Local government and the public sector is core to Wragge & Co. Sir Michael Lyons, a non-executive director at the firm, brings the team a deeper insight when leading the largest of local authorities and adds to its understanding of the impact of government policy.

The 20-partner strong Local Government team is led by former council leader Mark Greenburgh – described as 'excellent' by Legal 500. It's one of only nine firms approved to advise public sector bodies on both full commercial and major projects panels of Catalist, the Office of Government Commerce's legal services framework.

The team's 'variety of specialist professionals' (Legal 500), includes experts in employment, regeneration, private finance initiatives (where it is 'as strong as ever' according to Chambers UK) and strategic partnering. Highlights include advising on single-status and equal pay, flexible employment strategies, public-private partnerships in waste, leisure, schools and strategic services. The team is also known for creating innovative precedents for local government finance and Right-to-Buy issues.

Clients, including over 100 local authorities across England, are Birmingham City Council; Bristol City Council; Bromsgrove District Council; Croydon London Borough Council; Cambridge City Council; Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council; Exeter City Council; Guildford Borough Council; Hackney London Borough Council; Isle of Wight Council; Lincolnshire County Council; Milton Keynes Council; Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council; Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Wolverhampton City Council.

We also advise industry sector bodies such as the Improvement and Development Agency, the Local Government Association and Transport for London.

Jeanette McGarry, corporate director of community services for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, has praised the team's 'strong teamwork, excellent advice across the board and always a professional approach.'

Sarah Sasse leads on strategic services and IT partnering agreements including advising SCOITIM IT managers group while Mark Greenburgh leads the team and provides strategic HR advice across a range of employment issues. He is also vice-chair of the Advisory Panel on Beacons.

For credentials in central government, go to Central Government.

Contact mark_greenburgh@wragge.com for more information on local government.