Our Commercial Property Team acts for both landlords and tenants alike in drafting and negotiating new or renewal leases, rent reviews and lease assignments. We have the expertise to advise on all aspects of Landlord and Tenant Law and to guide both sides through serving notices and dealing with any issues arising during a tenancy.
We can also act in the sale and acquisition of commercial land and property as well as the charging of commercial property; carrying out due diligence, investigating title, interpreting search results and reporting the results clearly to clients.
The team prides itself on its commercial approach, understanding the client’s individual needs and advising accordingly.
Our services include:
Sale and Purchase of commercial property
Commercial Leases
Acquisition of land for commercial and mixed-use development
Rent Reviews
Landlord and Tenant Law
Lease assignments
Charges over property
Sustainability and environmental issues
All related commercial and property law issues
Who's available to help?
Anna Hobbs BSc (Hons), MSc
Director / Partner
Anna qualified as a Solicitor in August 2018 after completing her training contract with us. She is now working in our Company and Commercial Team and enjoys the varied nature of the work she undertakes. She acts for both Landlords and Tenants in the granting of commercial leases and lease assignments and can also assist clients with the sale, purchase and re-financing of commercial premises whilst also having experience in business sales and acquisitions for small to medium sized companies. Her company work includes general contract reviews, company incorporations and Partnership Agreements. Previously Anna took a leading role in setting up the busy Plot Sales team who handle the apartment sales of a number of property developments around the country and still assists in this area from time to time.
After gaining a 1st class degree in Geography, Anna went on to do an MSc in Climatology and worked for a few years in the environmental sector before setting her sights on Law, graduating from the Legal Practice Course (LPC) with a distinction. She has been at WRM full-time since October 2012, first working as Practice Management Assistant, then as a Trainee Solicitor alongside her part-time study at the University of Law and is now a Senior Associate.
Anna recently took some time off to have her second son, and now enjoys her spare time at home with family, walking and relaxing on an evening by cooking and baking. She is a keen traveller and loves doing anything creative including sewing and painting.
Julian Spence
Solicitor - Senior Associate - Commercial Property Department
Julian qualified as a solicitor in September 2003. Although originally from Nottingham, Julian spent a number of years as a commercial property solicitor at a regional firm in Berkshire. He joined the firm in January 2023 as a Senior Associate in the Commercial Property department.
He comes from a non-contentious commercial property transactional background. He has represented many different types of clients, including companies, partnerships, local authorities, universities, pension funds, small and medium-sized enterprises and high net worth individuals.
Julian represents both landlords and tenants in connection with the grant and assignment of commercial leases. He also has experience with acquisitions and disposals of both freehold and leasehold commercial property as well as secured lending where finance is required. Julian also has experience in residential lease extensions.
Julian obtained his law degree at Warwick University in 1999 before completing his LPC at the College of Law in Guildford. Julian then took a gap year before commencing his training contact at a firm in Reading in 2001.
Outside the office, Julian enjoys walking, music, golf, languages and travel.
Sarah Kelly LLB (Hons) LLM
Solicitor - Associate - Commercial Property Department
Sarah is a qualified solicitor working in the Commercial Department. She deals with numerous aspects of commercial property work on a day to day basis which includes drafting and reviewing various documents such as leases, licences, deeds and more, undertaking searches, dealing with third parties such as lenders and reporting to clients. Sarah has recently started to deal with company matters such as the dissolution of partnerships and the sale and purchase of companies acting for both the buyer and seller.
Sarah also deals with all aspects of residential property work including freehold and leasehold sales, purchases, transfers and re-mortgages.
Sarah also occasionally drafts Wills and has dealt with the administration of several estates in Probate.
Sarah graduated from Coventry University with a 2:1 Law Degree and joined WRM in June 2017 as a paralegal in the Plot Sales Team. She began her training contract in September 2018 and whilst training gained experience in the Residential Property Department, the Family Department and the Commercial Property Department. Sarah achieved a Distinction in her LPC and Maters at the University of Law in Birmingham and qualified into the Commercial Property Department in September 2020.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her young son and partner, and enjoys socialising with friends. She also enjoys travelling and has been fortunate enough to travel to many different countries around the world experiencing varied cultures, something she wants her son to experience in the future.
Joshua Wong BA (Hons) LLM
Solicitor - Commercial Property Department
During his training contract, he gained experience in Wills, Trusts & Probate, Landlord & Tenant, and New Build Homes.
Josh graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in History and went on to complete his Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law and Legal Practice Course LLM at Nottingham Law School.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, and climbing the fantasy football ranks.
Gary Sawyer BEng(Hons) MBA MBE
Solicitor - Associate - Commercial Property Department and Wills & Probate Department
Gary’s route into the legal profession has been more protracted than most. After graduating with a mechanical engineering degree, he joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot. After 16 years as a front-line pilot flying the Tornado ground attack aircraft, he completed an MBA and moved into management consultancy, programme management and process improvement. He then decided to pursue an aspiration he had held for a while and completed a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Birmingham.
Away from work he is an enthusiastic, if somewhat unskilled hockey player, is a keen road cyclist and tries to ski at least once a year. Legal studies have taken up much of his time over the last 2 1/2 years but he also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Sophia Kenna
Trainee Solicitor
Sophia graduated from the University of Leeds with a 2.1 Philosophy degree in July 2020. She then completed the GDL at the University of Law in July 2021 and has achieved a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course. Sophia has a passion for the industry and is working towards becoming a qualified solicitor at the firm.
In her spare time Sophia enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family and friends.
Solihull: 0121 705 7571
Dorridge: 01564 779393