England - West Midlands • Corporate and commercial
Freeths LLP
Drawing strong praise from clients for its, ‘technical capability and commerciality’, the team at Freeths LLP works with a number of public and private sector entities on various mid-market matters – particularly in the tech, retail, manufacturing, engineering, and chemicals sectors. The corporate team is headed up by the ’incredible’ Lee Clifford, who also chairs the firm’s national private equity group, while Mark Neale – who also runs the national IT and data team – heads up the commercial practice. Other commercial partners to note include Nigel Gardner, whose broad focus encompasses logistics, manufacturing, and hospitality; Zoë Robertson, a contracts specialist whose recent engagements have seen her working for both local authorities and national retailers; and Kirstin Roberts, who specialises in waste and renewables sector work. Other key figures include Olivia Johnson, experienced in mid-market corporate deals, and Mohammed Abbas, who is central to the firm’s PE offering. Shireen Eliyas is also recommended for commercial matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team are very responsive and pragmatic in working with us to deliver a tailored service. The team are able to call in different departments, but the corporate department co-ordinates this in a project manager capacity.’
‘I'd like to specially mention Tom Brown, Mohammed Abbas, and Baljit Atwal for their dedication in getting a deal over the line and providing constructive solutions to mitigate any issues.'
‘Good personal touch with access to partner-level knowledge at all times.’
‘Nigel Gardner provides solid commercial advice and pays careful attention to detail. Nigel manages expectations well and delivers ahead of anticipated timescales, keeping you up to date throughout.’
‘Freeths delivers a market-leading combination of technical capability, commerciality and personal service. Access to senior members of the team is prioritised and the level of service is exemplary.’
‘Lee Clifford is an absolutely incredible partner. His ability to cut to the issues, understand what is important for his clients, and he delivers first time, every time. To get the level of capability and personal service is unusual and highly valued.’
Key clients
- Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)
- Funeral Partners
- Carbon8
- Hydrock Group
- Stone Technologies
- EH Smith
- Flow Communications
- Tarmac Group
- Shaken Udder
- Cardel Group
- ALDI Stores Limited
- Toolstation Limited (part of Travis Perkins Group)
- ShoeZone Retail Limited
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Royal Borough of Greenwich
- Runnymede Borough Council
- Micheldever Tyre Services Limited
- Cromwell Tools Limited
- Fosse Healthcare Limited:
- Lyle & Scott Limited
- Skarn Associates Limited
- The British Dietetic Association
- Wickes
- Highbourne Group
- PVH:
- NCR Ltd
- Travis Perkins PLC
- Carlsberg
- Navitas Group
Work highlights
- Advised Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) on its minority investment into Shaken Udder.
- Advised several different clients in relation to their arrangements for the implementation of complex, substantial and high value automated/robotic warehouses, including contracts for the construction and fitting out of ALDI’s largest ever distribution centre.
- Appointed by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to assist in its procurement of an operation and maintenance contractor for its energy-from-waste plant at Lister Road, Dudley.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Lee Clifford, Mark Neale