Our 2026 Legal500 rankings have been announced. These can be viewed in full here.
We have a total of 11 Recommended Practice Areas, 3 Leading Individuals Alastair Goggins, Chris Felton and Michelle Di Gioia, 1 Next Generation Partner and 30 Key Lawyers.
Commercial Litigation
Gardner Leader LLP‘s ’extremely skilled‘ litigators are called upon by clients engaged in the spectrum of commercial disputes, and offer additional expertise in a variety of arbitration systems and contentious insurance, IP and tax matters. Chris Felton spearheads the firm’s contentious work, focusing on multi-jurisdictional proceedings concerning breaches of directors’ duties, shareholder disputes and contentious trusts. Alongside her commercial disputes practice, Michelle Di Gioia is well versed in property litigation, including landlord and tenant issues, and health and safety-related matters.
Practice head(s): Chris Felton
Other key lawyers: Michelle Di Gioia, Katie Dyson
Testimonials
“The team at Gardner Leader stand out for its tenacity and strategic focus, pushing forward with determination, even when faced of the truly obnoxious opponents.”
“Michelle di Gioia is fantastic – very collaborative and brings a winning combination of patience and determination to her work.”
“Christopher Felton is a master tactical analyst. If he had not been a solicitor he would have been a general in battle. He is always one step ahead of opponents. Michelle di Gioia stands out for being practical and tactical.”
Commercial property
Gardner Leader LLP acts for a diverse list of clients across the full range of commercial property matters, including acquisitions, financings, developments, and landlord and tenant work. Greg Humphreys heads the team and has built a strong reputation for assisting clients with the acquisition, development or disposal of commercial real estate. Joanna Bullard is a key contact for corporate and private clients, charities and public authorities, particularly in the education sector.
Practice head(s): Greg Humphreys
Other key lawyers: Joanna Bullard
Testimonials
“Extremely strong team with a diverse range of capabilities and experience that is far superior to many others we have used.”
“I dealt with Joanna Bullard and her team recently, and I was most impressed. This matter proved to be quite complex, and Joanna Bullard was particularly good at reassessing the situation regularly and providing appropriate advice. Her advice was always balanced and pragmatic. Her expertise was very good indeed. At all times, she was courteous and good-humoured. Joanna Bullard was exceptional at communication.”
“High quality of service. The practice efficiently directs clients to the appropriate partner who has the relevant skills for that particular inquiry. A wide range of expertise amongst partners and good co-operation between departments. Courteous and professional at all times. I have used this practice on several occasions regarding a range of matters, and I will continue to do so.”
Contentious trusts and probate
Lauded for its ‘excellent communication’, Gardner Leader LLP’s broad capabilities encompass estate administration disputes, proprietary estoppel claims, and Inheritance Act claims. The practice is led by Alastair Goggins, who has over two decades of experience in the removal of executors, as well as breach of trust cases. Ashleigh Wong and Hilary Messer are other key team members.
Practice head(s): Alastair Goggins
Other key lawyers: Hilary Messer
Testimonials
“A specialised team, focused on giving the best client experience and providing exceptionally well-thought-out advice. The team has an excellent breadth of knowledge, covering all types of claims and niche areas of probate disputes. They actively collaborate with the non-contentious team to provide clients with detailed, often intricate, advice and understanding.”
“They have a good strength and depth of fee earners in the team. They show strong and consistent support to clients on matters that sometimes go on for years. They are firm with difficult clients whilst showing good empathy and understanding. They are professional.”
Corporate and Commercial – South West
Operating across distinct corporate and commercial teams, Gardner Leader LLP advises a varied client roster ranging from start-ups to listed companies. Philip Humphreys acts as the overall head of the business practice and advises on M&A, management buyouts and reorganisations. Joe Lewis leads the corporate team, advising clients across a multitude of sectors on matters related to shareholders’ agreements and reorganisations in addition to listings and fundraisings on the UK equity markets. The commercial arm of the team is headed by Peter James, who demonstrates longstanding experience in dealing with commercial, IP and IT law. James Thorpe assists corporate clients on the sell-side and with asset transactions.
Practice head(s): Philip Humphreys
Other key lawyers: Peter James; Joe Lewis; James Thorpe
“The team is outstanding, with a deep knowledge of the market and applicable law.”
“Pragmatic, professional and friendly.”
Health & Safety
With broad expertise in compliance, risk, and reputation management, Gardner Leader LLP is highly proficient in regulatory health and safety matters. The practice is overseen by Michelle Di Gioia, who is a key port of call for manufacturing and construction clients in regulatory investigations. Di Gioia is also skilled at damage limitation matters.
Practice head(s): Michelle Di Gioia
Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate
Gardner Leader LLP is experienced in negotiations with the HMRC as part of the firm’s expert tax planning advice, and excels in focus areas such as establishing and administering family trusts, which frequently include agricultural estates. Penny Wright has led the practice since March 2025, with her varied portfolio extending to advice on charities and estates with international elements. Experienced in working with vulnerable clients, Hannah Wallbridge supports clients with their wills, lasting powers of attorney and is well versed in asset protection work. Niamh Minihane is recommended for advising elderly clients, handling will drafting and related inheritance tax planning work as well as estate administration issues.
Practice head(s): Penny Wright
Other key lawyers: Hannah Walbridge
Testimonials
“As well as being extremely knowledgeable about their field of law, the members of this team are extremely compassionate. They deal with clients as people, acknowledging the complexities of their lives and the emotions that go with them. They act with professionalism, but also kindness, patience and genuine empathy.”
“Hannah Wallbridge is really approachable, sensitive and responsive. She has strong interpersonal skills which allow her to build positive and supportive professional relationships in support of clients and their families who may be facing challenging periods in their life.”
“A friendly, knowledgeable team that you can always rely on being professional but also very human.”
Family
The family team at ‘client focused firm’ Gardner Leader LLP takes on the full spectrum of family law matters, with experience across divorces, financial arrangements, private children disputes and cohabitation or nuptial agreements. Simon Fisher heads the team from Maidenhead, an arbitrator and collaboratively trained lawyer, while in Newbury Suzy Hamshaw is a trained mediator. Elizabeth Saunders is a go-to for financial disputes involving business and farming assets.
Practice head(s): Simon Fisher
Other key lawyers: Suzy Hamshaw; Elizabeth Saunders; Stephanie Buckeridge; Amy Wilson Weymouth; Stephanie Newton; Rosie Deller
Testimonials
“A great team who take real pride in being as helpful as possible to their clients. Their advice is always spot on.”
“Rosie Deller is an excellent lawyer. She is dedicated to achieving the very best outcomes for her clients. She does this by having excellent client care, sound judgment and an outstanding knowledge of the law.”
“Suzy Hamshaw and her team were excellent through the whole divorce process. Her advice was excellent and she took time to explain everything so that I understood exactly what was going to happen.”
“Stephanie Buckeridge is an outstanding lawyer who fights very hard for her clients. She goes the extra mile for her family law clients to get them the best result.”
Property litigation
Gardner Leader LLP fields an ‘extremely commercial, forward-thinking’ property litigation practice. Michelle Di Gioia heads up the team and, alongside a notable niche in mortgage repossession claims, is sought-after across trespass, rights of way, dilapidation, and possession issues. Noted for his ’common-sense approach’, Andrew Shipp is a key contact on TOLATA claims and is elsewhere entrusted on disputes concerning rights of way and access. Daniel Smith is a specialist in complex boundary disputes and vacant possession matters. Alex Tigwell left the firm.
Practice head(s): Michelle Di Gioia
Other key lawyers: Andrew Shipp; Daniel Smith
Testimonials
“Gardner Leader is a very strong, and growing, regional practice with real expertise in property litigation.”
“Very efficient in dealing with matters, always keeping me informed and guiding me to the best outcome.”
“Extremely commercial, forward-thinking and up-to-date on changing legislation.”
“Michelle Di Gioia acts quickly and provides a balanced view when assessing legal precedents and appraising possible outcomes. Never fearful but continuously assess the risks, and provide a blow-by-blow account of where we stand.”
Employment
Gardner Leader LLP‘s area of expertise includes disciplinary procedures, settlement agreements, and tribunal claims, with the team also being equipped to handle advice on redundancies, TUPE, and employment aspects of business sale transactions. Vicky Schollar heads the team and operates comfortably across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
Practice head(s): Vicky Schollar
Testimonials
“Gardner Leader offers first-rate employment law services. I have undertaken work for them acting for both claimants and respondents, and the level of service that I have witnessed has been exceptionally good.”
“Vicky Schollar is a real star. Her legal and practical insight is very strong. I very much value her input when working on cases with her.”
“Pragmatic, professional and friendly. Professional in all their dealings with us. Friendly in the way they interact with our staff.”
Corporate and Commercial – South East
Advising shareholders on company sales is at the core of Gardner Leader LLP‘s corporate practice, while the firm’s commercial group is recommended for expertise across the full range of commercial contracts, including IT, IP, and data protection elements. Practice head Philip Humphreys excels in M&A, management buyouts, and reorganisations, while Peter James leads the firm’s commercial offering and is particularly well versed at the intersection of commercial, intellectual property, and competition law.
Practice head(s): Philip Humphreys
Other key lawyers: Peter James
Testimonials
Gardner Leader stood apart from other law firms I have worked with because of their personal touch. Going through the sale of a company is a stressful experience. They had a very caring and supportive approach throughout the team. They took time to explain things and gave me space when I needed it. They bought all their resources together seamlessly and collaborated well with all the stakeholders involved with the sale.
Commitment, tenacity, knowledge, and a practical approach. During a recent company sale, I was fortunate enough to work with Philip Humphreys.
We have had the pleasure of working with Sally Addis for many years. Sally has an unmatched expertise in real estate data licensing and contracting. She grasps our needs quickly and delivers advice and solutions quickly.
We find the team at Gardner Leader has all the capabilities across multiple sectors that we need as a business operating internationally.