Real Estate: Yorkshire

This firm's Leeds office is one of the market leaders for real estate transactions. The team's workload spans acquisitions, development and lettings, while its client base includes major corporate entities, property companies, banks and public sector bodies. Key clients include Centrica, Sainsbury's, Barclays and the MoD.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Reevey is highly experienced in the regeneration field, where he has recently represented the English Cities Fund on the Merchant Gate regeneration scheme in Wakefield. He is also skilled in property acquisition work, and has recently advised Standard Life Investments on a number of multimillion-pound development site acquisitions. Paula Dillon is also a leading real estate practitioner handling acquisitions and developments. She recently advised Gregory Projects (Halifax) on a £50 million development scheme in Halifax, including leisure, retail and office space. Bruce Lightbody has been acting for British Land in relation to over 60 lettings at Meadowhall Shopping Centre. He also advised Bioflame Renewable Energy on the delivery of a number of biomass power stations. Paul Armstrong is a highly regarded associate in the commercial property department. "He is friendly, easy to deal with and doesn't waste time," say clients.

This national player's Leeds and Sheffield offices house one of the most highly regarded real estate teams in the region. Sources highlight the team's "extensive range of knowledge" and "awareness of our business sector." One client notes that the firm is well suited to "large-scale projects, where there are the benefits of a one-stop shop." Recent work highlights for the firm have included acting for Tata Steels in its transfer of a portion of Tata Teesside Works, in the context of its sale of the Teesside Cast Products plant. Other clients include Leeds City Council, Bradford & Bingley and JD Sports.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil McLean is a consultant at the firm. He is highly experienced in handling issues surrounding acquisition, development, regeneration and funding. Nigel Howard has recently advised Sheffield City Council in its search for a private partner for Sheffield Local Housing Company, to take part in a regeneration project. Valerie Mather is recognised for her leadership skills and her expertise in the retail sector.

This Leeds-based practice has extensive experience across a range of real estate work, including acquisitions, disposals and development issues. The team recently provided property advice to Dansk Supermarked on its £778 million sale of Netto to ASDA, and has also acted for Kirklees Council on the £18 million redevelopment of Waterside Scheme Huddersfield. The firm's extensive list of acquisition-related work includes its representation of the purchaser of Crystal Palace FC in relation to the acquisition of Selhurst Park. Clients highlight the team's "open and honest opinions on matters, and its adherence to strict timetables." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Judith Pike is noted for her expertise in the fields of development and real estate finance. Clients appreciate Nick Cannon's commercial approach to matters. He is highly regarded for his handling of public sector real estate work, and he also handles commercial real estate matters. Jeremy Moore heads the real estate team at the firm. He specialises in commercial property work, especially acquisitions and disposals. Austin Judson is noted for his expertise in real estate finance and property-related insolvency, and he also has considerable experience in management, acquisitions and disposals. Highly experienced practitioner Paul Walker is a property development specialist.

Beachcroft's Leeds real estate offering is a notable force in the retail and public sectors. The firm recently acted for County Durham Primary Care Trust on the St John's Square, Seaham LIFT project, valued at over £12 million. Other major clients of the firm include DB Schenker Rail (UK), Leeds City Council and RBS. On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Virginia Clegg is national head of real estate at the firm. She regularly handles property development work and has recently acted for ASDA in its acquisition of a site for a food store in North-West England. Simon Sherwood heads the team in Leeds. He has recently been advising Westfield Group on letting at Westfield Stratford City, a new £1.45 billion shopping centre on the London Olympics site. Eve Gregory specialises in public sector work for health and education clients.

Eversheds maintains a strong real estate practice in this region, handling a range of acquisitions and disposals, lettings and management, and development work. The firm serves major corporate clients, pension funds, developers, local authorities and retailers. Its impressive client list includes Next, Cosgrave, Telefónica O2, Yorkshire Forward and the University of Leeds.

KEY INDIVIDUALS George Bacon specialises in retail sector work. He recently acted for Lend Lease on the letting and management of the Bluewater shopping centre, and he also represented Hammerson in its letting to Primark, and associated development obligations.

Clients consider the real estate team at Nabarro to be "responsive and helpful in the understanding of our objectives. They provide a quick turnaround when needed." Recent work highlights include advising JF Finnegan on its £7.35 million sale of the SECoE (Sandvik European Centre of Excellence) at Beighton Link Business Park, Rotherham.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Niall Logan has recently advised UK Coal on estate management, disposals and development projects. His colleague Stephen Fitzsimons is renowned for his handling of real estate work in the retail sector. Associate Carol Davies is "good at explaining things and helping us to understand complex issues," say clients.

Since publication, Stephen Fitzsimons has retired from this practice.

This national player has a strong real estate offering in its Leeds office. The firm has established a formidable reputation for its handling of development, investment and regeneration work. It has recently advised Newcastle City Council on various aspects of its Scotswood regeneration project, a scheme valued at over £450 million. Other clients include Defra, Standard Life and Willmott Dixon Housing.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Quinlan specialises in property investment work for private clients and pension funds, and he heads up the firm's relationship with Aviva. His colleague Jonathan Brocklehurst is also accomplished in the field of property investment. Accomplished practitioner Gerry Mulholland heads the real estate finance team at the firm.

This team wins praise for its "personable and professional" approach to real estate matters. Recently the team has advised Magnet on its current property portfolio, and in identifying potential new sites for out-of-town shopping centres. The firm acts for a range of clients including Leeds City Council, Henry Boot and KFC.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Flounders heads the team. He has recently handled a number of real estate developments in the public sector.

This firm's Leeds office has developed a strong reputation for its handling of real estate transactions. The team is highlighted by sources for its proactivity and sensitive handling of matters. Key clients include Persimmon Homes, Santander and Focus Pharmaceuticals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nic Crocker is national head of real estate at the firm. He has recently been advising Countrywide Estate Agents in its acquisition of a series of chains of estate agencies.

This firm handles work for investors, manufacturers and developers, and it has notable strength in the retail sphere. Major clients include Santander, Card Factory and Glen Dimplex. Clients consider them to be "very helpful, approachable and knowledgeable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Ayre is the managing partner of the firm. He handles the firm's client relationship with key client Morrisons, which he has advised on a number of site acquisitions and developments. David Pridmore has recently acted for LF Europe on lease termination, and the expansion of its office space into several extra floors of the former Woolworths headquarters on Marylebone Road, London.

Irwin Mitchell houses a strong real estate team in its Leeds and Sheffield offices. It is particularly well renowned for its handling of development matters, although it also deals with real estate finance, leases and acquisitions and disposals. Clients praise the firm's lawyers as "highly skilled practitioners who are able to match their legal expertise with commercial acumen."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sheffield-based Kevin Docherty heads the commercial property team at the firm. He provides clients with "a professional and helpful service with a proactive approach." Hallam Land Management recently sought his advice on a number of transactions related to a new mixed-use development in Bridgwater, in Somerset. John Flathers heads the Leeds team. He advised Shepherd Development in relation to public procurement for the redevelopment of Trafford Town Hall, and he also acted for Santander in connection with property-secured development and investment loans to Rushbond.

This firm advises clients on a range of property matters, including acquisitions and disposals, asset management and development issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bill Fisher heads the firm's real estate department and he is recognised for his expertise in development and regeneration projects.

On October 1st 2011, HLW merged with Keeble Hawson LLP, forming HLW Keeble Hawson. This firm spans the region, with offices in Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster. Clients include the University of Sheffield, Farmfoods and the Stoneacre Group. "The service is friendly, but also very commercial and speedy," say sources.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Doug McKillop is a key contact at the firm.

This group has recently acted for clients in the social housing, retail and energy sectors on a range of real estate matters. The firm advised Yorkshire Bank on four real estate transactions with a total value exceeding £130 million. Other clients include Hull City Council and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Franklin heads the real estate department at the firm.

Clients highlight the "thoroughness, professionalism, negotiating skills and clarity of advice" which this team brings to real estate matters. Key clients of the firm include York City Council, Santander and Barratt Homes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Latchmore is a key figure in the commercial property team. He has recently advised major clients of the firm on pre-let agreements and conditional sale and development agreements. Rosemary Edwards leads the residential development team, and she has recently handled a number of property acquisitions. Simon Jackson heads up the commercial property and property finance groups at the firm. His recent workload has included advising on the acquisition of a development site, and on the letting of a retail outlet.

This national firm houses a strong real estate team in its Leeds office. Recent work highlights for the firm have included advising GMI Group in relation to the Clay Cross town centre regeneration project.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Sprake leads the client relationship with Royal Mail, Yorkshire Forward and Live Nation. He is particularly noted for his expertise in the field of regeneration.

Langleys recently advised William Birch & Sons on the sale of part of its Bradley Business Park in Huddersfield, for the sum of £7.4 million. Sources say: "We have had an exemplary service from Langleys, and I feel reassured that we can draw on their expertise when we need them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tim Cross heads the real estate group. 

Lee & Priestley has recently acted on a number of acquisitions and disposals, developments and refinancings, in both the residential and commercial sectors. The group advised Jack Lunn (Properties) on its multimillion-pound acquisition of a number of Skipton Building Society branches on a sale and leaseback basis. Other clients include Handelsbanken and the Environment Agency. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Coleman heads the real estate team. Clients appreciate his responsiveness, and his "commercially sensible, efficient and practical approach" to issues. 

This firm has recently advised the Braemar Group on a number of property acquisitions, and it has also acted for Austin Reed on commercial property issues. According to clients, the team provides "clear and precise explanations and advice" and they are "always looking to put the client's interest first."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Whitaker heads the property group. 

This firm operates out of offices in Bradford and Leeds and it retains a strong profile in the real estate sphere.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Innes "provides an excellent professional service," according to clients. He is noted for his particular expertise in the retail sector, and he has advised the Trafford Centre in relation to a number of many major lettings there including department stores and lettings to major high-street names.

This Sheffield-based firm handles commercial and residential work, property development and landlord and tenant issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Baker is head of commercial property at the firm.

This Leeds-based firm handles a range of commercial and residential property work, and it regularly receives instructions from leisure sector clients. It advises clients on acquisitions and disposals, development and management issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nicholas Wilford has a strong reputation in the field of commercial property.

This Hull firm serves developers and leisure sector clients on a range of local and national real estate matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dick Llewellyn heads the commercial property department at the firm.