institutions, investors, and property companies.

Shoosmiths LLP specialises in the living sector, providing advice on high-profile transactions spanning build-to-rent, strategic land development, student accommodation, and later living. Headed by Simon Meek, the practice also represents a range of developers, investors, and operators in the expanding roadside sector, and supports clients with all types of transactions involving distressed real estate. Meek brings more than two decades of experience in investment and development, with a strong focus on the living sector; while Charles Jackson acts on complex real estate transactions, with particular expertise in forward funding and forward commitment deal within the build-to-rent sectors.

Squire Patton Boggs advises on a broad spectrum of commercial and residential property matters across sectors such as retail, leisure, and energy. The practice handles build-to-rent and student accommodation projects, investment financing, and the management of property portfolios for major global clients. Matthew Dalzell heads the practice from the Leeds office, focusing on sectors such as hospitality, student accommodation, retail, and mixed-use projects, with emphasis on both development and funding. Dalzell is supported by Prew Lumley, who brings over two decades of experience in the commercial property market, with focus on the retail sector.

Bevan Brittan LLP advises a broad spectrum of developers, investors, landlords, operators, and funders on secured lending transactions and vacant property matters, as well as developments linked to leisure and events venues, and health-related projects. Julie Cowan-Clark and Richard Stirk are standout members of the Leeds-based team; with Cowan-Clark working with housing associations, local authorities, and private sector clients on land purchases for residential development via joint ventures, and Stirk focusing on mixture of development and security work. Julie Morrison joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in May 2024.

DLA Piper advises multinational corporations, equity funds, and developers on complex real estate transactions across local and national markets, particularly within the energy, financial services, retail, and co-living sectors. Susan Samuel and Ruth Williamson jointly lead the practice; with Samuel focusing on private equity and real estate investment trusts, and Williamson specialising in corporate occupier asset management and large property portfolios. They are supported by Tim Field, who handles acquisitions and disposals of development or investment projects.

Gateley Legal assists housebuilders, commercial developers, institutional landowners, retail occupiers, and international corporations on all aspects of residential and commercial development, property finance, real estate investment, and property litigation matters. James Sargent and John Kiff jointly lead the practice, with Kiff heading the separate residential development team. Sargent handles all aspects of non-contentious real estate, including conditional contracts, option agreements, and leases; while Kiff focuses on complex site assembly and strategic land acquisition.

Gordons LLP handles a wide range of complex property transactions, including those involving residential development, secured lending, and private equity, with a strong focus on the retail and logistics sectors. Team head Joanne Fearnley is highly experienced in lease negotiations and has advised on prominent portfolio acquisitions involving retailers in administration or those streamlining their property holdings. Fearnley is supported by Nick Chamberlain, who is an expert in corporate matters including acquisitions, disposals, and leases, and Michael Finnett, who specialises in residential development.

Irwin Mitchell advises housebuilders, lenders, and corporate clients on a wide range of property matters, including commercial development and regeneration, student accommodation, property portfolios, strategic land and site assembly, and real estate investments. The team is jointly led by James Knowles, who focuses on development projects, particularly in the logistics sector, as well as corporate and retail lettings; and the ‘go-to’ Michelle Beaumont, who acts for a mix of developers, investors, and occupiers on high profile structures for both public and private sector clients.

Schofield Sweeney advises on a broad range of property matters, including residential and commercial development, renewable energy projects, secured lending, and Islamic finance. The team is headed by the ‘go-to partner’, Manjit Virdee, who is renowned for his expertise in acquisition finance, development funding, and asset-based lending. Virdee is supported by Darren Birkinshaw and Pardeep Khela; with the former focusing on matters related to regeneration schemes and development sites, and the latter specialising on landlord-tenant matters and real estate finance.

Tyr handles residential and commercial development, portfolio management, and real estate tax, with a focus on the retail, education, and public sectors. Team head Dean Jowett brings over twenty years of experience in all aspects of commercial property matters, specialising in residential and commercial development. Jowett is supported by Sarah Temple and Marcus Watson; with Temple focusing on freehold and leasehold transactions for investors and corporate occupiers.

Ward Hadaway LLP assists developers, investors, lenders, landlords, and tenants on property matters in many sectors of development, including housebuilding, office, retail, manufacturing, and industrial. Kevin Weston and Andrew Pliener jointly lead the Leeds-based team; with Weston advising charity property-holding clients on waterside and open space mixed-use developments and regeneration schemes, and Pliener acting for local, regional, and national housebuilders on property development.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP manages national and international property matters across all sectors, with expertise in commercial development, strategic land, property portfolios, and investment. Team head Claire Wilkinson assists investors, occupiers, and developers in all aspects of real estate transactions, while David Cole negotiates Promotion, Option, and Collaboration Agreements, and Paul Hunter specialises in acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

The ‘excellent’ team at Blacks Solicitors LLP supports developers, investors, landlords, and occupiers in property matters related to holiday and home parks, banking and real estate finance, planning, and leasehold enfranchisement. Team head Nick Dyson, alongside Beth Laidler, advises property investors and developers on acquiring, developing, letting, and selling sites, while Matthew Hutchinson handles development and refinancing transactions.

Freeths LLP handles residential and commercial development matters, with specific focus on the leisure and retail sectors. John Flathers, Liz Banks, and Jonathan Crew jointly lead the Leeds-based office. Flathers specialises in property finance, investment, and insolvency; while Banks focuses on property development and portfolio management; and Crew advises on new store development programs for major national retailers.

LCF Law advises on all areas of property law, handling large property portfolios, commercial and residential property, lease renewals and surrenders, and pension fund investments. Harriet Thornton, the team head, brings extensive experience in the retail industry, covering all aspects of development work and multi-site acquisitions and disposals; while Ann-Marie Casey specialises in property work for international charities.

Mills & Reeve LLP handles matters related to corporate real estate, covering areas such as joint venture structuring, transaction management, fund and corporate vehicle establishment, as well as real estate investment and finance. The Leeds-based office is led by Simon Sherwood who works with regional and national property companies on mixed-use development projects. Sherwood is supported by Andrea Newman, who provides advice on complex development projects, including renewables in the Yorkshire region.

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of property transactions, from purchasing and investing, to selling and leasing. The Huddersfield-based team is led by Kirsty Jackson, who brings 20 years of experience in the real estate sector, representing investors, developers, and occupiers on prominent residential development sites. Another key member, Gwen Sharp, supports both public and private sector clients, handling development projects and corporate transactions.

Raworths deals with office, industrial, agricultural, residential, and commercial development, as well as landlord-tenant issues. Heather Roberts leads the Harrogate-based office, bringing over 25 years of experience in the property sector, with particular focus on acquiring and managing commercial portfolios. Roberts is supported by John Carter, who advises on the buying, selling, and re-mortgaging of commercial properties.

The ‘very competent and efficient team’ at Brabners LLP handles development, investment, management, and development of property matters in the healthcare, telecoms, leisure, and retail sectors. Edwina Hewson and Kieran Wilkinson are key members of the Leeds-based team; with Hewson focusing on real estate investment and asset management, and Wilkinson specialising in commercial property matters and non-contentious telecommunications work.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is well-regarded for its expertise in the telecommunications sector, supported by dedicated teams across residential and commercial development, investment, and portfolio management. The Leeds office is headed by the ‘exceptional’ Clare Hartley, who specialises in all aspects of property litigation with a particular focus on commercial landlord and tenant disputes and telecommunications.

Harrowells Solicitors advises on all areas of commercial property law, including property purchase and sale, development, leasing, and secured lending. Matthew Hayward heads the York-based office, bringing extensive experience across all areas of commercial property. Hayward represents property developers in acquisitions and disposals and advises both landlords and tenants on leasehold matters.