Wragge & Co has won a key Birmingham property client in a beauty parade against local rivals, marking one of the first major wins for the practice since Eversheds' Adrian Bland joined as the practice group leader in July.

The Midlands giant has been appointed for the first time by Birmingham-based developer Oakmoor Estates, which will work alongside Wragges' existing client Deeley Properties to redevelop Coventry city centre in a £100m deal.

The win is a strategic shift for the firm, which has traditionally often acted for property clients outside of the Midlands, in contrast to the local dominance of Eversheds' Birmingham arm.

Wragges property partner John Burns and senior associate Duncan Murphy led the firm's team in the two-stage tender process last month. It is understood that four other local firms, including Eversheds, also pitched.

"This is a great deal, which we are proud to be involved in," Burns told Legal Week.

"The Midlands market is extremely important, but it is one of a number of markets for us. Adrian Bland's appointment was not solely to boost our employment in the region [but] it is likely to help in doing so."

The two-year project will start construction in autumn 2004, resulting in the establishment of new apartments, bars, restaurants, hotels and a casino in Coventry.

The firm, which has been appointed as the developer's sole legal adviser for the project, expects many of its departments to be involved in the deal.

One rival Birmingham property partner commented: "Wragges has always been disproportionately weak on its own patch as it wants to be a national property practice. Now they seem to be focusing on it more, no doubt as Bland's local contacts are very good."