Advising major commercial and investment banks, DLA Piper is well-practised in advising on regional to international deals for its clients, including syndicated corporate finance, leverage finance and real estate finance. The firm also handles ABS lending matters. Stephen Bottley leads the practice, frequently advising on a range of syndicated financings. Aino Miles is noted for her work on debt, ABS and venture finance for lenders and corporate borrowers. Gemma Rooney specialises in real estate finance, with experience in transactions involving multiple jurisdictions.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is expert in leveraged loan transactions, on a syndicated or direct basis, for major banks and private equity firms. The firm also regularly advises clients on asset-based lending mandates. The Birmingham-based practitioners are able to leverage the firm’s global network to assist on multi-jurisdictional matters. Real estate finance is a particular area of expertise for the firm. Patrick Davis leads the department whilst focusing his practice on leveraged finance and corporate lending. Ben Tumelty leads the ABS lending practice within the team, advising major banks and investment firms.

Gowling WLG maintains a wide practice, assisting in real estate finance and project finance transactions as well as private equity and clearing house work. The firm also maintains a specialist social housing finance practice. Chris Brierley, who heads the Birmingham practice, is well-versed in on- and off-balance sheet lending and project financing. Navin Prabhakar is a key member of the practice, advising on major acquisition finance deals. Angela Rawlins is noted for her work on social housing finance. In addition to Naina Patel joining in November 2023, the firm has further expanded its practice at the junior level. Stephan Smoktunowicz left the firm in June 2023.

With ‘one of the most capable’ specialist asset-based lending teams, Pinsent Masons LLP advises clients on a wide range of transactions, including leveraged finance and securitizations. The firm is also familiar with corporate lending and real estate finance. Its sector expertise is broad, with experience in manufacturing, healthcare and education. The ‘exceptional’ David Doogan leads the practice, advising clients on complex transactions out of Birmingham. Victoria Baker specialises in structured finance within the team, including asset-based lending and securitizations. Oliver Morgan is well-acquainted with corporate lending, real estate and leveraged finance transactions.

The ‘technically smart, commercial’ team at Shoosmiths LLP regularly advises lenders on a range of transactions, especially in asset-based lending. The firm also advises on leveraged and acquisition finance matters. Its work regularly involves cross-border elements. Jon Bew is the head of the team, whose experience includes asset-based, inventory and distribution finance. David Adams acts for borrowers and lenders in an array of financings, including pensions and education. Natalie Barnes is another noted member of the practice operating in the asset-based lending space.

Gateley Legal advises regional banks and sponsors on a wide range of matters. The firm maintains a focus on private equity and acquisition finance, with practitioners also specialised in asset-backed lending. Andrew Madden leads the practice from Birmingham and regularly works on restructurings, project finance and other corporate lending deals. Chris Jones' experience includes advising lenders and borrowers on leveraged, real estate, ABS and structured finance. Alison Davidson-Cox was promoted to partner in May 2024.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP, in addition to its strength in real estate finance and corporate banking, maintains ‘a powerful niche’ in Islamic finance. Its clients include leading national commercial banks; it advises on credit policy, risk and governance issues. Naomi Tudor, whose expertise includes bilateral and syndicated transactions for corporate and property financings, leads the Birmingham practice alongside Mohammed Saqub, who is central to the firm’s Islamic finance strength. Christopher Gayle is noted for his broad practice, advising on leveraged, property, project and trade financings.

With specialists experienced in ‘an enormous breadth of transaction types’, Squire Patton Boggs is well-versed in handling the wide array of mandates brought to it by clients in the banking, real estate, private equity, utilities and sports industries. The firm regularly handles matters in asset-based lending, property finance, corporate banking and leveraged acquisition finance. Roy Grist  guides the practice from Birmingham whilst specialising in acquisition and real estate finance as well as asset-based lending with an international element.

Browne Jacobson LLP regularly advises banks, corporates, management teams, local authorities and government bodies on all aspects of banking and finance. The firm regularly advises on restructurings and refinancings, as well as financings in the real estate sector. Emma Hinton heads the practice from Birmingham and is particularly focused on advising non-bank funders in the health and social care sectors. Paul Ray is a key team member advising on a wide array of matters, including bilateral and syndicated financings, refinancings, restructurings, acquisitions and asset-based lending.

DWF centres its Birmingham team on real estate finance transactions. The firm’s experience includes advising on transactions over single asset and multiple property portfolios. The team is especially adept in assisting clients with distressed finance situations. Richard Holmes heads the practice in Birmingham, focusing on commercial real estate finance of both development and investment projects.

Freeths LLP advises on financings in a number of sectors, including healthcare, real estate and the public sector. The firm’s broader practice allows it to draw on specialists in a wide range of areas, especially construction, tax, corporate and real estate, as required. James Dyson is a noted member of the practice specialising in corporate lending transactions for major national and international private equity firms and banks.

Mills & Reeve LLP advises on a range of financings across sectors, with a particular focus on debt transactions for banks, universities and charities. David Varnham, heading the team, specialises in structured and corporate finance. Amandip Dhillon acts for national and international corporations, charities and public bodies as lenders and borrowers. Kate Norley, ‘a superb lawyer’, has particular expertise in the real estate finance sector.

Aaron & Partners LLP’s dedicated team which operates in Shropshire acts for multinational banks as both lenders and borrowers. Hugh Strickland, who heads the practice alongside Stuart Scott-Goldstone, advises on M&A, financings and joint ventures. Iwan Williams works with other members of the team with all property aspects involved.

Under the leadership of Andrew Stokes, Clarke Willmott LLP's Birmingham-based practice acts for a notable volume of high street lenders and some of the UK's largest banks. Stokes is particularly highlighted for real estate finance mandates, and Peter Brewer handles banking litigation.

Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited supports clients with transactions in a wide range of sectors, including agricultural, health care, leisure and commercial real estate. The firm handles acquisitions, refinances and restructures. Colin Rodrigues, in Dudley, leads the firm’s practice, advising large, national commercial banks on their transactions.