The Legal 500 2025 West Midlands Edition

WEST MIDLANDS

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WEST MIDLANDS

THE LEGAL 500 UK SOLICITORS 2025 RANKINGS ARE NOW LIVE!

Nearly 1,200 law firms have secured spots in the new guide, which ranks the best law firms and lawyers across the nation. The guide is also the first to launch on the new Legal 500 website following a comprehensive rebrand in mid-2024 writes Amy Ulliot, Editor of The Legal 500.

The West Midlands legal market has seen another successful year, with firms reporting notable activity and growth across a varied range of practice areas. Real estate continues to be a key source of work for firms as regeneration and infrastructure projects dominate workloads. While corporate activity levels have dropped slightly due to rising interest rates and inflation, several sectors have bucked the trend and flourished throughout 2023 and 2024, including the healthcare, technology and manufacturing industries.

Public sector practices have also seen notable activity with large volumes of work generated by the travails faced by local authorities, particularly as councils reduce their in-house legal teams and endeavour to sell off assets.

The 2025 Legal 500 UK guide ranks almost 80 law firms across 40 practice areas in the West Midlands, with 471 firm rankings in total covering firms in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Leading the pack, Shakespeare Martineau and Browne Jacobson are the only two firms in the market with over 20 rankings each (27 and 20 respectively). Followed by Shoosmiths (18) and Gowling WLG, Mills & Reeve, Pinsent Masons and Wright Hassall (all 17) are next for most firm rankings.

For individual lawyer rankings, Gowling WLG is top with 48 lawyers ranked across the Hall of fame, Leading partners, Next generation partners and Leading associates tables; Pinsent Masons is in second with 42. DLA Piper, Shakespeare Martineau and Shoosmiths round out the top five for total individual lawyers ranked.

Congratulations to all of the firms and lawyers ranked in this year’s guide!

"The 2025 Legal 500 UK guide ranks almost 80 law firms across 40 practice areas in the West Midlands, with 471 firm rankings in total covering firms in Birmingham and the surrounding areas."

WEST MIDLANDS

DIVERSE EXPERTISE ON SHOW: Richard Port MBE, President, Birmingham Law Society

I want to begin by congratulating all the firms, organisations, teams and individuals recognised in this year’s Legal 500. This edition highlights the West Midlands and Birmingham as home to some of the country’s most esteemed legal professionals, showcasing a diverse array of firms, practice areas, and individual expertise who make us great writes Richard Port MBE, President, Birmingham Law Society.

These rankings capture just a glimpse of the significant achievements and contributions made by our legal community, ensuring that those in need receive the highest standard of expertise, skills, and support.

Birmingham Law Society is at the heart of our local legal profession, with over 9,000 members from diverse backgrounds, including CEOs, lawyers, PAs, and students who represent the future talent driving our success. As the second-largest law society in the UK, and with Birmingham celebrated as the “second city,” we should take pride in our accomplishments and the strength of our legal sector—and not hesitate to share it.

Birmingham Law Society includes various specialist committees that play a vital

role in advocating for our interests and representing you. Throughout the year, we organize numerous events and initiatives that allow our members to connect, collaborate on pressing issues, and engage in meaningful discussions about our justice system.

"It’s essential to remember that our presence in people’s lives empowers them to achieve great things, creating a ripple effect that extends to others in need of support"

It’s essential to remember that our presence in people’s lives empowers them to achieve great things, creating a ripple effect that extends to others in need of support. Each of you plays a role in what we call the “play of life,” whether

as a major or minor character, and your contributions are significant in changing the world.

I am committed to expanding our membership and welcoming more firms from across the West Midlands and Birmingham, ensuring that every voice is heard within our Law Society and our justice system. For those new to the region or yet to become actively involved, I encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities that Birmingham Law Society provides. We are a united Society, and as individuals, we flourish through connection rather than isolation.

This year, I have aptly named our focus “Voices”—a term that encapsulates the many rather than the few. I want to ensure that all our members, the community, and those who are unrepresented have a say in our Law Society and are heard.

We have remarkable members and organizations within our Law Society whose outstanding work for clients and the community often goes unrecognized. This year, I will ensure that everyone has a platform to share their stories and contributions, shining a light on those who have been overlooked.

I am excited and privileged to be guiding our Birmingham Law Society this year, for what will be one of our greatest years yet.

In closing, I extend my congratulations not only to those ranked this year but also to those who have not received formal recognition. Throughout my career, I have encountered many exceptional lawyers in the West Midlands and Birmingham, many of those unranked. Our legal sector is rich with outstanding firms and professionals, and I want each of you to know that your hard work, contributions, and achievements have not been unnoticed.

I want to express my gratitude to all of you for helping to make the West Midlands and Birmingham an outstanding legal community. Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and I encourage you to keep up the fantastic contributions!

HAWKINS HATTON: MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL

To better understand how M&A is changing within the UK, you have to compare the UK alongside the rest of the world. The strength of an economy can be gauged by the strength of its currency writes Colin Rodrigues of Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Ltd.

Over the last 100 years there has been a constant devaluation of the pound against the US dollar, with the all-time lows for the pound being reached in 1985. The weakness of the pound is not purely down to the strength of the domestic economy, but for example in 1985 the US increased its interest rates so dramatically it led to huge international inflows of capital into the US, and a surge in the value of the dollar.

The volatility in currencies throughout the world is usually triggered through major events such as wars, natural disasters and political crisis. The UK has had its fair share of these events and they have been seismic, not just isolated events that could have been navigated, such as the Liz Trust mini budget in 2022. The main event that has led the pound to fall by over 20% against the dollar in recent times is Brexit

in 2016 followed by Coronavirus in 2020. The pound has never recovered its value since those events.

The fuel for an M&A transaction is access to capital, afforded by capital markets such as the LSE. In addition to the LSE, capital can come from either the public sector (such as the government and sovereign

"The UK PLC must achieve improvements to productivity, through government policy, and increase investment in machinery and technology."

wealth funds) or the private sector (including banks/other lending institutions and private equity).

The US has large pools of capital, which can be directed towards M&A, but so does the UK. However, the UK has over the years not allowed its capital the same flexibility to invest within British businesses. This is why the UK is still finding that the US is the UK’s largest

inward direct investor. What is a real shame is that US investors are seeing opportunities within the UK, not seen by those already in the UK. That is why the UK is the second most targeted nation for M&A. Even though there is a shortage of UK capital being invested in our domestic economy, we are still seeing UK capital being deployed abroad. An example is Tesla’s shares that have gone up dramatically in the last 12 months, or ARM, the chip designer, who are now to be listed in the US.

Investment into the UK is always a good thing unless it results in the ultimate migration of businesses to the US, such as in the case of ARM. Businesses owned by US entities (particularly in the case of private equity) which are then sold or forced to refinance within a five-year cycle, will ultimately look to the US market to provide such funding, listing or even eventual sale. That is why the Labour government must continue to support UK businesses and invest in those areas where the UK are world leaders in sectors, such as biosciences, education, energy and infrastructure.

I can see that the UK is at a crossroads. The UK PLC must achieve improvements to productivity, through government policy, and increase investment in machinery and technology. This can be supported by the government in the form of tax rebates. This must be coupled with a further relaxation in capital markets, for both the LSE and pension funds.

This may encourage more firms to consider listing in the UK rather than being attracted to the US as sometimes it is better to be a larger fish in a smaller pond than a small fish in a very big pond when compared to the “Magnificent 7 stocks” in the US. Only then will there be a real opportunity for the UK to not just be an attractive place for direct foreign investment, but also retain that foreign investment through the support of the UK’s own capital markets. If the UK does not do this, then we will find that the UK has been left with a lacklustre economy, which has sold off even more of its crown jewels, being those businesses which have gone aboard through M&A.

For more information, contact Colin Rodrigues

E: crodrigues@hawkinshatton.co.uk

T: 01384 216840

W: www.hawkinshatton.co.uk

Colin Rodrigues

WEST MIDLANDS

LEADING PARTNERS

AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES

Alex Robinson Wright Hassall

Peter Snodgrass Shakespeare Martineau

Sarah Baugh FBC Manby Bowdler

Tom Devey FBC Manby Bowdler

BANKING AND FINANCE

Chris Brierley Gowling WLG

David Adams Shoosmiths

David Doogan Pinsent Masons

James Dyson Freeths

Mohammed Saqub Shakespeare Martineau

Naomi Tudor Shakespeare Martineau

Patrick Davis Eversheds Sutherland

Roy Grist Squire Patton Boggs

Stephen Bottley DLA Piper (US)

BANKING LITIGATION

Chris Busby Eversheds Sutherland

Roger Potgieter Shoosmiths

CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Dominic Curran Anthony Collins Solicitors

Kirsty McEwen Higgs

Mark Lewis Lodders Solicitors

Shivaji Shiva VWV

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: CLAIMANT

Beth Heath Lanyon Bowdler

Clare Langford Higgs

Emma Broomfield Lanyon Bowdler

Emma Rush Irwin Mitchell

Kashmir Uppal Shoosmiths

Lindsay Tomlinson Irwin Mitchell

Lucy Small Lanyon Bowdler

Luke Daniels Irwin Mitchell

Phil Barnes Shoosmiths

Sara Burns Irwin Mitchell

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: DEFENDENT

Jasmine Armstrong Weightmans

Tim Hodgetts Bevan Brittan

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: BIRMINGHAM

Adam Fisher Eversheds Sutherland

Adam Kendall Bevan Brittan

Andrew Herring Pinsent Masons

Andrew Leach DWF

Andrew Smith Gowling WLG

Helen Briant Trowers & Hamlins

Helen Davenport Gowling WLG

James Woolstenhulme Shakespeare Martineau

Louise Wilson Freeths

Mark Surguy Weightmans

Neil Bowker DLA Piper (US)

Neil Warner Gateley Legal

Phillip Kelly DLA Piper (US)

Richard Waugh Fieldfisher

Roger Potgieter TLT

Simon Garbett Mills & Reeve

Stephen May Fieldfisher

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Adam Pike Talbots Law

Charlotte Clode FBC Manby Bowdler

Clare Murphy Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Elizabeth Beatty Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Guy Birkett FBC Manby Bowdler

Harminder Sandhu Hawkins Hatton Corporate

Julia Lowe Higgs

Morgan Rees George Green

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: BIRMINGHAM

Andrew Mellor Penningtons Manches Cooper

Ben Acheson Irwin Mitchell

Chris Plumley Trowers & Hamlins

Dawn Hilton Eversheds Sutherland

Gurjit Atwal Eversheds Sutherland

Helen Emmerson Gowling WLG

Iftkhar Ahmed Eversheds Sutherland

Jason Jackson Shoosmiths

Kultar Khangura Pinsent Masons

Lisa Middleton Pinsent Masons

Melanie Williams DWF

Monique Sutherland DLA Piper (US)

Philip Medford Eversheds Sutherland

Richard Bate Gowling WLG

Richard Pettifor Gateley Legal

Sue Simpson Fieldfisher

Tom Johnson Pinsent Masons

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY:

ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Claire Waring Wright Hassall

Clare Regan MFG Solicitors

Daniel Blood Band Hatton Button

David Slade Wright Hassall

James Mottram Lodders Solicitors

CONSTRUCTION

Andrew James Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Andrew Millross Anthony Collins Solicitors

David Jones Eversheds Sutherland

Martino Giaquinto Mills & Reeve

Michael O'Shea Gowling WLG

Nigel Blundell Pinsent Masons

Patrick Garner Shoosmiths

Paul Green Gowling WLG

Perveen Akhter Freeths

Peter Scurlock Eversheds Sutherland

Philip Harris Wright Hassall

Ray O’Connor Squire Patton Boggs

Richard Green Gowling WLG

Stephen Malley DLA Piper (US)

Stuart Pemble Mills & Reeve

CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS AND PROBATE

Gavin Faber Roythornes Solicitors

Kamal Majevadia Irwin Mitchell

Beth King-Smith Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Craig Ridge Higgs

Mark Abrol Meridian Private Client

CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM

Amardeep Gill Trowers & Hamlins

Catherine Eley Eversheds Sutherland

Charles Cook DLA Piper (US)

Clare Francis Pinsent Masons

David Vaughan Gowling WLG

John Campion DWF

Kavita Patel Shakespeare Martineau

Keith Spedding Shakespeare Martineau

Lee Clifford Freeths

Mike Jackson Browne Jacobson

Nicole Livesey Pinsent Masons

Nigel Cooke Eversheds Sutherland

Noel Haywood DLA Piper (US)

Tim Lake DLA Piper (US)

Tom Durrant Squire Patton Boggs

CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL:

ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Arpinder Dhillon Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Clare Emery Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Gareth Burge Thursfields Solicitors

Jamie Partington Higgs

John Heaton Higgs

Neil Jones Ansons

Paul Bennett Ansons

Robert Lee Wright Hassall

Sarah Ward George Green

CORPORATE TAX

Andrew Noble Browne Jacobson

Becky Rees Parisi Tax

Jon Stevens DWF

Peter Snodgrass, Shakespeare Martineau Helen Davenport, Gowling WLG Roger Potgieter, TLT

Julia Lowe, Higgs

Ray O’Connor, Squire Patton Boggs

Emma Broomfield, Lanyon Bowdler Tom Johnson, Pinsent Masons

Amardeep Gill, Trowers & Hamlins Arpinder Dhillon, Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Kate Featherstone Irwin Mitchell

Kevin Lowe Mills & Reeve

Lee Nuttall Gowling WLG

Lisa Stevenson Parisi Tax

DEBT RECOVERY

Alan Hamblett Shakespeare Martineau

Darren Davoile Coltman Warner Cranston

Jayne Gardner Shakespeare Martineau

EDUCATION

Gayle Ditchburn Pinsent Masons

Gurvinder Samra Shoosmiths

Jane Byford VWV

Mark Taylor Shakespeare Martineau

Nick Mackenzie Browne Jacobson

Richard Freeth Browne Jacobson

Richard Sykes Mills & Reeve

Smita Jamdar Shakespeare Martineau

EMPLOYMENT

Benedict Gorner Gateley Legal

Charlie Frost Squire Patton Boggs

David Sykes Averta Employment Lawyers

Emma Phillips DLA Piper (US)

Helen Corden Pinsent Masons

Jawaid Rehman Weightmans

Jonathan Coley Pinsent Masons

Linda Jones Pinsent Masons

Ramez Moussa Squire Patton Boggs

Rebecca Sawbridge Freeths

Richard Santy Mills & Reeve

Sally Morris MFG Solicitors

Tim Jones Higgs

ENERGY, PROJECT FINANCE & PFI

Dominic Richardson Gowling WLG

Gus Wood Gowling WLG

James Larmour Freeths

Kirstin Roberts Freeths

Paul Hill Browne Jacobson

Zoe Stollard Browne Jacobson

ENVIRONMENT

Andrew Litchfield Gowling WLG

David Egan DWF

Lee McBride Lodders Solicitors

Ruth Armstrong Gateley Legal

FAMILY: BIRMINGHAM

Christopher Lloyd-Smith Anthony Collins Solicitors

Diane Benussi Benussi & Co Limited

Elizabeth Wyatt Anthony Collins Solicitors

Helen Jane Arnold Benussi & Co Limited

Jas Tamber Anthony Collins Solicitors

Karen Moores Sydney Mitchell

Mark Hands Irwin Mitchell

Rayner Grice Clarke Willmott

Sarah Balfour Irwin Mitchell

Zahra Pabani Irwin Mitchell

FAMILY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Anne Thomson FBC Manby Bowdler

Linda Jones Brethertons

Nadia Davis Thursfields Solicitors

Philip Barnsley Higgs

Philip Rea Thursfields Solicitors

Philippa Pearson Lanyon Bowdler

Richard Westley Pickerings Solicitors

Shane Miller Thursfields Solicitors

Sue Hodgson Lanyon Bowdler

Tracy Cross Band Hatton Button

GENERAL CRIME & FRAUD

Ben Henry Jonas Roy Bloom

Steven Jonas Jonas Roy Bloom

James Turner Tuckers Solicitors

HEALTH

Clare Auty Browne Jacobson

Henry Matveieff Capsticks

Jill Mason Mills & Reeve

Jog Hundle Mills & Reeve

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Andrew Brammer Weightmans

David Egan DWF

Hayley Saunders Shoosmiths

Rachel Lyne Browne Jacobson

Ruth Armstrong Gateley Legal

IMMIGRATION

Andre Minnaar Sydney Mitchell LLP

INSOLVENCY AND CORPORATE RECOVERY

Aaron Harlow Shoosmiths

Amy Flavell Pinsent Masons

Andrew Taylor Shakespeare Martineau

Daniel French Gateley Legal

Devinder Singh Squire Patton Boggs

John Jeffreys Freeths

Mark Wilson Gateley Legal

Russell Hill Squire Patton Boggs

Sam Payne Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Stephen George Browne Jacobson

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Andrew Brennan Shoosmiths

Claire O'Brien Mills & Reeve

Lisa Page Penningtons Manches Cooper

Mark Daniels Browne Jacobson

Martin Noble Freeths

Nicholas Briggs Shakespeare Martineau

Simon Barker Freeths

IT & TELECOMS

Craig Armstrong Shoosmiths

Gareth Stokes DLA Piper (US)

Jocelyn Paulley Gowling WLG

Joe Stephenson Shoosmiths

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Amardeep Gill Trowers & Hamlins

Derek Adamson DWF

Matthew Gregson Anthony Collins Solicitors

Zo Hoida Browne Jacobson

PENSIONS

Emma King Eversheds Sutherland

Gary Delderfield Eversheds Sutherland

Joanne Tibbott Gowling WLG

Michael Collins Gateley Legal

Nick Stones Pinsent Masons

Paul Carberry Gowling WLG

Sarah Franklin Eversheds Sutherland

PERSONAL INJURY: CLAIMANT

Andy Shaw Higgs

Dawn Humphries Lanyon Bowdler

Hilary Wetherell Irwin Mitchell

Luke Daniels Irwin Mitchell

Philip Banks Irwin Mitchell

Philip Edwards Clarke Willmott

Stephen Nye Irwin Mitchell

Susan Todhunter FBC Manby Bowdler

PERSONAL INJURY: DEFENDANT

Bridget Tatham Browne Jacobson

Charles Ashmore DWF

David Tuck Weightmans

Henry Bermingham Weightmans

Ian Davies Kennedys

James Shrimpton Kennedys

Ken Young Keoghs

Kevin Lawson Browne Jacobson

Philippa Craven Kennedys

Richard Stallard DAC Beachcroft

PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE

Catriona Attride Mills & Reeve

Dawn Oliver Lodders Solicitors

Eamonn Daly Meridian Private Client

Emma Harrison Pickerings Solicitors

John Grundy Mills & Reeve

Jon Croxford Meridian Private Client

Lesley Davis Shakespeare Martineau

Louise Igoe Lodders Solicitors

Rachael Armstrong VWV

PLANNING

Howard Bassford DLA Piper (US)

John Gregory Wright Hassall

Lucy Thomas Pinsent Masons

Matthew Scudamore Gateley Legal

Rosalind Andrews Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Simon Stanion Shakespeare Martineau

Toni Weston Gowling WLG

Trevor Ivory DLA Piper (US)

PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE

David Gooding Mills & Reeve

Eamon Mooney Kennedys

Julian Smart Clyde & Co

Paul Chaplin Kennedys

PROPERTY LITIGATION

Alicia Foo Pinsent Masons

Clive Chalkley Gowling WLG

James Fownes Shakespeare Martineau

Kate McCall Shoosmiths

Martin Edwards Shakespeare Martineau

Paul Barker Gowling WLG

Paul Knight Shoosmiths

TRANSPORT

Giles Clifford Gowling WLG

Lisa Stevenson Parisi Tax Benedict Gorner, Gateley Legal

Andre Minnaar, Sydney Mitchell LLP Kate McCall , Shoosmiths

WEST MIDLANDS

BANKING & FINANCE

DLA Piper

Eversheds Sutherland

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

Shoosmiths

Gateley Legal

Shakespeare Martineau Squire Patton Boggs

Browne Jacobson

DWF

Freeths

Mills & Reeve

Aaron & Partners

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited 1 2 3 4

Advising major commercial and investment banks, DLA Piper is well-practised in advising on regional to international deals for its clients, including syndicated corporate finance, leverage finance and real estate finance. The firm also handles ABS lending matters. Stephen Bottley, above, leads the practice, frequently advising on a range of syndicated financings. Aino Miles is noted for her work on debt, ABS and venture finance for lenders and corporate borrowers. Gemma Rooney specialises in real estate finance, with experience in transactions involving multiple jurisdictions.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) is expert in leveraged loan transactions, on a syndicated or direct basis, for major banks and private equity firms. The firm also regularly advises clients on asset-based lending mandates. The Birmingham-based practitioners are able to leverage the firm’s global network to assist on multi-jurisdictional matters. Real estate finance is a particular area of expertise for the firm. Patrick Davis leads the department whilst focusing his practice on leveraged finance and corporate lending. Ben Tumelty leads the ABS lending practice within the team, advising major banks and investment firms.

Gowling WLG maintains a wide practice, assisting in real estate finance and project finance transactions as well as private equity and clearing house work. The firm also maintains a specialist social housing finance practice. Chris Brierley, who heads the Birmingham practice, is well-versed in

borrowers and lenders in an array of financings, including pensions and education. Natalie Barnes is another noted member of the practice operating in the asset-based lending space.

Gateley Legal advises regional banks and sponsors on a wide range of matters. The firm maintains a focus on private equity and acquisition finance, with practitioners also specialised in asset-backed lending. Andrew Madden, below, leads the practice from Birmingham and regularly works on restructurings, project finance and other corporate lending deals. Chris Jones' experience includes advising lenders and borrowers on leveraged, real estate, ABS and structured finance. Alison Davidson-Cox was promoted to partner in May 2024.

The firm’s experience includes advising on transactions over single asset and multiple property portfolios. The team is especially adept in assisting clients with distressed finance situations.

on- and off-balance sheet lending and project financing. Navin Prabhakar is a key member of the practice, advising on major acquisition finance deals. Angela Rawlins is noted for her work on social housing finance. In addition to Naina Patel joining in November 2023, the firm has further expanded its practice at the junior level. Stephan Smoktunowicz left the firm in June 2023.

With ‘one of the most capable’ specialist asset-based lending teams, Pinsent Masons advises clients on a wide range of transactions, including leveraged finance and securitizations. The firm is also familiar with corporate lending and real estate finance. Its sector expertise is broad, with experience in manufacturing, healthcare and education. The ‘exceptional’ David Doogan leads the practice, advising clients on complex transactions out of Birmingham. Victoria Baker, below, specialises in structured finance within the team, including asset-based lending and securitizations. Oliver Morgan is well-acquainted with corporate lending, real estate and leveraged finance transactions.

The ‘technically smart, commercial’ team at Shoosmiths regularly advises lenders on a range of transactions, especially in asset-based lending. The firm also advises on leveraged and acquisition finance matters. Its work regularly involves cross-border elements. Jon Bew is the head of the team, whose experience includes asset-based, inventory and distribution finance. David Adams acts for

Shakespeare Martineau, in addition to its strength in real estate finance and corporate banking, maintains ‘a powerful niche’ in Islamic finance. Its clients include leading national commercial banks; it advises on credit policy, risk and governance issues. Naomi Tudor, whose expertise includes bilateral and syndicated transactions for corporate and property financings, leads the Birmingham practice alongside Mohammed Saqub, who is central to the firm’s Islamic finance strength. Christopher Gayle is noted for his broad practice, advising on leveraged, property, project and trade financings.

With specialists experienced in ‘an enormous breadth of transaction types’, Squire Patton Boggs is well-versed in handling the wide array of mandates brought to it by clients in the banking, real estate, private equity, utilities and sports industries. The firm regularly handles matters in asset-based lending, property finance, corporate banking and leveraged acquisition finance. Roy Grist  guides the practice from Birmingham whilst specialising in acquisition and real estate finance as well as asset-based lending with an international element.

Browne Jacobson regularly advises banks, corporates, management teams, local authorities and government bodies on all aspects of banking and finance. The firm regularly advises on restructurings and refinancings, as well as financings in the real estate sector.

Emma Hinton heads the practice from Birmingham and is particularly focused on advising non-bank funders in the health and social care sectors. Paul Ray is a key team member advising on a wide array of matters, including bilateral and syndicated financings, refinancings, restructurings, acquisitions and assetbased lending.

DWF centres its Birmingham team on real estate finance transactions.

Richard Holmes heads the practice in Birmingham, focusing on commercial real estate finance of both development and investment projects.

Freeths advises on financings in a number of sectors, including healthcare, real estate and the public sector. The firm’s broader practice allows it to draw on specialists in a wide range of areas, especially construction, tax, corporate and real estate, as required. James Dyson, above,  is a noted member of the practice specialising in corporate lending transactions for major national and international private equity firms and banks.

Mills & Reeve advises on a range of financings across sectors, with a particular focus on debt transactions for banks, universities and charities. David Varnham, heading the team, specialises in structured and corporate finance. Amandip Dhillon acts for national and international corporations, charities and public bodies as lenders and borrowers. Kate Norley, ‘a superb lawyer’, has particular expertise in the real estate finance sector.

Aaron & Partners’s dedicated team which operates in Shropshire acts for multinational banks as both lenders and borrowers. Hugh Strickland, who heads the practice alongside Stuart Scott-Goldstone, advises on M&A, financings and joint ventures. Iwan Williams works with other members of the team with all property aspects involved.

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited supports clients with transactions in a wide range of sectors, including agricultural, health care, leisure and commercial real estate. The firm handles acquisitions, refinances and restructures. Colin Rodrigues,below, in Dudley, leads the firm’s practice, advising large, national commercial banks on their transactions.

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WEST MIDLANDS

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIMANT

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Irwin Mitchell

Lanyon Bowdler

Shoosmiths

Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs

FBC Manby Bowdler

Thompsons Solicitors

Wright Hassall

Shakespeare Martineau

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Waldrons Solicitors

Anthony Collins Solicitors fields a ‘small, friendly team with an excellent track record of achieving impressive results for clients’. It is led by Rankeshwar Batta, above, who has an ‘excellent knowledge of CPR and excellent tactical nous’. Batta has extensive experience of all types of clinical negligence cases, including maximum severity/catastrophic injuries, and professional negligence work. David Evison has niche expertise in abuse and human rights claims for both children and adults. In addition, Evison often receives instructions from the Official Solicitor. Ann Houghton handles a wide variety of cases including those of maximum severity. Victoria Fullilove regularly works on complex maximum severity cases frequently involving multi-million-pound settlements.

The ‘large and highly experienced’ team at Irwin Mitchell is ‘exceptionally organised and works very hard to achieve favourable results for their clients’. Practice head Luke Daniels handles the entire range of claims which arise from medical negligence issues, from inquest work to maximum severity birth injury claims. The team has a varied caseload. It frequently advises on birth injury and neonatal deaths, spinal and brain injuries, cancers and mental health. Lisa Jordan is highly regarded, along with Sara Burns. Emma Rush, right, has particular expertise in cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and amputation cases. Lindsay Tomlinson is another key member of the department. Laura Daly, Tom Fletcher, and Jenna Harris are all well-regarded.

1 2 3 4

The ‘efficient and pragmatic’ team at Lanyon Bowdler adopts a ‘truly personal approach’ when dealing with cases involving birth, brain and fatal claims. It also frequently handles highvalue cases relating to amputations and spinal injuries. Head of department, Beth Heath has considerable expertise in birth injury claims. Lucy Small handles many complex cases involving birth/brain injuries, as well as catastrophic and spinal injury claims. Small is also recommended for her work on amputation cases. Emma Broomfield has wide-ranging experience of handling a wide range of complicated cases, with a particular specialism in spinal injuries. Laura Weir was promoted to the partnership in January 2024. Natasha Gibbons is another significant member of the practice.

The ‘stellar team’ at Shoosmiths has ‘great communicators, who are highly knowledgeable’. Under the leadership of Phil Barnes, the first-rate team has an excellent reputation for its skill at handling high-value and complex claims such as birth, spinal and brain injury cases, as well as amputations. Kashmir Uppal has particular expertise in dealing with claims against ‘rogue surgeons’. Nicholas Tubb has considerable strength in spinal and  brain injuries, complicated birth injuries, as well as surgical errors. Natasha Read has a broad practice with substantial experience in a wide variety of neurological claims. Richard Bannister is another key contact who frequently works on cases involving fatal accidents, and other difficult issues such as delayed cancer diagnosis.

Ally Taft leads a ‘helpful, collaborative, and proactive’ department at Harrison Clark Rickerbys. Areas of expertise span birth and catastrophic injuries, spinal, stroke and brain injury cases, as well as GP negligence claims. The team is well-placed to also handle claims involving orthopaedics, gynaecological, and fatal accidents (including inquests).  Peter Savage ’s particular interests include brain and spinal injury cases, fatal accident cases, and cases involving catastrophic injuries to children. Worcester-based Elizabeth Wickson, and Amrit Dhaliwal who is at the Birmingham office, are both wellregarded.

Higgs has some ‘very strong practitioners and a large caseload’. Led by Clare Langford, it is well-regarded for its work on various high-value and complex claims involving serious birth injuries. It also continues to be busy advising on spinal cord injuries, delayed diagnosis, and fatal claims. Charlotte Measures is particularly known for her handling of cases involving children, and those concerning a delayed diagnosis of cancer leading to a terminal prognosis. Sarah Huntbach, above, also has considerable experience of dealing with a wide range of complex cases.

Tim Gray, above, heads the practice at FBC Manby Bowdler, which covers a broad range of clinical negligence claims. The group has  significant experience of working on fatal accident claims. Gray is particularly recommended for his work on cases involving severe brain injuries. Susan Todhunter is highly regarded for her work with child and adult claimants who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Michael Portman-Hann also continues to be busy working on numerous clinical negligence cases.

Linda Millband at Thompsons Solicitors is a key contact at the Birmingham office. Milband specialises in cases involving life-changing and traumatic injuries. She regularly acts for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries, limb amputations and brain injuries. In

addition, she acts for those who have had a misdiagnosis of cancer, or other serious ailments such as meningitis. She also acts for the families of those who have died as a result of clinical negligence.

Spearheaded by Jeanette Whyman, Wright Hassall, below, advises on all types of medical negligence claims. The practice has a particular interest in obstetric claims, late diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of cancer cases. It also advises on claims relating to orthopaedic and general surgery. In addition, Whyman represents clients at inquests. The team continues to be involved in some group action claims.

Spearheaded by James Anderson, the clinical negligence team at Shakespeare Martineau - which trades as Lime Solicitors - deals with a broad range of cases relating to birth injuries, wrongful births, and brain injuries. Anderson frequently works on claims involving delays in diagnosis of cancer, GP negligence, and orthopaedic injuries. He also covers cases relating to surgical errors, GP negligence, and obstetric mismanagement.

Mike Sutton heads the personal injury and clinical negligence practices at Sydney Mitchell. The group covers an array of clinical negligence cases. Increasingly, it is instructed in cases involving a delay in the diagnosis of cancer.

Annmarie Wilde leads the agile team at The Wilkes Partnership, which covers a wide range of clinical and medical negligence claims. It has a particular focus on cancer misdiagnosis claims, as well as cosmetic surgery claims. Kate Campbell- Gunn is another notable member of the department.

Waldrons Solicitors has a diverse practice, which advises on all areas of clinical negligence law. Under the direction of Joseph Norton, below, it frequently advises on cases such as birthing and brain injuries, as well as delayed diagnosis and surgical error issues. In addition, it routinely covers Infant Approval cases, and Fatal Accident Act claims.

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE

DEFENDENT

Bevan Brittan LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP

Weightmans LLP

Capsticks LLP

Kennedys

Bevan Brittan fields a  ‘strong team’, which is ‘always well prepared for its cases’. Practice head Tim Hodgetts is a known name for his work on behalf of NHS Resolution and NHS Trusts in the defence of clinical negligence cases. Hodgetts often acts for leading insurers advising on a broad array of medical malpractice issues. Lauren Halliday is another key figure who has a wide-ranging caseload of high-value claims involving brain, spinal and surgical injuries. Elena Goodfellow, above,  is also highly regarded for her handling of numerous complex cases, and for her advice to the firm’s medical malpractice insurer clients. Adrian Dagnall retired in May 2023.

Browne Jacobson has a large and wellestablished national clinical negligence defendant practice, as well as a firstrate social care offering. The practice receives plaudits for its ‘good partner overview of complex claims'. It has many excellent practitioners, including Jonathan Fuggle, below, who has particular expertise in spinal surgery claims. Sarah Manning is adept at defending substantial clinical negligence claims, and Sian Brown  leads its specialist maternity division. Sarah White garners praise for her work on obstetric claims. Legal director Emma Rees, Hannah Wallace and Louise Jeffer, (who are both senior associates), all play a pivotal role in the practice too.

Weightmans provides an ‘excellent all round service for their Trust clients. Heavyweight matters are dealt with efficiently and reliably.’ The team excels in defending all manner of claims for various NHS trusts from catastrophic injury, misdiagnosis, birth injury and surgical errors, to fatal accidents. It also has substantial expertise in group claims. Deborah Bannister , Sarah Hopwood and Tony Yeaman, below, are highly recommended. Jasmine Armstrong continues to be busy advising various healthcare organisations, and has conducted numerous defendant clinical negligence claims for NHS Resolution. Maryam Storr is adept at handling a broad range of claims, including those of the utmost severity. Christian Lowden is another name to note.

The ‘always helpful’ team at Capsticks has a significant medical malpractice team, and has one of the largest healthcare inquest teams in the country. It is also part of a strong national offering. Out of Birmingham, Charlotte Rathbone works on several complex clinical negligence claims on behalf of NHS Trusts and GPs, on instruction from NHS Resolution. Lucy Erskine specialises in complicated neurological injuries, with particular experience in obstetric and wrongful birth claims. London-based Peter Marquand  is also recommended- he is the national head of department.

At Kennedys the ‘very strategic’ Christopher Malla leads a ‘strong team of specialist lawyers which continues to deliver a very high quality service’. The group does a considerable amount of work for NHS Resolution, and also has a dedicated private healthcare offering. It is adept at managing a wide range of claims, including those cases of maximum severity. Avinder Sidhu is particularly skilled at handling cases where there are birth injuries, and neurosurgical complications. Katie Tonks is a key contact for claims involving consultants, physiotherapists, dentists, private hospitals, and remote radiology providers.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

DLA Piper

Eversheds Sutherland

Fieldfisher

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

DWF

Freeths

Gateley Legal

Mills & Reeve

Shoosmiths

Trowers & Hamlins

Bevan Brittan

Shakespeare Martineau

Squire Patton Boggs

Sydney Mitchell

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Clarke Willmott

Irwin Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Weightmans

The ‘commercially astute, intellectually rigorous’ team at DLA Piper supports multinational clients active in a wide range of sectors, including the renewable energy, insurance, government, and real estate spaces, handling the full spectrum of commercial disputes as well as complex fraud matters and sanctions work. Practice head Phillip Kelly has a specific focus on high-value disputes within the technology, government contracting, and outsourcing sectors, and Neil Bowker, who is the national head of the litigation and regulatory team, utilises his ‘rare strategic insight’ to support international clients. Laura Moorcroft represents multinational corporations within the hospitality and leisure, real estate, media, sports, and entertainment sectors, and Siona Spillett handles a wide range of disputes, including complex contractual arrangements and brand protection matters. Former practice head Nick Bamford departed to Pinsent Masons in October 2023.

The team at Eversheds Sutherland (International), headed up by Birmingham-based Adam Fisher and Rich Lloyd, and Nottingham-based Louise Howarth, represents UK and foreign clients which are active in the automotive, aerospace, industrial engineering, energy, technology and outsourcing industries in various commercial disputes. The team has particular strengths in civil fraud matters and corporate disputes. Ridah Iqbal has particular expertise in the technology and outsourcing space, where she has advised on software licensing discrepancies, identity theft, and hacking matters.

With ‘impressive legal skills and great commercial nous’, Fieldfisher is well placed to handle high-value commercial claims for its notable roster of clients that are active within various industries, including the IT, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. The team is also growing its energy disputes practice, acting in international gas pricing disputes, price review disputes, and

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claims concerning energy transportation and storage. Practice head Richard Waugh specialises in commercial courtbased litigation, while Adam Sturt’s practice covers director and shareholder disputes, misappropriation of confidential information claims and restraint of trade issues. Jim Sharkey handles offshore litigation and claims in the banking sector, and Stephen May has notable expertise at the intersection of litigation and regulatory issues. Emma Birch has notable experience handling competition claims with a particular focus on ESG disputes, and Zaakira Allana is also recommended. Ann Benzimra departed the firm in February 2023.

The commercial litigation team at Gowling WLG, led by insurance specialist Samantha Holland, represents clients in a variety of claims, and is particularly strong in advising on emerging areas of law such as crypto assets, AI, and ESG. Patrick Arben concentrates on tech-related disputes, while Helen Davenport, above, specialises in cyber security, contentious data protection, and technology disputes. International litigation and arbitration specialist Tom Price routinely handles work from the CEE and CIS as well as the natural resources and energy sector. Andrew Smith handles a wide range of disputes including economic tort claims, misfeasance issues, contract terminations, and guarantees and indemnities.

WEST MIDLANDS

Pinsent Masons has experience acting for state entities, commercial organisations, regulatory bodies, and quasi-state entities before the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the ECJ. Department head Nick Bamford,above,  joined the team in November 2023 from DLA Piper, and has notable expertise in project and manufacturing disputes. Andrew Herring has significant experience in interim court applications, and Anthony Minnis routinely litigates contractual disputes with particular strength in the science, industry, and technology sectors.

DWF‘s ‘incredibly strong, client-focused team’ specialises in three main areas: technology disputes, namely software disputes and project delays or failures; trade disputes, with expertise in commercial agency claims within the aerospace and retail sectors; and fraud disputes. The team is led by Andrew Leach, who has notable expertise litigating shareholder claims, contractual disputes and corporate disputes, while Darren Kenny represents high-networth individuals, banks, and companies in a broad range of disputes including commercial fraud claims. Ben Griffin has significant experience acting for clients in a wide variety of industries including the energy and natural resources, IT and telecoms, financial services, aerospace, transport, healthcare, and food and hospitality sectors.

Freeths acts for domestic and foreign businesses in a wide range of matters including breach of contract claims, unlawful terminations and injunctive proceedings. The team is co-led by Richard Coates above, , who has a notable focus on the automotive sector, where he routinely acts for large UK car retailers, trade bodies and car dealer groups; and Louise Wilson, whose practice covers breach of warranty, fraudulent representation, negligence, product liability, and deceit claims. Michael Hoskins handles professional negligence claims against solicitors, insurance brokers, and Josh Middleton advises on group action claims, breach of warranty issues and professional negligence matters.

Gateley Legal‘s broad practice covers the pensions, charities, manufacturing, recruitment and sports spaces, where the team routinely works on high-value contractual matters as well as injunctive proceedings. The team is co-led by Steve Goodrham, who has extensive experience litigating breach of warranty claims, shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims; and Neil Warner, who has significant expertise acting in restrictive covenants and breach of confidentiality claims. Kate Canning routinely handles applications for urgent interim relief search orders, delivery up orders, and prohibitive injunctions, while Safeea Shafiq specialises in shareholder disputes and claims involving fraud.

Mills & Reeve acts for a diverse range of clients with a specific focus on the sports industry, routinely advising premier league football clubs and international sports agencies on various commercial matters. Practice head Simon Garbett, above, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs in May 2023, has notable experience advising on cross-border disputes, while Claire Crawford, who joined in July 2023 from Capsticks, acts in contentious procurement mandates. Phil Hutchinson specialises in sports disputes, in particular the football industry, and Preena Lal is also a key team member.

Shoosmiths acts for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients including FTSE 100 companies and clients within the financial services industry; the team has niche expertise in handling complex fraud and corporate disputes. The practice is headed up by Alex Bishop, who routinely supports clients within the retail, leisure, IT, and manufacturing industries on a wide range of commercial disputes and injunctive proceedings, such as freezing orders and search and seizure orders. Jonathan Smart is a notable team member for his ‘combination of intelligence, practical advice and charm’. In November 2023, Roger Potgieter and Mark Elder departed to TLT and Andrew Whalley joined from DWF. Hannah Field also joined the team from Goodwin in May 2023.

Trowers & Hamlins‘s practice covers a broad range of general commercial disputes, and has particular expertise in civil fraud and cyber related issues, acting for domestic and international clients. Group head Helen Briant has a particular focus on complex commercial disputes involving allegations of fraud, while Jamie De Souza advises start-ups, SMEs, PLCs, and individuals on a diverse range of commercial disputes. Elizabeth Mulley acts for businesses, charities, councils, housing associations and private individuals, and Emily Sharples handles contractual disputes, professional negligence claims and breach of

confidence matters as well as fraud and dishonesty claims.

Bevan Brittan‘s litigation, advisory and regulatory team is best known for its notable expertise in disputes arising out of the delivery of infrastructure and public services, including IP, IT and technology outsourcing disputes. Adam Kendall, who leads the practice, acts for a broad range of private and public clients, including public bodies within local and central government, health sector clients, and housing sector names. Emma Beynon has experience handling complex PFI and PPP cases across various industry sectors including waste management and building management issues, as well as resolving general commercial disputes for local authorities, healthcare bodies, and contractors.

The team at Shakespeare Martineau handles breach of contract claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, warranty claims, data protection and database misuse claims, and financial disputes. Barry Jervis, who heads up the team, has significant experience handling corporate disputes, such as warranty claims and shareholder disputes. James Woolstenhulme handles corporate and shareholder disputes as well as injunctions and procurement issues, while Andrew Adams supports both institutional and corporate clients. Ben Humphreys concentrates his practice on complex breach of contract claims and business protection claims.

The commercial litigation team at Squire Patton Boggs routinely acts for clients active in the retail, food and drink, manufacturing, and automotive industries, in contractual, product liability, recall, and delay claims. The team also has expertise in IT and tech disputes as well as defamation cases and pension disputes. Practice head Ellie Pinnells, who joined the team in May 2024, excels in competition follow on damages claims, and Ian Skinner has notable expertise in professional negligence claims, while Mariyam Harunah advises domestic and international companies on the full range of reputational matters. Simon Garbett departed to Mills & Reeve and, in September 2024, Victoria Callicott joined the practice from Eversheds Sutherland (International).

Sydney Mitchell has ‘excellent legal knowledge’ across commercial disputes including freezing injunctions, breach of contract claims and partnership disputes. The team is headed up by ‘outstanding negotiator’ Dean Parnell, above, whose practice covers shareholder disputes, warranty claims, injunctive relief, contractual disputes, and partnership disputes. Ian Sheppard‘s practice spans professional negligence claims, fraudulent misrepresentation claims, claims against insurers and general contractual disputes.

Anthony Collins Solicitors‘s team routinely works on a diverse range of issues, including commercial contract disputes, professional negligence claims, and defamation and reputation management issues. Practice head Ramjeet Kandola has extensive expertise across the health and social care, local government, and education sectors, where she routinely advises on disputes arising out of commercial contracts. Liam Fitzgerald is also a key name to note for commercial and property disputes. Niamh Millross and Richard Burton departed the firm in February and June 2023, respectively.

Clarke Willmott routinely handles general commercial litigation for banking and finance clients. Peter Brewer, above, focuses his practice on corporate litigation, namely shareholder disputes, complex contractual litigation, and professional negligence claims. Paul Griffiths has longstanding experience handling professional negligence claims, financial services disputes, and commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Richard Howell moved to Thursfields Solicitors in May 2023.

Irwin Mitchell has notable expertise handling commercial disputes within the pensions, sport, financial services, manufacturing, and consumer sectors. The team is co-led by Garon Anthony, Katie Byrne, and Thomas Barnard. Anthony, who joined from Knights plc in January 2024, has extensive experience handling cross-border claims, shareholder claims, and commercial contractual claims. Katherine East routinely acts on breach of contract, misrepresentation and franchise agreement disputes.

The Wilkes Partnership‘s main focus is on business-to-business disputes such as manufacturing claims, sale of goods matters, and construction disputes; The team also handles shareholder and director disputes. Practice head Simon Thomas has notable expertise in sale of goods, supply of services and businessto-business supply chain disputes; while Gavin Evans has a broad commercial litigation practice where he routinely advises on complex director and shareholder matters.

Weightmans has extensive experience in a wide range of commercial disputes including contractual disputes, conspiracy and fraud claims, injunction proceedings, and director and shareholder disputes. The team is headed up by Mark Surguy, who has expertise in insolvency, company, and commercial claims as well as complex civil fraud cases. Jon-Paul Casati, who joined from Irwin Mitchell in February 2023, routinely handles director and shareholder disputes, with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

George Green

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Thursfields Solicitors

Wright Hassall

Band Hatton Button

FBC Manby Bowdler

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

Higgs

MFG Solicitors

Talbots Law

Aaron & Partners

Ansons

Enoch Evans

Lanyon Bowdler

Lodders Solicitors

George Green possesses ‘a standout team of talented lawyers’ experienced in advising national and international clients on a wide range of commercial disputes at all levels of the judicial system, from injunctive hearings to Supreme Court appeals.

The ‘exceptional’ Morgan Rees is the firm’s head of practice and focuses on corporate disputes with experience in high-value disputes before the High Court and Court of Appeal. Liam Owen supplements the practice with his expertise in contentious probate. George Gwyn is noted for his focus on shareholder, insurance and construction disputes.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ disputes knowledge is diverse, with experience in unfair prejudice, contractual and shareholder disputes. The firm is familiar with assisting clients in the agricultural, insurance and social care sectors. Its lawyers are additionally experienced in international arbitration proceedings. Elizabeth Beatty, above, heading the practice from Worcester, regularly advises on matters ranging from professional negligence to warranty claims, shareholder disputes and interim injunctions. Clare Murphy, in addition to her contractual and shareholder dispute experience, adds her specialist knowledge in public procurement challenges to the firm’s repertoire. Tom Williams is also noted, focusing on disputes over the supply of goods and service as well as the enforcement of restrictive covenants.

Thursfields Solicitors has great experience in the fields of shareholder, partnership and insolvency disputes.

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It acts for clients at all levels of the judicial system and is seasoned in handling cross-border matters. The firm leverages its full-service offering to draw on the expertise of its lawyers in the corporate, employment and property teams as and when needed. Philip Chapman spearheads the practice out of Birmingham. Simon Hocking is a noted member of the team supporting clients in IT, professional negligence, fiduciary duty and breach of warranty claims. Stephen Rome left the practice in December 2023.

Operating out of Leamington Spa, Wright Hassall’s ‘knowledgeable and strategic’ team assists clients on contractual and corporate matters, including breach of warranty, shareholder, tax and IP disputes. The firm is also familiar with sports law and defamation claims. Its sectors-specific experience includes manufacturing, technology, food and beverage, IT and property. Nathan Talbott provides ‘sensible advice’ on tax and commercial disputes. Parminder Takhar is key member of the team, focusing on contentious contract and corporate matters, including restrictive covenant enforcement and procurement challenges. In August 2023, James Lowe departed the practice.

Band Hatton Button offers clients a wide range of expertise, with experience in contractual, insolvency, inheritance, trust, property and IP disputes. The firm is especially wellversed in misrepresentation claims and fraud investigation assistance. The ‘shrewd and commercially-minded’ team lead, John French, specialises in

contract, property, family and probate disputes. Within the team, Raman Dhillon, pictured, is a noted litigation lawyer with a broad practice and ‘very good judgement’. The team operate out of Coventry.

With lawyers in Wolverhampton, Redditch and Shrewsbury, FBC Manby Bowdler is well-positioned to assist clients across the West Midlands. The firm is particularly adept at handling disputes in the insolvency, commercial and real estate sectors. Charlotte Clode, above, in addition to leading the practice, advises clients on claims concerning IP and defamation. Guy Birkett is a key member of the practice with experience handling financial matters. Elisabeth Glover is also central to the team. Andrew Oranjuik joined the firm from Martin-Kaye Solicitors in January 2024.

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited boasts a strong expertise in contractual disputes, including NDA breaches. The team frequently collaborates with specialists in tax, employment and trust law to provide clients a well-rounded service. In Dudley, Harminder Sandhu, below, steers the practice, offering clients experience in a wide range of practice areas, including fraud, shareholder disputes and contractual claims.

From commercial and contractual claims to property and shareholder disputes, Talbots Law is specialised in a wide range of contentious matters. The firm acts for clients across the levels of the judicial system, with experience before the Court of Appeal. Jagdip Bains is based in Stourbridge and heads the team alongside her work in commercial and shareholder dispute litigation. In Wolverhampton, Adam Pike supports clients through shareholder disputes whilst Nasar Sarwar, who was promoted to senior associate in January 2024, assists clients with contractual disputes across a wide range of industries.

In its Shrewsbury office, Aaron & Partners covers a broad array of disputes relating to shareholders, corporate transactions, contracts, property and professional negligence. Though its clientele includes companies from a broad range of industries, the firm is particularly well-versed in matters concerning the transport and warehousing sectors. Nick Clarke, who has a focus on shareholder disputes and professional negligence, oversees the practice.

Ansons advises clients from a wide range of sectors, notably including logistics, transport and healthcare provider companies. The firm is well-versed in all aspects of property disputes and contentious probate. Jason Alcock spearheads the practice alongside Martin de Ridder, below, who advises clients in the food, logistics, property and retail industries on commercial, shareholder and insolvency disputes.

Enoch Evans has lawyers based across Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Cannock with experience in injunctive applications, shareholder disputes, professional negligence and property litigation. At the practice’s helm, Stephen Nixon has particular expertise in relation to High Court injunctions. Lauren Smith is a noted team member with a focus on property litigation.

Lanyon Bowdler is highly experienced in handling disputes in the agricultural industry, as well as in manufacturing and construction. In addition, the firm is well-placed to assist in contentious probate matters, having its own dedicated team within the practice. Andrew Pegg leads the practice, advising on shareholder and partnership disputes. Claire Yardley is a noted practice member assisting in negligence, contract, TOLATA and construction claims.

The ‘effective and efficient’ team at Lodders Solicitors can handle all aspects of commercial disputes, from IP and professional negligence to employment and debt claims. ‘Fully across all civil litigation’, Andrew Wylde spearheads the practice and advises a wide range of clients, including charities and SMEs, on commercial litigation and insolvency recovery matters. Lauren Smith is noted for her work on breach of contract, sale of goods and debt disputes. Michael Wakeling retired from practice in December 2023.

WEST MIDLANDS

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Eversheds Sutherland

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

DLA Piper

Gateley Legal

DWF

Fieldfisher

Shoosmiths

Trowers & Hamlins

Bevan Brittan

Browne Jacobson

Freeths

Irwin Mitchell

Roythornes Solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau

Squire Patton Boggs

Clarke Willmott

The Wilkes Partnership

Eversheds Sutherland (International) advises construction companies, banks, government bodies and developers on all aspects of their real estate activities, including tax, planning, environmental, leasing and construction. Within the practice, the firm maintains a dedicated data center specialist team experienced in national and international matters.

Matthew Storer leads the practice, with expertise in major regeneration scheme advice for construction companies and government bodies. Iftkhar Ahmed, above, is well-versed in large office-space acquisition assistance. Gurjit Atwal specialises in commercial development and investment. Dawn Hilton and Philip Medford are other key names in the real estate team.

‘An exemplar of high quality legal advice’, Gowling WLG assists clients in the energy, investment and residential sectors. It is well-positioned to assist clients with national and global matters, having offices across the globe. Christopher Hunt spearheads the practice and is well-versed in office acquisitions and disposals as well as retail expansion programmes. John Burns is a key name at the practice. Focusing on residential development support, Richard Bate advises regional and national housebuilders. Helen Emmerson strengthens the energy and utility real estate offering at the firm. Matthew Walker advises developers, investors and

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occupiers. Arminder Dhillon supports the energy and infrastructure project work.

Applying 'great commercial acumen' the team at Pinsent Masons guides clients through acquisitions, disposals, planning, restructuring, asset management and development. The team also maintains a specialist energy and infrastructure practice. Lisa Middleton heads the practice, advising investors and developers on a wide range of development projects. Tom Johnson is highly experienced in the residential and mixed-use space. Another key name is Kultar Khangura, who specialises in regeneration projects. Tom Eastwood bolsters the healthcare real estate offering. Other notable team members are Carl Scott and Rebecca Rowley.

DLA Piper advises clients on a wide array of matters, including development, infrastructure, letting and portfolio management support. It has industry specific experience in the office, leisure, retail and manufacturing spaces. Monique Sutherland, below, an expert in energy, housing and mixed-use projects, oversees the practice. Katie Jacobson supports clients with portfolio purchases, investments and management. Rachel Williams is notable within the team for her work on infrastructure, regeneration and development projects.

Gateley Legal has broad expertise in real estate matters, advising on development, finance, investment, portfolio management and litigation mandates. The firm has sector expertise in industrial and logistics matters. Rebecca Sherwin, who regularly advises banks and funders in their investments and developments, leads the practice alongside Callum Nuttall, who is expert in urban extensions and regeneration schemes. Richard Pettifor is noted for his development and funding expertise. Chris Adams aids clients in industrial and retail development projects.

DWF advises private and public sectors clients across the country on their complex real estate transactions. The team, ‘a legal powerhouse’, is overseen by three lawyers: Melanie Williams, who is experienced in the environment and hospitality sector; acquisition, disposal and development specialist Charlotte Ward and Toby Askin, who advises on investment and strategic asset management.

Fieldfisher maintains a dedicated real estate insolvency practice, able to assist in contentious situations when necessary. The firm is also competent in acquisition, development and asset management advice. Susan Simpson leads the team and advises on development projects as well as real estate insolvency. Mark Lee left the practice in July 2023. Able to ‘seamlessly’ work as part of the team, Shoosmiths supports clients on all their real estate needs, including commercial development, corporate occupiers, finance and investment. Jason Jackson, the practice head, has a ‘stand out reputation’ and is experienced in development, investment and

finance advice. Tim Flight, above, is knowledgeable in the care home, student housing and healthcare sectors. It was announced in January 2024 that Chris Morris had joined the practice from Gowling WLG .

Trowers &Hamlins real estate assistance spans regeneration and transactions support to landlord and tenant advice. The firm is also pushing into the energy sector. Directing the team, Fiona Thomson is well-versed in industrial and logistics development and occupier matters. Chris Plumley focuses his work on regeneration projects for public sector clients. Digby Morgan is another noted lawyer in the practice.

The quickly growing practice at Bevan Brittan advises on local authorities, housing and health matters. The firm is also expanding its private sector work. At the head of the practice, Rebecca Pendlebury advises clients on regeneration and development schemes. Mark Robertson is another key name, specialising in property litigation work.

Browne Jacobson, with a focus on development, housing and regeneration, covers the gamut of real estate matters. In addition, it is well-versed in financing, regeneration, education, health and corporate occupier assistance. The team is expert in EV-charging hubs and town centre regeneration projects. Dominic Swift, below,  spearheads the practice, advising on regulatory matters, projects and acquisitions.

Freeths is experienced in town centre regeneration work for clients all across the country. The firm is also well-versed in retail-related matters, from development to management. Mitchell Ball is the head of the practice, specialising in transactional and planning matters. Mohammed Alam joined from Hogan Lovells International in May 2023, and Emily Danson arrived from Roythornes Solicitors in September 2023.

Shakespeare Martineau maintains a ‘wide discipline of experience’. It is wellversed in regeneration, urban extension and mixed-use development projects. Neil Gosling, a specialist in development matters, leads the practice alongside Joanna Deffley, who is experienced in strategic land developments and land pool trust arrangements. Lucy Haynes was promoted to partner in May 2023. James Gooch and Andrew Mellor left the practice in July 2023.

Squire Patton Boggs has experience advising across a range of industries, from retail and leisure to logistics and energy. With a ‘commercial’ approach, Nick Green heads the team, specialising in corporate real estate matters. Neil Taylor further supports the team, advising housebuilders, developers, retail operators and corporate occupiers.

Clarke Willmott supports public and private sector clients. Its work includes commercial investments, refinances, acquisitions and portfolio management. Its clients include major banks, public authorities, property managers and consultants. The ‘technically able’ Iain Harrison leads the practice. Andrew Stokes enhances the team, specialising in real estate financings.

With two new lawyers joining in September 2023, The Wilkes Partnership continues to grow its West Midlands real estate practice. The firm specialises in portfolio management and corporate transactions advice. The practice is led by Tim Coplestone, a specialist in real estate development, and Mark Hodgson, who is experienced in the leisure, retail and banking sectors.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Lodders Solicitors

Ansons Higgs

MFG Solicitors

Wright Hassall

Band Hatton Button

Lanyon Bowdler

Aaron & Partners

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

JG Poole & Co.

Pickerings Solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau

Thursfields Solicitors

Lodders Solicitors fields a ‘very knowledgeable and proactive’ team that assists commercial developers and land promoters on their property mandates. Within the practice are specialists in strategic land development, renewables, construction and environmental law. The practice is led by two lawyers out of Stratford Upon Avon: Mark Miller, above, who is experienced in property development transactions and James Mottram, who assists in residential development transactions. Victoria Longmore is noted within the team for her work in planning and infrastructure matters. Lauren Pearson is also of note. In April 2023, Caroline Nemecek left the practice.

Ansons covers a wide variety of mandates, including transactions, development, asset management and secured lending. The firm is well-versed in matters concerning the manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and technology

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sectors. In Lichfield, Richard Saum, a transaction specialist, and Neil Faunch, who is experienced in infrastructural and agricultural matters, lead the practice.

Dudley-based Alex Jayne-Lowe, who joined from George Green in May 2023, is experienced in acquisitions and disposals of property as well as tenancy issues. Jon Rowley is another key name, advising developers and landowners on their transactions out of Cannock.

Operating out of Leamington Spa, Wright Hassall advises in many different industry sectors, including logistics, retail and science parks. The firm regularly advises landowners, developers and registered providers on their real estate activities. Andrew Jones, with his experience in property investment and development, helms the practice alongside Kylie Cooper, who is well-versed in charity-related property matters. David Slade adds knowledge in leasing transactions and secured lending to the firm’s repertoire. Claire Waring is also noted for her development expertise. In April 2023, Emma Adams left the practice.

Band Hatton Button covers work in the hospitality, retail and residential sectors for sole traders, partnerships, charities and public companies. Its work ranges from commercial sales to development to tenancy work. Daniel Blood, left, directs the practice out of Coventry, assisting clients in transactions, developments and acquisitions. Dina Parmar supplements the firm’s property finance, acquisitions and disposals strength.

The team at Lanyon Bowdler advises on matters in the retail, industrial, warehousing, renewables and telecoms sectors. The firm is also experienced in brown site reclamation projects. Praveen Chaudhari, who is based in Telford, spearheads the practice and assists clients with property transactions in the commercial and agricultural sectors. Tania McGee is a noted team member in Oswestry, acting for landlords and tenants of retail, industrial and hospitality sites.

Producing ‘commercially sensible solutions’, Aaron & Partners advises clients on property portfolio management, development and project matters. The firm is particularly experienced in the industrial and mining

sectors. The practice is led by Emma McGlinchey in Chester, who supports clients in the retail and food industries. Helping to grow the Shrewsbury practice, Trish Randles specialises in tenancy transactions and management.

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited maintains a dedicated real estate team that continues to grow its clientele, with companies approaching it from across the West Midlands. The firm advises on acquisitions, lease management and adverse possession. Colin Rodrigues, above, a Dudley-based lawyer, is the practice head and advises clients in the care, manufacturing, automotive, waste and education sectors.

JG Poole & Co., based in Leamington Spa, aids clients in development and investment matters, for major, national property investors. Spearheading the practice, James Polo-Richards advises on acquisition and disposal matters for clients across industries. Gemma Rogers is a key name in the team, specialising in investment and tenancy management matters.

Offering an ‘exceptional’ level of service, Pickerings Solicitors advises on conveyancing, development and transactional matters. The firm is particularly specialised in the agricultural sector. Kate Pearce oversees the practice from Tamworth and is well-versed in advising landowners and developers in development transactions. The ‘efficient and thorough’ Pooja Cheema advises on sales and purchases, finance, agricultural transactions and tenancy matters. Sue Albini retired from practice in July 2023.

Thursfields Solicitors advises clients in a wide range of sectors, including the retail, leisure, pensions and healthcare sectors, on all their property-related matters. The firm is also well-versed in development matters, advising the developers, landowners and financers on such matters. Tony Gibb, below, in Worcester, leads the practice, and advises on leisure, strategic land and agricultural matters. Robert Pettigrew is a noted member of the practice in Solihull, advising retailers, restauranteurs, leisure companies and galleries.

WEST MIDLANDS

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Gowling WLG

Mills & Reeve

Squire Patton Boggs

Browne Jacobson

Eversheds Sutherland

Pinsent Masons

Shoosmiths

Trowers & Hamlins

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Bevan Brittan

DLA Piper

Freeths

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Shakespeare Martineau

Wright Hassall

Clarke Willmott

Higgs

Lodders Solicitors

Demonstrating varied sector expertise, ranging from commercial development to residential and leisure, the Gowling WLG team deploys a ‘practical approach’ whilst acting on behalf of multinational developers and institutional clients. The practice has a strong contentious offering, notably handling claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower tragedy concerning cladding, fire safety and building regulation compliance, alongside advising on inner-city regeneration schemes, and negotiating construction contracts. Based out of Birmingham, Michael O’Shea and Richard Green co-head the department, specialising in complex adjudication disputes and procurement strategy matters. Daniel Wood focuses on renewable generation initiatives, whilst Sarah Dyer is knowledgeable on building defect cases.

Representing clients from across the energy, healthcare, and infrastructure spaces, the Mills & Reeve team is ‘a cut above many’, routinely drafting construction contracts and advising on redevelopment projects. The practice’s contentious offering is broad, covering cases relating to fire safety defects, unlawful contract terminations and disputes arising between clients and contractors. The duo of Stuart Pemble and Martino Giaquinto co-head the division from Birmingham, with the former specialising in project management and transactional construction issues, whilst the ‘very impressive’ latter being an expert in energy-based cases. Caroline Foster focuses on development finance agreements, and both Jastinder Samra and Iain Murdoch are also highlighted as key.

Leveraging its ‘wealth of experience and knowledge’, the Squire Patton Boggs team has extensive expertise in the energy construction sphere, regularly advising on multifuel power generation facilities and wind farm projects. The practice has comprehensive crosssector knowledge in the infrastructure, commercial real estate and automotive industries, with the trio of Graeme Bradley, Robert Norris, and Ray O’Connor heading up the Birminghambased outfit. The ‘proactive’ Norris focuses on engineering and construction matters, whilst Bradley and O’Connor are specialists in complex despite proceedings.

1 2 4 3

Both Matt Bromilow and Gerald Buckley are also highlighted as key.

Displaying extensive cross sector experience in the nuclear and renewable energy spheres, the ‘good quality’ practice at Browne Jacobson consistently handles construction disputes and negotiates modular construction contracts. The team has expertise in providing the full range of legal services associated with constructing engineering facilities and medical centres, whilst Zoe Stollard, below, leads the West Midlands offering, specialising in the building of renewable energy premises. Scott Mounfield acts on behalf of education and local authority entities, and Emma Wake is noted for her dispute resolution work.

Headed by the ‘highly knowledgeable and experienced’ Nigel Blundell, Pinsent Masons routinely acts on residential regeneration schemes, infrastructure projects, and major refurbishments. The expertise extends to drafting and negotiating pre-construction services agreements and building contracts, and the practice demonstrates niche insight into the education, rail, and real estate industries. Blundell specialises in representing central and local governments in complex building schemes. Jonathan Vickers is knowledgeable on large scale city regeneration issues, whilst Sam Pitt is also noted as key. The whole team operates out of Birmingham.

Counting real estate investment firms, multinational housebuilders and property investors amongst its key clients, Shoosmiths deploys a ‘very personal approach’ when advising on regeneration projects and energy developments. The Birmingham-based team’s expertise spans across the automotive, infrastructure and coastal defence sectors, with the ‘superb’ co-head Patrick Garner being regarded as a non-contentious development specialist, whilst the other co-lead, Andrew Outram specialises in the strategic aspects of major construction initiatives. Michael Bennett acts for employers and contractors, and Natalie Maye is also highlighted as key. Displaying vast expertise in advising on construction contracts for decarbonisation projects, cladding remediation schemes and regeneration initiatives, the Birmingham-based Trowers & Hamlins team is characterised by ‘impressive response times’ and ‘attention to detail’. Paul Scott heads the contentious offering, specialising in high profile disputes arising from infrastructure projects, whilst Victoria Bell is an expert in acting for private developers, RPs and local authority clients, having re-joined the practice from DLA Piper in February 2023. Adam Thompson is also highlighted as a key contact.

Demonstrating knowledge in complex construction disputes relating to public procurement of works contracts, fire safety defects and defective cladding claims, the Anthony Collins Solicitors practice routinely represents local councils and multinational housing trusts. Based out of Birmingham, the team is led by Paul Slinger and Richard Brooks, with the former being a dedicated construction claims lawyer, and the latter advising clients in the housing and social enterprise sectors. Andrew Lancaster focuses on procurement cases in the Technology and Construction Court.

The Birmingham-based Bevan Brittan practice has in-depth experience in handling major infrastructure initiatives and PFI projects in the health, education and waste sectors, alongside assisting both employers and contractors with adjudications. Louise Robling heads the contentious construction team, specialising in negotiations leading to improvements in PFI contract performance and financial compensation, whilst the head of construction, Andrew Tobin, consistently acts for clients in the health and education industries.

Charles Harrison is knowledgeable on development funding agreements, and Emma Beynon focuses on PPP disputes. Boasting a diverse client-base including FTSE 100 companies and blue chip corporates, the DLA Piper practice has extensive expertise in assisting with the largest UK regeneration projects and mixed-use residential schemes. In Birmingham, Stephen Malley heads the construction offering, advising clients in relation to procurement and development work, with a particular focus on the hotel, leisure and life sciences sectors. Jaskiran Bansal is also noted as a key contact.

Handling the full lifecycle of major construction and engineering projects, ranging from contract drafting to dispute avoidance and resolution, the Freeths practice has in-depth expertise in the clean energy tech and renewables spaces. Operating out of Birmingham, Perveen Akhter heads the team, routinely assisting clients on complex building contracts and infrastructure initiatives, whilst the ‘very knowledgeable’ Alex Johnson is an expert

in all forms of dispute resolution. Alison Heathcote acts for local authorities and developers, and Stephen Evans is also highlighted.

Led by the Cambridge-based head Colin Jones, the Harrison Clark Rickerbys practice specialises in complex contentious construction claims, spanning from defective underpinning to applicable contract terms. Jones is knowledgeable on public procurement matters, Worcesterbased Andrew James focuses on complex adjudication cases and mediations, and since joining from Wright Hassall in April 2023, Sandra Piaskowska advises on engineering disputes from Birmingham. Paul Johnston left the firm in November 2023.

Acting on behalf of multinational housing associations, universities and building contractors, the Shakespeare Martineau practice regularly advises on construction documents and residential developments. The Birmingham-based team is led by Ruth Phillips, above, who specialises in drafting and negotiating all forms of building contracts and collateral warranties, whilst Alex Smith assists funders and developers. Laura Taylor is knowledgeable on complex disputes, and Adam Watson has experience in construction litigation.

Wright Hassall has extensive expertise in handling JCT Design and Build contracts, NEC3s and development projects. Michael Hiscock heads the outfit, being an expert in complex engineering contracts, and Philip Harris is a practising adjudicator and arbitrator. Since joining the team from IBB Law in March 2023, the ‘very attentive and personal’ Steven Hayward specialises in technically complex adjudications and Technology and Construction Court litigation proceedings. The whole team is based out of Leamington Spa.

Providing a ‘consistently high level of service’, the Clarke Willmott team demonstrates significant expertise across the banking, real estate finance and dispute resolution fields. The practice has experience of acting on behalf of major banks and building societies, with the Birmingham-based head Andrew Stokes being an expert in all aspects of real estate financing matters.

Primarily acting for privately owned developers, Lodders Solicitors provides expert advice on the procurement and construction of commercial distribution centres, business parks and residential schemes. Described as an ‘excellent construction lawyer’, Heidi Brennan heads the practice from Birmingham, specialising in property developments, alongside drafting and negotiating building contracts. Kate Woodhall focuses on novation agreements and collateral warranties.

WEST MIDLANDS

CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS & PROBATES

MFG Solicitors

Wright Hassall

FBC Manby Bowdler

Higgs

Irwin Mitchell

Meridian Private Client

Mills & Reeve

Freeths

George Green

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Lanyon Bowdler

Roythornes Solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Gateley Legal

Rothley Law Limited

Trowers & Hamlins 1 2 3 4

Wright Hassall fields ‘an epic team which is involved in the major cases at the heart of the industry. They are so knowledgeable and have a real depth of experience’. With the ‘wonderful tactician‘ Martin Oliver, below, at the helm, the practice covers all types of contentious trusts and probate work. It has four full ACTAPS members and two associate members. Oliver has acted in many high-profile inheritance disputes. Katie Alsop specialises in contentious probate matters, disputes relating to farms, and proprietary estoppel. Senior associate Danielle Pawson and legal director Anna Sutcliffe are also recommended.

Charlotte Clode leads a team at FBC Manby Bowdler which is ‘capable of dealing with the most complex of disputes’.  It has a 'very strong presence in the region', and advises on a broad spread of contentious probate and trust matters. It is well-placed to handle high-value and multi-jurisdictional instructions. The group also has experience of Court of Appeal proceedings. Kimberly Mears is recommended for her work on many probate claims and on breach of trust cases. Angie Manley has substantial experience of complex multi-party probate claims.

The team at Higgs is ’really capable and well organised‘. It is ‘definitely capable of dealing with the most complex of disputes and high-value estates work’.

his ‘exceptional drafting skills’. A core area of focus is dealing with disputes about the validity of wills, as well as other actions involving trustees and executors. The group continues to be busy acting for a number of charities on contested legacy matters. Senior associate and ‘excellent all-rounder’ Kim Ryan is also recommended.

Freeths has a ‘well-regarded contentious trusts and probate team both in the East and West Midlands’. Spearheaded by the ‘thoroughly excellent’ Mark Keeley, the group acts in a variety of high-value and complex disputes, and is well-placed to handle cases with an international element. Managing associate Max Orbach is another key member of the practice. The group often advises on substantial claims under the Inheritance Act, as well as many other matters such as contested Court of Protection cases and removal applications.

across the firm’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham and Solihull offices, and frequently deals with complex estoppel matters, Inheritance Act claims and cases involving cross-border issues.

At Sydney Mitchell, Mitra Mann, below, (who was promoted to the partnership in April 2024) and Dean Parnell co-head the department. Mann joined the firm from Wright Hassall in June 2023.  She has a wealth of experience in dealing with a variety of contentious probate matters, in addition to Court of Protection disputes. Mann regularly advises attorneys, deputies and families on how best to protect vulnerable individuals. Private client head Tracy Creed assists with challenges to the validity of wills and claims against trusts.

Craig Ridge is an ‘excellent leader’ of the department, which focuses on high-value and complex estates, in addition to familial trusts. The team also advises on more modest estates. It frequently acts for executors, trustees, beneficiaries and disappointed beneficiaries on a variety of estate/ trust claims. Senior associate Georgia Stott’s client base includes individuals and professional executors. Fellow senior associate Joseph Martin is also well-regarded.

Kamal Majevadia, who is a full member of ACTAPS, leads the Birmingham offering at Irwin Mitchell. The ‘strong team‘ carries out a wide range of high-value and complex litigation for individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals and banks. Other key clients include executors, trustees, charities and beneficiaries. It deftly handles a variety of contentious issues, which often include multi-jurisdictional disputes, as well as farming and family business cases. Senior associate Michelle Chapman deals with a range of contentious wills, trust and estate disputes.

The ‘commercially savvy, clever and robust’ team at Meridian Private Client ‘always works with the client’s best interest at the forefront’. ‘Savvy litigator’ Mark Abrol is the practice head. He has a particular interest in disputes with a property-related element, and regularly acts in professional negligence claims. Mark Terrar frequently advises on matters involving complex trusts and tax structures, as well as cases with an overseas element. Senior associate Emma-Louise Green continues to be involved in the complete range of contentious probate work. All three are full members of ACTAPS.

At Mills & Reeve, Lucy Howard ‘leads the team brilliantly’. It is ‘fantastic from top to bottom’. Howard specialises in estate, trusts and will disputes, and acts for a wide range of clients including high-net-worth individuals, business owners, trust companies and professional trustees. Senior associate Kieran Leahy is lauded for

George Green has an agile team, which has considerable experience of dealing with a wide range of disputes. It frequently acts on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, as well as actions to remove or substitute executors or trustees. The group is also adept at handling professional negligence claims arising out of the drafting of wills or the construction of trusts. Practice head Liam Owen is recommended. Associate Susan Ford also plays a pivotal role in the practice.

At Lanyon Bowdler, the contentious probate department is best known for its work on claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. It also handles an array of other probate disputes, and advises on issues relating to the removal of executors and administrators. Associate solicitor Claire Vale is the key contact.

At Roythornes Solicitors, practice head Gavin Faber ‘is an excellent recent addition to the team’, referred to as ‘an extremely talented and robust partner with vast experience’. Faber joined the team from Gateley Legal in May 2023. He acts for professional trustees, deputies and executors, trust corporations, charities and individuals. In addition, he is experienced in dealing with complex trust disputes, and with professional negligence claims.

The busy team at Shakespeare Martineau advises on various contentious trusts and probate matters, as well as charity-related work. National head of team Andrew Wilkinson, above, is well-regarded. Legal director Alistair Spencer works

The busy team at The Wilkes Partnership continues to advise private individuals on an extensive range of disputes. These cases range from probate and Inheritance Act claims through to rectification cases. Practice head Kevin Lynch regularly advises executors, administrators and beneficiaries on a whole host of complex issues. Associate Jack Ackrill covers a wide range of disputes, and has recently dealt with several difficult disputes between executors.

The team at Gateley Legal carries out work nationally for individual clients, banks, executors, trustees and beneficiaries. It is adept at handling large disputes and trust litigation in the UK and elsewhere. Andrew McManus is now at Knights plc. Associate Annam Nasir specialises in all types of contentious probate matters, but has a particular interest in Inheritance Act claims.

Principal associate Laura Abbott leads the team at Rothley Law Limited, which covers a range of private wealth, trust and estate disputes. Abbott also regularly advises on professional negligence claims relating to will preparation and estate administration, as well as on other issues such as the validity of wills.

At Trowers & Hamlins, Helen Briant advises on a variety of high-value and complex private wealth disputes. The team has a particular focus on advising on cases involving family companies and business arrangements, and is also skilled at handling disputes with an international dimension.

RECORD YEAR FOR 3PB BIRMINGHAM

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) has had another recordbreaking year in Legal 500 on the Midlands circuit. 3PB’s family law group once again tops the rankings in the family categories: divorce/ financial remedy, and children/ domestic violence. 3PB barristers from their education, employment, costs, clinical negligence, court of protection and social housing teams are also rated, reflecting the wide spread of barristers available to Midlands-based clients.

Established Midlands set ranked in Legal 500 across 23 areas of law

“3PB is excellent, with its variety and breadth of counsel to meet clients’ needs.”

"3PB Barristers offers a variety of excellent barristers in numerous locations ”

“The clerks are helpful and responsive ”

“3PB is a fantastic chambers, always on point and helpful " Legal 500 2025

2024 has also seen an influx of new civil law barristers such as commercial litigator and arbitrator Kevin Pettican; costs specialist Paul Joseph, property and social housing barrister Oliver Nunn; commercial litigation and insolvency barrister Aaron Luxton; and commercial and banking barrister Saunak Irani-Nayar. 3PB’s family team continues to attract talented barristers to practice from its Birmingham hub due to the strength of its reputation with 5 family barristers joining since last year’s Legal 500 was published.

3PB’s success in Birmingham comes just seven years after it opened a dedicated Midlands base. This year, one of the key founding silks of 3PB in Birmingham, Elizabeth McGrath KC, took over as Head of Chambers assuming a senior leadership role across chambers’ six offices.

Nationally, it was another successful year with167 rankings across 23 areas of law and four Circuits (Midlands, London, South Eastern, and Western). These results represent a 15% increase on last year’s results in Legal 500.

Clients describe 3PB as “impressively strong”, “excellent” and “premier”.

Simon Astill, 3PB Chief Executive, said: “This year’s Legal 500 results yet again outline the breadth and depth of talent that 3PB offers across all our practice areas and centres to our national client base. We thank you our clients and peers for taking part in the Legal 500 research and for recognising us in this year’s rankings.”

Pictured: Elizabeth McGrath KC, 3PB Head of Chambers

WEST MIDLANDS

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM

DLA Piper

Eversheds Sutherland

Gowling WLG

Shoosmiths

Browne Jacobson

Freeths

Gateley Legal

Mills & Reeve

Pinsent Masons

Squire Patton Boggs

DWF

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Shakespeare Martineau

The Wilkes Partnership

Clarke Willmott

Irwin Mitchell

KPMG Law

Legal Clarity

Trowers & Hamlins 1 2 3 4

M&A and complex disposals of share capital, DLA Piper displays extensive expertise across the industrial, engineering and consumer goods sectors. The practice is also renowned for advising on commercial agreements, IP arrangements and employment law implications. Tim Lake spearheads the group, bringing expertise to representing corporate vendors and private equity clients, whilst the ‘pragmatic’ Charles Cook, above, and Noel Haywood are cross-border acquisition specialists. Gareth Stokes primarily focuses on information tech and strategic outsourcing, and Ryan Harrison is knowledgeable in the retail and life sciences spheres. Both Robert Newman and Simon Wright stand out for their corporate and regulatory compliance advice, while Kirsty Underhill is also a name to note.

Counting global businesses, blue-chip corporates and private equity houses amongst its key clients, Eversheds Sutherland (International)’s ‘really collaborative, practical’ team stands out for its advice on cross-border M&A and minority investment transactions. The group demonstrates considerable expertise across the financial services, energy and TMT industries, with the head Catherine Eley bringing vast knowledge on

complex disposals and joint ventures to the outfit. Steven Hacking is experienced in handling corporate transactions in the life sciences space, Nigel Cooke primarily focuses on multi-jurisdictional acquisitions, while Louise Finnie acts on behalf of private equity clients. Mark Beardmore retired from practising in April 2024.

Demonstrating in-depth expertise in the automotive, tech and real estate spheres, the Gowling WLG team follows a ‘flexible, collaborative’ approach when advising on strategic investments, cross-border M&A and joint ventures. The team’s commercial offering is notable, primarily focusing on contractual, IP and employment law aspects associated with corporate transactions. Chris Towle heads the corporate side in Birmingham, while Sarah Riding and David Lowe handle the commercial aspects from both London and Birmingham. Jeremy Millington, below, is knowledgeable on disposals and restructurings, Anurag Singh focuses on the car manufacturing and sports sectors and Sharon Ayres is an expert in the real estate space.

industries, the ‘very personable and diligent’ practice at Shoosmiths has extensive experience in handling multi-jurisdictional M&A, corporate restructurings and sales of issued

share capital. Notably, the group is expanding its expertise in the EV charging, fintech and healthtech spheres, with commercial head Simon McArdle providing expertise on the overlap between contract arrangements and AI. Alistair Hammerton heads the corporate offering, Ben Turner focuses on strategic acquisitions and group restructurings, whilst Alastair Peet is noted for his work with venture capital funds. Helen Burnell concentrates on sustainable infrastructure transactions, and Daniel Shilvock is also highlighted.

Described as ‘commercial’ and ‘personable’, Browne Jacobson demonstrates a strong sector focus in the manufacturing, energy and retail fields, frequently handling complex structured disposals and management buyouts. Richard Cox heads the firm’s corporate offering from Nottingham, whilst Mike Jackson acts as the West Midlands corporate lead, primarily focusing on private equity transactions and cross-border M&A. Clare Auty chairs the health and social care side, and the ‘standout’ Gareth Davies routinely assists sponsors and management teams. Roger Birchall represents venture capital providers, while both Clare Hanna and Matthew Doorman are cited as key contacts.

Co-chaired by Lee Clifford, right, and Mark Neale, the Freeths team

leverages its ‘good specialist knowledge’ while representing clients from across the tech, construction and automotive industries. The practice has extensive experience of advising on corporate disposals, M&A and private equity transactions, with the corporate head Clifford specialising in complex investments and private restructuring. Tom Brown focuses on all aspects of corporate law, while Neale spearheads the commercial offering, concentrating primarily on IT outsourcing transactions. Nigel Gardner is a commercial contract expert, Kirstin Roberts is knowledgeable on the renewables space, and both Mohammed Abbas and Olivia Johnson are also noted.

Specialising in multi-jurisdictional M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions, the ‘pragmatic’ practice at Gateley Legal has vast experience in the tech, financial services and healthcare arenas. Tom Rush heads the team, regularly acting on behalf of public corporates and financial institutions in private equity investments and complex acquisitions. Beth Mather primarily focuses on buy outs and disposals, whilst Paul Cliff is a capital markets expert. Andrew Cowan concentrates on corporate reorganisations, and Max Moore is knowledgeable on the real estate industry.

Highly recommended for its expertise in the healthcare and financial services

healthcare, energy and tech spheres, primarily handling corporate disposals and cross-border M&A. Nicole Livesey heads the corporate department, specialising in supply chain pressures and strategic acquisitions. Andrew Hornigold frequently represents private equity backed businesses, whilst Joanne Ellis is an expert in refinancing and investments. Clare Francis heads the commercial offering, primarily focusing on complex AI and tech matters Both John Tyerman and Laura Ayre are also highlighted as key figures.

Squire Patton Boggs’ ‘highly dedicated’ department has extensive expertise in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, regularly representing British and global clients in the tech, healthcare and industrial sectors. Geoff Perry leads the corporate side, frequently acting on behalf of international corporates and professional investors, whilst Tom Durrant, below, is an expert on complex disposals. On the commercial side, Simon Jones is knowledgeable on IT matters, and Matt Smith is also noted as a key contact.

protection spheres. Adam McGiveron mainly focuses on disposals and private equity investments, Richard Wrigley is a restructuring expert, whilst the ‘solution focused’ Emma Bryant is also highlighted as a key contact for her commercial negotiation skills.

With Michael Stace (left) at the helm, Shakespeare Martineau represents a litany of clients within the healthcare, tech and renewables spheres, managing a wide spectrum of corporate and private equity matters. Stace specialises in disposals and joint venture arrangements, the ‘top-notch’ Keith Spedding advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A, whilst Kavita Patel, below, primarily focuses on corporate finance transactions. Joddy Webb concentrates on investments, and Peter Mayhew is also highlighted as key.

sectors, the ‘efficient, knowledgeable’ team at Mills & Reeve specialises in sales of issued share capital transactions and complex M&A. The corporate practice is headed by Ryan Hawley, who stands out for his knowledge in the private equity transactions, whilst the ‘extremely experienced’ Jayne Hussey, left, leads the commercial offering, primarily focusing on supply chain contracting issues. Julian Smith concentrates on strategic acquisitions and disposal projects. Junaid Haroon is another key name to note.

Drawing upon its strong national footprint, Pinsent Masons routinely provides bespoke advice to domestic and international clients within the

Providing extensive expertise on corporate disposals, domestic M&A and business contracts, the DWF practice is routinely instructed by local authorities and major hospitality corporations. The corporate department is headed by Mark Gibson, left, who brings in-depth knowledge on private equity and corporate transactions to the team, whilst the ‘efficient, pragmatic’ commercial lead, Ben McLeod specialises in commercial agreements in the tech space.  John Campion, primarily focuses on public takeovers, and Sam Hodgson is also of note.

Headed by London-based Matthew Martin, Penningtons Manches Cooper has extensive expertise in multi-jurisdictional M&A and SPAC transactions, supplemented by knowledge in the IP and data

The Wilkes Partnership practice specialises in complex management buyouts, cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. The team is headed by the ‘extremely efficient’ Gareth O’Hara, who is an expert in business and asset sales. Rick Smyth is knowledgeable on tax reorganisations and restructurings, and Kate Hackett primarily focuses on asset and share acquisitions. Jeremy Parkin and Helen Smart are also key members.

Described as ‘extremely knowledgeable, flexible and hardworking’, Clarke Willmott stands out for handling M&A and corporate transactions on behalf of ownermanaged businesses and SMEs. The ‘technically gifted’ Kim Klahn spearheads the practice, specialising in corporate restructures and management buy-outs, while John Irving primarily focuses on data protection and distribution issues.

Demonstrating cross-sector expertise, ranging from manufacturing to insurance and tech, the ‘responsive and highly expert’ Legal Clarity practice specialises in M&A and investments. The team is co-headed by Richard Underwood and Gary Davie, with the former focusing on joint ventures and reorganisations, and the latter being an expert in employee buyouts. Martin Clifford and Chris Wright are also key figures.

Leveraging sector-specific expertise in the AI, manufacturing and healthcare arenas, the ‘very personable, reliable’ Trowers & Hamlins team has indepth knowledge in private equity backed transactions and cross-border M&A. Amardeep Gill and Moad Giebaly co-head the team, displaying expertise handling private company buyouts and GDPR issues. Mike McMahon is also noted for his venture capital work.

WEST MIDLANDS

CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Higgs

Wright Hassall

Ansons

George Green

Thursfields Solicitors

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited

Lanyon Bowdler

Lodders Solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau

Aaron & Partners

Enoch Evans

MFG Solicitors

Pickerings Solicitors

Talbots Law 1 2 3 4

Displaying ‘attention to detail’ and ‘expertise’ when handling cross-border M&A, complex management buyouts and joint ventures, the Harrison Clark Rickerbys practice consistently advises businesses within the healthcare, manufacturing and tech sectors. The team provides tailored assistance on all aspects of corporate transactions, from employment-related legal issues to intellectual property matters. Heading the Worcester office, Charlotte Thornton-Smith, below, is an expert in acting for social care providers and healthcare suppliers on disposals and acquisitions. Rebecca Leask heads the Birmingham office and handles complex corporate restructurings. Spearheading the Wye Valley offering, Arpinder Dhillon primarily focuses on representing sellers in major transactions. Worcester-based Robert Capper and Alison Scott each stand out for their work in disposals and commercial deals, and the ‘knowledgeable’ Clare Emery is a dental specialist lawyer.

With John Heaton heading the business services side, and Richard Griffiths leading the West Midlands’ corporate offering, the Higgs team is labelled as being ‘prolific at winning’, frequently advising shareholders, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs in high-value transactions. The Brierly Hill-based outfit has extensive expertise in representing clients within the healthcare, industrial engineering and manufacturing industries, with Griffiths being an expert in the corporate finance market, whilst Heaton

corporate transactions across the manufacturing, care homes and financial services industries. From Cradley Heath, the ‘exceptionally hard-working’ Sarah Ward leads the West Midlands offering, primarily focusing on complex shareholder arrangements and joint ventures, and Philip Round is recommended for his ‘very knowledgeable’ insights in capital reduction mergers and leveraged transactions. In Wolverhampton, Kam Johal is an expert in corporate finance and governance matters, whilst James Bird left the firm in late 2023.

the tech and industrial fields. Splitting his time between Stratford upon Avon and Birmingham, the ‘excellent’ Graham Spalding heads the team, specialising in complex M&A, Bradley Quin is knowledgeable on corporate reorganisations and joint ventures, while Stuart Price concentrates on IP and data protection matters.

specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A. Nick Taylor is knowledgeable in corporate transactions, Geoff Kettle primarily focuses on acquisitions and disposals and Joel Nixon concentrates on reorganisations and joint ventures since joining the team as partner in December 2023. Jamie Partington and Katie Willems stand out for their commercial and venture capital insights.

Counting corporations from across the retail, social care and tech spaces amongst its key clients, the Wright Hassall practice has vast experience in advising on M&A, master services agreements and multi-jurisdictional joint ventures. The Leamington Spa-based team is highly regarded for drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, and assisting with software-focused agreements. Commercial head Pete Maguire is a contract law expert, with a focus on the manufacturing and logistics sectors. The corporate head Steve Halkett regularly supports business owners and entrepreneurs on all corporate matters. Robert Lee specialises in corporate restructurings, whilst Freya Summers is highlighted for her corporate finance work. Mallory Coxe and Claire Halle-Smith are also as key contacts.

Operating out of Sutton Coldfield, Cannock, and Dudley, the ‘highly professional’ Ansons practice stands out for its expert handling of the sales of shares in management buyouts, alongside advising on all aspects of M&A and complex corporate reorganisations. Labelled as both ‘dependable’ and ‘efficient’, Jamie Gill co-heads from Cannock, specialising in assisting with disposals and commercial agreements, whilst Sutton Coldfield-based Neil Jones also co-leads, consistently managing joint ventures and partnership matters. In Dudley, senior consultant Paul Bennett focuses on private equity transactions, and Emma Rowley is knowledgeable on Companies Act compliance issues. Cristine Schneider is also a key figure.

Based out of both Cradley Heath and Wolverhampton, the George Green team acts on both the seller and buyer side of M&A and

Standing out for its expertise in M&A, joint ventures and group reorganisations, the Thursfields Solicitors practice counts FTSE 100 companies and major creative agencies amongst its key clients. With a network of offices throughout Solihull, Worcester and Birmingham, Gareth Burge heads the team, bringing vast experience in advising on corporate transactions in the healthcare, tech and engineering spaces to the group, whilst Worcester-based Tim Edwards ‘goes the extra mile’ when handling complex acquisitions. Joe Rollins and Reece De-Vaney are highlighted for their part in group restructurings, and the ‘outstanding’ Hannah Clark is also noted as key.

Based out of Dudley and headed by the ‘courteous and supportive’ Colin Rodrigues, the Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited practice has extensive expertise across the manufacturing, healthcare and engineering sectors, demonstrating a specific focus on management buyouts and corporate reorganisations. Rodrigues is the firm’s founding partner, boasting a substantial national SME client base undertaking high value corporate transactions, ranging from M&A to share sales.

Located out of Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Conwy, the Lanyon Bowdler practice is characterised by its ‘flexibility’, regularly advising on sales and mergers, management buyouts, alongside complex joint ventures. With the department displaying significant expertise in the agriculture, education and retail industries, the ‘exceptional’ Grainne Walters spearheads the outfit from Shrewsbury, primarily focusing on M&A and corporate governance matters. In Ludlow, Edward Burrell, above, is an expert on commercial contracts and franchise agreements, and Conwy-based Jennifer Edwards is also a name to note.

Acting on behalf of HNW individuals, shareholders and multinational corporations in pre-transactional group restructures and M&A, the Lodders Solicitors practice demonstrates ‘good underlying knowledge’ across

With Michael Stace at the helm, Shakespeare Martineau represents a litany of clients within the healthcare, tech and renewables spheres, on the gamut of corporate and private equity matters. Stace specialises in disposals and joint venture arrangements, the ‘top-notch’ Keith Spedding advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A, whilst Kavita Patel primarily focuses on corporate finance transactions. Joddy Webb

management buyouts, frequently representing corporations from across the insurance, manufacturing and housebuilding spheres. The Shrewsbury-based practice is led by Stuart Scott-Goldstone, above, Stuart Haynes brings vast experience in M&A and commercial contract negotiations to the group, while Hugh Strickland is an expert on banking and finance proceedings.

Headed by the ‘thorough, concise’ Sukie Shemar, Enoch Evans specialises in supporting SME clients and multinationals with MA, corporate restructurings and joint ventures. With bases in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Cannock, Shemar is a healthcare sector specialist, primarily focusing on pharmacy and care home issues, and David Evans has expertise in complex commercial contracts.

With the ‘outstanding’ Craig Davies at the helm, the Tamworth-based practice at Pickerings Solicitors offers bespoke advice on the gamut of issues arising in mergers, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. Davies is an expert on share sales and trading terms, Keri Pointon has ‘exceptional legal acumen’ when addressing management buyouts and Amanda Jones focuses primarily on disposals.

Located out of Stourbridge and Wolverhampton, the ‘strong and developing’ practice at Talbots Law is highly regarded for handling management buyouts, acquisitions and asset purchases. The ‘approachable’ Mike Linford leverages his vast experience in advising banks and management teams from across the manufacturing, IT and pharmacy spheres, whilst Shaun Owen is well versed in assisting with company restructures and exit strategies.

CORPORATE TAX

DLA Piper

DWF

Parisi Tax

Browne Jacobson

Gowling WLG

Higgs

Mills & Reeve

Irwin Mitchell 1 2 3

specialists, DLA Piper has vast expertise across the real estate, insurance and transport industries, routinely advising its domestic and international client base. The practice is highly regarded for its handling of all tax aspects within multi-jurisdictional M&A, whilst demonstrating significant knowledge of the intangible fixed assets UK tax regime. Mark Burgess, above, heads the Birmingham-based team, specialising in assisting institutions, private companies and public bodies on the gamut of corporate and real estate taxation matters, while Nick Hinton focuses on business tax and property transactions.

Representing publicly listed companies, public authorities and sporting organisations on the whole spectrum of tax law issues, the DWF practice routinely handles M&A, share schemes and private equity work. The team has vast experience of representing clients in complex tax litigation, spanning from HMRC investigations to BPRA cases. From Birmingham, Jon Stevens leads the outfit, focusing on the taxation elements in cross-border real estate transactions, whilst Tom Rank brings extensive knowledge on share incentives and employment taxes since his arrival from Gowling WLG in July 2023. Alex Tolcher specialises in technical tax drafting relating to property matters, and Tajinder Barring is also highlighted as key.

Specialising in tax advice to entrepreneurs, management teams and private companies, the Parisi Tax team consistently covers reorganisations, M&A, and employee share incentives. The practice demonstrates special strength in handling all tax elements of property transactions, spanning from stamp duty to capital allowance. Lisa Stevenson and Becky Rees co-head the group, with the former being an expert in designing and implementing executive share incentive plans, whilst the latter is knowledgeable on debt restructurings

and employment related securities. Jon Robinson focuses on private equity work, and Patrick Allan has expertise in property investment and strategic change projects.

Providing structuring and transactional tax advice in corporate M&A and property dealings, the Browne Jacobson practice follows a ‘clear and friendly approach’ when assisting clients across the financial services, public and real estate sectors. The ‘excellent’ Andrew Noble spearheads the practice, primarily focusing on tax-efficient structuring, Beth Dowson specialises in property tax and employee share schemes and Rebecca Burge has expertise in stamp duty land tax. Christian Burchardt is a corporate tax expert, whilst Craig Thomas is also highlighted as key.

Headed by Susheel Gupta, below, the Brierly Hill-based Higgs full-service tax team caters for all types of corporates and individuals, primarily focusing on incentive arrangements for employees, property tax planning measures and group restructurings. Gupta specialises in complex corporate taxation matters, Richard Ferguson is an expert on property taxes, whilst both Johnathan Hunter and George Hinchmore are both highlighted as key contacts.

Sitting within the wider corporate and finance team, Irwin Mitchell’s tax practice has extensive experience in drafting tax covenants and warranties, alongside advising clients on the tax aspects of major acquisitions. Kate Featherstone heads the Birminghambased group, specialising in all elements of corporate tax, specifically in reorganisations and investments, whilst Jennie Newton is a stamp taxes expert, consistently structuring transactions. James Arnold is knowledgeable on employee share schemes, and Eve Williams is also noted as key.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTION

Being a corporate lawyer for 30 years has put me in the privileged position to be a witness of change within my specialist field writes Colin Rodrigues of Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited.

At the start of my career, there was the revolution of word processors, followed by floppy disk, through to desktop and laptops, and now virtual meetings. In turn consigning to the history books the previous tools of my trade, the typewriter and the fax machine. This demonstrates progress, efficiency and productivity, all of which have been introduced into the workplace.

When embarking on my academic path (the prerequisite to becoming a corporate lawyer) I recall the “Big Bang” that took place in the City of London in 1986. Some may still remember the images on the television of the city traders in brightly coloured jackets shouting “buy,” and “sell” and waving their arms in the air at the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”). These city traders swapped the arm waving for keyboards and screens, another example of improved productivity as part of the deregulation of the LSE.

New technological developments, and AI will remove mundane information processing and so facilitating for a smoother interaction between the individual and technology and so less “friction”.

Covid has seen a dramatic change in working practices with the new “four day week” becoming more prevalent. Has this change in working practice been driven by employees with the rationale of a perceived benefit to productivity? Or has it been implemented by the employer to assist them with the “war on talent”? Productivity increase is usually incremental and slow, unless companies are able to harness the advantages of technological development before their rivals. If they do so, companies can move beyond the current “state of art”, to gain traction or alternatively become a business disrupter. An example of which is when the mobile phone evolved into a smartphone and consigned landlines and telephone directories to the history pages. This marked the onset of online banking, and so then the closure of many bank branches begun.

If companies do not find this increase in productivity, the only way they can continue to expand is seek new opportunities through M&A. The sectors which have seen the most activity recently in M&A, in the UK, are healthcare, technology and financial services, as well as retail. This may be because productivity gains are harder to achieve in these sectors. M&A can deliver in one swoop: increased turnover, cost savings, access to new markets, new products and vertical integration of supply chains.

WEST MIDLANDS

EMPLOYMENT

DLA Piper

Eversheds Sutherland

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

Averta Employment Lawyers

Browne Jacobson

Gateley Legal

Mills & Reeve

Shakespeare Martineau

Squire Patton Boggs

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Freeths

Higgs

Irwin Mitchell

Lanyon Bowdler

Shoosmiths

VWV

Weightmans

Aaron & Partners

Bevan Brittan

Capsticks

Heminsley Law

MFG Solicitors

Pickerings Solicitors

Sydney Mitchell

Trowers & Hamlins

Wright Hassall

Ansons

George Green

The Wilkes Partnership

Thursfields Solicitors

Band Hatton Button

Clarke Willmott

Hatchers Solicitors

Pillinger & Associates 1 2 3 4 5 6

ensuring a personal touch and a level of client service which is second to none’. The agile team is adept at handling large-scale national and cross-border projects. It frequently advises on major restructurings, reorganisations, and outsourcing and insourcing deals. It is also skilled at acting in all types of employment tribunal litigation, from wrongful dismissal to complex whistleblowing. Practice head Emma Phillips, above, has extensive

and international household-name companies. Coley frequently advises clients on their defence of high-value claims. These claims often have major reputational issues for clients. Corden has particular expertise in TUPE, outsourcing and discrimination matters (including whistleblowing claims) and is the UK head of the employment and reward offering. Linda Jones, below, is another key figure. Legal director Rebecca Stephen is adept at advising clients in the higher education and financial services sectors.

The ‘responsive, commercial and pragmatic‘ team at Averta Employment Lawyers is praised for having ‘an exceptionally strong eye for detail’. It is ably co-led by Alan Jones and David Sykes. This specialist employment firm focuses on the employment law needs of directors, managers, senior executives and other professionals. It has recently undertaken more corporate and SME work. The ‘very personable and fantastic' associate Izzy Canbury is a significant member of the department. Fellow associate Andrew Lester often advises on cases involving restrictive covenants, as well as other matters such as settlement agreements. 'Experienced and thorough' consultant David Beswick acts in litigation as well as TUPE matters.

team continues to receive a steady flow of high-value and complex instructions, and has handled a number of large-scale projects with an international dimension. Merran Sewell, who is ‘very focused on the detail’, regularly supports clients with complex disciplinary and grievance issues, and on change management programmes. Senior associate Joanne Duck is experienced across a wide range of sectors, from logistics and finance through to manufacturing, retail and education.

Mills & Reeve regularly works with high-profile clients across the private and public sectors. It continues to advise on many complex employment cases, and has supported numerous corporate and major projects. Jog Hundle has an enviable reputation in the health and care sector. Hundle often advises on the employment aspects of mergers, as well as disputes with medical staff. Richard Santy focuses on the commercial and sports sector, and has a particular emphasis on complex litigation. Richard Barker frequently works with key private sector employers. Nick Abbott retired in December 2023.

Shakespeare Martineau is ‘excellent at understanding what you are trying to achieve as a business, and then how you can achieve that’. The versatile team advises employers and employees across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in the education sector. It also has a flourishing 'third sector’ client base. The practice is particularly well-known for its handling of employment tribunal litigation. David Browne frequently works on major restructuring projects. Tom Long heads the firm’s further education sector, while Matt McDonald is also recommended. Michael Hibbs has now retired.

transactional, litigation and cross-border project experience. Sandra Wallace plays a pivotal role in the department, while legal director Lisa Hodgson has significant experience in the consumer goods sector.

Clients appreciate that Eversheds Sutherland (International) ‘has large teams covering a wide variety of legal matters with office locations across the globe providing great international reach’. With Audrey Elliott at the helm, the group acts for a number of FTSE100 companies, together with a host of global and Fortune 500 companies. Other clients include significant public sector names. The team is adept at handling major cross-border work, as well as heavyweight employment litigation. Hannah Wilkins specialises in supporting global companies, especially those in the TMT sector. Associate Michael Hardiman is recommended for his particular strength in handling complex employee relations issues.

Jonathan Coley and Helen Corden co-head the large employment team at Pinsent Masons, which acts for over 30 universities and many local, national

Browne Jacobson‘s Birmingham employment team acts for a variety of national and international clients on the full spectrum of employment mandates. Emma Capper leads the national department after joining the firm from Fieldfisher in September 2023, and focuses on restructurings, employment disputes, board-level exits and investigations, while Jacqui Atkinson leads the employment healthcare practice, which acts for multiple NHS organisations. James Tait, below, leads the Birmingham team. The practice also gained further expertise through the recruitment of Polly O’Malley from Stone King; she is a key contact for clients in the education sector.

which ‘never fails to provide balanced and commercially sensible advice’. The

explains ‘complex topics in very simple, understandable language’. Led by Ramez Moussa, above, it continues to be instructed by leading global corporates. It frequently advises on large domestic and multi-jurisdictional projects, and on high-value litigation. The group also has specialist expertise in the sports sector. Charlie Frost is a known name for his strategic support to large international clients on key projects – he regularly advises on business reorganisations and collective consultations.

Spearheaded by Anna Dabek, the excellent team at Anthony Collins Solicitors has considerable sector expertise in health and social care, as well as housing and education. It also garners praise for its work with charities and local government. Matthew Wort plays a key role in providing employment advice to social care clients. Matthew Gregson regularly advises local authorities on employment disputes, complex

investigations and senior employee departures.

specialist employment advice to a wide range of employers on a national and regional basis. Clients include various household names, as well as numerous public sector employers. Areas of focus span restructurings and TUPE issues as well as complex employment tribunal claims. Lynne Ingram is another name to note.

At Higgs, practice head Tim Jones covers all aspects of employment law. Jones’ particular specialisms include employment tribunal advocacy and advising on confidentiality and restraint of trade provisions. He is also an accredited mediator. Legal director Jayne Holliday is another experienced advocate. Clients include SMEs as well as owner-managed businesses and their families, who are primarily based in the West Midlands.

Birmingham-based Elaine Huttley is now the national head of employment at Irwin Mitchell. Huttley is recommended for her employment advisory work and is experienced in complex corporate transactional matters. Donna Seferta leads the legal expense insurance team, which undertakes work that is funded by insurers for both employees and employers. Seferta has a particular focus on contentious matters and covers a wide variety of tribunal claims.

‘knack of explaining complex situations in a simple way’. The group specialises in TUPE matters and advising on the employment aspects of business transfers. It has particular expertise in advising schools and colleges, as well as farmers and growers. Another area of focus is advising Court of Protection appointed deputies and case managers on the employment of carers.

The 'professional' Nick Vernon, who 'has his clients' best interests at heart and works hard to find a solution', now spearheads the employment practice at Shoosmiths, as Charlie Rae has moved

to TLT. Vernon advises businesses on the full range of contentious and noncontentious employment matters. Areas of expertise include advising on businesscritical/senior executive hires, as well as complicated TUPE matters. Clients are predominantly large companies and organisations, but the firm also acts for senior executives.

Jane Byford, below, and Kathy Halliday jointly head the department at VWV. Its education practice has a roster of over 1,500 institutions, ranging from academies to higher education clients. The group also advises numerous charities, in addition to having a strong commercial client base. Byford continues to be a trusted adviser to universities and colleges, as well as other commercial and charity clients. Halliday, who sits part-time as a fee-paid employment judge, has particular expertise in change management projects.

Weightmans fields an excellent team, which is particularly strong in the hospitality sector. It is also well-regarded for its local government and police work. Practice head Jawaid Rehman is known for his work on equal pay claims, leading the firm's ‘highly effective’ dedicated equal pay team in defending large numbers of claims against public sector organisations. Rehman has also advised on cases involving embassies and numerous significant change projects. Andrew Forrest has experience in both tribunal advocacy and investigations.

At Aaron & Partners, Chester-based Helen Watson and Shrewsbury-based Ben Mason co-head the practice. Mason has a specific focus on the financial, IT, manufacturing, care and sports sectors. He covers contentious and noncontentious matters, regularly supported by senior associate Jennifer Gibson. These include complicated employment tribunal claims, employment-related issues in corporate transactions, complex restructurings, collective redundancy procedures and senior-level exits.

Under the joint leadership of Londonbased Jodie Sinclair and Birminghambased Ashley Norman, the team at Bevan Brittan has considerable expertise in the healthcare, housing and local government sectors. More recently, its work has also expanded into the private, education and international arenas. Norman works on a range of contentious and advisory employment matters. Newly promoted partner James Gutteridge is the primary employment lead for a number of key NHS clients.

The ‘tight-knit group of truly excellent employment practitioners’ at Heminsley Law is ably led by Trevor Gibson. It advises companies on a wide range of people risk issues, from employment law to bribery and corruption. It covers an array of complex matters,

NEXT GENERATION PARTNER STATUS ‘AN HONOUR’ FOR EMPLOYMENT LAWYER

The head of the Employment Law team at Sydney Mitchell, Emma-Louise Hewitt, says she is ‘truly honoured’ to be given the Legal 500 ‘Next Generation Partner’ status for the third consecutive year.

“I cannot put into words how truly honoured and grateful I am to have been named as a next generation partner for the third year in a row,” she says. “I am extremely thankful for the incredible testimonials given by clients and professional contacts, who have taken time out of their busy days to do this.

“I am proud, excited, and thankful for the personal recognition, and the rankings given to so many individuals and teams across the firm, which are so deserved.”

Described by this year’s Directory as ‘technically excellent’, ‘always on the ball’, an employment law specialist who ‘knows her field inside out’, and who provides ‘no-nonsense, straightforward advice and guidance’, Emma acts for both individuals and businesses, leading the firm’s team on a varied workload of contentious and non-contentious claims.

The team provides a comprehensive range of tailored employment law advice and solutions, also delivering on-hand HR and legal advice, whilst supporting a number of businesses with their everyday people management. Additionally, it handles a substantial amount of tribunal work centred mostly around discrimination claims of race and disability.

Effective and efficient in drafting contracts, handbooks, policies and procedures, advising on all aspects of workplace discrimination and bullying, and workplace training on best practice and staff management for supervisors and managers, Emma has multiple sector experience. This includes for employers and employees in automotive, professional services, hospitality, recruitment, engineering, manufacturing, care homes, retail and fashion.

Legal 500 also praises the team’s Dean Parnell, recognising him as a highly experienced mediator, and his primary work for companies and very senior executives.

Moving with the times

Emma regards many of the more recent employment changes to be a positive move: “In comparison to other areas of the law, employment law changes more than most. But it does need to move with the times, whether through social change, technological advancements, or in response to changes forced on employers, such as the Covid pandemic.

“The most welcome of the latest changes are the laws governing flexible working, paternity leave, leave for unpaid workers, redundancy protection for returning mothers and new parents, tipping laws, and holiday pay for part-year and irregular hours workers”.

“Further new rules introduce a duty requiring employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment. This is a very positive step, but it has the potential to be an area where employers could fall down and be held to account, made even more challenging and complex by employees regularly engaging in online chats and group text messaging.”

Emma-Louise Hewitt, Employment Law team head, Sydney Mitchell.

WEST MIDLANDS

from whistleblowing and complex discrimination cases to IR35 issues, bonus claims and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Jemma O’Reilly plays a pivotal role in the department, along with Simon Stephen.

Praised for its ‘personalised service’, the team at Pickerings Solicitors acts for organisations from a variety of sectors, spanning manufacturing and leisure through to care, education and public relations. Sue Hatton advises on a diverse range of issues from recruitment through to the termination of employment.

Practice head Joanna Robson has a particular interest in equality rights and policies in the workplace, as well as being skilled at negotiating settlement agreements. Former head of department Kate Johnson has secured an in-house position.

Emma-Louise Hewitt at Sydney Mitchell ‘is organised and pays close attention to detail, and is always on the ball’. The team has a varied workload of contentious claims, as well as advising on a range of non-contentious matters. It is also skilled at drafting handbooks. Hewitt acts for both individuals and businesses of all sizes. Dean Parnell primarily acts for companies and very senior executives, and is an experienced mediator.

Trowers & Hamlins has broad sector expertise across housing, local government and education. It is also recommended for its work in other areas such as logistics, charity, care, construction and development. Rebecca McGuirk has a wealth of experience advising global, national and regional private sector clients, registered providers and care providers. Other key clients include charities and local authorities. McGuirk routinely advises on issues involving strikes, TUPE and the ‘exiting’ of senior/difficult employees.

Tina Chander at Wright Hassall has considerable experience of a wide range of employment matters for both employers and employees. Chander continues to be busy working on several employment tribunal claims. In addition, the practice is skilled at handling other complex issues such as TUPE transfers, collective redundancies and complicated high-level terminations, as well as advising on settlement agreements.

At Ansons the employment team, which is co-led by Jason Alcock and Martin De Ridder, frequently works with the firm’s corporate and commercial property departments on a whole host of transactional matters. In addition, it works alongside its dispute resolution team on a range of high-value shareholder disputes. The team is well-placed to advise on the full spectrum of employment matters, from alleged performance-related issues to claims before the employment tribunal.

George Green is known for its work with owner-managed businesses and for providing support to the corporate team on key deals. The team, under the leadership of Tim Lang, above, has solid experience in TUPE and restrictive covenants. It is also skilled at handling confidentiality litigation. Lang is a qualified data protection practitioner, and frequently acts for both employers and employees. Amy Brokenshire advises on the employment law aspects of M&A, as well as representing employers in tribunal claims.

James Leo spearheads the team at The Wilkes Partnership, which covers the full range of contentious and noncontentious employment matters. It often advises on TUPE, discrimination, business immigration and restrictive covenants. It mostly acts for employers, but represents some senior executives too. Pam Sidhu, below, plays an important role in the department, and also covers business immigration law.

Thursfields Solicitors frequently acts for corporate clients, and also some individual clients, in all aspects of employment law. Under the direction of Jonathon Forrester, areas of focus include advising on disciplinary matters and managing senior exits, as well as advising on the settlement of disputes. Lisa Kemp supports businesses in the employment aspects of deals and restructurings.

At Band Hatton Button, Mark Ridley has a wealth of experience of a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and acts for both employers and employees. He regularly helps clients in preparing contracts of employment, company handbooks and policies. In addition, he advises on issues such as unfair dismissal, breach of contract and the employment aspects of business transfers.

Amanda Pillinger at Pillinger & Associates ‘is thorough, knowledgeable and explains the legal position in a way that's easily digestible’. She is skilled at handling a variety of matters for employers and employees, such as exits of senior employees, redundancy consultations and discrimination claims.

RANKING REINFORCES FAMILY LAW TEAM’S EXPERTISE AND VALUES

Sydney Mitchell’s Family Law team has again been ranked Tier 2 by Legal 500, reinforcing its solid position as one of the go-to expert family law services in the West Midlands.

The team is co-led by partners Karen Moores, pictured, and Mauro Vinti, who expertly steer the vibrant, versatile and dedicated team - described by Legal 500 as ‘very professional and attentive’ - to deliver its high standard of legal advice and client care.

Its partners, associates, solicitors and assistants, specialise exclusively in family law, together earning the team a formidable reputation for really knowing what it is doing.

With expertise in every aspect of family law, the team advises on divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships, financial remedies, cohabitee disputes, protective injunctions and child arrangements, and asset protection via pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

“The last few years have seen us build an even stronger team of talented, energetic, ambitious and passionate family law experts,” says Karen Moores. “Maintaining Tier 2 ranking is so important for the team. We are extremely satisfied to be holding our own against significantly bigger firms in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and in an area of legal specialism that is hugely competitive.

“Not only do we prioritise excellent legal advice and the best possible client service, but we also place immense value on being compassionate, approachable and empathetic, which are all such important qualities when working for clients facing issues requiring family law advice.

“Treating our colleagues and peers in the same way is also embedded in our ethos and I’m proud of the supportive, collaborative and professional team, which willingly shares knowledge, experience, best practice and learnings.

“We are an ambitious and driven firm, constantly striving to do even better, and we will continue to achieve excellence by being approachable and empathetic with our clients, thoroughly professional, ensuring we make time for our clients and always being flexible to suit their needs. I want every client that uses our services to feel they have been treated as an individual and with compassion, whilst also being left in no doubt that we are experts in our field, as I know we are.”

Leading Partner

As well as recognition for the team, Legal 500 names Karen once again as one of its Leading Partners.

She says: “This always feels amazing! I never thought I would receive such an accolade, and I am incredibly grateful to all those who took the time to provide me with such wonderful and supportive comments, and for the excellence of the team around me. Recognition from Legal 500 feels like everything the team and I have worked for is really appreciated, and that drives us on to want to achieve even more for our clients.”

The team’s Senior Associate Gemma Whitchurch is acknowledged for her ‘pivotal role in the department’, and she and Claire Sargant are named as the Legal 500’s Key Lawyers.

Karen Moores, Family Law team head, Sydney Mitchell

FAMILY: BIRMINGHAM

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Irwin Mitchell

Lodders Solicitors

Clarke Willmott

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Mills & Reeve

Stowe Family Law

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Weightmans

Benussi & Co Limited

Rayden Solicitors

Shakespeare Martineau

VWV 1 2 3

advocates, who always work in the best way for their clients’, under the excellent leadership of Chris LloydSmith, Jas Tamber and Elizabeth Wyatt, above. Areas of focus include providing matrimonial advice to professionals, as well as helping vulnerable members of society. The firm excels in diverse matters such as advising on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, domestic violence and forced marriages. The practice also has an excellent reputation for its work in public law/care proceedings. Maria Ramon, Madhur Sharma, associate Kadie Bennett and legal director Andrew Crumpton all play a pivotal role in the department.

Spearheaded by Mark Hands, Irwin Mitchell is ‘as good, if not better, than the magic circle firms in London’. Its ‘client service is outstanding, with a strong and talented group of lawyers at all levels’. Other key members of the ‘friendly and supportive team’ include Zahra Pabani and Sarah Balfour. The group works nationally with wealthy clients on areas such as wealth protection, financial remedy proceedings and children matters. Clients include entrepreneurs, professionals and CEOs. Marie Kilgallen, senior associate Sabrina Powell and associate Lucy Todd are among the other highly regarded members of the department, which also excels in children and finance matters with a cross-border dimension.

Beverley Morris at Lodders Solicitors has been described as ‘probably the most outstanding individual family law solicitor working in Birmingham and [the] surrounding area today’. Morris’

focus is on financial remedy work – she continues to advise trustees where they are intervening or being joined in proceedings. The practice deftly covers many areas such as divorce and judicial separation, as well as children law and same-sex relationship issues. Vivienne Middleton is equally adept at resolving complex financial and children cases, and has conducted cases at all levels, including the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Legal director Caroline Dresden regularly acts for clients with very substantial assets, and is a collaborative lawyer.

Rayner Grice, below, leads an ‘exceptionally talented’ team at Clarke Willmott. It has a particular focus on complex financial and private law children matters. The group is also well-regarded for its handling of cases involving domestic abuse, as well as controlling and coercive behaviour. In addition, it has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving family businesses. Adam Maguire has considerable experience of dealing with complex financial issues arising out of divorce. Senior associate Caroline Young is best known for her advice on difficult private law children matters.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors fields an ‘incredibly experienced’ team which specialises in representing clients who are facing emergencies, such as the removal of children, matters involving sexual harm, or safeguarding children. Other areas of focus include advising on female genital mutilation and domestic abuse. It also has a solid reputation for its work on private family/children law matters. The group frequently assists clients with significant vulnerabilities such as those with mental health difficulties or exposure to drug or alcohol abuse. Krina Parmar, Jasbir Raindi, Rupinder Jagdev and

Julie McNamara are the practice heads. Former co-practice head Ravi Kaur Mahey joined TV Edwards Solicitors.

Victoria Fellows, above, heads the practice at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, which handles a variety of complex and high-value financial cases. It also receives a regular flow of work for domestic and international children cases. Fellows is skilled at handling matters involving complex wealth, corporate and trust structures. Legal director and mediator Hannah Nicholls, who joined the team from Thursfields Solicitors in October 2023, is particularly recommended for her specialist advice on cases involving children. Senior associate Shereen Chohan covers complex financial remedy proceedings, including those with an international aspect. Georgina Burrows joined Greens Solicitors Ltd in March 2024.

Mills & Reeve is a ‘team that is going from strength to strength’, under the able leadership of the ‘stellar’ Katherine Kennedy. Kennedy often works on wealth protection matters, and routinely deals with high-net-worth financial remedy cases. She also continues to build her mediation practice. The group deftly handles a variety of complex cases with issues such as complicated business and trust structures, and highly conflicted children proceedings. Associate Stephanie Hawthorn handles complex financial and children matters, while in a ‘very good move’ associate Matthew Saunderson joined from Anthony Collins Solicitors in August 2023.

The ‘hugely impressive’ Rebecca CaldenStorr is at the helm at Stowe Family Law. The group covers all aspects of private family law cases including divorce, separation, private law children matters and financial settlements. It is also wellplaced to advise on cases for same-sex and cohabiting couples. Claire Cleary frequently advises individuals who have substantial incomes, overseas assets and trusts. Sara Morton is another notable member of the practice.

The ‘very professional and attentive’ team at Sydney Mitchell is co-led by Karen Moores and Mauro Vinti. It frequently advises on areas such as divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships, financial remedies, protective injunctions and child arrangements. The group is well-placed to advise on asset protection by way of pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Moores often advises on matrimonial finance, the management of substantial assets and complex children’s issues. Senior associate Gemma Whitchurch plays a pivotal role in the department too.

Aaron Keene spearheads the ‘friendly, knowledgeable and experienced’ team at The Wilkes Partnership. It advises people from all backgrounds such as

bankers, dentists and members of the armed forces, as well as managers and owners of businesses and their spouses. The ‘always approachable‘ Keene is a collaborative lawyer. Ruth HarrisonByrne leads the public law team and is a well-respected childcare lawyer. Chris Allen-Jones deals with many of the firm’s higher-value and complex contentious matters. Sian Kenkre is now at MFG Solicitors.

Weightmans fields a ‘reliable and professional’ team, with Manchesterbased Emma Collins, below, at the helm. Locally, Tania Derrett-Smith and associate Rupa Parekh are well-regarded. Areas of expertise include advising on divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and arrangements for children. DerrettSmith is known for her work on matters involving family businesses and properties in the UK and abroad. She is also adept at overseeing cases where there are complicated pensions issues. Parekh is skilled at handling an array of financial issues that arise on divorce and

McKenna. The team usually acts in cases involving net assets of between £3m – £30m, typically involving complicated business structures and trusts. Lucy Johnston has considerable experience of dealing with intractable contact disputes and parental alienation matters.

At Rayden Solicitors practice head Mary Kaye is a ‘well-respected family practitioner known throughout the Midlands’. Kaye is experienced in all areas of family law and frequently advises on financial matters as well as cohabitation agreements and divorce. She also has a particular specialism in serious children cases. Senior associate Lauren Parton and solicitor Patrice Coughlin are among the other key members of the practice.

Headed by Aasha Choudhary, an ‘exceptionally insightful and forwardthinking individual’, the team at Shakespeare Martineau has particular strength in high-value financial remedy proceedings and complex children matters. Its range of clients includes wealthy families, rural land owners, entrepreneurs and leading members of the Asian community. Legal director Monica Ghai is another notable member of the department.

The ‘bright and diligent’ Lucy Barr heads the Birmingham offering at VWV, which benefits from a close collaboration with its Bristol team. Barr is recommended for her work on complex financial matters. The team regularly works on divorce and separation cases for high-net-worth couples. It also has a well-regarded children practice, often advising on disputes about child arrangements and issues relating to child maintenance.

WEST MIDLANDS

FAMILY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Brethertons

FBC Manby Bowdler

Harrison Clark Rickerbys Higgs

Thursfields Solicitors

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd

Lanyon Bowdler

MFG Solicitors

Pickerings Solicitors

Band Hatton Button

George Green

Shakespeare Martineau

Wright Hassall

Mercy Messenger 1 2 3

The ‘well-organised and diligent’ team at Brethertons is lauded for its ‘excellent knowledge at all levels’. The large team is collectively led by Linda Jones, above, Dominic Wisdom and Simon Craddock. It has been split into three specialist areas, and deftly covers children and domestic violence cases, as well as care issues. The group also has considerable expertise in divorce and financial matters. Joanne Soar and Joshua Russell were recently promoted to the partnership. Soar has a wealth of experience in both public and private law children cases, and was recently promoted to the partnership. Russell has a broad practice, covering financial and children matters in addition to cohabitee disputes.

FBC Manby Bowdler fields ‘one of the most experienced teams in the area. Both partners and associates are well known and well respected’. Philip Cowell heads the practice, which has an excellent reputation for its work in high-net-worth financial cases and complex children matters. Cowell is also trained in collaborative law. Deputy district judge Anne Thomson has considerable skill in matrimonial cases involving intricate business and farming structures. Also recommended is Elizabeth Harris-Clark, who regularly deals with children matters involving serious allegations of abuse and safeguarding issues. Claire Darley has a keen focus on complex finance issues, where there are assets or resources based overseas. Sarah Millington advises on financial remedies postdivorce, particularly in farming cases.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys ‘is a powerhouse for family work in the Midlands’. Andrew Caldicott, Laura Williams (who joined the team from

Thursfields Solicitors in October 2023) and Anita Hennessey co-head the department. It has a national reputation for its work across an array of complex private children law matters, and for its representation of high-net-worth individuals in divorce and financial remedy cases. The group receives a regular flow of instructions from business owners, and on farming cases. It also frequently works on cases involving military personnel. James Osborne often undertakes his own advocacy. Legal director Maxine Reid has substantial experience of complex financial matters. Christopher Finch was recently promoted to partner and is another key figure.

Thursfields Solicitors is ‘one of the premier firms in the West Midlands’. Shane Miller, below, is a known name for her work across a wide range of matrimonial matters, including complex financial cases and children matters as well as pre-and post-nuptial agreements. Philip Rea has an excellent reputation for his experience in all aspects of family work. Nadia Davis is another significant member of the practice, whose work covers the full gamut of issues arising in divorce and financial remedy cases. Harbinder Gosal is particularly recognised for her experience in complex children and financial remedy cases. Hannah Nicholls and Lorna Tipple joined the Birmingham offices of Harrison Clark Rickerbys and TLT respectively.

Alsters Kelley

clients include high-net-worth

individuals, military personnel, senior NHS staff and company directors. Lisa Blizzard leads the public law family offering. Blizzard is on the Children’s Panel, and represents children, parents and other family members. She frequently deals with cases involving children who have significant neurodiversity issues. Senior solicitor Jonathan Miller and senior associate Erica Kemp are both collaborative lawyers and are also recommended.

The family department at Lanyon Bowdler is ‘big enough to have a range of experience, but local enough to give a personal service’. With Sue Hodgson, above, at the helm, it has a strong reputation for dealing with numerous complex matters involving financial remedies, children and divorce. The financial cases often involve business structures, trusts and other multijurisdictional assets. Children work includes advising on relocation, domestic violence and significant welfare cases. Philippa Pearson has a wide-ranging practice and advises clients from all over the country and overseas.

At Pickerings Solicitors ‘what stands out about the lawyers is their commitment to their clients and their willingness to go above and beyond to get the right outcome’. Susan Davies leads on all aspects of divorce and separation, she is also a trained collaborative lawyer. Davies’ expertise extends to handling high-net-worth matrimonial cases. Richard Westley has a wealth of experience in children law, excelling in public law proceedings and private law proceedings where the child has been joined as a party. Associate Joanna Craddock is also recommended.

At Band Hatton Button, Tracy Cross and Peter Martin are experienced advocates, who regularly represent clients at hearings. The team often acts on cases involving complex children’s and financial matters. It regularly handles family cases where companies and family businesses are involved. Cross is an accredited mediator who is able to undertake child-inclusive mediation and hybrid mediation.

Mark Vandaele heads up the family department at George Green. Vandaele covers a varied caseload of finance work and complex private law children disputes. Gemma Fenton primarily specialises in advising clients on the financial implications of their relationship breakdown. Richard Port is also well-regarded and is known for advising victims of domestic abuse.

Helen Bowns, who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, heads the practice at Shakespeare Martineau. Bowns acts for a broad range of clients including business owners, agricultural families and international families. She specialises in complex financial remedy cases and also deals with complicated children matters. Solihull-based legal director Dipika Mistry is another key contact whose experience spans divorce, domestic abuse and children work.

Spearheaded by Dal Heran, the agile team at Wright Hassall represents clients who either own businesses or hold a senior position in a business. It also acts for parties in the agricultural and rural sector. The team continues to be busy advising individuals on their private applications relating to children, as well as handling nuptial and cohabitation agreements. Peter Lowe is another key member of the department.

Mercy Messenger at Mercy Messenger has a wealth of experience in this space. Messenger is particularly interested in cases involving complex business structures both in the UK and elsewhere. She routinely acts for wealthy clients.

Solicitors Ltd is a ‘great firm’ which provides ‘a highquality service’ to clients across a wide geographical spread. The private law family team has Shelley De’Worringham at the helm – her

HEALTH & SAFETY

DAC Beachcroft

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

Shoosmiths

Weightmans

Bevan Brittan

Browne Jacobson

Clyde & Co

DWF

Gateley Legal

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Kennedys

Keoghs

Squire Patton Boggs

Led by Leeds-based Chris Baranowski, above, the established and large team at DAC Beachcroft offers extensive national coverage to clients. The practice has a first-class reputation for its work on some of the most significant manslaughter, health and safety, and environmental cases which are being investigated in the UK. Locally, Steven Harrison has significant experience in representing clients in all aspects of regulatory investigations and prosecutions. Harrison handles cases relating to corporate and gross  negligence manslaughter. He also acts for clients in relation to high-profile and complex inquest proceedings. The team is experienced across all sectors, with particular expertise in construction, manufacturing, transport, retail and the care sector.

The specialist team at Gowling WLG is immersed in key sectors such as construction, building materials, quarrying, aerospace and food. It also deftly covers the health and social care sectors. Practice head Andrew Litchfield has long-standing experience in advising on an array of regulatory criminal offences, statutory public inquiries and inquests. Litchfield frequently assists clients in investigations by the police, the Health and Safety Executive, other regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Agency, and local authorities. Principal associate Michael Hafen is another notable member of the department. Hafen is adept at helping clients when there is a fatality or serious injury that results in an investigation.

Pinsent Masons fields an agile team, which operates across all UK jurisdictions. The skilled group has considerable expertise in advising clients in high-hazard industries such as construction, manufacturing, transport,

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waste and energy. The practice has noticed significant growth in advising on fire and building safety. Sean Elson leads the Birmingham health and safety offering and specialises in corporate regulatory affairs, with considerable expertise in health and safety matters. Associate Hannah Burton is another name to note. Burton has a varied practice covering mainstream health and safety as well as food and product safety.

At Shoosmiths, Hayley Saunders leads the ‘very approachable‘ team, which provides ‘superb and timely support, going that extra mile to ensure best outcomes’. It receives a regular stream of instructions from corporate clients, with niche safety expertise in sectors such as defence, construction, petrochemical and manufacturing. Saunders has an excellent practice which spans both contentious and non-contentious work. She is noted for her skill at handling investigations and prosecutions for manslaughter, and for her defence of many health and safety offences. In addition, she frequently provides compliance advice to various corporates. Senior associate Kirsty Hughes, who ‘can explain complex legal issues in a straightforward way’, is also recommended. Roy Tozer is now a consultant at the firm.

Weightmans has been described as ‘a firm that is moving into the position of a dynamic market leader’ for health and safety work. Andrew Brammer, above, has an enviable reputation for his work on a range of health and safety cases across various sectors. Principal associate James Muller supports companies and individuals throughout the duration of regulatory investigations. Fellow principal associate Tom Boulton covers a broad spread of contentious regulatory matters. Noteworthy too is the fact that

the firm has separate teams which deal with environmental and business crime respectively. The group is also wellequipped to both defend and prosecute cases relating to trading standards, health and safety, fire and food.

The nimble team at Bevan Brittan provides the full scope of health and safety support (contentious and noncontentious) to both the private and public sectors. It frequently works on high-profile and serious incidents, and regularly prosecutes on behalf of local authorities. Adam Kendall is regularly instructed to act for a large number of public and private sector clients. Legal director Louise Mansfield, above, acts for numerous well-known corporate clients and public sector organisations. Mansfield advises on the full range of health and safety issues, and also advises on fire and building safety matters.

At Browne Jacobson, Nottingham-based Andrew Hopkin and Birmingham-based Rachel Lyne co-head the practice, which provides ‘exceptional support’. The group acts for many private sector organisations in relation to health and safety accidents and incidents, including some fatal accidents. It is also adept at advising on health and safety issues that arise from food safety, environmental, care sector and road traffic work. Of note is the fact that the team prosecutes health and safety cases for local authorities and fire authorities.

Legal director Bob Davies leads the criminal regulatory team at the Birmingham office of Clyde & Co Davies advises on fatal workplace accidents, claims of corporate manslaughter and cases of gross negligence. He has extensive experience of defending clients in Health and Safety Executive investigations and prosecutions. As well as representing corporates, Davies acts for individuals who are charged with serious motor offences due to deaths on the road.

The dynamic team at DWF has considerable strength across a multitude of sectors such as energy, retail, healthcare, construction and local government. Under the joint leadership of David Egan and Steffan Groch, it regularly receives instructions from major insurers, large corporates and individuals on a wide variety of health and safety matters. Senior associate Caroline Depledge specialises in contentious matters with a wealth of experience in defending companies, company directors and individuals.

At Gateley Legal, Ruth Armstrong leads a versatile team, which supports clients in all aspects of crisis management. Armstrong has immense experience in all aspects of corporate defence work. The group has considerable expertise across multiple sectors such

as housebuilding, waste management, leisure and retail. It acts for a number of the top 20 housebuilders in the UK, some of whom are FTSE 100 and 250 businesses. Richard Ellis recently joined the practice from Purcell Parker Solicitors, while Kate Oliver departed to join Harrison Clark Rickerbys as a partner.

Tim Coolican heads the practice at Anthony Collins Solicitors. The skilled team advises clients from all sectors on compliance with their health and safety obligations to employees, residents, service users and members of the public. Its work includes representing clients in Health and Safety Executive, police and Care Quality Commission investigations and prosecutions, as well as at inquest proceedings. Coolican’s work is primarily focused on the social housing, health and social care sectors.

The criminal team at Kennedys is headed by Birmingham-based Naomi North, below, and is part of the wider regulatory team. It has particular strength in defending complex motoring offences ranging from careless driving through to causing death by dangerous driving. North frequently deals with incidents which result in fatal/serious injuries.

The crime and regulatory team at Keoghs is best known for its involvement in cases where there are serious regulatory breaches across all service sectors. It frequently acts for corporate entities, insurers and individual directors. It deals with the entire range of regulatory cases, and is adept at defending corporate manslaughter and gross manslaughter cases. Coventrybased Chris Green and Tim Ingram are well-regarded, aided by London-based Chris Newton.

Manchester-based Rob Elvin heads an excellent practice at Squire Patton Boggs, which frequently defends large corporate organisations and directors facing the most serious health and safety matters. The team has particular strength in the chemicals, energy, sport, entertainment and hospitality sectors. It also has considerable expertise in the food and manufacturing arena. Gary Lewis left the firm in April 2024.

WEST MIDLANDS

IMMIGRATION

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Sydney Mitchell

VWV

Wright Hassall

Bevan Brittan

Eversheds Sutherland

The Wilkes Partnership

Shakespeare Martineau

The large team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors is praised for ‘consistently going above and beyond expectations to deliver the best legal service for clients’. Darren Middleton is the practice head, and is accredited as a supervising senior caseworker under the Immigration and Asylum Law accreditation scheme. The group frequently represents vulnerable clients who are victims of torture or trafficking in asylum and human rights matters, as well as in detained asylum cases. The team is well-placed to assist asylumseeking children, and has significant experience of acting in judicial review immigration cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Former Birmingham co-head Ahmed Aydeed now works exclusively from the London office.

André Minnaar heads an ‘extremely efficient’ team, which is ‘friendly, knowledgeable and responsive’, at Sydney Mitchell. The ‘very diligent’ Minnaar is a skilled tribunal advocate, and has a strong LGBTQI following. The team specialises in private fee-paying immigration matters of a personal and human rights based nature. Recently it has expanded its practice to include corporate immigration matters. ‘Very professional’ senior associate Melissa Southall also garners praise for her personal immigration advice to clients. The group regularly advises on spousal visas, applications for children and asylum matters, as well as European applications for citizenship.

The ‘very knowledgeable’ Tom Brett Young, above, leads the firm’s immigration team at VWV – he is described as a ‘very safe pair of hands‘. Brett Young specialises in both business and personal immigration. He has a wealth of experience in acting for international companies, SMEs and universities on a wide range of immigration matters. Other clients include independent schools and highnet-worth individuals. A key component of the practice is advising employers and education providers on their compliance duties as sponsors of workers, and on student visa applications. Senior associate Talitha Degwa is another notable member of the practice. Degwa is increasingly focusing on growing the firm’s corporate immigration practice in the technology sectors.

At the helm at Wright Hassall is Matthew Davies, who has a strong client base covering leading names in retail, food, confectionary and other areas such as financial and professional services. In addition, Davies advises leading law firms on their internal immigration issues, as well as providing business immigration input to their clients. He is also known for his work

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where there is a cross-over between immigration and employment law, especially in cases involving allegations of illegal working. Tracie Udall, who provides ‘highly practical and pragmatic’ advice, is another name to note. The group works closely with its corporate and employment departments to help with the management of sponsor licence applications, and advise on sponsor migrant status.

Ashley Norman co-heads the practice at Bevan Brittan along with legal director Tijen Ahmet, who was formerly the head of department at Shakespeare Martineau. The firm’s excellent national immigration practice is particularly known within the NHS, healthcare and university sectors. Norman regularly advises clients from a range of sectors on various matters such as immigration compliance and audits. He has also been working with some major City and US law firms on numerous immigration issues. Ahmet frequently acts for high-net-worth entrepreneurs and their families.

The team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) provides a ‘top-notch service – they are very responsive and provide customised solutions to our ongoing matters’. Under the joint leadership of Audrey Elliott and legal director Nerys Ireland, the group is well-placed to provide strategic advice to national and international commercial clients. In addition, it has considerable cross-border capabilities, and regularly undertakes large-scale projects across numerous jurisdictions. The group has been busy advising on issues such as right to work, and on co-ordinating the movement of staff across its clients’ businesses.

The Wilkes Partnership is lauded for its ‘very competent and client-focused approach’, ably led by Pam Sidhu. Sidhu is the lead contact for business immigration work, and is supported by lawyers from the firm’s employment and corporate teams. It advises several employer clients and owner managers on diverse matters. Areas of concentration include advising on skilled worker status, global business mobility issues and sponsorship matters.

Solicitor Calum Hanrahan now heads the team at Shakespeare Martineau, in the aftermath of Tijen Ahmet‘s departure to Bevan Brittan. Hanrahan advises businesses and individuals across a variety of sectors, with expertise in diverse areas such as agriculture, engineering, further and higher education, retail, food and hospitality, manufacturing and transport.

IMMIGRATION LAWYERS’ SKILLS AND COURAGE PUT TEAM TOP TIER AGAIN

Sydney Mitchell’s Immigration Law team has retained Legal 500 top tier ranking for the fourth consecutive year, in recognition of not only its legal excellence and efficiency, but also its courage and tenacity for clients, according to the team’s head André Minnaar.

“We do not shy away from any challenging matter and have the experience to navigate complex cases, often succeeding where others have failed,” André says.

André remains the only leading partner in immigration law in Legal 500, which describes him as a skilled tribunal advocate, very diligent, and with a strong LGBTQI following. He is also recognised for heading up an ‘extremely efficient’ immigration law team, which is ‘friendly, knowledgeable and responsive’.

Legal 500 also recognises colleague Melissa Southall as ‘very professional’ and a leading associate, with praise for her personal immigration advice to clients.

Growth

Specialising in private immigration matters of a personal and human rights nature, the team regularly advises on spousal visas, applications for children, asylum matters, human rights based applications, appeals and applications for citizenship.

In the last couple of years, they expanded to include corporate immigration matters. “We wanted to enhance the service for existing

personal immigration clients due to the overlap between personal and business immigration,” André explains. “Building on our success, we now support the wider business community.“

Complementary specialisms

With nearly 40-years combined experience in exclusively personal and corporate immigration and asylum law, André and Melissa are a formidable team that marries complementary and separate immigration law specialisms.

André is well known for dealing with unusual and complex human rights based matters including de facto adoption cases, and has a large LGBTQI following representing many asylum seekers fearing persecution based on their sexual orientation. Melissa has a particular interest in dealing with cases involving children and young adults, having acted for numerous local authorities.

“The team is committed to always putting clients’ interests first and maintaining a high standard of representation,” André says. “I pride myself on excellent client care, as having gone through the immigration process myself, I understand the stress it can cause, and the enormity and often life-changing consequences of an immigration decision.“

He adds: “Unfortunately in an ever changing world with a lot of negative publicity surrounding immigration, laws are often tightened to make it more difficult for people to succeed. Sadly, some recent changes, such as the significant increase on the financial income threshold, are causing distress to clients and could lead to long term separation of families. But we are experienced in finding ways to assist deserving clients in overcoming obstacles.

“Despite these ever increasing complexities in immigration law, we will continue to give our clients the best possible service. Our growth strategy continues, with plans for further expansion of the business offering, alongside assisting the team to maintain the values and high standard of service for which we are known.”

André Minnaar, Immigration team head, Sydney Mitchell.

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WEST MIDLANDS

INSOLVENCY & CORPORATE RECOVERY

DLA Piper

Eversheds Sutherland

Gateley Legal

Pinsent Masons

Shoosmiths

Browne Jacobson

Freeths

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Shakespeare Martineau

Squire Patton Boggs

FBC Manby Bowdler

Gowling WLG

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Thursfields Solicitors

Wright Hassall

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, below, leads the team in Birmingham, specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency work in a noncontentious 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)’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

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work, both contentious and noncontentious. 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 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 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, below, 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 covers the gamut of restructuring and insolvency advice.

In September 2023, Stephen George, above, 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 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 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 noncontentious 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 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, above, 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.

PERSONAL TAX, TRUST AND PROBATE

Lodders Solicitors

Meridian Private Client Mills & Reeve

Shakespeare Martineau

Anthony Collins Solicitors

FBC Manby Bowdler

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Lanyon Bowdler

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Aaron & Partners

Band Hatton Button

MFG Solicitors

Pickerings Solicitors

VWV

Wright Hassall

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd

Brethertons

George Green

Higgs

Irwin Mitchell

Mander Hadley Solicitors

Talbot & Co

Thursfields Solicitors

Weightmans 1 2 3 4

The ‘very knowledgeable’ Louise Igoe, above, heads the department at Lodders Solicitors. The team remains busy advising on matters involving estate and succession planning, inheritance tax, trusts and probate. The group excels in advising high-net-worth clients, and is adept at overseeing the administration of complex estates involving agricultural and business properties. John Rouse has particular expertise in succession planning for businesses and farmers, as well as providing tax and estate planning advice on issues relating to strategic land sites. Associate Jennifer Russell is recommended for her work on diverse matters including lasting powers of attorney and the creation of trusts. Legal director Elaine Morgan aids with trust administration. The team was boosted by the arrival of Dawn Oliver from Harrison Clark Rickerbys in May 2024.

Meridian Private Client has a ‘great reputation in the market’. The ‘technically very strong’ team is ‘very knowledgeable and extremely helpful’.  Led by Jon Croxford, it has considerable expertise in diverse areas such as estate/trust administration and shareholder tax

is a chartered tax adviser as well as a trusts and estates practitioner.

The team at Anthony Collins Solicitors is best known for its work with vulnerable adults. It frequently advises on protection structures for families with disabled individuals, as well as on compensation protection trusts and statutory wills. The group is also adept at advising on Court of Protection matters covering both finances and welfare. In addition, the practice often provides estate and capital tax planning advice to medium and high-net-worth families. Donna Holmes is the practice head. Senior associate Lindsey Bohanna is another key contact.

At FBC Manby Bowdler, Kim Carr, Graham Fuller and Sara Simson ably co-lead the wills, probate and lifetime planning team in the West Midlands, Shropshire and Worcestershire. The nimble team covers community care and Court of Protection matters. In addition, it is well-regarded for its work with business owners and agricultural estate owners on complex inheritance tax planning and business succession issues. Highlights included Christina Polychronakis‘ promotion to the partnership in April 2023 and Deborah Beal's arrival in September 2023 from Wright Hassall. Christopher Bate was promoted to the partnership in April 2024.

and elderly client work become a significant part of its caseload. Other key areas of focus include advising on the administration of estates and on applications to the Court of Protection. The practice is also well-regarded for its specialist advice in relation to NHS continuing healthcare. Shelley Collingbourne is another significant member of the practice.

At The Wilkes Partnership, Andrew Hasnip and Ellie Holland spearhead the department, which is lauded for its ‘excellent knowledge, and clear and timely communications’. It has a wealthy client base stretching across the West Midlands and beyond, comprised of high-net-worth individuals as well as owners of small and medium sized enterprises. Areas of focus include advising on inheritance tax, trusts and estate planning, as well as succession planning for business owners. Ann-Marie Aston leads the Court of Protection offering. Senior associate Sophie Fenn is a full member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

planning, as well as UK and offshore tax, estate and trust planning. Eamonn Daly, who is a chartered tax adviser and a full member of STEP, specialises in acting for wealthy individuals and their families on an array of tax planning, wealth succession and asset protection matters. Natasha Smith is known for her private client tax advice to wealthy individuals, in particular to business owners.

Mills & Reeve has been described as ‘the crème de la crème of the private client world’. At the helm are John Grundy, Catriona Attride (who joined the firm in June 2023 from Gateley Legal) and Lucy Howard. It has a strong reputation for its advice to business owners, wealthy individuals, families and landed estate clients. The group has particular expertise in advising on the creation of family investment companies. It frequently advises wealthy philanthropists on the establishment of charities and other charitable-giving mechanisms. Another core area of focus is advising wealthy families where mental capacity has become a concern. Principal associate Sarah Wood receives many plaudits. Matthew Hansell has now retired.

The ‘knowledgeable and professional team’ at Shakespeare Martineau is ‘very easy to deal with’, under the excellent leadership of Hannah Tait and Verity Kirby. Its key areas of focus include providing wealth, tax and succession planning advice to families, landed estates, entrepreneurs and business owners. The group also helps elderly clients, and receives a steady flow of instructions on personal injury trusts. Lesley Davis continues to play a pivotal role in the department, and works closely with many private banks and large accountancy practices. Julia Rosenbloom, who joined the practice in August 2023,

The private wealth team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys acts for many of the region’s wealthiest families, and regularly works with other professional service providers across the country. It advises on work spanning the establishment of family investment companies through to ways of maximising inheritance tax relief. In addition, the group often works on partnership agreements. Laura Banks, Beth King-Smith and Julia Stahl are the heads of department, while Shirley Rabbetts is also recommended. Dawn Oliver joined Lodders Solicitors.

The highly experienced private client department at Lanyon Bowdler is represented at every office of the firm, and is therefore able to advise clients across the whole of Shropshire, Herefordshire and North Wales. With Edward Rees, David Pugh and Karl Beckett at the helm, it is recommended for its work on trusts, estate planning and administration. It also excels in many other areas, including advising on business property relief and agricultural property relief. Neil Davies heads the Court of Protection offering, while Kevin Thomas covers estate administration.

Sydney Mitchell is praised for showing ‘a genuine approach to care for clients and always going the extra mile’. Tracy Creed, above, is the head of the department, which has seen wealth preservation

Chester-based Clive Pointon, above,  is a key contact at Aaron & Partners. The team is skilled at advising business owners, landowners and high-networth individuals on how to organise their estates to minimise exposure to inheritance tax. It is also skilled at advising on the creation and administration of charities. Senior associate Amy Morris is recognised for her work on an array of succession planning matters.

At Band Hatton Button, the ‘friendly’ team is praised for its ‘clear communication with advice you can rely on!’. Headed by Michelle Gavin, it has a solid reputation for its work on wills, estate planning and asset protection matters. It continues to be busy advising on other issues such as powers of attorney and Court of Protection work, as well as on the administration of trusts and post-death tax planning. Recently promoted partner Charlotte Macalister handles complex estates with an interest in Court of Protection matters.

The ‘personable and professional’ team at Pickerings Solicitors advises business owners, landowners and high-networth individuals on the creation and administration of trusts and estates. Practice head Emma Harrison has a broad practice – she regularly deals with complex estates involving trusts and multiple assets. Lucy Cooling is a skilled practitioner who specialises in planning for beneficiaries with a disability. Associate Marie Tisdale is another key figure who has particular expertise in advising on agricultural estates.

At VWV, Rachael Armstrong is ‘committed to delivering high-class advice and guidance to all of her clients’, which

include farmers, musicians, entrepreneurs and company directors. Armstrong regularly advises high-net-worth names on inheritance tax and succession planning, and on setting up trusts as part of family investment companies. She also continues to be busy advising on other matters such as deputyship applications and drafting powers of attorney.

Gemma Carson, above, now heads the department at Wright Hassall, which frequently advises high-net-worth individuals and families (such as business owners, landowners and farmers) on complex tax structures. It also enjoys a steady workflow of probate and estate administration, as well as trust creation and administration. In addition, the group is recommended for its work with elderly or vulnerable clients. Richard Dundee joined the practice in December 2023. Former department head Tracy Ashby is now at Thursfields Solicitors.

The team at Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd continues to be busy advising on various tax planning matters and on the drafting of wills in a tax-efficient way. It also receives a regular flow of instructions on the creation of trusts. Practice head Neil Raiseborough is skilled at advising on complex wills, estates and trusts for mainly high-net-worth individuals. Senior associate Corrine Seabourne is also recommended.

Brethertons ‘makes a point of giving its clients a high level of customer service’. It is collectively led by Banbury-based Sarah Horton, Bicester-based Emma Stewart, and Laura Stuart who is at the office in Rugby. The group has a wealth of experience in diverse areas such as the administration of estates and trust creation and administration. It also advises on Court of Protection matters and powers of attorney.

advice to high-net-worth individuals. At Irwin Mitchell, the team has been busy advising business owners on structuring their businesses and wealth. It is also skilled at assisting later life clients, as well as vulnerable clients and their families. Key contacts at the Birmingham office are Jessica Beddows and Ian Bond. Beddows is an associate member of STEP and of the Association of Later Life Advisors. Bond advises individuals and their families on a broad spectrum of private client matters.

Rachel Blackburn leads the practice at Mander Hadley Solicitors, which frequently provides inheritance tax planning advice. It receives a steady stream of instructions on probate and trusts matters, as well as Court of Protection and care fee planning issues.

Talbot & Co continues to act for generations of significant families on a range of private client matters. It frequently advises on trust and estate administration, tax planning and general wealth management. The firm’s client base is both national and international.

Tom Bramall is the key contact. Thursfields Solicitors is a ‘friendly firm which puts the client at the heart of what it is doing’. Its private client offering spans a number of offices. Terry Cooper focuses on lifetime tax planning at the Birmingham office. Sophie Donovan leads the estate administration team, and is based in Kidderminster. Tracy Ashby joined the team from Wright Hassall in October 2023. Ashby specialises in capacity issues and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Her other strengths include advising on powers of attorney and care funding issues. At the Birmingham office of

Weightmans, the team is particularly recommended for its advice to business owners on structuring their personal affairs. Areas of expertise also include advising on the use of lifetime trusts, charitable trusts and family investment companies. Head of department Sarah Louise Walker, above, is well-regarded for her knowledge of estate planning, complex estate administration and trust matters.

No5 REAFFIRMS ITS PLACE AT THE TOP OF THE MIDLANDS RANKINGS

No5 is delighted to have retained its position as one of the premier sets in the Midlands, having been ranked in Tier 1 across a region leading 16 practice areas in the Midlands. Individually, our barristers received 148 individual rankings across the Midlands region.

These top tier specialisms include Administrative Law and Human Rights; Business and Regulatory Crime; Chancery, Probate and Tax; Clinical Negligence; Commercial Litigation; Company and Insolvency; Court of Protection and Community Care; Crime; Employment; Family: Children and Domestic Abuse; Immigration; Personal Injury; Planning; Professional Disciplinary Law; Professional Negligence; and Property and Construction.

This rounds off a year of growth for No5 which has seen us move to our new home at the landmark 103 Colmore Row building; celebrating Richard Hadley and Matthew Brook’s appointments as Kings Counsel; and welcome thirty-one new tenants and seven new pupils to Chambers. We are also very proud that four of our members have been appointed as full time Circuit Judges and three of our members as full time Tribunal Judges.

Tony McDaid, Chief Executive at No5 said: “These rankings are a testament to the depth of talent that No5 offers across all of our practice areas, and I thank everyone for all of their hard work in achieving this success. We are immensely grateful to our clients for taking the time to provide such generous feedback to those conducting the research at Legal 500.”

for

managers.

Founded over a century ago, No5 now numbers over 260 barristers, including 40 silks, and provides a national and international service out of their offices in Birmingham, London and Bristol.

Throughout its 100-year history, No5 has developed a reputation for breaking new ground and continues to be regarded as a forward-thinking set. No5 maintains its success in traditional sectors of law while offering specialist advice and representation at the cutting edge of newly evolving areas.

Chambers continues to attract high-quality work in all disciplines, combining excellent service standards with a progressive, modern and flexible approach to clients’ needs.

Spearheaded by Claire Pottinger, above, George Green covers a wide range of private client matters, primarily acting

local business owners and

Pottinger is a full member of STEP and a fully accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. Louise Axford, above, is another key figure who specialises in providing estate planning

WEST MIDLANDS

PROPERTY LITIGATION

Eversheds Sutherland

Gowling WLG

Pinsent Masons

Shakespeare Martineau

Shoosmiths

Anthony Collins Solicitors

Browne Jacobson

Bevan Brittan

MFG Solicitors

Mills & Reeve

Squire Patton Boggs

Band Hatton Button

DLA Piper

Gateley Legal

Irwin Mitchell

Lodders Solicitors

Sydney Mitchell

The Wilkes Partnership

Trowers & Hamlins 1 2 3 4 5

Highly regarded for its expertise across the finance, energy and automotive sectors, the Eversheds Sutherland (International) practice is described as ‘personable’ and ‘swift to respond’ when handling significant High Court cases and complex arbitrations. The team has considerable experience in assisting with breaches of section 106 planning agreements, Building Safety Act disputes and restrictive covenant claims. Leading the Birmingham-based department, David Feist, above, focuses on the real estate investment space and city center regeneration schemes, while the ‘unflappable’ Lisa Barge specialises in high value rent review and dilapidation disputes. Rob Holloway is an expert on portfolio management matters, and Arren Thornton routinely acts for water undertakes and multinational banks.

Routinely advising on major litigation claims relating to rights of light, dilapidation disputes and breaches of land sale agreements, Gowling WLG demonstrates an ‘in depth knowledge’ on the whole spectrum of property litigation. With experience acting on behalf of multinational housebuilders, local authorities and distribution network operators, the West Midland’s offering is headed by Paul Barker, a specialist in complex retail and leisure property matters. Rob Bridgman is knowledgeable in landlord and tenant claims, whilst David Wigy focuses primarily on adverse possession

Elinor Sandbach is an expert on landlord and tenant disputes, and Natalie Aldread is also highlighted as key.

Recommended for its ‘good, sound advice’, the Anthony Collins Solicitors practice handles the gamut of property dispute issues, ranging from 1954 Act lease renewals, alienations to the enforcement of leasehold provisions. Helen Tucker and Phil Scully co-head the team, with the former specialising in health and safety compliance issues, whilst the latter is well-versed in acting for institutional landlords, retail clients and housing associations. Rebecca Semuuze is highlighted for her residential lease forfeiture work.

Demonstrating substantial expertise across the retail, public and health sectors, the team at Browne Jacobson stands out for its handling of complex covenant obligations and COVID-19 arbitration schemes. Heading the Birmingham offering, James Coles brings vast insight into dilapidations and service charge disputes to the practice, and Hannah Parry constantly represents government departments, investor landlords and HNW individuals. Katie Briggs is knowledgeable in landlord and tenant claims, whilst Emma Stafford focuses primarily on rent review cases.

Providing insight on the gamut of property-based litigation, spanning from commercial landlord and tenant possession cases to contested break clause disputes, the Coventry-based Band Hatton Button team is hailed for its ‘practical and thorough’ approach. John French, above, heads the West Midlands offering, specialising in boundary disputes. Jon Wilby regularly represents clients in the charity, education and healthcare sectors, whilst Malcolm Thomas focuses on restrictive covenants.

cases and planning injunctions. The whole team is based out of Birmingham.

Counting global insurance companies, local councils and energy conglomerates amongst its key clients, the ‘exceptionally strong’ Pinsent Masons practice has extensive experience in the courts at all levels, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The team displays a growing presence in the telecoms sector, regularly representing mobile and wireless infrastructure operators. The ‘superb’ Alicia Foo heads the Birmingham-based outfit. Foo is an expert in Electronic Communication Code matters, whilst Sarah Campey focuses on complex rights to light claims. Pierre Smith is knowledgeable on retail and leisure related claims, and Craig Downhill is also highlighted as key.

Strengthened by the arrival of the new practice head Vanessa Joll in May 2023, Shakespeare Martineau deploys a ‘creative approach’ in tackling complex development disputes, contested 1954 Act claims and break notice issues. Based out of Birmingham, Martin Edwards brings vast expertise in the education, telecoms and energy sectors to the team, whilst the ‘legally excellent’ James Fownes is an expert on the contentious aspects of lease renewals and break clauses. Justine Ball acts on behalf of developers and corporate landlords, and Pia Eames is also noted as a key contact.

Consistently acting on big ticket litigation relating to dilapidations, contested breaks and rent arrears, the Birmingham-based Shoosmiths team is hailed for its ‘speed of work and coordination’. Representing a diverse array of clients from across the property investment, retail and automotive spheres, the Midlands offering is headed by Kate McCall, who specialises in claims arising in the Appeal Courts and Upper Tribunals. Nick Shepherd leads the national practice, concentrating predominantly on rent reviews and development disputes, whilst Paul Knight frequently advises commercial developers and investors.

Labelled as ‘responsive, knowledgeable, and pragmatic’, the Bevan Brittan practice is highly regarded for advising public sector organisations from across the health, local government and social housing sectors. Based out of Bristol, Steven Eccles heads the team, whilst Birmingham-based Mark Robertson is an expert in rights of light claims and property-related telecoms disputes, and Raman Thandi-Bal is knowledgeable on the Building Safety Act.

Specialising in landlord and tenant disputes, rights of way claims and contentious residential work, Mills & Reeve has extensive expertise in the education, business rates and healthcare industries. The firm acts on behalf of investors, strategic landowners and major corporates, with Henry Mahalski, above, heading the Birmingham-based practice, whilst Laura Woodward focuses on uncontested lease renewals and dilapidations.

Characterised for its ‘prompt and pragmatic advice’, Squire Patton Boggs specialises in handling dilapidations, rent arrear matters and covenant interpretations, on behalf of housebuilders and multinational corporations. Michelle Adams leads the West Midlands offering, bringing expertise in lease renewals, rent reviews and breaches of covenants to the practice. Mobeen Amin advises on all aspects of commercial property disputes, whilst Stephanie Hadley focuses on forfeitures and easements.

Headed by Petra Billing, the DLA Piper team demonstrates strong crosssector expertise, primarily focusing on the retail, healthcare and financial services industries. Billing is an expert in development and commercial landlord disputes, Rob Shaw is knowledgeable in the infrastructure space, and Samuel Lane stands out for his work on adverse possession claims and protest actions.

Representing a variety of developers, housebuilders and landlords, the Lodders Solicitors team is ‘completely professional’ when advising on easements, forfeitures of leases and proprietary estoppel disputes. Heading the Stratford upon Avon-based practice, Victoria Khandker specialises in contractual property matters and commercial tenant claims, Kyle Wyness is an expert on dilapidations and boundary disputes, whilst both Mary Rouse and Ellie Crofts are also highlighted as key.

Consistently advising private clients, landlords and bridging lenders, Sydney Mitchell stands out for its knowledge on service charge arrears, enforcement of restrictive covenants and ownership disputes. With the team being based out of Birmingham, Leanne SchneiderRose leads, bringing in-depth expertise in contentious insolvency cases to the practice, whilst Ian Sheppard focuses on dilapidation claims and lease renewals.

Splitting his time between the Birmingham and Solihull offices, Kevin Lynch heads The Wilkes Partnership property litigation team, bringing indepth expertise in disrepair claims, real estate-based telecoms litigation and tenant insolvency claims to the outfit. Meanwhile, from Birmingham, Harriet Critchley primarily focuses on business lease renewals, contested break notices and complex rent reviews.

Boasting an established client base comprising developers, public sector bodies and management companies, Trowers & Hamlins is highly regarded for its work on lease renewals, rights of light claims and building regulation defects. Based in Birmingham, Michael Green leads the group, specialising in lease terminations and regeneration projects. Guy Willetts has experience in representing NHS and health sector clients. Neerali Madhvani and Cynyr Rhys are also highlighted as key contacts.

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WEST MIDLANDS

REGIONAL BAR

THE MIDLANDS CIRCUIT LEADING SETS

BUSINESS AND REGULATORY CRIME

(INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY)

LEADING SETS 1

Viewed by clients as 'an outstanding set with significant strength in depth', No5 Barristers’ Chambers has a solid track record in handling a wide range of business and regulatory criminal matters. The team regularly acts for individuals, companies, local authorities, national regulators and the Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency. Tony Watkin’s, pictured, broad practice takes in health and safety and environmental work, and Tim Pole's workload includes cases involving waste disposal issues and workplace accidents.

St Philips Chambers is home to a team of 'experienced regulatory lawyers', which is particularly well regarded for handling prosecution work. Jonathan Barker is 'a persuasive advocate', and Joseph Millington’s practice takes in environmental criminal matters. Ben Mills, pictured, is representing the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive in an ongoing case arising from a major explosion in an anaerobic digestion facility, resulting in two employees receiving catastrophic injuries. Ben Williams has considerable experience in prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive in cases involving workplace fatalities.

CHANCERY, PROBATE AND TAX

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers' Chambers garners praise from clients as 'the go-to set in the West Midlands for all Chancery work'. The set is home to a team with established expertise in advising on, among other areas, contentious probate, tax and trusts matters. Angus Burden 'conveys very complex and difficult legal arguments with ease', and recently handled a case involving a challenge to the validity of a will on the grounds that the testator had lacked capacity. Louise Corfield, pictured, is well known for her experience in assisting with Inheritance Act matters, which are also a key area of strength for rising star Annie Townley.

St Philips Chambers stands out as 'one of the leading sets in the region with a very good offering for contentious probate matters'.  John Aldis is regularly instructed in cases involving challenges to wills on grounds of alleged incapacity, undue influence, and fraud. In a recent matter, he represented the claimants in Baker v Hewston, involving a re-examination of the relationship between the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the common law test of testamentary capacity. Christopher Buckingham’s 'advocacy is always of a high quality'. Gavin McLeod garners praise for his 'outstanding legal knowledge', and is well versed in advising on Inheritance Act claims.

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE

LEADING SETS 1

Recognised by clients as ‘the leader in the field of clinical negligence in the Midlands’, No5 Barristers’ Chambers fields a strong team of specialists with wide experience ranging from brain and spinal injury cases to dental negligence matters. The ‘extremely personable’

Gemma Roberts is particularly strong handling gynaecological, oncological, orthopaedic, and birth injury cases. Mamta Gupta specialises in mental health suicide cases as well as birth injury cases. Neil Shastri-Hurst is now Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley.

LEADING SETS 3

St Philips Chambers offers several strong barristers handling a wide range of clinical negligence matters. With ‘excellent client care’ skills Colin Baran, pictured, stands out for his expertise in cosmetic surgery claims. He is also noted for his experience handling claims involving sportspeople alleging negligence on the part of physiotherapists and other medical professionals responsible for rehabilitation treatment following injury. Andrew Evans is recognised by clients as ‘a great advocate with a keen eye for detail’.

Kings Chambers is well-known as ‘an excellent set with plenty of strength in depth’ when it comes to clinical negligence work. Satinder Hunjan KC, pictured, handles complex and high-profile cases, standing out for ‘his mastery of the expert evidence’. Anna Diamond’s ‘knowledge of the issues of clinical practice and medicine is outstanding’. Nicholas Truelove has recently been instructed by a claimant in relation to a group litigation against the neurosurgery department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, concerning the systematic misplacement of brain stimulation devices used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

LEADING SETS 1

Widely regarded as a ‘strong and reliable set’, No5 Barristers’ Chambers continues to offer considerable commercial litigation expertise to clients in the Midlands region. ‘Robust, eloquent, and concise’ advocate Paul Dean, pictured, specialises in complex and often technical breach of contract disputes, benefiting from his engineering background – he recently acted for a Walsall-based renewables company in relation to a claim regarding an allegedly defective incinerator. Annie Townley and David Taylor both stand out for their property-related commercial litigation expertise.

With ‘a good range of experience and expertise’, St Philips Chambers  is a ‘go-to in the Midlands for commercial barristers’. John Brennan, pictured, has a strong reputation for his client care skills and ‘superb and winning advocacy style’ – he has recently acted in several disputes concerning family businesses. In Parker v Patel & Others, Robert Mundy is representing the principal defendant in relation to a civil fraud claim arising from a failed private hospital development project. Noted particularly for his skill in cross-examination, Ali Tabari focuses on commercial litigation with fraud, insolvency, company, and finance elements. He recently acted in high-profile case Henderson & Jones v Ross, Barnes and Others, representing the former directors of a company liable for fitting faulty PIP breast implants, accused of dishonestly conspiring with Barclays Bank and their solicitors to restructure the company in order to avoid various liabilities, including for compensation to victims of the scandal.

CRIME: GENERAL & FRAUD LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers remains ‘a powerhouse of a set‘ with strength in depth in terms of criminal barristers. Michael Duck KC, pictured, ‘equally strong when defending and prosecuting’, has particular expertise in cases involving organised crime  – he recently represented an 18-year-old man co-accused of the torture and murder of a drug addict over £300 of missing money who ultimately received a minimum of 28 years in prison. Michelle Heeley KC, current leader of the Midlands Circuit, regularly prosecutes and defends in the most serious and high-profile of cases – she prosecuted a 26-year-old engineering student convicted of preparing acts of terrorism, namely building and planning to deliver a drone to Islamic State, as well as researching chemical weapons and explosives. John O’Higgins, ‘a senior junior of the highest calibre’ noted particularly for his powerful advocacy, handles murder, terrorism, and sexual offences cases. Ian Bridge is well-known for defending in the most challenging and serious road traffic cases, including death by dangerous driving.

St Philips Chambers maintains ‘a fine reputation as one of the top sets for criminal law on the Midlands Circuit’. Richard Atkins KC, ‘a great advocate with an easy courtroom manner’, defends and prosecutes in murder, manslaughter, fraud, and drugs cases, among others. In 2023 Rebecca Wade KC, pictured, defended a mother charged with gross negligence manslaughter after her baby daughter drowned in the bath having been left unsupervised, with both parents under the influence of drugs at the time. Jonathan Barker has notable experience in high-profile cases – he recently represented social media influencer Mahek Bukhari, who, along with seven others, was charged with the double murder of her mother’s lover and his friend after their car was forced off the road into a tree. Ben Close, with a practice primarily consisting of ‘paper-heavy and multi-defendant cases‘, has recent experience handling money laundering matters involving considerable cryptocurrency purchases. Jennifer Josephs’ varied expertise covers murder, sexual offences, and drugs cases.

LEADING SETS 2

The 36 Group is widely praised as ‘a strong set of criminal practitioners who are adept at dealing with complex and serious matters’. ‘First-rate trial advocate’ and crime group head Mary Prior KC, pictured, is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in high-profile and medically complex murder cases involving the deaths of children – she recently prosecuted the mother and stepfather of a tenmonth-old who died after physical abuse compared by a pathologist to a multi-storey fall; the stepfather was convicted of murder and the mother of causing or allowing the death of a child. Claire Fraser is recognised as ‘an engaging and fluent advocate whose style endears herself to juries’. Lisa Hardy recently defended a man acquitted on charges of with unlawful act manslaughter , having allegedly spiked his date's vape fluid with a lethal dose of painkiller oxycodone. Arthur Kendrick’s burgeoning practice covers organised crime, homicide and fraud cases.

LEGAL 500 2025

Established in 1965, our ethos is to work in partnership with our clients in order to ensure consistent excellence. Chambers prides itself on our attention to detail, approachability, efficiency and skill.

We are the only set of chambers on the Midland Circuit to offer a comprehensive service across the East and West parts and remain to be a modern multi-disciplinary set renowned for its exceptional mix of barristers at all levels of experience, with particular specialism across our core practice areas of:

• Family (Private, Public, Finance)

• Dispute Resolution

• Civil

• Housing

• Business and Property

• Crime

• Regulatory

WEST MIDLANDS

COMPANY & INSOLVENCY

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers is well-known in the Midlands for offering wide-ranging company and insolvency law expertise. Mark Anderson KC, left, is a highly experienced barrister who regularly handles complex company law matters – he recently acted for the claimant in Loveridge v Loveridge, in which a partnership dispute and unfair prejudice petition ran together, the dispute concerning the ownership and management of a large-scale caravan site business in Worcestershire. Alexander Heylin is often involved in multijurisdictional insolvency cases, while Yasmin Yasseri is a company and partnership specialist with recent experience in family business disputes. Mohammed Zaman KC’s broad experience encompasses high-value shareholder disputes.

With ‘serious strength in depth’ St Philips Chambers remains a ‘go-to’ for company and insolvency law matters in the Midlands. Marc Brown is an insolvency specialist who regularly handles both corporate and personal insolvency matters – he recently represented a postmaster who had been made bankrupt as a result of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Kirsty White offers broad expertise in company and insolvency law, representing clients in relation to unfair prejudice petitions, debt recovery applications, and third-party debt orders, among other areas. Ali Tabari’s expertise covers shareholder disputes and unfair prejudice petitions. Natalie Kearney is instructed in both company and insolvency matters, recently acting for the debtor company in relation to a disputed winding-up petition.

EMPLOYMENT

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers is well known as a ‘strong employment set with a good choice of counsel across all years of call’. Helen Barney is regularly instructed by NHS trusts, local authorities, and private companies, with strength handling grievance investigations. Charles Crow, praised for his ‘strong and persuasive advocacy skills’, has considerable experience in the healthcare, social care, education, housing, and banking sectors. With broad expertise covering TUPE, equal pay, and discrimination claims, Mugni Islam-Choudhury leads the team. He has recently been instructed by the respondent in Basra v University of East London, defending against 75 separate allegations of sex and race discrimination brought by a lecturer in the creative writing department. In 2023 ‘fabulous advocate’ Richard Hignett acted for the claimant in Record v Barclays Bank, a sex discrimination claim brought by a senior wealth manager dismissed for gross misconduct following allegations of sexual harassment by female colleagues.

St Philips Chambers boasts a reputation for offering ‘strength in depth‘ when it comes to employment law barristers, fielding a sizeable team that regularly acts for large private employers, public sectors clients such as NHS trusts and local authorities, and individuals. Edmund Beever, head of the employment group at chambers and part-time employment judge, offers broad expertise covering dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing cases. Sophie Garner, above, was recently instructed by the claimant, a part-time senior manager allegedly denied a pay rise on the grounds that her husband earned sufficiently enough to provide for the household, in high-profile discrimination case Jiang v James Durrans Sheffield Ltd. Francis Mortin represents both claimants and respondents in worker status, discrimination, and whistleblowing claims. He is noted by clients for his advocacy and client care skills. Alexander Rozycki recently represented the claimant in D’Arcy v Rugby School and Govorusa – the housemistress bringing numerous claims against the school, including for whistleblowing detriment, disability discrimination,

and victimisation, after she was suspended after allegations she acted inappropriately with students.

FAMILY & CHILDREN LAW LEADING SETS 1

With ‘a good range of experienced practitioners’ No5 Barristers’ Chambers remains a leading set for family and children law work on the Midlands Circuit. Stefano Nuvoloni KC’s, left, broad expertise encompasses serious abuse, alleged fabricated injuries, and trafficking cases, among others. Kristina Brown specialises in Children Act cases and has experience acting at all levels of the family court, including the Court of Appeal. She represents local authorities, parents, extended family members, and children acting through guardians or solicitors. Orla Grant has experience in cases involving the deaths of children, the deaths of parents at the hands of other parents, sexual abuse, shaken baby injuries, terrorism, and fabricated illness, standing out for her ‘exceptionally articulate submissions’. Rhianna Manani is fast gaining a reputation as ‘an exceptional advocate who is always forward thinking’.

3PB continues to be recognised as an ‘impressively strong set’ for family law work in the Midlands. The ‘Calm, robust and effective’ Nicola Martin has considerable experience handling care proceedings arising from serious injuries and abuse as well as private law children matters involving issues such as abduction, alienation, and relocation. Lucy Clayton has a particular interest in cases concerning abduction, LGBT parents and surrogacy, and the misuse of social media. Laura Scott specialises in cases involving older children and young people, including sexual or criminal exploitation. Aimee Fox is widely praised as a ‘phenomenal advocate’ with strong client care skills. Her expertise encompasses multi-jurisdictional relocation cases. Suzanne Coleclough retired in 2023.

Birmingham’s St Ives Chambers remains ‘a heavyweight set with a deservedly fine reputation’ in the Midlands for family and children law work. Elizabeth Isaacs KC, left, is widely praised as a ‘ferocious, fearless advocate’ as well as for her client care skills, benefitting in this regard from her background as a child protection social worker. Justine Lattimer is regularly instructed in the most serious cases involving sexual abuse, brain injury, deaths of parents and children, FGM, forced marriage, and fabricated illness. Tracy Lakin is ‘a highly experienced barrister who brings authority and good sense to a case’. Mark Cooper-Hall‘s broad practice covers care proceedings involving child deaths, fabricated or induced illness, sexual abuse, and systemic local authority failings. Anthony Finch joined chambers in February 2024.

St Philips Chambers is widely praised as ‘an excellent family set providing support at every level‘ from experienced silks to juniors just beginning their careers. With a reputation as a ‘robust advocate’ and benefiting from a background as a neuropsychologist, Sara Lewis KC regularly appears in medically complex cases heard in the High Court – she is often instructed to represent parents facing serious allegations of abuse resulting in brain injuries and/or death. Gemma Bowes is well known as a ‘skilled advocate’ with an ‘empathetic bedside manner’. William Horwood‘s growing practice sees him act on behalf of local authorities, parents, children, and extended family members, impressing for his ‘exemplary’ oral and written advocacy as well as his ‘excellent grasp of statute and case law’.

FAMILY & DIVORCE

LEADING SETS 1

3PB maintains its reputation as the premier divorce and financial remedy set in the Midlands region. Widely praised as a ‘fantastic advocate’ Aimee Fox is regularly instructed in financial remedy work involving varied asset portfolios valued in the millions and tens of millions.

Having joined from St Ives Chambers in November 2023, Roger Thomas brings with him considerable experience representing litigants under the Matrimonial Causes and Civil Partnership Acts as well as cohabiting couples under TOLATA. He is noted for his skill ‘tackling cases with a jurisdictional element’ as well as for his persuasive advocacy. Charles Hogan increasingly handles high-value financial remedy applications and Schedule 1 claims.

LEADING SETS 2

St Philips Chambers is wellknown as ‘one of the leading sets in Birmingham’ for divorce and financial remedy work.

‘Robust advocate’ Luke Tallis regularly handles high-value cases involving varied asset portfolios, complex trusts, disputed business valuations, and third-party disputes. With a reputation for ‘detailed preparation and forceful submissions’, Juliet Allen is often instructed in relation to disputes dealing with corporate assets, trust structures, and large property portfolios. Leisha Bond is widely noted for her willingness to ‘fight for her clients’.

LEADING SETS 3

No5 Barristers’ Chambers remains a ‘go-to set in Birmingham’, hosting several leading financial remedy barristers. Stephanie Brown stands out for her expertise in high-value disputes concerning complex financial arrangements, businesses, and trust structures. She is widely recognised as ‘one of the best financial remedy barristers in the region’. Katie Langdon, whose ‘advocacy skills are second to none’, regularly acts in financial remedy proceedings and in property disputes relating to unmarried couples and children.

St Ives Chambers hosts several leading barristers with expertise in divorce and financial remedy work. In recent years Jayne Mullen has established a reputation as a ‘brilliant private FDR judge’. Nicholas Starks has considerable experience handling high-net-worth claims involving businesses, farms, overseas assets, trusts, and pensions. A ‘robust barrister’ whose ‘client care is excellent’, he leads the family finance team at chambers. Andrew Day is regarded by many as ‘one of the most technically sound and intelligent barristers’ on the Midlands Circuit when it comes to dealing with financial and property disputes between married and unmarried couples.

PERSONAL INJURY

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers is widely praised as ‘an exceptionally strong set’ that hosts a wide range of ‘barristers with unparalleled talent’ when it comes to personal injury work. Jonathan Jones KC regularly handles high-value claims for both claimants and defendants, often involving consideration of periodical payments, provisional damages, statutory funding, and capacity. Teresa Hargreaves’, above, broad practice covers asbestos-related cases, RTAs, and workplace injury claims. Esther Gamble is noted for her ‘very detailed’ approach to medically complex cases, with her experience encompassing brain and spinal injuries, amputations, and fatalities. Robert Smallwood is routinely involved in complex and high-value cases –he is currently representing an amateur athlete who sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of falling from a cliff during a running-swimming duathlon, with the case raising novel issues regarding the duty owed to participants by sports event organisers and the extent of risk accepted by participants in such events.

LEADING SETS 2

St Philips Chambers hosts several barristers with considerable experience handling a wide range of personal injury matters. Noted for ‘distilling complex points of law’ into advice that is intelligible to lay clients, Sofia Ashraf regularly acts for both claimants and defendants, with her broad practice covering road traffic accidents, employers’ liability, occupiers’

liability, and occupational health cases. Colin Baran handles employers’ liability and public liability claims at the intersection of employment and personal injury law, specialising in defending public authorities and the emergency services in training-related claims.

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers has a strong reputation as a ‘great set with broad and deep expertise’ in planning law. ‘Strategic thinker’ Christopher Young KC works exclusively in town and country planning, highways, and compulsory purchase law. Sioned Davies acts for developers, local planning authorities, and public authorities, regularly handling cases concerning residential, commercial, and renewable energy developments. She recently appeared in judicial review case Bentley Pauncefoot Parish Council v Redditch BC, concerning a hybrid application for 2,560 dwellings as well as retail floorspace and health and community facilities, challenged on the grounds that the committee did not have all the necessary information on the matter to reach a lawful conclusion and the decision did not require developers to contribute to educational transport.

LEADING SETS 2

With ‘good strength in depth’ barristers at Kings Chambers remain highly active on a wide range of planning matters in the Midlands region. Gary Grant, left, has recently been instructed in relation to large-scale planning proposals in city centres, including for tall buildings. Sarah Clover is regularly instructed by private developers and local authorities on all aspects of planning development and enforcement. She has notable expertise in ‘agent of change’ cases and in cases dealing with issues at the intersection of planning and licensing law.

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION

LEADING SETS 1

No5 Barristers’ Chambers is well-known as ‘one of the strongest sets in Birmingham’ for property and construction work with ‘strong advocates‘ at every level of call. David Taylor’s broad property expertise covers adverse possession claims, boundary disputes, easement claims and a wide range of disputes arising from commercial and agricultural tenancies. Louise Corfield, above, regularly handles property disputes in the context of contentious trust and estates matters. Omar Ensaff is a construction disputes specialist, regularly acting in relation to delay and defect claims as well as claims for variations. Imogen Halstead’s Chancery practice includes disputes relating to the co-ownership of property and the taking of accounts between joint owners as well as boundary and right of way disputes.

St Philips Chambers continues to enjoy an excellent reputation on the Midland Circuit for its property and construction offering. John Aldis is particularly strong handling disputes concerning boundaries, adverse possession, rights of way, and prescription. He recently acted for the respondent church in Liddle v The Incumbent of the Ashfords Benefice, successfully defending against an adverse possession claim by an applicant seeking to be registered as the proprietor of a flowerbed within the churchyard, on the basis of the incumbent priest’s possessory title and the 30-year limitation period afforded to spiritual corporations sole. John Brennan’s broad experience covers contested forfeiture applications, right of way disputes, and adverse possession claims. Christopher Buckingham, above, specialises in commercial property matters, standing out for his ‘excellent advocacy’.

ST IVES: A CONTINUED REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE REGION’S LEADING SETS.

We are delighted that 2024 has been another successful year for St Ives Chambers, being recognised in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500 as “undoubtedly the leading set of chambers in the Midlands.”

Our rankings have been particularly pleasing with top tier rankings in family law (children and domestic violence) and social housing. We are also ranked as a leading set in family (divorce and financial remedy), crime and property and construction. 43 of our individual members were ranked and we are proud that our rankings cover the full spectrum of experience inclusive of silks, leading juniors and rising stars, demonstrating the wealth of talent throughout Chambers.

Chambers remains “a heavyweight set with a deservedly fine reputation in the Midlands for family and children law work”, described as “always the go-to set” for children matters. The family finance team is highlighted as being the “market leaders in divorce and financial remedy work in the West Midlands”. The social housing team are noted to “field a strong team of housing law specialists…with considerable experience” and our criminal team is described as including “exceptionally talented” barristers. The provision of ADR within our family team continues to be recognised. We are particularly proud that our exceptional clerking team continue to be recognised for their unsurpassed levels of client service.

We are also delighted to announce that in early 2025 we will be opening a new premises in Nottingham, making us the only set of chambers on the Midland Circuit to offer a comprehensive service across the East and West parts. Our additional premises follows us welcoming 11 new members in September of this year, who joined us from KCH Garden Square. Our new tenants have established reputations and will continue to practice from Nottingham, Leicester and the rest of the East Midlands. We remain committed to our ethos of excellence across all of our practice areas, and we remain proud of being a true common law set of chambers.

Our three exceptional pupils accepted tenancy and five more pupils commenced their training with us at the start of October. As recognised by the Legal 500, our “training is excellent, and those who they take on as pupils are diligent, approachable, and keen to learn.”

Chambers continues to welcome applications from skilled and dedicated practitioners in our core practice areas.

Head of Chambers, Elizabeth Isaacs KC MCIArb

ST PHILIPS CHAMBERS: A Year of Achievement and Growth

The past year at St Philips Chambers has been marked by outstanding successes, further solidifying our reputation for legal excellence, innovation, and diversity. From winning prestigious awards to expanding our talented team, 2024 has been a remarkable journey of growth and success.

The crowning achievement of the year came recently, in September, when we were named “Set Outside London of the Year” at the Legal 500 Bar Awards. This prestigious accolade highlights our exceptional work across key practice areas: Business & Property, Crime, Family, Employment, Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence, and Regulatory Law. The award underscores the depth of talent at St Philips and confirms our status as a leader in handling complex, high-profile cases.

Individual excellence has also been recognised. Sophie Garner earned two significant awards within 24 hoursBarrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Awards and a Highly Commended recognition in the DE&I Champion of the Year in a Legal Role category at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards. Sophie’s contributions to both legal excellence and diversity

within the profession are a long-standing source of pride and inspiration for all at St Philips.

With the latest Legal 500 Bar rankings just released, we are thrilled to have maintained our Top Tier status. Being ranked as a Top Tier set is no small feat, we saw 108 barrister rankings across the Midland and North Eastern Circuits and 11 Practice Groups ranked. This is a testament to the consistently high standards we maintain thanks to the hard work of our barristers, clerks and support staff and valuable feedback from our clients. As ever, a huge thank you to all those clients who took the time to provide responses to the Legal 500 researchers.

Chambers has grown too—this year we welcomed ten new tenants, including eight talented barristers who have completed their pupillage and chosen to continue their careers with us. Alongside them, we welcomed five new pupils, each bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. Nurturing new talent remains at the core of our growth strategy, and this year’s intake reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of legal professionals.

As we look toward 2025, St Philips continues to lead the way as a forwardthinking, inclusive chambers committed to setting new standards in the legal profession. With an award-winning service, growing team, and a steadfast focus on innovation, the future is bright as we continue to be a driving force in the legal community within Birmingham, the wider West Midlands and beyond.

There’s been much to celebrate this year—and even more to look forward to!

Tel: 0121 246 7000

Email: enquiries@st-philips.com

Web: www.st-philips.com

Birmingham: 55 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS