Hospitality and leisure
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Paul Hastings LLP
Michael James is a partner in the Real Estate department of the Paul Hastings London office. Mr. James’ practice focuses on corporate real estate transactions. He has experience in several areas including structured acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, real estate finance, fund investments, and hotel acquisitions and operations. Mr. James has developed a leading reputation in the corporate real estate space and is the “go-to” adviser for a number of major European clients.Mr. James has significant experience based on cross-border structures and transactions involving jurisdictions such as Luxembourg, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Jersey.
![Felicity Jones](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/10/JONF1.jpg)
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Felicity primarily acts for clients with operating assets which are frequently real estate assets or trading activities where the real estate assets are fundamental to the business, such as hotels, service departments and student accommodation.
In addition to the acquisition and disposal of portfolio and individual real estate assets and portfolios in the UK and continental Europe, Felicity also advises a broad range of clients on corporate matters including joint ventures, the grant of options, sale and leaseback or management arrangements, operating agreements and franchises for owners and operators (in jurisdictions from the UK to the Middle East). She assists in managing disputes, and works with management teams and/or lenders regarding development, structure, fundraising (loan and equity) and security issues.
Addleshaw Goddard
Partner in real estate department with experience in a broad spectrum of commercial property transactions. Particular expertise is in acting for corporate occupiers and investors in the retail and leisure sector. Particularly skilled in managing large teams, helping clients realise value from their existing portfolios, and advising on national acquisition programmes. Extensive experience of sale and leaseback transactions and large corporate disposals and acquisitions. Heads up the firm’s hotel and leisure sector group.
Dentons
Matthew Tinger is a partner in the Corporate department of the firm's London office, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions. Matthew has particular experience in corporate real estate transactions and heads up the firm's corporate real estate practice. He regularly advises clients on acquisitions and disposals of properties within corporate structures, property joint ventures and on sale and leaseback transactions.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
![Laura Gowing](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/06/Gowing-Laura.jpg)
Dentons
Laura is a Partner in the Real Estate practice based in London. She has extensive experience advising UK and overseas clients on investment, finance, and development transactions.
Laura acts for a variety of property companies, developers, funds and banks across a wide range of sectors, but with a particular focus on the "beds" (BTR, student accommodation, and hospitality) and office sectors.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.