Leveraging its expansive UK network, Addleshaw Goddard advises local and combined authorities both regionally and farther afield. With a focus on transactional matters, the team showcases prowess in energy, transport, infrastructure, and public services. Additionally, it offers expertise in state aid, development option evaluations, procurement procedures and dispute resolution matters such as rectification claims. In Leeds, Anna Heaton and Ian Smith co-chair the practice alongside Sara Gilmore, who divides her time between the Leeds and Manchester offices. Rail and transport expert Paul Hirst, commercial disputes partner Louise Dobson and real estate specialist Mark Bramley are further key Leeds-based contacts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Responsive and able to pull in the right people from different disciplines in quickly.’

  • ‘Andrew Pettinger has been great in negotiations with other parties, going beyond the legal and providing useful input into the council's tactical and strategic approach; pulled together complicated instructions quickly.’

  • ‘The team really pulls together when faced with a large acquisition in a tight timescale and certainly delivers the brief.’

  • ‘Mark Bramley is our primary point of contact and is always on hand, interpreting our requirements and delivering within the required timescales.’

  • ‘The local government team have an exceptional knowledge, understanding the local government sector exceptionally well, with many coming from a local government background. They know how we operate in terms of finance and vision, helping many projects over the line or solving complex problems, with clear and concise communication to achieve client objectives.’

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Key clients

  • The Council of the Borough of Kirklees
  • The Council of the Borough of Torbay
  • Merseytravel
  • Luton Borough Council
  • West Midlands Combined Authority
  • Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive T/A Nexus
  • Hartlepool Development Corporation
  • Leeds City Council
  • South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

Work highlights

  • Advising the West Midlands Combined Authority on its stations development programme.
  • Advising Merseytravel, West Midlands Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Mayoral Corporation on the development of their bus franchising assessments.
  • Advising Stockport Council on achieving an appointment within 9 months of being appointed, to facilitate an investment of c. £250 million to develop a number of sites in its strategic Stockport Town Centre West area.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Anna Heaton, Ian Smith, Sara Gilmore

Other key lawyers

Paul Hirst, Louise Dobson, Mark Bramley