Addleshaw Goddard’s commercial property team continues to lead on complex, high-value transactions for shareholder and investor clients. Under the leadership of Nancy McGuire, the team plays a pivotal role in shaping prominent residential, commercial and leisure developments across the North West, with a particular emphasis on regeneration. Paul Barnard is a trusted adviser on strategic land acquisitions, acting for leading land promoters and housebuilders. Lucy Butterworth reinforces the firm’s strong credentials in the build-to-rent and student accommodation sectors, while Catherine Fearnhead brings extensive experience in managing intricate developments and strategic real estate projects. Vicky Niescier works closely with local authorities and developers on transformative regeneration schemes. Peter Kershaw retired from the practice in May 2024.

High-profile urban regeneration projects are a hallmark of CMS’s leading North West commercial property team, encompassing mixed-use schemes and large-scale redevelopments. The living sector is another core focus, with the team advising on a range of significant transactions involving carbon-neutral housing and build-to-rent specialists. Team head Mark Haywood is a specialist in investment, development and mixed-use regeneration, with particular expertise in forward funding. Tanya Francis continues to advise on high-profile schemes, while Nathan Jansen frequently acts on the disposal, acquisition and development of mixed-use, retail and industrial projects. Michael Buchanan is a versatile property lawyer with experience across regeneration, development and joint ventures.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP continues to advise on high-value and strategically significant transactions across its core areas of corporate real estate, government and infrastructure, and investment management. The team’s depth of expertise attracts prominent clients from the retail, financial services, energy and healthcare sectors. Practice head Elizabeth Cartwright has recently acted on billion-dollar business disposals, substantial ground rent financing arrangements, and major development transactions. Phillip Tunney regularly advises large industrial clients on their property portfolios, including leading chemicals manufacturers and mining operators. Joanna Sowerby plays a key role in delivering development and regeneration projects.

Hill Dickinson LLP remains a trusted adviser on property development, investment transactions, and matters across the logistics, retail and local authority sectors. The team recently strengthened its offering with the arrival of Mark Gaffney from Squire Patton Boggs in October 2024, adding significant experience in development and regeneration work. Team head Darren Hamer advises clients on property investments and portfolio management. Peter Winnard offers specialist expertise in structuring disposals, schemes and funding arrangements involving the public sector. Chris Johnston plays a key role in the firm’s banking-related work, providing vital property finance advice to a range of lender clients. Jon Pearson-Basudev also comes recommended.

JMW Solicitors LLP boasts a dynamic commercial property team that is particularly experienced in development and land promotion agreements, representing landowners, developers, promoters and end users alike. Co-chair Thomas Pearson is noted for his expertise in development work across the healthcare, residential and retail sectors. Fellow co-chair Majid Mahmood handles a broad range of matters, including landlord and tenant issues, site acquisitions, disposals and development projects. David Frankland continues to support blue-chip companies and listed developers on high-value and business-critical transactions.

Mills & Reeve LLP delivers end-to-end advice across a range of asset classes, including living, tech, student accommodation, education and regeneration-led projects. The team is recognised for its work on large-scale development and regeneration schemes, strategic investment deals and complex portfolio management. Mike Edge leads the practice, drawing on over four decades of experience advising public and private sector clients on high-stakes commercial property matters. Rachel Pitman has developed significant expertise in mixed-use regeneration initiatives, while Jennifer Lewis is a key contact for clients in the education and healthcare sectors.

Pinsent Masons LLP is recognised for the breadth and depth of its commercial property offering, with a strong track record on both high-profile regional and national projects. The team is particularly active across the logistics, residential, student accommodation, minerals and office sectors. Practice head Jonathan Brocklehurst is well regarded for his work on complex promotion agreements, site assembly and regeneration schemes. Matthew Rowlands leads on infrastructure matters, with a focus on minerals, aggregates and waste-related projects. Ann-Marie Salmacis is a go-to adviser for developers, investors and occupiers, while Craig Tordoff supports a wide mix of public and private sector clients on high-value property transactions.

Squire Patton Boggs is a trusted adviser to a broad range of national and regional developers across the commercial, residential, student accommodation and build-to-rent sectors. The team is widely recognised for its retail capabilities and strong track record in complex regeneration schemes. Development specialist Mark Barker leads the practice, offering particular expertise in forward funding and regeneration projects. Jonathan Brooke is regularly instructed on strategic land acquisitions and site assembly matters. Julian Scott advises on EPC, O&M and related security and funding arrangements for the development of battery storage and gas peaking facilities.

Brabners LLP’s specialist team handles a wide spectrum of commercial property matters, with high-value regeneration and development projects representing a significant portion of its workload. Richard Roberts chairs the investment and property management team, while Roy Barry leads the development side of the practice. Iain Gamble has taken on the role of head of the real estate practice group. Ross Shine remains active on major schemes supported by the Levelling Up Fund, and residential development forms a core part of Krista Powell’s practice.

Clyde & Co provides strategic advice on complex developments, landlord and tenant matters, and significant investment transactions. The team maintains a strong presence in the education sector, advising on everything from development schemes to the property elements of academy conversions. Co-chair Stephen Lintott specialises in land acquisitions and disposals, while fellow co-chair Andrew Wallis plays a central role in high-profile portfolio transactions and mixed-use developments. Tessa Leonard and Nouman Bhatty also contribute significantly to the team’s continued success in development and investment matters.

Davitt Jones Bould’s renowned property expertise consistently attracts local and central government clients for their most significant and complex projects. Team head Madeleine Davitt acts as lead adviser to some of the UK’s most prominent government landowners. Stephen Chalcraft is a recognised authority on real estate matters in the higher education, local authority and housing sectors. Nichola Gray offers wide-ranging expertise covering freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, development, due diligence, and landlord and tenant matters.

DLA Piper UK LLP maintains a strong reputation for handling high-value, complex commercial property transactions, acting for a wide spectrum of clients including institutional investors, funds, sponsors, REITs and prominent developers. Practice head Alison Mills divides her time between the firm’s Liverpool and Manchester offices, overseeing mandates across the region. Mark Beardwood draws on over 30 years of experience in investment acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and public sector partnerships. Tom Kelsall advises an impressive client roster, including blue-chip corporates, pension funds, major lenders and renewable energy developers.

DWF stands out for its strong sector focus, particularly within hospitality and retail, where it continues to act for major names such as Premier Inn. The team is regularly instructed on substantial property portfolios and complex development matters. Manchester-based chair Paul Inman is a go-to for high-value site acquisitions and development work. Naveen Gupta leads on key consumer sector mandates and serves as the client partner for Costa. Catherine Haslam brings specialist expertise in commercial landlord and tenant matters, while Rachel Lawler plays a pivotal role in occupier-related work. Velida Pudic is also a key contributor to the team’s ongoing success.

Fieldfisher is well-regarded for its expertise in managing substantial property portfolios and advising corporate occupiers across a wide range of sectors. The team is also noted for its strength in real estate finance, development, and investment work. Liam Buckley leads the practice and plays a central role in major commercial development and investment projects. Kirsty Tinsley-Fenney is a standout name for her work on investment transactions, regeneration schemes and occupier asset management mandates.

Gateley Legal is widely recognised for its strength in residential development, with a standout reputation for advising on strategic land transactions. The team also sees significant activity across the retail, healthcare and hospitality sectors, while real estate finance remains a key pillar of the practice. Co-chair Louise Ilhan is central to the firm’s market-leading credentials in strategic land acquisition. Fellow co-chair Darren Hughes regularly acts for developers, investors and funds on high-value investment deals spanning multiple asset classes.

Beyond Corporate Law advises on portfolio management, strategic land acquisitions, and high-value residential developments, particularly for housebuilding clients. The practice is co-led by Hannah Al-Shaghana, a specialist in landlord and tenant matters, and James Flynn, whose practice spans both contentious and non-contentious construction law. Martin Blaylock is also a key member of the practice.

Browne Jacobson LLP advises a broad mix of public and private sector clients on complex real estate matters. Team head Dominic Buckley is a key name for major property clients across the North West and beyond. Co-head Victoria Thourgood handles a range of transactional work, including development and portfolio deals. The team strengthened its offering in September 2024 with the hires of Darren Ashworth from Trowers & Hamlins LLP and Tom Cressey from JMW Solicitors LLP.

Led by Alison Key, DAC Beachcroft LLP is praised for its ‘experience, expertise, and knowledge’. Key remains a driving force behind major developments and mixed-use schemes. Sally Morris-Smith is active on high-value office lettings and regeneration projects, while Gemma Leonard brings two decades of experience advising residential housebuilders. Rachael Reynolds also plays a central role in the firm’s development-focused practice.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP plays a prominent role in major developments and high-value commercial property deals. Nick Nyunt leads the team, with deep experience in acquisitions and disposals. Steve Eccleston focuses on structuring funding and transactions, while Adam Hymes handles development and portfolio matters. David Moroney is a go-to for investment work, and Christopher Hardy leads on borrower-side debt finance. Tim Arkwright continues to lead on significant mandates for the firm.

Pannone Corporate LLP handles portfolio management, development, and investment deals across the residential and commercial space. Co-chair James Wynne is a trusted adviser to clients in leisure, retail, logistics, and affordable housing. Garry King co-leads the team, drawing heavyweight distribution and specialist providers with his track record in complex acquisitions and development projects. Gareth Birch is adept at the management of sweeping national property portfolios.

Primas advises on high-profile developments, acquisitions and disposals, with a growing presence in the North West market. Manchester-based practice head Simon Baxter is a key name for real estate finance and secured lending. Tim Dillon acts for developers on residential and mixed-use schemes, while Yasar Kaushal is also central to the team’s ongoing transactional work.

Led by Patrick Duffy, Shoosmiths LLP is a standout player in residential development, acting for housebuilders, promoters, providers, and landowners. Andrew Pattinson is noted for his expertise in student accommodation schemes, while Ruth Clare handles high-value commercial acquisitions, disposals and funding work. Peter Marsden brings in-house insight from the housebuilding sector, further strengthening the firm’s development credentials.

TLT advises on multimillion-pound transactions across commercial real estate, public, financial services, and retail sectors. The team is also particularly active on expansion and pathfinder projects in the food space. Team head Andy Bell is a go-to for secured lending and development finance, while Philip Moran offers sector-savvy advice across leisure and retail property matters.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP is frequently instructed on complex mixed-use projects for both public and private sector clients. Practice head Suzanne Benson is noted for her expertise in strategic land, joint ventures and regeneration schemes. Matthew Holbrook brings over two decades of experience in landlord and tenant asset management, acting for a wide range of high-profile clients.

Deloitte LLP continues to strengthen its presence in the Manchester commercial property space under the leadership of Vaq Farooq. The arrivals of Helen Poulter and Richard Nicolls in January 2025 from Shoosmiths and Squire Patton Boggs, respectively, bolster the team. James Brodie remains a trusted adviser to national housebuilders, while Lisa On-Iam primarily focuses on development and regeneration projects.

Glaisyers Solicitors LLP continues to expand its presence in secured lending, investment, development, and landlord and tenant matters. Team head Leo Rossiter is a trusted adviser to developers and investors, frequently handling high-profile site acquisitions. Ross Wellman adds further depth to the practice, bringing specialist knowledge of wind farm developments, hotel assets, and broader property transactions.

Irwin Mitchell delivers across acquisitions, regeneration, and high-value transactional work. Stelios Coutsavlis, who leads the team, brings over 30 years of expertise in renewable energy, healthcare, and complex development projects. Sarah Swann is a go-to for investment deals and acts on major corporate occupier and retail mandates, bolstering the firm’s commercial property credentials.

Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront) maintains strong ties with regional and national developers, frequently advising on new build projects and the restoration of listed buildings. Led by Zara Banday and Will Henson, the team handles the full lifecycle of development deals, from acquisition to disposal. Property finance specialist and co-head Jay Lafinhan adds further strength on complex funding arrangements.

Weightmans LLP acts for public and private sector clients on complex regeneration schemes, residential developments, and acquisitions. Team head Andrea Steventon is highly experienced in advising manufacturers on site disposals, acquisitions, and the regeneration of industrial assets. Karl Jackson strengthens the team with his specialist focus on large-scale, transformative regeneration projects.