In Birmingham, DLA Piper has a ‘formidable commercial practice with a global reach’, and is commended for ‘dealing with difficult cases for difficult clients’. The litigation practice excels at cross-border work, with an increasing focus on international arbitrations. Clients instructing the team include the Department of Health and Social Care, who it advised on the defence of a judicial review commenced by the Good Law Project regarding contracts for antibody tests in a matter that attracted vast media attention. Nick Bamford ‘leads the Birmingham Commercial practice with real aplomb’, and he has extensive experience in high-value High Court litigation and arbitrations. Neil Bowker acts as the national head of the firm’s UK litigation group, with experience handling complex domestic and cross-border disputes. The ‘very bright and creative’ Phillip Kelly is a key name, as is ‘extremely tenacious’ senior associate Laura Moorcroft.

The team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has expertise across the automotive, aerospace, industrial engineering, technology, and energy sectors, including in climate change and greenwashing-related matters. Corporate disputes and civil fraud are also both mainstays of the firm. Heavyweight commercial litigators Rich Lloyd and Adam Fisher lead the team, alongside head of the firm’s inquiries and investigations practice, Sarah Jones and Louise Howarth. Principal associate Ridah Iqbal specialises in technology and outsourcing disputes, with senior associate Victoria Callicott focusing on fraud litigation.

Richard Waugh leads the widely lauded practice at Fieldfisher LLP, which frequently acts for high-profile international clients across a range of industries. The team’s expertise spans the manufacturing, engineering, IT, and energy sectors, with individuals in the practice also skilled in competition law and public procurement work. The practice is highly skilled at energy pricing disputes, with team head Waugh particularly knowledgeable in this area. Key to the team is Adam Sturt, with vast expertise across fraud and shareholder disputes. Also noted is Stephen May, a practitioner who is particularly skilled in commercial disputes with regulatory or public law issues, and Ann Benzimra, with sector expertise across IT, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure. Zaakira Allana is key to the practice, with vast expertise in litigation with cross-jurisdictional elements.

Gowling WLG's commercial litigation capabilities extend across the firm’s offices in Birmingham and London, with the two working closely together to service clients in commercial disputes. Sector expertise of the team lies in automotive, aerospace, government, life sciences, retail, energy, tech, and litigation finance, with the core group working closely with other sector teams to deliver a cohesive approach. Andrew Litchfield is the head of the group, with Andrew Smith, Patrick Arben, and Helen Davenport all key figures in the team.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a ‘highly experienced team for a regional office’ and is ‘involved in consistently massive litigation.’ International clients, including government agencies and UK government departments, regularly instruct the team. ‘Doyen of the local legal scene’ Jim Richards leads the team with vast expertise in high-value, international commercial disputes. ‘Thoughtful and experienced operator‘ Andrew Herring is a key member of the team.

DWF has a ‘very client-focused, practical, expert, and hard-working commercial litigation team’ that is ‘dedicated to getting their clients the best results’. The practice primarily acts for clients in the technology, financial services, and retail sectors, with further expertise in international banking, international fraud, and tax litigation. ‘Excellent litigator’ Andrew Leach is the head of the team and Darren Kenny, global head of risk and excellence, also plays a key role, with specialisms in cross-border disputes, commercial fraud, and tech-related disputes. Senior associate Matthew Goodwin's practice focuses on financial services and tax related disputes, as well as software licensing and professional negligence litigation.

The commercial litigation practice at Freeths LLP consists of a ‘high proportion of really effective lawyers with a commercial approach,’ who are ‘agile, pragmatic litigators’. The firm utilises the Baker Tilly International Network to collaborate with legal, auditing, and advisory companies to provide an integrated approach for its clients. Head of the team Richard Coates is commended for being a ‘excellent litigator with a great eye for client care’ and he is supported by the ‘extremely effective‘ Louise Wilson is integral to the group, regularly leading on matters for high-profile clients. Managing associate Josh Middleton is another name of note.

The commercial litigation team in Mills & Reeve LLP‘s Birmingham office ‘continues to provide an excellent standard of service in the area of commercial disputes’ and is commended for being ‘extremely knowledgeable and great to work with.’ The team frequently acts on high-value cross-jurisdictional work, and has a specialised international arbitration practice. Key figures include the ‘outstanding’ Phil Hutchinson and ‘exceptional’ Preena Lal. Former practice head Steve Allen  left the firm in May 2023.

The team at Shoosmiths LLP provides ‘full coverage of all business areas, but with a really personal feel, and a commercial outlook’. Particular strengths of the group lie in the financial services, technology, automotive, and retail sectors. ‘Knowledgable and tenacious’ Alex Bishop leads the group and he also acts as co-head of the firm’s Birmingham office. Roger Potgieter is a key name in the practice, as is Mark Elder, noted for representing high net-worth individuals in a high-profile phone-hacking scandal. Senior associate Jordan Bray is recognised for his ‘wealth of knowledge and experience’.

Squire Patton Boggs‘s practice ‘provides a high level of service across not just the UK but further afield’, with the firm’s global platform enabling the team to work on cross-jurisdictional matters efficiently. Supply chain issues are a strength of the firm across all sectors, as are IT and technology disputes and defamation-related matters. Simon Garbett leads the Birmingham-based team, with director Ian Skinner assisting in its management and supervision. ‘Diligent, delightful to work with, and very well-respected’ senior associate Mariyam Harunah specialises in defamation and reputation management.

The ‘extremely responsive and helpful’ team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP acts for clients in high-value, complex litigation, handling civil fraud and cyber-related issues, corporate and commercial disputes, group actions, and contentious trusts and probate-linked disputes. ‘Deep thinker’ Helen Briant leads the department, which is also home to ‘stand-out commercial litigation lawyer’ Jamie De Souza, who was promoted to the partnership in July 2022, ‘outstanding‘ Lucy James, Harriet Heber, and senior associate Elizabeth Mulley.

The litigation practice at Bevan Brittan LLP is particularly strong in public service and infrastructure-related disputes, and its clients roster includes public sector bodies, pathology and diagnostics manufacturers, and household name energy and waste companies. Adam Kendall is the national head of the team and associate Emma Beynon frequently represents local authorities and healthcare bodies in complex disputes.

‘Very strong on legal matters’, Neil Warner leads the team at Gateley Legal alongside Stephen Goodrham, which is active in representing clients across several sectors, with expertise in manufacturing, retail, charities, pensions, sport, and recruitment. The department also regularly co-ordinates with the firm's other offices in Leeds and London. Kate Canning is a senior associate to note.

The ‘always strategic, efficient, and effective’ team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP has a ‘well-deserved reputation for doing a superb job in a thoroughly decent way’. Areas of focus for the group include shareholder disputes, warranty claims, contractual claims, data protection, and professional negligence. Barry Jervis leads the team and is commended for having the ‘right blend of pragmatism, bullishness, and decency’. Ben Humphreys is also key to the team and he is noted for his ‘fine intellect and sharp analysis.’ James Woolstenhulme is described by one client as ‘fearless’ and is particularly recommended for shareholder disputes, injunctions, and procurement issues.

‘Personable and unflappable’ Dean Parnell leads the team at Sydney Mitchell LLP, which provides ‘honest, reliable, well-informed, unbeatable customer service' to its clients. The practice acts across a range of sectors, routinely advising clients on disputes related to insurance, insolvency, healthcare, and property. The team continues to grow, with the arrival of associate Ian Sheppard in March 2022 from RLK and Heleena Gandham from Thomas Horton LLP in August 2022.

The team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP specialises in a broad range of disputes, including local government, housing, and health and social care-related mandates. Data protection disputes are also a key focus of the group. Ramjeet Kandola leads the practice, with vast commercial dispute and financial litigation experience, and senior associate Richard Burton is another name to note.

The team at Clarke Willmott LLP ‘has a strong reputation in Birmingham for solid work in commercial litigation,’ with particular expertise in banking litigation. ‘Level-headed’ Peter Brewer sits at the helm of the team which, consists of ‘conscientious, smart, and astute' Richard Howell, and Paul Griffiths, who has expertise in professional negligence, financial services disputes, and commercial landlord and tenant disputes.

The Wilkes Partnership focuses on business-to-business disputes, acting on manufacturing and sale of good matters, as well as for individuals in director and shareholder disputes. Simon Thomas is the head of the team, specialising in commercial and business disputes. ‘Technically strong and commercially aware’ Gavin Evans is another name to note.