Fielding a ‘very commercial, practical’ practice, the Birmingham-based DLA Piper team has vast experience of representing multinational clients in Supreme Court proceedings, alongside assisting with complex site acquisitions and planning policy issues. The department acts on behalf of clients across the transport, finance and sports industries, with the ‘immensely knowledgeable’ head Trevor Ivory being an expert in delivering development and infrastructure projects. The ‘very approachable’ Howard Bassford specialises in all aspects of compulsory purchase and local government law matters, whilst Ian Graves is knowledgeable in judicial review cases. Amy Truman focuses on regeneration schemes, and the ‘unflappable’ Pieter Claussen has expertise in section 106 agreements.

Counting local authorities, solar photovoltaic manufacturers and government bodies amongst its key clients, the Pinsent Masons LLP practice has vast expertise in handling residential development projects and sustainable urban extension schemes. Based out of Birmingham, Lucy Thomas heads the West Midland offering, specialising in advising private and public sector clients in relation to planning, highways and compulsory purchase matters. Since being promoted to partner in May 2023, Heidi Slater is an expert on major infrastructure planning projects, Jonathan Leary is knowledgeable on planning applications, whilst Sophie Carlile focuses on mixed-use schemes.

Characterised by ‘excellent availability, responsiveness, and dedication’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s team has extensive expertise in handling infrastructure initiatives requiring development consent, renewable energy projects and wind farm constructions. The firm’s client base includes multinational energy providers, major construction companies and renewable power corporations, with Birmingham-based head Paul Maile being a national expert in consenting energy initiatives and residential developments. Laura-Beth Huttonis noted for her ‘excellent responsiveness’, frequently implementing compulsory acquisition powers on behalf of clients, whilst Duncan Williams is regularly instructed by national house builders.

Offering the full spectrum of advice on development consent orders, complex planning applications and court litigation work, Gowling WLG is renowned for its representation of government bodies and multinational housing associations. The practice’s leadership is split between London and Birmingham, with the ‘standout planning lawyer’ Toni Weston co-heading from the West Midlands, specialising in highway schemes, regeneration projects and commercial developments. Cairo Nickolls consistently assists with residential development initiatives, whilst Richard Thurling is also highlighted as a key member.

Displaying niche planning litigation and compulsory purchase offerings, the practice at Shoosmiths LLP is routinely instructed by national housing groups, property management companies and multinational retailers. Based out of Nottingham and Birmingham, the head Tim Willis provides both strategic and site-specific planning and compulsory purchase advice to clients in the commercial and residential property spaces, whilst Paige Bedward represents landowners and local authorities.

Specialising in section 106 agreements, section 203 Housing and Planning Act issues and environmental impact assessments, the ‘knowledgeable, personable’ Browne Jacobson LLP team regularly represents multinationals and government bodies. Ben Standing specialises in handling applications for major development projects, Dmitrije Sirovica routinely advises private and local authority clients, whilst Jonathan Allen assists with complex highways and water agreements. Victoria Searle is also noted as key.

Boasting significant experience in national planning claims in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, the Shakespeare Martineau LLP team is highly regarded for its representation of clients across the banking, energy and charity sectors. Anna Cartledge leads the planning team within the West Midlands, bringing a ‘solution focused’ approach when advising on section 106 agreements and residential development projects to the practice. Joining her in Birmingham, Simon Stanion is a planning litigation expert, whilst Solihull-based Rachael Coulsting focuses on acquisitions and financing projects.

Headed by the ‘simply brilliant’ Rosalind Andrews, the Worcester-based Harrison Clark Rickerbys practice fuses its in-depth expertise in the planning and environmental spaces to assist clients with biodiversity net gain agreements and section 106 agreements. Andrews specialises in residential development matters on the non-contentious side, in addition to complex judicial review claims in the contentious sphere.

Described as ‘always friendly, approachable and available’, the Wright Hassall LLP practice is highly regarded for its planning advice given to housing associations and handling of planning-based judicial review claims. From Leamington Spa, John Gregory leads the team, being an expert in acting for both claimants and defendants in section 288 high court challenges, whilst the ‘rising star’ Rebecca Mushing is regularly instructed by landowners and developers.

Demonstrating ‘great communication and knowledge’, the FBC Manby Bowdler practice has extensive expertise in dealing with section 106 agreements for landowners, promoters and developers. Splitting her time between Shrewsbury, Telford and Wolverhampton, Suzanne Tucker heads the team, having been promoted to partner in April 2023, and specialising in handling appeals against refusals of planning permission and against enforcement notices.

Fielding a team of both planning and environmental law specialists, Fieldfisher LLP has in-depth experience in all aspects of compulsory purchase matters and renewable infrastructure projects. Heading the firm’s West Midlands offering from Birmingham, Susan Simpson is an expert on regeneration schemes and complex planning issues, whilst Dinah Patel has vast knowledge of acting for developers, energy clients and investors.

Headed by the ‘really diligent’ Birmingham-based Tracy Lovejoy, Irwin Mitchell has in-depth expertise in handling section 106 agreements, regeneration schemes and environmental law matters. Lovejoy is knowledgeable in contentious planning matters, including injunctions and judicial reviews, alongside regularly assisting with planning enforcement issues and compulsory purchase orders, whilst Jill Crawford focuses on navigating breaches of environmental permits.

Deploying a ‘personal approach’, the practice at The Wilkes Partnership is highly regarded for its work in judicial reviews, section 288 challenges and section 106 agreements. Leading the team from Birmingham, the ‘very informative’ Leenamari Aantaa-Collier specialises in the whole gamut of legal issues relating to applications, planning obligations and enforcement matters, whilst Alexandra Hastings-Smith is also highlighted as key.