The Legal 500: Firms defy the property downturn
THE recession has not halted the strength of Yorkshire’s property lawyers in the commercial property and construction sectors, according to The Legal 500.
Addleshaw Goddard and DLA Piper’s commercial property teams have proved to be the most successful in a difficult market, according to the annual research on the legal sector.
In the latest comprehensive piece on the legal industry bible, TheBusinessDesk.com, in association with NatWest, assesses a selection of the 
region’s key players in the commercial property, construction and social housing sectors.
Commercial property:
Leeds and West Yorkshire
The Legal 500 describes Adrian Collins as running a “strong commercial property team” at Addleshaw Goddard, and DLA Piper has an “efficient” team.
Eversheds remains a prominent player on a national and regional level, Hammonds’ commercial property team “approaches matters in a logical and organised manner”, while the team at Pinsent Masons is recommended as “excellent on all counts”. Walker Morris’ group is described as “principled and tenacious”.
Among other recommended firms in the commercial property sector are Beachcroft; Brooke North; Clarion; Cobbetts, whose property practice spans the retail, sport and the public sectors; DWF; Gordons; Irwin Mitchell; Lee & Priestley; Lupton Fawcett; Schofield Sweeney Solicitors; Ward Hadaway and Watson Burton.
Sheffield and South Yorkshire
DLA Piper has a strong public sector client base, while Nabarro’s “expert and experienced” is also highly recommended.
Kevin Docherty heads Irwin Mitchell’s three-partner team, which offers a “high level of service”.
North and East Yorkshire
The Legal 500 says Andrew Jackson provides an “excellent service” for commercial property. Gosschalks attracts praise, as does Langleys and Rollits.
Construction:
“Among the best in Leeds”, Addleshaw Goddard’s busy construction practice “gets fantastic results”. Pinsent Masons’s construction team is “extremely flexible and has a wide pool of individuals who can give expert advice in all areas”.
DLA Piper, Eversheds, Hammonds, Nabarro, Walker Morris, Beachcroft and Cobbetts are recommended and make up the next tier.
Social housing:
Addleshaw Goddard LLP is highly recommended for social housing PFI, mixed-funding transactions and local authority work.
Cobbetts is named as a leader in the social housing field, and competes nationally.
Tim Shaw heads Nabarro’s social housing group, which advises both public and private sector clients.
Emsleys Solicitors, Rollits and Walker Morris are also recommended.
Visit TheBusinessDesk.com this week for definitive coverage of The Legal 500:
Regional review – click here to view
Corporate and Banking in focus – click here to view
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