Birketts LLP in Norwich has a deep bench of talent, which is praised for being ‘extremely personable, responsive and offering solution-focused advice’. Practice head Melissa Loucas has a notable practice in acquisitions, disposals, and portfolio asset management, and Chris Hoxley leads the residential development group, in which Nicola Curle is a standout partner. Cameron Barlow leads on real estate investment matters, Elizabeth Lee is a real estate finance specialist, and Bhargav Trivedi advises landowners and developers on strategic land matters. Other key names include Andrew Ridout, who has in-depth knowledge of the banking and finance sectors, and Thomas Maxey, who is ‘invaluable in difficult lease negotiations’.

The Norwich office of Howes Percival LLP remains the central hub of its firm-wide property practice, which ‘goes above and beyond to help deliver workable solutions’. The practice excels in many specialist areas, notably residential developments, strategic land acquisitions, commercial developments, investment portfolio management, and property finance issues; it also has in-depth expertise in the leisure and tourism, energy, healthcare, and education sectors. Tessa Haskey maintains a substantial portfolio of institutional clients and companies in the financial industry sector, while Christopher Cubitt leads the development group, and Joanna Nicholls is head of the occupier and investment team. James Henderson leverages his extensive property investment expertise to expand the firm’s development offering.

Mills & Reeve LLP acts for regional, national and international clients from its Norwich office, where it has a deep bench of specialists handling multimillion-pound development projects. Carina Davis has a national reputation for development and regeneration work, for which she leads the firm-wide team, while Caroline Dean is the standout partner for development projects and strategic land matters. David Siddall handles high-value corporate real estate matters including complex and M&A mandates involving significant property assets, and large-scale procurement projects. Portfolio acquisition and landlord and tenant specialist Lisa-Marie Kennedy, residential development and affordable housing adviser Zoe Cooke, and Anna Aldous, whose development work includes large-scale mixed-use schemes, are also recommended.

Clients praise Ashtons Legal as ‘a great company to work with, providing quick and efficient responses to all matters’. Magnus McManus leads the firm-wide practice from Cambridge, and the Norwich office calls upon the development and secured lending expertise of Greg McCurday, the residential development skills of Sarah Fish, and Ruth Burrell‘s broad experience in commercial landlord and tenant work and commercial conveyancing.

Fosters in Norwich has a ‘friendly but efficient approach to clients’, and maintains a large and expanding client base across Norfolk. James Allen, who is ‘great at problem-solving and giving solid clear advice’, frequently acts for specialist SMEs as well as small local developers. Katy Dickinson, who is deputy head of the practice, is ‘personable, clear and knowledgeable’, and clients remark that she is ‘very clear on risks’.

Spire Solicitors LLP has an extensive office network across Norfolk, in which its Norwich office is the key hub. The commercial property group, led by development finance and secured lending specialist Protima Sikdar-Wood, is ‘very committed to providing the best possible service’. The practice benefits from the vast experience of Attleborough-based development expert Howard Bailey, while Annette Collen has decades of experience in advising corporate clients, investors, pension fund trustees, landlords, tenants, and individuals with significant property portfolios.

Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in Norwich has continued to build up its commercial property team. Paul Kenrick leads the practice, which focuses on buying and selling business premises, commercial leases, landlord and tenant matters, property finance issues and development work. The group frequently acts for local authorities and national charities.

Isadores is frequently involved in complex acquisitions and disposals, including by way of option agreements and contracts conditional upon planning. Practice head Robert Pyke is a key adviser to residential and commercial property developers, and continues to expand the firm’s roster of housebuilder clients. Lauren Ward handles a broad portfolio of work including commercial leases, and overage agreements. The lawyers frequently support the firm’s highly regarded insolvency practice.