Trowers & Hamlins' decision to bolster its Midlands operation with a new partner hire is a small news item on the surface, but it speaks to a much larger story about the state of the UK property sector heading into 2025. Law firms do not expand their real estate benches speculatively; senior lateral hires are made in direct response to anticipated or existing deal flow, and Trowers' move into strengthening its Birmingham-based team suggests the firm sees sustained activity across development, regeneration and affordable housing instructions in the region over the coming 12 to 18 months.