England - East Anglia • Real estate
Howes Percival LLP‘s Cambridge based practice is replete with talent, not least practice head Michaela Henson, who is regarded as one of the region’s foremost advisers on strategic land development. Jonathan Greenhalgh stands out for his expertise in complex development work, while Steven Beach is an expert in commercial property investment matters. Newly promoted partner Elizabeth Thomas focuses on the education, commercial investment and development sectors, while ’extremely helpful and diligent‘ senior associate Scott Smith is a key adviser to occupational clients, property developers and landowners. Clients remark upon ’a good quality all-round team that is always ready to respond to ever-changing client needs’. Susanne Hinde joined from HCR Hewitsons in April 2023.
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‘Good dissemination between teams and then communication and coordination, so we get seamless service.’
‘Jonathan Greenhalgh is a good client coordinator and checks things, bringing his experience to promotion agreements.'
'A good quality all-round team. Always ready to respond to our ever-changing needs and specific requirements.'
‘Commitment to problem solving.’
‘Scott Smith is extremely helpful and diligent, always willing to help us with negotiations as well as providing excellent legal advice.’
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Steven has over 30 years experience in dealing with a wide range of commercial property transactions. He particularly specialises in acting on commercial investment property transactions and also in the main acting for landowners in relation to potential commercial and residential development schemes including substantial experience in dealing with Collaboration Agreements, Promotion Agreements and Options.
Michaela’s specialisms are land development and promotion, commercial development and site assembly, property investment, landlord and tenant negotiations and advising on commercial property issues for investors, operational businesses, technology companies and charities nationwide. Michaela started her career at a West End law firm before returning to Cambridge in 1998
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Elizabeth is a commercial property specialist with a focus on working with property investors, corporate occupiers, charities and clients in the public sector. She has in-depth experience across a range of commercial property matters, including conditional sales and purchases, option agreements, agreements for lease and property management matters. She has over eight years of experience in advising education bodies (including Universities, Cambridge colleges, FE institutions and private providers) in respect of their portfolios and is used to working to tight timescales in order to achieve the desired result by the necessary deadline. Elizabeth’s practice also includes buying and selling student accommodation and she has acted for a number of overseas property investors in this sector, steering them through the complexities of the UK market. Following one such acquisition, Elizabeth was described by the client as “responsive, focussed, hardworking, punctual, cool as a cucumber and just an all-round pleasure to deal with”.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michaela Henson