The Manchester-based team at Addleshaw Goddard undertakes a range of transactional, commercial and contentious matters for both private and public sector clients and has an increasing international focus. Michael O’Connor co-chairs the health sector practice and is an expert in public, private and transformational transactions within the healthcare sector. Stephanie Townley is the firm’s lead on public sector and health infrastructure work, with vast experience across a range of health deals from ISTCs, LIFT and PFI, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Philip Dupres covers a range of transactional matters and assists several NHS trusts with PFI portfolios. Sarah Wilson is experienced in high-value disputes in the health care sector, while Rachel Eggington is adept in healthcare PFI transactions.

Browne Jacobson LLP‘s healthcare team assists NHS entities, health and social-care providers, commissioners, regulators, and local and central government, as well as suppliers to the healthcare market with a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, such as policy, governance, procurement, as well as healthcare inquest matters. The Manchester-based team is jointly led by Gerard Hanratty, who is a key adviser for matters relating to public and regulatory law, and Christian Dingwall, who is an expert in NHS transactions, projects and service transformations. Victoria Thourgood provides specialist real estate advice, while Rebecca Fitzpatrick is a key adviser for mental health and Court of Protection work, and Amanda Callaghan focuses on health litigation.

DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s full-service health practice in Manchester advises clients such as NHS trusts on issues including mental health, regulatory and governance issues, clinical negligence claims, misconduct proceedings and inquests, as well as employment and real estate mandates. Sean Doherty heads up the group and has vast experience in defendant clinical negligence work, acting for NHS Resolution. Oliver Crich has expertise in public procurement law, and specialises in the health sector, covering contentious and non-contentious matters. Alison Key and Sally Morris-Smith cover real estate matters, while Jane Marshall is an expert in public sector pensions work. Chris Air is the key contact for advising both suppliers and customers of healthcare IT solutions.

Hill Dickinson LLP‘s health business group assists large NHS trusts, ICBs and mental health trusts with the full range of health mandates, including inquests and commercial transactional advice. The team is jointly lead by Joanna Trewin and Michael Wright in Manchester, and Sharon Thomas and Emma Stockwell in Liverpool. Paul Allerston has particular expertise in healthcare advisory matters with specialist knowledge of Court of Protection work and inquests; he leads the mental health team. Legal director Joanna Crichton represents clients in inquests, and Louise Wilson covers mental health and mental capacity work, defending judicial review proceedings on behalf of NHS organisations and representing trusts in inquest work.

Weightmans LLP‘s healthcare team advises a mix of clients including NHS providers and commissioners, and emergency services; the firm was appointed as NHS Resolution panel firm in February 2023. The Liverpool-based team is jointly led by Richard Jolly, who is the key adviser for NHS trusts; Dewi Ap-Thomas, who advises on investigations, inquests and regulatory issues, and Emlyn Williams, who has vast experience in healthcare employment matters. Saira Ali is a specialist NHS employment lawyer, Martin English is a specialist in healthcare investigatory, regulatory and criminal advocacy, and Morris Hill leads the social care team. Jessica Swift acts in complex inquests for NHS trusts, and Ian Pace supports clients in a range of employment issues.

Brabners LLP‘s healthcare practice has particular expertise in the pharmacy and dental markets. The Liverpool-based team also covers healthcare regulatory work, represents clients in disputes, provides specialist advice to care homes, and advises on property, employment and clinical negligence matters. The group is headed up by Richard Hough, who works across the firm’s offices and acts for several leading telemedicine businesses. Nicola Lomas, who is ‘so experienced in the dental sector’ and David Seddon, who is recommended for going ‘above and beyond for buyers and sellers’, are key advisers for healthcare professionals and businesses, and have particular expertise in the sale and purchase of dental practices. Fiona Tinsley heads up the clinical negligence practice and ‘works tirelessly for the benefit of her clients’.

Fieldfisher‘s healthcare department has notable regulatory expertise, advises NHS Trusts, handles medical negligence work, and supports organisations with all aspects of digital health work; clients also praise the group as ‘the go-to firm for inquiries and inquests’. The Manchester-based team is led by the experienced Sarah Ellson, who has vast expertise in healthcare regulatory law. Corporate expert Tom Ward covers M&A, venture capital and private equity and growth capital transactions, and has particular expertise in issues impacting digital health start-ups, while Abigail Scholefield specialises in acting in high-profile and complex public inquiries and inquests; she is recommended as ‘a star, providing superb legal guidance and running teams with style, determination and approachability’.

Advising NHS entities, independent healthcare providers, integrated care boards, national bodies, and care homes, Mills & Reeve LLP‘s health and care department assists clients with a range of issues, such as health tech and real estate matters. Jennifer Lewis acts for a mix of clients on real estate issues, including GP mergers, and Paul Knight covers software licensing and data security issues and is increasingly focused on health technology work. As a specialist in commercial health, Charlotte Lewis is a key name to note, while Leah Selkirk, who joined the firm in June 2023 from Hill Dickinson LLP, is instructed to assist with inquests and acts for healthcare organisations in high-profile investigations.