Eversheds, HBJ Gateley Wareing and Trowers & Hamlins have picked up lead roles as Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham bid to take over the 2012 Olympic stadium in London.

Eversheds is advising the Olympic Park Legacy Company, which recently pushed back a decision on the winning bid, originally scheduled for Friday 28 January, after both clubs issued their final submissions earlier this month. The firm is fielding a team led by London development and regeneration senior partner Stephen Sorrell.

Trowers is advising Newham Council, where the stadium in Stratford is located, with London public sector commercial partner Paul McDermott advising. Newham councillors have agreed to provide a loan, reported at £40m, towards the regeneration if West Ham is selected as the preferred bidder to take over the site once the 2012 Olympics are over.

West Ham has turned to HBJ Gateley Wareing for advice on its bid, with real estate partner Jim Garton at the helm. Tottenham, meanwhile, is being represented by property boutique CKFT, where longstanding adviser Selwyn Tash, a consultant, is leading.

One partner involved in the bid said: "These are very interesting negotiations to be involved in – it is not only about the financial aspects of the deal, but about the legacy of the Olympic stadium. As more becomes known about the proposals, it will become clear that all parties have given a lot of thought to legacy."

Both bids have come in for criticism, including a protest from a Tottenham supporters group unhappy about the prospect of a move from the club's current North London home at White Hart Lane, while West Ham, currently struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, is considered by some to be too small a club to take over the stadium.

If West Ham, the favourite at time of press, wins the bid, it has offered to reduce the capacity of the venue after the Games.