Acting on its own as well as often forming part of a multi-office group with lawyers based out of the firm’s offices in South East England, Blake Morgan LLP provides ‘clear legal advice’ to public and private sector clients in contentious and non-contentious matters spanning Wales and the wider UK region. As part of her broad construction practice, which includes a substantial volume of public sector work, Joanna Rees is ’very knowledgeable about the NHS methodology of procurement and construction contracting’. In more general terms, Rees is also highly adept at advising on large infrastructure and energy projects, where her expertise runs the gamut of the project lifecycle, from tender through to build phase. On the contentious front, the recently promoted and ‘exceptionally capable and experienced’ Kate Howell ’manages complex construction disputes with great skill and efficiency’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Blake Morgan has an impressive track record achieving excellent results in complex and heavy construction litigation.'
  • 'The team is particularly strong at taking technical and commercial analysis and distilling from this clear legal advice, which enhances communication and engagement with the client.'
  • 'Joanna Rees is very knowledgeable about the NHS methodology of procurement and construction contracting and in particular, access to frameworks.'
  • 'The very impressive Kate Howell manages complex construction disputes with great skill and efficiency.'
  • 'Kate Howell is an exceptionally capable and experienced lawyer.'
  • 'Miles Murphy is a real star of the future – mature beyond his years with excellent judgement and a very high level of professionalism. He is calm, unflappable, and extremely hard working.'

Key clients

  • Transport for Wales
  • Various building owners, resident management companies and right to manage companies
  • KLA Limited
  • Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
  • Ascent Development Limited
  • Goldbeck Construction Limited
  • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
  • Cardiff City Council
  • Cardiff University

Work highlights

  • Advised KLA Ltd, a US manufacturer of compound semi conductors, on its major new build of a manufacturing facility in Newport.
  • Advised Transport for Wales on all construction issues arising from its rail contracts, the development of the new Cardiff Interchange, FM contracts and environmental issues.
  • Advising Cardiff City Council education team on a number of secondary school projects under the SEWSCAP frameworks as part of its 21 Century Schools Programme – Fairwater, Willows and The Court Schools.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Joanna Rees

Other key lawyers

Kate Howell, Charlotte Neads, Natalie Taylor, Miles Murphy