06/06/2025
Leading commercial law firm Bevan Brittan has strengthened its expertise across several key sectors with the appointment of a new specialist planning partner.
Based in Birmingham, Lucy Thomas has joined the business from Pinsent Masons and will work with clients across the UK in areas such as energy and resource management, the rapidly-developing living sector and central and local government.
She is the fourth new partner to join Bevan Brittan since the turn of the year and the second within six weeks to be recruited to support its expansion into the living sector, after the arrival of Daniel Halstead in April. Daniel now leads the team in a developing area including build-to-rent accommodation, single family rental, student housing, co-living, residential and hotel asset classes.
Lucy specialises in advising public and private sector clients on a wide range of planning, compulsory purchase and compensation matters. Her past experience includes providing support on a number of high-profile town centre redevelopment and infrastructure projects for councils in Birmingham, Rugby and Coventry.
Rob Harrison, Partner and Head of Property at Bevan Brittan, said: “We are delighted to be able to add Lucy’s skills and experience to the existing strength and depth we have in our team, both in Birmingham and nationally.
“Lucy brings considerable expertise across a number of key areas. Her experience will be invaluable for our growing client base, including in fast-developing areas such as energy and the living sector, where our own offering is building quickly to meet client demands.
“She will be a valuable member of our team in the Midlands and across the UK, and her arrival is testament again to our continued ability to attract the very best talent to our business.”
Lucy added: “I am delighted to be joining Bevan Brittan. The business’s reputation continues to go from strength to strength in a range of areas and I’m looking forward to helping our clients progress key initiatives across the energy, living and central and local government sectors.
“Crucial projects are being undertaken up and down the country and I’m excited about working with my new colleagues to drive these forward and ultimately achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.”
Lucy and Daniel join finance expert Kerry Gibbons and pensions specialist Joel Eytle who both joined the partnership in the first two months of 2025.
Lucy’s appointment comes after Bevan Brittan’s Birmingham office recently celebrated the promotion of three colleagues to partner roles. Three other Midlands colleagues were also recognised in the business’s latest annual round of promotions.
