Led from Cardiff by Andrew Burns and also able to draw upon experts from across the firm's broader UK and international footprint, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP can provide 'efficient, knowledgeable and commercially minded' advice to investors, developers and occupiers of real estate in Wales, the UK and globally. The size of the team also ensures that it has the strength-in-depth and expertise to provide a degree of specialisation, both across industry sectors and client types. For example, Geraint Pullin Thomas provides 'practical and industry-leading' real estate advice in the context of clean energy projects, regularly advising on the development, sale, purchase and funding of solar and wind projects. James Trafford also excels in handling real estate-related renewables matters, as well as advising UK and international corporates on large-scale acquisition, disposal and relocation programmes, which he handles in his role as overarching head of global corporate real estate. The 'commercially-oriented' Elizabeth Fevyer has excellent connections with further and higher education institutions, regularly advising them on strategically important development projects in collaboration with private and public sector entities. On the investor front, David Emberson is adept at advising institutional clients in connection with acquisitions and disposals and property management work, inter alia. Gareth Ashfield is also recommended, particularly for his developer work on site setup, as well as for corporate occupiers on major HQ relocations.

The 'committed, flexible and very knowledgeable' team at Acuity Law provides 'commercially-sensitive and business-focused' advice to stakeholders on development, leasing and regeneration matters in Wales and England. Cornerstone developer client Rightacres continues to inform a significant volume of the Wales-based deal flow, with many of the partners in the group involved in past or current projects for the client. Team head Gareth Baker has been at the forefront of this longstanding relationship and has been the lead lawyer for the developer in relation to its high-profile Central Square regeneration scheme for almost a decade, as well as in other key projects within the capital. Damien Cann has also been very active for Rightacres on the funding front, as well as offering niche experience within the healthcare sector. Appreciated for his 'commercially-focused, clear and timely' advice, which encompasses real estate and planning expertise, Steve Morris has a leading reputation among developers, investors and lenders on the development of commercial and residential schemes in Wales and England. Ben Honour is also recommended, as is recently promoted partner Liz Gibbons, who has 'extensive in-depth knowledge', particularly as it relates to social housing-related work.

Drawing upon ‘good strength-in-depth’ at both partner and associate level, the ‘knowledgeable’ team at Blake Morgan LLP provides ‘a results-focused service’ to a balanced mix of stakeholders in the private, third and public sectors across a range of commercial property matters. Here, clients also benefit from access to the firm’s own in-house quantity surveyors, ensuring it is able to provide a full “cradle to grave” offering. Team head James Egan provides ‘advice in a clear and simple way’, including to local Welsh health boards and GP practices on their property needs. Nigel Griffiths has vast experience in the market, particularly in the context of retail leasing and development work where he continues to advise long-term client Canary Wharf Group on the management of its retail portfolio. Daniela Smith is also key to the Canary Wharf Group relationship, as well as handling a considerable amount of work for corporate occupiers. Other key members of the team include Louise Howells, who ‘provides commercial and practical advice’ on social housing-related commercial property matters, and Dawn Smith, who is ‘truly exceptional’ at handling development and regeneration projects. Geoff Reed retired from the partnership to become a consultant in 2023.

Acting on its own as well as often working in unison with the firm’s strong construction and planning offerings, Geldards LLP's team provides ‘in-depth advice’ and a truly one-stop-shop service for stakeholders on commercial property projects, from construction, site assembly and delivery of the project through to letting, management and disposal. Although she also handles some private sector work, team head Susanne Bradley is perhaps best-known for her public sector expertise, including advising the Welsh government on major regeneration projects of great strategic importance. As well as his core focus advising on landlord and tenant work in the office and retail sector, Ioan Owen also continues to regularly advise landowners on renewables projects. Adam Thomas is the principal contact for secured lending transactions for a plethora of lenders, while Henry Bright, who was recently promoted to senior associate, is continuing to develop excellent ties with numerous local authorities, including advising on the management of their housing portfolios. Liz Ganderton has experience in leases and telecommunications agreements for manufacturing and education clients.

Often collaborating with other core practice groups, including banking and construction, the ‘very knowledgeable, professional and accessible’ team at Hugh James remains a very popular choice among a balanced mix of public and private sector stakeholders across a wide array of commercial property matters. Team head Peter Hurn is a very well-known figure in the market and continues to advise an impressive roster of housebuilders on residential development projects, as well as advising developers on renewables matters. In the social housing sector, Caroline O’Flaherty provides ‘a very comprehensive, considered and constructive service’ to a multitude of Wales-based housing associations (as well as a growing number in England) on their property needs. Leveraging her broader planning expertise, senior associate Shelley Thomas is also a key member of the team and regularly advises on large-scale residential and mixed-use projects.

The 'commercially aware' partner-led team at Berry Smith provides a 'very reliable service' to developers, banks, investors and local authorities across a broad spectrum of their real estate requirements. Recognised as 'one of the leading property experts in Wales', Chris Jones provides 'market-leading advice' on commercial and residential development work, as well as landlord and tenant advice, principally for retail and leisure occupiers. Martin Pursall co-heads the team alongside Jones and provides 'first-class' advice to lenders on secured lending transactions.

The ‘responsive and approachable’ team at Darwin Gray LLP is well-versed across the spectrum of real estate, funding, planning and environmental matters, ensuring it is well-placed to provide a ‘consistently strong’ and joined-up service throughout the life cycle of a development project. Team head Catherine Burke is ‘making a name for herself’ in the local market for both private sector clients, including housebuilders and funders, and increasingly local authorities. ‘Knowledgeable and approachable’ senior associate Sarah Price regularly works alongside Burke on development finance matters, as well as handling some of her own files, including on landlord and tenant matters. Gareth Wedge also covers non-contentious landlord and tenant work, including commercial lease negotiations. Donald Gray continues to provide assistance in his role as consultant, particularly on regeneration projects.

Drawing upon a deep knowledge of the law and commercial considerations, as well as working in a highly collaborative fashion with clients, Morgan LaRoche has a strong reputation among South Wales-based investors, developers and SMEs, which are appreciative of the team’s ability to provide ‘practical and cost-effective solutions’ across a myriad of commercial property matters. The team is particularly effective at acting for developers, advising them on the full spectrum of their needs, including site acquisitions, planning concerns and finance. In this context, the firm remains very active in relation to renewable energy projects, an area in which David Palmer and Carmarthen-based Alun Price provide ‘excellent and well-considered advice’. The ‘exceptional’ Palmer also provides ‘highly commercial’ guidance on retail and office matters, as well as being adept at handling commercial property mandates in the care and logistics sectors. The ‘excellent’ Kevin Thomas heads the team. Sadly Rosemary Morgan recently passed away.

Led by the ‘outstanding’ Clare Gregory, Clarke Willmott LLP provides ‘solutions-focused advice’ to investors, developers and funders across an increasingly broad range of commercial property matters, including work on site acquisitions and disposals such as within the energy sector. The team also remains very active in the social housing space, with Vicky Kells ‘extremely knowledgeable of lender requirements and current practice’, ensuring she is very popular among housing associations which are enabled to ‘make quicker and more informed decisions on properties being accepted in security’. Julia Morris advises commercial landlords on estate management as well as construction and development arrangements.

Newport-based firm Harding Evans LLP provides 'a very good service covering all aspects of commercial property' for a range of stakeholders, including developers, contractors, landowners and funders. Michael Jenkins provides 'sound good all-round legal advice', including for the firm's core agriculture client base, and heads a team that also includes James Young, who has a focus on landlord and tenant matters.

At Harrison Clark Rickerbys, the ‘extremely efficient’ Justin Mason heads up the commercial property team that is best-known for its development work for developers and corporates looking to expand their property portfolios. Rhys Langley departed to Burges Salmon LLP in September 2024.

The 'reliable and knowledgeable' RDP Law provides 'practical, pragmatic and commercial advice' to the firm's core and loyal roster of agricultural landowner clients across a range of property matters. 'Talented, knowledgeable and commercially savvy' team head James Davies is pivotal to this work, and has particular expertise in advice on proposed renewable energy schemes.

Drawing upon strong local ties throughout South and West Wales, the 'professional, friendly and efficient' team at Red Kite Law LLP provides a 'pragmatic and commercial' service to a mix of large landowners, developers and local businesses across a wide array of their commercial property requirements. 'Committed and responsive' Carmarthen-based team head Lucy Hollis has an excellent reputation in the market, including for advising on the unique challenges facing agricultural clients.