The Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP practice is highlighted for its ‘experience and knowledge’, routinely representing major housing associations and national charities in housing litigation, regulatory compliance and funding arrangement matters. The team’s offering extends to governance and corporate issues, frequently advising multinational clients on group restructurings and M&A. From Birmingham, Peter Hubbard specialises in strategic support for executives and boards, Helen Tucker acts in complex contentious housing claims, and Andrew Dudley is an expert in property development projects. Based in Birmingham and Manchester, Jonathan Cox is knowledgeable on all aspects of housing regulation and legislation, whilst Victoria Jardine provides specialist assistance on constitutional and contractual issues.

Epitomising ‘calmness and cool heads’, Bevan Brittan LLP advises on the whole spectrum of social housing issues, spanning from property and development to litigation and regulatory compliance. Operating out of Birmingham, Sarah Greenhalgh focuses on strategic corporate structuring and multinational mergers, whilst Rebecca Pendlebury regularly acts on a range of development schemes. Louise Mansfield is knowledgeable on a broad range of regulatory legal issues, while both Rose Klemperer and Emily Holmes are also cited as key.

Deploying a sector-focused, multi-disciplinary approach, the Gowling WLG team has vast expertise in real estate development and investment matters, alongside housing litigation cases relating to breaches of contract and race discrimination. The department leverages the in-depth knowledge from across the firm’s pensions, construction and planning divisions, to provide bespoke advice to REITs and local authorities. From Birmingham, Jacqueline Knox and Sally Farrall co-head the practice, with the former specialising in housing management issues, whilst the latter is an expert on the development side. Richard Beckingsale is knowledgeable on regeneration initiatives, while both Gemma Courtenay and Senay Nihat are also noted as key.

Demonstrating extensive expertise across the real estate, housing management and employment industries, the Trowers & Hamlins LLP practice frequently handles high-profile acquisitions in the affordable housing space. Based out of Birmingham, Digby Morgan heads the team, specialising in housing development matters and stock rationalisation projects, whilst Yetunde Dania consistently advises private sector landlords. Kate Davies has experience acting on real estate based joint ventures, Dorota Pawlowski is knowledgeable on disrepair claims and illegal evictions, and Rachel Ford is also highlighted as a key contact.

Displaying vast expertise spanning disciplines including housing management, property litigation and construction law, the Devonshires Solicitors LLP practice ‘leads the market in quality’. The team routinely represents multinational housing associations and charitable trusts, with the ‘really professional, responsive’ Birmingham-based co-head Gemma Bell being an expert in joint ventures and de-mergers in the social housing sector. Baljit Basra co-leads the department, focusing on complex housing litigation claims, whilst Sharon Thandi is also highlighted as key.

Counting major charitable trusts and housing associations amongst its key clients, the Shakespeare Martineau LLP practice consistently handles multi-site regeneration projects, leasehold management issues and complex joint ventures. From Stratford-upon-Avon, Rachel Gwynne specialises in corporate governance work, Louise Drew focuses on tenure leasehold schemes and Emma Smith-Gamble is an expert on lease extensions. Joanna Lee-Mills has expertise in housing development matters, Gary Ekpengyoung is a housing litigation specialist and Jon Coane is also highlighted as key.

Headed by Birmingham-based David Perry, the specialist lawyers at Shoosmiths LLP have vast experience of advising clients on all aspects of housing management, litigation and employment issues. Perry sits as the national head of affordable housing, covering the whole gamut of acquisitions, disposals and developments. Stuart Tym  and John Cleaveley left the firm in August and October 2023.