Residential Development Team Strengthens with New Partner Hire

We are delighted to be strengthening our national real estate team with the appointment of Jill Briggs as a partner specialising in residential development.

Based in Birmingham, Jill brings more than 15 years’ experience acting for national and regional housebuilders on strategic and immediate land acquisitions across the UK. She joins from Shoosmiths, having previously held senior roles at Gateley and Gowling WLG.

Jill’s practice covers the full lifecycle of residential development transactions – from conditional contracts and strategic options to promotion agreements, regeneration projects, overage arrangements, and complex multi-party collaboration agreements.

She has particular expertise in helping clients unlock the development potential of former industrial land and brownfield sites, including advising on remediation strategies, environmental considerations and planning challenges.

Jill said: “Shakespeare Martineau has a fantastic reputation and is clearly a firm on the rise, but what really appealed to me was the culture – ambitious and forward-looking, while still valuing wellbeing.

“I know several people at the firm who genuinely enjoy working here, and I’m excited to join a team that combines high-quality work with a positive and supportive environment.

“I love the variety of my work – no two sites are the same, and I learn something new on every deal. But most importantly, I value the long-term relationships I’ve built with my clients – many I’ve worked with for years and now consider friends.”

Recent highlights of Jill’s work include acting on the acquisition of a former power station for a 2,300-home development, a complex deal involving sensitive environmental provisions and extensive remediation; and advising on a multi-title acquisition of a former paper mill site for 750 homes, navigating biodiversity and nutrient neutrality constraints.

She also represented a national housebuilder in a year-long phased acquisition of a former industrial site, involving off-site drainage issues, a collaboration agreement and complex planning history.

Her appointment adds further depth to our residential development offering and aligns with the firm’s ongoing investment in its specialist sector teams.

Victoria Tester, partner and managing director, said: “Jill is a superb addition to our residential development team. Her deep sector knowledge, practical approach, and strong client relationships make her a perfect fit for the firm and our growth ambitions. Her experience with large-scale, technically complex sites will be invaluable as we continue to support clients through the challenges and opportunities in the current market.”