Biography
Keith is a partner specialising in environmental transaction advice and corporate climate action.
He is a recognised national expert advising on environmental liabilities in corporate and real estate transactions.
Keith is a former Environment Commissioner for Greater Manchester and provides Net Zero advice and Carbon Literacy training to a wide range of clients.
Key highlights
Supporting 20 other law firms on environment, health and safety and climate due diligence.
Advising a local authority on contaminated land enforcement action against a multi-national company.
Sale of airport site with PFAS contamination.
Redevelopment of former National Grid gas works site.
Environmental insurance claim for a developer subject to Special Site investigations.
Winner of Legal Week Green Innovation Award and Business Green Leaders Law Firm of the Year
Testimonials
‘Keith Davidson is one of the most renowned and respected advisers on contaminated land in the country.’
‘Keith Davidson is the number one lawyer amongst all those that I have come across. There is nothing that he doesn't know and he is a very safe pair of hands in providing advice.’
‘Keith Davidson went above and beyond what was asked from him. He was courteous and polite and very professional.’ - Legal 500, 2025 (Leading Partner)
"Keith Davidson is a brilliant environmental lawyer" - Chambers UK Guide 2024
“Keith is a fabulous lawyer. He is pragmatic, very commercial and dead easy to work with”. "Keith Davidson is absolutely first-rate. His knowledge of contaminated land, warranties and indemnities is second to none". - Chambers UK Guide 2023 - Band 1 North of England
“Keith Davidson is responsive, down to earth and a fountain of knowledge. A shining star in terms of non-contentious environmental matters. Around contaminated land, there is not much that Keith has not seen and dealt with already, which makes him great at getting to the heart of the issue and offering a sensible and workable solution. He is the "go-to” resource for ensuring liabilities are appropriately dealt with in commercial transactions”. - The Legal 500, 2022 - Band 1 North West
"He's a fantastic environmental lawyer who is really pragmatic and easy to work with". - Chambers UK Guide 2021 - Band 1 North of England
"Numerous of these sites were environmentally challenged. Keith's approach and outstanding knowledge in the field made the impossible seem possible again". - Bernard Harvey, MD Evonik Degussa
"A leader at understanding and commercially managing environmental liability". - Chambers UK Guide 2019 - Band 1 North of England
The “fantastic” Keith Davidson of ELM Law maintains an excellent practice. One client enthuses: “He often thinks outside the box, is forward-looking and innovative and happy to explore novel solutions to what might be established ways of doing things”. - Chambers UK Guide 2017 – Band 1 North of England
“One of a handful of firms with real expertise in environmental liability transfer and environmental insurance. We are working together on several high profile deals”. - Duncan Spencer, Director EDIA
“They place you as the most important person they are dealing with. Always go the extra mile to achieve optimum results for their clients”. - Chambers UK Guide 2014 – Band 1 North of England
“Manchester heavyweight. An authority on contaminated land”. - Legal 500 2013 – Band 1 North West
“Creative in looking for and finding solutions to complex issues. It is difficult to conceive how there could be an improvement in performance”.
Chambers UK Guide 2013 – Band 1 North of England
“The best in Manchester for environmental issues and climate action”. - Chambers UK Guide 2012 – Band 1 North of England
Publications
Unlocking brownfield projects with forever liabilities - EG
