Real Estate: West Midlands

Interviewees universally agree that this group deserves its Band 1 ranking, commenting on its "excellent reputation and capability." Clients describe it as "an enthusiastic, committed and knowledgeable team" that "always makes you feel that it is 100% focused on your instructions." Its extensive network of domestic and international offices allows the Birmingham team to offer assistance on a national and global basis, and it continues to expand its client roster with new names including Blacks, Phones 4u and Cordatus Partners. Major highlights include representing Wolseley UK in its transfer of 177 properties to Legacy - this was the UK's first significant outsource of a pure lease liability portfolio. It also handled the region's largest real estate transaction of the last year, acting for Mitchells & Butlers in its £373 million sale of 333 properties to TDR Capital. Other key clients include HSBC, Unipart, Taylor Wimpey and Land Securities.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gurjit Atwal leads the team's work on development and investment, covering mixed-use development projects, town centre regeneration and joint ventures. He represented Land Securities in its £130 million acquisition of the O2 Centre. Phil Medford is "an excellent lawyer who has his finger on the pulse and the client's job at the forefront of his mind." He focuses on large-scale residential development schemes, and has recently handled Centex's disposition of Fairclough Homes and David Wilson Homes' acquisition of Roland Bardsley Homes. The "very knowledgeable and hard-working" Iftkhar Ahmed takes a key role in corporate real estate work for clients such as Goodyear Dunlop, Unipart and Mitchells & Butlers, and he was involved in Safestore Holdings' £350 million refinancing. David Jones impresses with his fast turnaround times and expertise across the range of real estate work. Birmingham Mailbox, Hammerson and Urban Splash are a few of his clients.

This group offers "first-class practitioners" and a superlative reputation for its varied work across the breadth of real estate issues; it is split into 15 subdepartments of specialists to cover all facets of real estate. It regularly works in close conjunction with colleagues from the London office, and its newly opened Paris office gives it an extra dimension of international capability. It played a key role in Birmingham's largest ever office investment deal, advising Argent as property adviser to The Brindleyplace Limited Partnership on the £190 million sale of eight buildings in the Bridleyplace mixed-use development. It has also been advising Warwickshire County Cricket Club on its £30 million redevelopment of its Edgbaston home ground and Covanta Energy on the UK's largest industrial eco-park.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Bate is unanimously acknowledged as "a leader in his field." He chairs the residential development team and recently took the lead acting for The Miller Group in its successful bid for management contracts worth £120 million. Market sources recognise Mark Chester for the strength of his work in development and regeneration projects, particularly those that involve the education and technology sectors.

Clients highlight this as "a professional and friendly" team that "shows great attention to detail." Its heavy sector involvement means that "it is always in touch with the market," and it is "very responsive to problems which need to be dealt with immediately." Over the last year the firm has opened a Manchester office populated by the former Halliwells real estate team to provide clients with greater regional coverage. The team has been assisting Wolverhampton City Council in its mixed-use redevelopment of the area immediately surrounding Wolverhampton's main rail station, as well as advising Morris Homes and Gentwo Housing Association on their development of Britain's largest zero carbon centre, which will consist of 344 new homes. Opus Land, HSBC, British Telecom and Alfred McAlpine Developments are more names that feature prominently on its client roster.

Client Service "It provides an excellent service with no shortcomings."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Callum Nuttall is extremely highly regarded for his expertise in regeneration, house building and affordable housing. He is frequently retained in large-scale schemes, such as advising Bovis, Persimmon Homes and Keepmoat on the £350 million regeneration of north-east Coventry. Ray Simpson handles commercial property development, with a particular focus on assisting Midlands-based developers in their industrial, retail, office and leisure projects. Clients appreciate Tim Ledger's "good knowledge of working with and against local authorities," adding that he is "strong at drafting development agreements," and is able to quickly grasp the pertinent points. Alex Jones recently joined the firm from LL Law, and he handles the full range of commercial real estate law, specialising in mixed-use development and regeneration schemes and funding structures.  

Sources identify this as "a flexible team that is good to work with and provides great advice." It handles the full array of real estate law, covering corporate deals, tax structuring, regeneration and public sector projects and investment work. Big-ticket work includes assisting Waitrose in its new national stores programme, and acting for the Homes & Communities Agency in the sale of its Isle of Wight site to a private sector house builder for residential development.

Commercial Awareness "It has outstanding awareness; it constantly gives clients confidence that it has its finger on the pulse of what's going on in the property world."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Birmingham property team head Tom Johnson is lead partner for a number of the group's largest clients, including John Lewis Partnership/Waitrose and ASDA. Joanna Lawson-King specialises in property investment, major portfolio transactions and tax-driven property finance deals. Kultar Khangura impresses with a "commercial approach" and "an all-round understanding of what makes transactions work." He has led on numerous major regeneration schemes, including the £650 million Edgar Street project in Hereford.

This team continues to advise on a significant amount of investment property transactions. The last year has seen numerous new investor, developer, housing association and local authority client wins, such as County Properties, which it advised on the purchase, refurbishment and subsequent £8.8 million sale of a former Boots store. It has also assisted Jaguar Cars and Land Rover in a number of asset management matters and acted for both Calthorpe Estates and Birmingham Property Group across their commercial portfiolios. Inviron, Walsall MBC and Folkes Holdings are clients of note.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Adrian Watson is a well-known figure for his property development work on behalf of both public and private sector clients.

Over the last year, this team has kept busy advising numerous banks on financing transactions, and its global network of offices allows it to act for international clients such as US company DST Realty. Other work includes representing Finning (UK) in its sale of Hewden UK to Sun European Partners.

Commercial Awareness "It displays a good understanding of our business and is very commercially astute."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Hayes leads the Birmingham office's real estate team.

Clients recognise this as "a solid team that meets deadlines and is good at handling negotiations." It provides expertise across the range of real estate issues, with particular sector specialism in banking, education and energy-related transactions. It has been assisting the University of Worcester in its proposed joint venture to develop ten acres of a 40-acre site. Other clients include Yorkshire Bank, West Midlands Police Authority and University of Cumbria. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kathy Toon is highly regarded for her work on behalf of retail clients, as well as investors and developers. She recently joined the firm from Clarke Willmott.

This 26-lawyer team regularly handles work spanning all areas of real estate law. Of late it has been especially occupied with retail and leisure-related matters, acting for business such as Midlands Co-operative Society, Poundland and the Jessop Group. In terms of specific highlights, it is sole property adviser to One Stop Stores, which is currently working to a total of 50 new store developments and acquisitions per year. It also continues to attract a healthy amount of developer clients including Birmingham Property Group, Shepherd Developments and new client Berwick Hill. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees highlight Jason Jackson as a strong lawyer with the ability to oversee projects to the best possible results. He handles a combination of commercial development, investment and property finance matters, and he led the team advising Stoford Developments on a £75 million regeneration scheme in West Bromwich. Office head Joel Kordan is highly regarded for his expertise in residential and commercial developments. Langtree Group is one of his major clients, and recent instructions include a public sector partner agreement for Daresbury Science Park also involving Holton Borough Council and NWDA. Simon Boss is "clear, practical and gets to the required result with the least fuss." He chairs the real estate group in Birmingham and has spent a significant amount of time advising Poundland and One Stop Stores. Clients identify associate Cherry Elliot as "a rising star who is very good on investment."

This "fantastic team" has "real strength in depth." Regeneration and public sector work are key areas of focus, and it has been assisting Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council in its multimillion-pound Bluebell development. Advantage West Midlands is another major client, and recent work undertaken includes advising it on Moog's proposed £15 million relocation from Wolverhampton to South Staffordshire. The group has also received a steady stream of instructions from the energy and utilities sector; National Grid, Fulcrum Pipelines and Express Energy have all recently received assistance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees laud Anne O'Meara's "ability to grasp the bigger picture and fit it together with the details." She commands significant market respect for her extensive development and regeneration experience, assisting clients such as Wolverhampton City Council, Birmingham City Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Fellow regeneration specialist Monique Sutherland advises a range of public and private sector clients on projects across the retail, leisure, sports, industrial and residential sectors. Clients appreciate Fiona Bradley as an associate who provides "an efficient outcome." She is particularly well versed in retail and charity-related matters.

Interviewees agree that this is a robust team of experienced practitioners who are capable of deftly handling the full range of real estate law. It sits on numerous panels for high-profile companies, including Myers La Roche, TUI and new client Orbit Homes. Of late, it has handled Butchers Pet Care's £38 million acquisition of a new headquarters and manufacturing facility. Other major clients include BMW, JCDecaux and Wigleys Contracts.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eleanor Deady recently joined the firm from Cobbetts. She impresses with the depth of her expertise in commercial real estate, particularly where it involves complex regeneration projects and property development.

Market sources view this as "a good and proactive group of lawyers." It offers assistance in site acquisitions and sales, development projects and letting agreements for a wide range of clients that includes Clydesdale Bank, Pochin Homes and DST Global Solutions. It has been advising Trine Developments on the refinancing of a proposed mixed private and public sector residential apartment scheme.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Morton heads the department. 

The market recognises this as a good team for real estate work spanning sales and acquisitions, development projects and landlord and tenant matters. It has been representing Walter Smith Fine Foods in its purchase of 15 shops and advising Dudley College on its proposed £30 million relocation to a new town centre campus. Eriks Industrial Services, St John Ambulance and Telent Technology Services are a few more of its key clients. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ceri Mort is praised as an approachable and "easy to deal with" practitioner. She acts in all aspects of commercial property law, and lately handled the Dudley College matter mentioned above.

Impressed clients describes this team as "a breath of fresh air," adding that it offers "a broad range of skills; whatever situation arises it has an expert to deal with it." From its offices in Brierley Hill and Kingswinford it acts in a comprehensive array of commercial and residential real estate transactions, such as advising Avis Rent a Car on its national property portfolio.

Client Service "We are delighted with the service - there is always someone available to help you."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees agree that department head Peter Coleman impresses with his "ability to fit his knowledge of commercial property from the client's perspective into a legal framework." Sara Shepherd is highly regarded for her commercial property work, with an emphasis on property finance and landlord and tenant work. John Austin is "a lawyer that you want on your side - he doesn't see problems but the way around problems." His practice covers portfolio management, landlord and tenant advice and development projects.

This is a "thorough and detailed team" that "gets the work done by the deadlines." It has a particular focus on real estate work relating to the healthcare, education, corporate occupier, local authority and regeneration sectors. Significant work of late includes the Southwater town centre £350 million regeneration scheme and a pioneering joint venture between OCVC and the Learning & Skills Network to provide further education services to Reading College.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Whatley is the Birmingham real estate team leader. He is especially well versed in acting for NHS trusts and corporate occupiers, particularly where complex development transactions are involved.

This is "a diligent group of individuals that provides a tailored approach." Notable successes over the last year include being appointed CEVA Logistics' sole real estate adviser, following which it advised CEVA on the £16 million sale and leaseback of an ex-airfield site. It also acted for Jessop Brothers in the £65 million regeneration of Waterfront South in Walsall.

Client Service "It puts itself out to provide a good level of client care."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kevin Nagle heads the team.

This team acts out of its Lichfield and Channock offices to assist with commercial, residential and mixed-use site sales and purchases, and its client base covers developers, local authorities and site owners. In addition, it is regularly instructed in landlord and tenant matters and handles options and pre-emption agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon James is the key contact here.

Interviewees praise this group for "taking a practical approach to make the process as fast as possible." Its areas of expertise within real estate law are identified as public sector, retail, office, education and healthcare; it also offers a strong social housing practice. Specific work highlights include handling Binding Site's £23 million purchase of Nettleton Gate. Other clients include the Royal British Legion, Subway Realty and Deltabridge Investments.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Trevithick heads the team.

Clients appreciate this group's ability to deliver great service in a timely manner. Its areas of assistance include commercial leases, landlord and tenant leases, and development and funding agreements. It also offers niche expertise in property issues relating to charitable organisations. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Philip Costigan is the main contact. 

This "hands-on and proactive" team "works in harness with the client to reach the end goal." It continues to receive a steady stream of property instructions from the local government, social housing and healthcare sectors; recent work includes a multimillion-pound redevelopment on behalf of a borough council, as well as the development of a new dental hospital.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Mark Calverley is "an excellent solicitor who is very pragmatic about what the client is trying to achieve and advises on the best possible way to reach that." He emphasises healthcare-related transactions. Associate to watch Sandy Munroe is "very attuned to best practice and current case law." She also mainly focuses on health clients, advising across the spectrum of property transactions.

This department "understands the issues and how the client wishes to deal with the issues very quickly." It covers the full range of commercial matters for a diverse client base, although it maintains a particularly strong presence in public sector and healthcare-related work. This year it completed Bradford City Council's joint venture with a private developer to work on the regeneration of the Canal Road Corridor. In terms of commercial real estate, it sits on Poundland's panel and has undertaken a significant number of transactions for it over the last year.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Victoria Camfield is commended as "an experienced and hard-working lawyer." She is chair of the team and she focuses on development and regeneration projects.

Market sources speak highly of this team's wide-ranging commercial real estate practice. It is regularly instructed in development and investment matters spanning the breadth of residential, industrial, office and mixed-use properties.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sue Simpson heads up the team.

This highly regarded group covers the full spectrum of property law, including site acquisitions, development agreements, commercial leases, joint venture projects, investment transactions, commercial leases and landlord and tenant issues. It offers experience of commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tim Coplestone is the main contact for development, and Mark Colder is the first port of call for investment or landlord and tenant matters.