Gardner Leader LLP

With offices in Newbury, Thatcham, Maidenhead, Windsor, Swindon, Oxford and London, Gardner Leader is a leading regional law firm, trusted by businesses and individuals for all their legal needs, committed to an amazing client experience.   

The firm was first founded in 1895.  It has over 190 staff. Its team of highly experienced and friendly solicitors are all specialist, specifically dedicated to their areas of expertise.  Each team is driven by what matters to the client and dedicated to delivering results.      

Their dedication to excellence has been recognised with winning numerous awards, including LawNet Law Firm of the Year Award and Halsbury Legal Award in Business Development in 2016, Best SME at the Maidenhead and Windsor Business Awards in 2017, NWN Best in Customer Service Award and Best in Business Award in 2018, and Newbury Town Business Civic Award in 2023.

Gardner Leader Practice Areas

Corporate and Commercial: Giving support to businesses with corporate and commercial matters including mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and reorganisation, lending and refinancing and commercial contracts.

Real Estate - Commercial Property:The team assist with the full range of commercial property issues and act for a wide variety of national and independent clients on matters including site acquisitions for development, re-financing work and acquisitions and disposals of shops, offices and factories.

Employment: The firm act for individuals and businesses, including representing employees in the employment tribunal and in negotiating settlements. They also work with employers to update contracts and policies, manage HR issues, such as redundancy exercises, performance management, grievance and disciplinary procedures.

Dispute Resolution: Gardner Leader represent a wide range of clients from individuals to large organisations in litigious matters and aim to make the process as smooth as possible, whilst achieving the best outcome for their client. Litigation might be around a commercial, property or personal dispute or perhaps in relation to probate issues brought by beneficiaries including family members or charitable beneficiaries.

Family: Experts in taking clients through often what is a difficult time and tenacious in pursuit of clients’ interests, the team give peace of mind that everything will be done to get the best outcome. The team can advise in relation to pre-nuptial and co-habitating agreements and deal with cases involving complex assets and overseas interests/parties.

Wills, Probate and Estate Planning: Whether you are considering making your own will, need advice on assisting a relative in making one, or are currently dealing with an estate of a deceased loved one, the legal considerations and processes involved can be complex and daunting. Gardner Leader can give you the information and support you need, offering specialist help.

Residential Property: The team enjoy working with clients to achieve timely completions, whilst ensuring all issues have been checked and addressed. The team train others on topics such as top tips for first time buyers and tips for those buying property to let.

Horseracing and Gambling: The team regularly act for some of the biggest names in horseracing on a wide range of matters, involving gambling, disciplinary and licensing, and have an extremely busy practice advising  large corporations, manager owned businesses or individuals.

Life Sciences: Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in a life sciences business, need advice on litigation or protecting your intellectual property, or are looking at laboratory, manufacturing or other real estate, our multi-disciplinary team of specialist lawyers are here to advise you. Our team’s experience comes from partnering with clients in this sector over many years as well as working within the sector in both legal and commercial roles. A number of our lawyers have worked in house, and we pride ourselves on providing pragmatic and commercially focused legal solutions.

Charities:  With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by businesses in the charitable sector, our team is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to guide our clients through the complexities. Whether they are looking to form a new charity, need advice on governance or other legal issues that arise, or are considering closing or merging with another charity, we recognise that their business affairs require special attention and tailored solutions, and we are committed to delivering just that.