Wragge & Co understands local government and the public sector. With Sir Michael Lyons as non-executive director at the firm, the sector practice has a deeper insight when advising the largest of local authorities on the impact of government policy.

The 20-partner strong Local Government team is led by former council leader Mark Greenburgh, who is 'very highly regarded in local government' (Legal 500 2009) and 'has been instrumental in establishing it as a key player in the sector' (Chambers 2010). It's one of only nine firms approved to advise public sector bodies on both the full commercial and major projects panels of Buying Solutions, the national procurement partner for UK public services.

The team includes experts in employment, regeneration, public procurement, private finance initiatives, pensions and strategic partnering and has 'shown a deep commitment to expanding its practice' (Chambers UK 2010). Highlights include advising on single-status and equal pay, flexible employment strategies, public-private partnerships in waste, leisure, schools and strategic services.

Known for its creative approach to precedents for local government finance and Right-to-Buy issues, this year's Financial Times' Innovative Lawyers report also commended the team's conduct of equal pay claims against a local authority. Bringing a fresh approach to the conduct of these politically sensitive cases alongside negotiation of new pay settlements with unions, the team combines strong project management skills with lateral thinking to expedite cases.

Clients, including more than 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.

Julie Belvir, Croydon Borough Council solicitor and monitoring officer, has praised the team for 'thinking outside of the box' and commented that the firm demonstrates a very good understanding of its requirements.

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 (mark_greenburgh@wragge.com) for more information on local government.