England - East Anglia • Real estate
Birketts LLP
Birketts LLP further added to the depth of its Cambridge commercial property team in 2022 with the hire of Simon Keen��from Hogan Lovells International LLP, who has become the firm’s main public sector property partner, and is highly experienced in the acquisition, promotion and disposal of strategic land. The practice is led by strategic land expert Kath Herbert, who recently worked with up-and-coming partner Dwight Patten to advise local landowners on the disposal of a £33m plot in the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. 'The all round expertise on commercial property matters is exceptional‘, remarked a client. Claudia Haisman-Green and newly promoted partner Helen Stewart also handle complex strategic land and development matters for landowners and developers. Gavin Acheson and Gemma Goddard lead the real estate investment team. Jeremy Stanton is a key adviser on clean energy projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The all round expertise on commercial property matters is exceptional, comparing very favourably to other regional firm's capabilities.’
‘Simon Keen leads the team with exceptional commercial and legal expertise that would not go unnoticed in a larger London firm.’
‘The team is incredibly responsive which sets it apart from the competition. The advice is precise, well structured and always pragmatic but it's the round the client service which sets it apart.’
‘Simon Keen - he has ability to problem solve and progress transaction at pace is first class. He also has a great memory for detail which enables him to provide quick and reliable advice whenever it's needed.’
‘The commercial property team that we have dealt with are both strong on law and the commercial practicalities.’
‘Dwight Patten is the partner we have dealt with. Dwight is responsive and customer focused. He has great domain knowledge and often raises ideas and challenges that help us get to a better commercial solution.’
'The team are keen to build a relationship and to understand our business needs in order to provide a service that is suited to us. No other law firm has taken such an interest in our business affairs and this sets Birketts apart from other.'
'Both myself and the managing director were impressed with Gemma Goddard's manner and ability to explain legal and commercial concepts relating to an energy option and lease in all parties meeting leaving the other lawyer high and dry by her knowledge and understanding.'
Key clients
- Trust for London
- London Diocesan Fund
- Church Commissioners for England
- News Corp
- Welbeck Strategic Land
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Uttlesford District Council
- London Borough of Newham
- Caterham Cars
- British Council for Offices
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Jesus College Oxford
- Hartpury University
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- The Cambridge Building Society
- SDI Group plc
- Grovemere Property Limited
- Cambridge Power Limited
- Wyboston Lakes Limited
- Santander UK plc
Work highlights
- Acted for a family consortium of landowners on the disposal of the development plot known as 1000 Discovery Drive at Phase 2 of the world-renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus by way of a 170 year lease together with a lease for the same term of infrastructure land in connection with the installation of shared roads, utilities and amenity infrastructure for this plot and the remainder of Phase 2.
- Acted for the London Diocesan Fund in the letting of a derelict office building in London, located on top of a former graveyard, to the City of London Corporation for use as overnight accommodation for rough sleepers.
- Advised the Church Commissioners for England on all aspects of establishing a joint venture with Hillwood and Trebor in relation to a new industrial and logistics estate at Redbrick Farm in Peterborough, including the delivery of site-wide infrastructure and the promotion, letting, development and disposal of c1.8m sq. ft. of new warehousing
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Katherine (Kath) Herbert