Praised for its ‘pragmatic and commercially-aware approach’, Addleshaw Goddard pulls together a strong offering straddling mainstream commercial disputes and niches such as procurement, tax and secret commissions. Bill Gilliam  is the key contact in the Leeds office. Alongside litigation, he frequently leverages his contentious experience on risk management mandates for major projects. Louise Dobson, praised for her impressive ‘strategic commercial advice’, counts shareholder disputes and class actions among her practice strengths. International arbitration is a core pillar of Gareth Jones’s practice. Ryan Geldart has deep experience in contentious public procurement cases, while Samantha Wragg’s experience extends to contentious corporate transactional matters.

The wide-ranging offering at DLA Piper spans specialist expertise in technology disputes, group litigation, contract management and investigations. Simon Kenyon co-heads the Leeds team, praised for his ‘commercial sense and strategic acumen’ he has a strong track record in cross-border telecoms disputes. Fellow co-head David Young is active across disputes in sectors ranging from logistics to central government. Sohail Ali is versed in the intricacies of Islamic finance disputes. Post-M&A claims and the conducting of company internal investigations are strong suits for Kathryn Ford. Joanna Haigh excels in IT and outsourcing disputes.

Praised for being able to ‘run blue-chip litigation efficiently and successfully’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has developed a strong market reputation for handling work such as group litigations, international arbitration and complex energy disputes. Richard Matthews has deep experience in contentious procurement matters. Deborah Polden, who has run the Leeds commercial dispute resolution team since January 2024, is an authority on class action matters. James Hyde‘s practice pivots on technology, communications and data-related disputes, while Mark Howarth works extensively on oil & gas and renewables-related disputes and investigations. Matthew Clark has a notable focus on disputes in the consumer sector. Gary Pellow has retired.

Co-led by Mo Bhaskaran and Lucy Ward, Stewarts Law LLP‘s roster of high-value commercial disputes includes international fraud claims and major cases argued before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Supreme Court. Bhaskaran and Nick Haworth are key figures behind the team’s strength in fraud and corruption cases. Haworth’s work in this area includes asset tracing, asset preservation and document disclosure. Kate Pollock has a proven track record in competition litigation. Ed Holmes and Andrew Robson further extend the contentious expertise at the firm.

Food and drink manufacturers, energy and infrastructure businesses, and financial services providers are among those who trust the ‘good all-round team’ at Walker Morris LLP to handle work such as multi-million pound damages claims, tax litigation and cross-border trade disputes. Gwendoline Davies heads up the team and counts large-scale nuisance claims among her spheres of proficiency. Nick Lees is a known name for his prowess in disputes arising from private equity transactions. Nick McQueen has emerged as a prominent figure in resolving disputes related to substantial energy and infrastructure endeavours, while Louise Norbury-Robinson is a key contact for technology disputes. Lynsey Oakdene is active across commercial contract disputes, warranty claims and partnership disputes. Simon Ingham joined in April 2024 from Gateley Legal.

The ‘excellent team‘ at Clarion assists with matters spanning technology-related disputes, post-M&A indemnity claims, and an array of international disputes. The outfit has additionally seen an increase in work relating to the sports sector with instructions from sports regulatory bodies, sporting clubs and stadia among its recent mandates. Simon Young spearheads the offering and has a proven track record in motor racing-related disputes. ‘Rainmaker’ and accredited mediator David Williams is versed in the intricacies of product recall litigations. Dominic Higham works extensively on outsourcing disputes. Emma Lowe specialises in contentious insolvency matters. Kayleigh Fantoni is a further name to note.

Technology disputes, group actions, aviation industry disputes and competition litigation are among the sweet spots for Freeths LLP's commercial dispute resolution group. James Hartley leads the team and frequently channels his contentious expertise into the strategic management of high-profile disputes. Lindsey Clegg is increasingly focused on LCIA arbitration proceedings connected to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Imogen Randall specialises in financial litigation. Carl Holmes is singled out for his expertise pertaining to claims arising from corporate transactions, while Chloe Oram is noted for her adept handling of mediation.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s ‘top-notch’ team is active across a broad spread of corporate and commercial litigation with breach of contract claims, joint venture disputes and contentious work stemming from equity capital markets among the group’s areas of strength. James McBurney spearheads the offering and excels in disputes that require expert engineering knowledge. Julian Sladdin has a wealth of experience in handling commercial disputes for clients from the education sector. Lindsay Lawton is described as ‘legally astute and always in the details’. Her practice pivots on commercial contract disputes.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ ‘knowledgeable team’ is well-positioned to assist clients with work spanning GSCOP arbitration, public procurement and warranty claims. Co-practice head Jason Blakey assists public and private companies with work including arbitration and pensions litigation. Blakey is hailed as a ‘true tactician and expert in the field’. Real estate litigation specialist David Holland rounds off the Leeds leadership team. Matthew Campbell –  a true asset to the team – is noted for his experience in unfair enrichment mandates. Jenny Broderick left the firm in February 2024.

Described as a ‘northern litigation powerhouse with the reach to compete at a national level’, Tyr‘s broad portfolio of work includes class actions, supply chain litigation and shareholder disputes. Clients of the Leeds-based boutique range from prominent business professionals to household name brands. Leadership duties are split between the ‘technically very gifted’ Matthew Fidler, who frequently brings his contentious experience to bear on advisory work for litigation funders, and Alistair Kennedy, whose broad practice extends to trust disputes. The ‘very talented’ David Cook has specialist expertise in pensions disputes, while Rebecca Birkby is a key figure for cross-border litigation.

Domestic and international clients from sectors spanning retail, sports, technology and engineering turn to DAC Beachcroft LLP for assistance with an array of commercial disputes. ‘Excellent lawyer’ Tim Pickworth oversees the team’s offering and counts contractual and M&A-related claims among his practice strengths. Edward Williams‘ practice straddles tech and procurement disputes. Steve Barnitt provides key support to Pickworth and Williams.

Core sectors of the practice at Gateley Legal include retail, education and procurement. Roger McCourt heads the Leeds office and is noted for his strength in contractual disputes and risk management. Gavin Winter is frequently sought out by clients from the energy and engineering sectors. Andrew Johnson  is an authority on claims under LOGIC contracts. Peter Barr’s practice extends to mines and mineral disputes and reputation management. Simon Ingham left the team in April 2024.

The ‘thoroughly capable litigation team’ at Schofield Sweeney is trusted by regional, national and international clients from a range of sectors, spanning manufacturing, energy and hospitality. Insolvency litigation expert James Wood oversees the team’s offering. Leo Jones-Rowe’s portfolio of work encompasses transatlantic disputes, contract disputes and breach of confidence matters. Simon Lucas is active across company law and asset finance fraud disputes and is a key contact for high-net-worth individuals. Damian Kilroy and Annie Hui-Gillen are further key team members.

From contractual claims to equality law disputes and minority shareholder disputes, Shoosmiths LLP is instructed by a range of  limited companies in sectors from automotive to media. The team is praised by clients for punching ‘well above its weight in terms of client base and quality of work.’ Practice head David Farnell - a ‘cool head in a crisis’ - is frequently instructed by banks and other financial services providers. Jonathan Mills is lauded for his ‘exceptionally strong practice in financial services litigation’. 

Brabners LLP, praised for its ‘great personal service‘, offers a varied practice encompassing partnership disputes, breach of contract claims and civil fraud. Matthew Howarth helms the practice and is instructed by clients ranging from large corporations to high-net-worth individuals. Junaid Sohail has in-depth experience of SPA disputes. Breach of duty and unjust enrichment disputes are further areas of activity for the team.

Gordons LLP‘s dispute resolution team is frequently sought out by major retailers, gambling and utilities clients and is additionally a key resource for businesses that operate throughout the supply chain such as logistics, cold storage and fresh produce suppliers. Mark Jones, Graeme Davy and Stephen McVey jointly lead the team. Jones is particularly well-versed in the intricacies of the grocery sector, while other key names include Catherine Woodward, whose diverse caseload includes shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims.

Regarded by clients as ‘unflappable under pressure’, Charles Abraham spearheads the offering at LCF Law. Praised for its ‘thorough and analytical’ handling of cases, the team primarily assists owner-managed businesses and is developing a specialism in the utilities sector. Roger Raper‘s practice strengths take in breach of contract claims and civil fraud claims. Andrew Donaldson frequently provides key support to Raper and Abraham.

The ‘diverse team of experts’ at McCormicks is known for its focus on contentious sports work and is instructed by the likes of the Premier League and various professional football clubs. Beyond his focus on sports litigation, the ‘outstanding, knowledgeable and pragmatic‘ David Birks, who heads up the Harrogate-based team, frequently acts in property-related disputes. Peter McCormick is embedded in the football sector.

Raworths assists domestic and overseas clients from sectors such as agriculture and food and drink with a range of contentious issues. Matthew Hill leads the Harrogate-based team and is adept at handling cases spanning slander and breach of contract disputes.  Jonathan Mortimer has a proven track record in contract disputes and franchise matters.  The unit is praised for being ‘accessible, responsive, and astute‘. Adam Colville-Robins frequently guides high-net-worth individuals through the intricacies of contentious mandates.

Aerospace sector disputes, commercial disputes involving sports participants and digital technology disputes stand out as areas of activity for the ‘great team of collaborative lawyers’ at Ward Hadaway LLP.  The Leeds commercial litigation unit is jointly led by Ian McCombie, praised for being ‘excellent under fire’, and Emma Digby, who frequently leverages her contentious experience in contractual review mandates. Philip Edmondson centres his practice on contentious sports and regulatory matters. Neil Armitage is a further key contact.

The ‘excellent team of communicators and litigators’ at Weightmans LLP is active across work such as contract disputes, cyber-related litigation and unfair prejudice actions. Anthony Rance – technically very able and also highly commercial –  frequently handles disputes that combine multiple areas of law such as contract, employment and insolvency. James Peel, who is praised for his ‘outstanding judgement’ centres his practice on breaches of directors’ duties and shareholder disputes. John McWilliams and ‘up-and-coming litigator’ Sophie Hudson further extend the contentious expertise at the firm.

Bailoran Solicitors is a boutique firm with a focus on shareholder disputes and increasingly active in IP litigations. ‘Experienced litigator’ John Bailes heads up the team and is frequently sought out by company directors for contentious assistance. Cat Tanham, who joined from Walker Morris LLP in August 2023, is well placed to handle both commercial litigation and contentious insolvency matters. James Perry’s varied contentious practice includes commission disputes.

The ‘outstanding communicator’, Judith Hopper heads the Leeds commercial litigation team at Bevan Brittan LLP. Hopper’s diverse practice includes complex infrastructure cases and PFI disputes. James Teagle‘s contentious expertise is frequently relied upon by clients from the energy, financial services and health sectors. Kyle Duggan is described as an ‘excellent public procurement lawyer’, while Jessica Boardman further extends the procurement expertise at the firm.

The ‘extremely well-resourced team’ at Blacks Solicitors LLP offers specialist expertise across sectors including construction, GDPR and defamation. Luke Patel heads up the team and has a niche focus on charity disputes concerning religious organisations. Darren Morgan - an‘outstanding litigator with superb client care skills’ - and the ‘driven’ Andrew Morgan are further key members of the team.

Described as a firm that ‘punches well above its weight in North Yorkshire’, Harrowells Solicitors is active across sectors including food and drink, professional services, construction and agriculture. The York-based practice counts shareholder and partner disputes among its practice strong suits. Simon Black presides over a team that includes ‘excellent tactician’ Richard Hugill and the ‘pragmatic’ Paul Burkinshaw.

Led by Nick Armitage from the firm’s Huddersfield office, the ‘extremely well-organised’ team at Ramsdens Solicitors LLP is equipped to handle work including shareholder and partnership disputes, contentious procurement work and engineering litigations. Paul Booth‘s varied practice extends to mediation in the UK and Europe.  In Leeds, Dean Hill‘s busy caseload includes matters related to unlawful evictions. Returning to Huddersfield, Emily Walker is described as an ‘extremely thorough and meticulous’ practitioner.