The ‘quality team’ at Birkett Long LLP advises on investment transactions and development projects for pension trusts, housebuilders and high-net-worth individuals, with particular strength in the healthcare and education sectors, regularly acting for care providers and academic institutions. Emma Wraight heads up the practice, providing ‘pragmatic, actionable advice’ on a range of commercial property matters, with specialist knowledge in strategic land development, including option and overage agreements, acquisitions and disposals. Melanie Bache specialises in commercial property transactions, including secured lending and finance mandates, while Daniel Sturman advises SMEs, banks, landlords and tenants on commercial leases, secured lending and development land matters.

Birketts LLP advises on strategic land, housebuilder transactions, portfolio management and property finance, with a niche practice supporting charities and third-sector clients. Grace Kerr heads up the firmwide real estate division, while Steven Kay leads the residential development practice and specialises in portfolio sales and acquisitions, corporate property transactions and strategic land work. In Chelmsford, Amanda Early oversees the local team and focuses on commercial property development, primarily advising purchasers and tenants. She has particular expertise in negotiating complex conditional contracts, agreements for lease and overage arrangements. Hannah Harbottle supports the team on transactions, with a specialism in mandates involving public and third-sector property.

Leveraging its ‘breadth of experience’, Ellisons advises a broad client base including developers, investors, financial institutions and public bodies on matters ranging from site assembly and development agreements to secured lending, lease work and complex funding arrangements. The Colchester team is jointly led by managing partner Guy Longhurst, who handles leases, secured lending and the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial and mixed-use sites, and Christopher Harvey, who specialises in residential development site mandates. Ross Wiltshire oversees the team in Chelmsford, focusing on development and secured lending matters, while Phillip Roberts is praised for being ‘highly pragmatic and efficient’ in advising clients across a range of property transactions.

Tees Law boasts a ‘hard-working, experienced and friendly’ team, recognised for its expertise in acquisitions, disposals and infrastructure agreements. Aaron Cane oversees the firmwide commercial property group, specialising in property development, while Jane Winfield leads the Brentwood team, handling landlord and tenant work alongside commercial transactions and investment finance. James Dowson, head of the Saffron Walden office, acts across a broad spectrum of property transactions, with particular strength in strategic development and land promotion, and Daniel Fairs leads in Chelmsford, advising on the acquisition and disposal of investment property and development agreements. Lucy Beck is recommended for her work on landlord and tenant matters and asset site transactions.

Led by Rebecca Mason, the ‘forward-thinking’ team at Holmes & Hills delivers a full-service real estate offering through close collaboration with its planning and construction law practices. Chris Milner heads the specialised land and development division, supported by Laura Gale in advising developers, promoters and landowners on residential development transactions. Rosanna Clarke oversees the general commercial property team and handles a broad range of commercial transactions, while Mark Rowlands and Benjamin Jerome are noted for their landlord and tenant work, as well as guidance on acquisitions and disposals.

Acting for industrial landlords, developers and public sector bodies on acquisitions, disposals and other complex transactions, Palmers regularly deals with development, regeneration and investment mandates. The department is co-led by Elena Nicolaou, who has extensive experience in residential schemes, mixed-use developments and commercial projects, and the ‘business savvy’ Carey Jacobs, who handles portfolio transactions, including multi-property refinance work, insolvency-related matters and lease negotiations, while Jemmar Attfield focuses on development, landlord and tenant work and corporate finance, routinely advising on planning agreements for commercial and residential sites.

Jointly led by Mark Deans and Wendy Cole, Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP’s commercial property team advises on site acquisitions and disposals, development finance, leases and joint ventures. Deans specialises in commercial leases, the sale and purchase of freehold investment properties, and acts for both borrowers and lenders in commercial lending mandates, while Cole focuses on site acquisitions, structuring developments, and negotiating section 106, option and promotion agreements. Courtney Parry-Lansdowne is another key member of the team, with experience in asset sales and purchases.

Regularly acting for landowners and investors, the ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ team at Thompson Smith and Puxon advises on acquisitions, disposals and related strategic land and development work. Stephen Firmin heads up the department and is praised for his ‘wide understanding of the property industry’, handling a range of commercial, agri-business and rural land matters, including acquisitions, as well as development, diversification and succession planning. Joanne Kelly focuses on property transactions, with particular expertise in strategic land development and real estate finance.

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP handles a wide range of commercial property matters, including business leases, acquisitions, development, financing and leasehold enfranchisement, with expertise spanning various property types. Practice head Keeley Miller advises on investment and development properties, overage provisions and complex residential purchases. Leon Pascal focuses on site acquisitions, development and acquisition finance, as well as plot sales, while Sarah Shea‘s expertise lies in leasehold enfranchisement.

Jefferies Essex LLP specialises in acquisitions, commercial refinancing and obtaining planning permissions, among other matters. Mark Hidveghy spearheads the practice, bringing his expertise in transactional matters, including the sale and purchase of various properties. Amelia Hayes handles commercial leases and supports clients with development finance and commercial refinancing, while Helen Martin advises on acquisitions and disposals, with experience in working on option and overage agreements.

Working closely with its corporate and commercial department, Pinney Talfourd LLP advises on a wide range of property transactions, with notable strength in development land, complex leasing arrangements and property aspects of corporate mandates. Julien Pritchard oversees the team, handling high-value land transactions, landlord and tenant matters, commercial property finance, as well as corporate transactions and development projects across the retail, charity and residential development sectors. Inderdeep Kanda supports the practice with his experience in commercial leases, acquisitions, disposals and property finance.