Spencer West LLP

Azeem is extremely passionate about the Real Estate sector, having supplemented his legal studies with a Masters in Real Estate before qualifying and working within the top-ranked Scottish Real Estate team at Brodies LLP. Thereafter, having moved to Blackadders LLP, Azeem’s frequent high calibre of transactional work resulted in the Legal 500 noting him as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ and such work was instrumental to the Real Estate team achieving a first time ranking in the Legal 500. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Azeem developed a fast-food business from a handful of stores in Central Scotland to a nationally recognised franchise model operating over 100 outlets across the UK – efforts which resulted in success at the UK Asian Business Awards. This entrepreneurial and commercial flare coupled with Azeem’s knowledge of the sector, technical excellence and pragmatic approach is what underpins the success of his work. This has resulted in a significant network of clients including house-hold names from the retail, fast-food and coffee sector as well as national and international investors, developers and lenders.

Christian Wilson

Christian is a specialist Employee Ownership Trust lawyer and is ranked a Leading Individual in Legal 500 and a Notable Practitioner in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession. Having supported owner managed businesses through the trials and tribulations of trade sales and management buy-outs, Christian now predominantly supports companies considering a transition to employee ownership. Having led the project to take the first law firm in the UK into a model of employee ownership Christian’s work includes supporting other law firms to become employee-owned in the highly regulated world of law firm ownership and management. In the last year alone Christian has worked with, advised and supported over 30 companies to consider, begin and complete their succession into employee ownership. Christian is an independent trustee of three EOTs and has been chair of several charities and was a non-executive director of the Eden Project.

David Morton

David is a transactional finance lawyer with over 25 years’ experience gained at some of the leading national and international law firms. Based in Scotland, David has advised both lenders and borrowers on the full range of transactional banking covering real estate finance, leveraged finance, growth finance and asset based lending. Across the UK and further afield. Various matters that David has handled over the years include: acting for a leading hotel chain in £40m development funding of a hotel in Glasgow advising private equity groups on the multi-million pound acquisition of a leading brand of garden centres representing a funding syndicate on the multi-million management buyout of field sales solutions provider McCurrach representing the borrower on multi-million acquisition and development finance in respect of a mixed use commercial site in Bristol representing leading Scottish bank in providing growth finance to a national house builder representing leading Scottish bank on a growth finance facility for various technology companies based in the UK and overseas. David is recognised as a leading expert in finance matters in both Chambers and Legal 500 law directories and delivers high quality results for clients, marrying technical ability with commercial awareness.

David Kaye

David specialises in business law and franchising. He acts as Company Secretary to a large number of companies including Retail Trust, Beezr/Bees NeesMedia, and for ten years was an Arcadia nominated Governor of Fashion Retail Academy. David is a consultant with Platinum Wave Franchise Consultancy He is an affiliate member of the British Franchise Association (BFA) and acts as legal advisor to the BFA Franchise Group in Scotland. He was the first Scottish Lawyer recognised as a Qualified Franchise Professional by the BFA. Clients admire his broad commercial know-how and business-like manner. “He’s just thoroughly professional and always offers good counsel. He has a wide knowledge of retail and a good network of people in the industry.” Observers also note his “calm manner” and “strength at negotiation.” David is on the Council of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and a Director of Glasgow International Jazz Festival. He became Honorary Consul in Glasgow to Latvia

Dhana Doobay

Dhana’s career has spanned decades of sector evolution from the early privatisation of state owned operators, to market liberalisation and competition, the rise of convergence, the emergence of globalisation and the onset of digital disruption, adjacent market diversification and business transformation. Navigating the legal challenges of a constantly innovating market for extensive numbers of clients over the years, provides Dhana with an experienced basis from which to advise TMT clients on a range of strategic transactions, business critical and transformational issues against an ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape. Having also worked extensively with in-house teams, often as a “trusted adviser”, Dhana is able to integrate effectively and efficiently with clients’ internal and external advisers, as well as engaging with senior management, company boards and other stakeholders where needed. Dhana’s experience includes advising on: Commercial services agreements Regulatory licensing, strategy and policy Outsourcing agreements Network/infrastructure agreements (fixed, mobile, satellite, subsea) M&A, joint ventures and other market consolidation and diversification strategies Dispute resolution and settlement strategies Privatisations, international “best practice” regulatory and liberalisation projects.

Edmund Probert

Edmund works mainly in the technology and IP areas. His recent work has included work on significant outsourcing contracts, patent licensing, SaaS and distribution. His previous corporate experience means he can provide a broad spectrum of guidance to technology companies. His experience includes designing software and founding an IT industry pressure group.

Edward Garston

Since qualification in 2006 Edward Garston has been advising owner-managed SME businesses across a wide diversity of business sectors on all aspects of corporate and commercial law. Clearly enthusiastic about his practice area, his expertise spans company mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations and restructuring, secured lending arrangements, company constitutional matters, share arrangements, all the way through to shareholder agreements. A particular specialism is advising company founders on their exit, whether by third-party sale, succession, or management buyout (MBO). He will, where possible, work in conjunction with a client’s existing advisers unless additional expertise is required for the particular project. He enjoys nothing more than guiding his clients through the entire process from inception to successful completion. On the commercial side, Edward regularly advises on business contracts and commercial arrangements such as terms and conditions and licensing arrangements. Edward joined Spencer West having previously practised at leading Essex law firms, most recently as a partner with Pinney Talfourd LLP. Having graduated in Economics from the University of Manchester, Edward first embarked on a varied Investment Banking career in London. Such experience affords him a unique insight into the banking and financial sectors, which enhances the service and advice he regularly offers. Edward is a keen networker and is often invited to share his professional expertise and experiences by speaking to industry groups and organisations.

Emma Claremont

Emma provides disputes advice and assistance to clients involved in construction, engineering and projects around the world. Emma also has a passion for increasing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession and is delighted to be part of a firm that shares her ethos.

Fudia Smartt

Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters. She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services. Fudia has significant experience in the following: Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues; Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues); Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals; Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves; Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies; Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency; Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions; Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues; Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost; Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond; Advising members on joining LLPs; and Drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements. She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal. Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want.

James Klein

James is a corporate lawyer with over 20 years’ PE, VC and M&A experience having acted for corporates, management teams and institutional clients including PE houses and VCs on all sizes of transactions. A significant amount of James’ practice covers domestic and (increasingly) cross-border M&A technology transactions (often acting for US acquirers of UK shares and assets having previously spent 6 years based in Silicon Valley), corporate reorganisations as well as working on many venture capital funding rounds (both company side and investor side). He also has a strong track record in advising startups and early stage businesses particularly assisting with their fundraisings and their access to capital (in particular through his investor connections in the UK and US)and helping numerous companies scale to the US. James has provided key support for a number of technology industry events and organisations over the years including Silicon Valley Comes to the UK (SVC2UK), Digital Boost and Global Tech Advocates / Tech London Advocates (James sits on the Advisory Board of both). James's recent VC deals / company side Multiple funding rounds for fast growth insurtech business. Acting for Peckwater Brands on their £15m series A round. Acting for market leading data analytics company on their recent series B funding round. Acting for market leading FBA aggregator on multiple debt and equity rounds. Acting for Karma Kitchen on the (up to) £100m investment from Crosstree Partners. Larger corporates / M&A Acting for a global gaming company on a number of matters following a recent private equity investment into the company. Acting for FTSE 250 supplier of building products to the UK construction industry. Acting for Peckwater Brands on their acquisition of Honest Food Company’s operations in four countries. Acting on the sale of Doodle Learning to Clearlake Capital-backed Discovery Education. Acting for a large US life sciences company on its asset acquisition of a UK IVF business. Acting for US digital media company Goodway Group Inc on its UK acquisition of Canton Marketing Solutions. Advising e-scooter sharing company Zwings on its sale to Ireland’s largest micro-mobility company Zeus Scooters VC / institutional Acting for global technology venture capital firm on investments out of new fund. Acting for venture capital firm that invests in high growth consumer brand business on multiple transactions. Acting for AP Ventures on their recent investment into electric and fuel cell vehicle systems integration company Hypermotive. Acting for Bowe Group on their $8.2m investment round into robot software innovator MOV.AI. Acting for leading European tech VC Lakestar on the $40m funding round into consumer intelligence platform company Streetbees. Acting for venture capital fund manager and private investment network on various funding rounds.

Jo Probert

Jo is a corporate lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience at some of the top law firms both nationally and in the South West region. After graduating from the University of Kent she spent her early career with Dickson Minto W.S., a specialist mergers and acquisitions law firm in the City of London. During her time with Dickson Minto she led on a Euros 800 million private equity transaction. Prior to joining Probert Legal Limited, Jo was part of the Business Group at Michelmores LLP for nine years, where she rose to become a Corporate Partner. Over the last few years she has worked on transactions ranging from £250,000 to £90m. These included the MBO of Dartington Crystal and the sale of the UK’s largest solar park. She has been singled out for praise by the Chambers Legal Guide.

Jowanna Conboye

Jowanna is an expert intellectual property and information technology lawyer. She has over eight years’ experience advising organisations on the best ways to protect their intellectual property (IP) from creation through to exploitation. Jowanna works with businesses on their IP portfolios covering trade marks, copyright, design rights, and patents.

Naylah Hamour

Naylah is an experienced employment and commercial litigator representing both individuals and businesses. For individuals, Naylah assists them to navigate employment difficulties, such as discrimination, whistleblowing or restrictive covenants, and will negotiate and advise on exits and high-value settlement agreements. She also deals with the full spectrum of Employment Tribunal claims. Naylah will also review and negotiate contracts, packages and/or bonus arrangements for those moving into new roles. For businesses, Naylah advises clients on strategy and resolution of contentious situations, including negotiating solutions or defending tribunal claims. Naylah also works closely with clients and HR professionals to provide advice and support in relation to employee management, and employment documentation and policy. Naylah also specialises in Commercial Litigation, with a particular interest in enforceability of restrictive covenants and remedies for breach, injunctions, bonus claims and boardroom disputes. There is often an international element to Naylah’s matters, such as cross-border, jurisdictional issues or advice to businesses with international interests. In non-contentious matters Naylah has an extensive background in transactional work, TUPE and other employment aspects of corporate restructures. Testimonials Naylah Hamour is extremely savvy and able to see round corners to ensure winning strategies at all times. Naylah Hamour really tries to achieve the best result for her clients. I value Naylah Hamour’s technical expertise, her strategies and very importantly her warmth and empathy. I contacted a few firms before settling for Naylah Hamour. The main reason I chose her was the personal attention to my care. Naylah was readily available, a listening ear, comforting and patient, understanding and compassionate. All qualities who made her not just personable but - even more importantly - trustworthy. Naylah Hamour is an outstanding lawyer for senior individuals. She has a rare tenacity and creativity. Naylah Hamour is a passionate fighter for her clients and gets outstanding results. Naylah Hamour is a great advisor and handled my case really well

Nick Benson

Nick Benson is a member of the firm’s global Investment Funds Group and has more than 20 years’ experience of advising sponsors and investors on the formation and operation of private investment funds and related transactions. Drawing on more than two decades of funds experience, Nick advises clients on all aspects of the formation and operation of investment funds. He delivers thoughtful and commercially focused counsel to a variety of market participants, including leading financial institutions, investment firms, and sovereign wealth funds. His work also encompasses a full array of investment areas, including the buyout, venture, technology, infrastructure, and credit spaces. Nick's practice includes: Fund formation Establishment of bespoke investment mandates and investment managers/advisors Secondary transactions, including GP-led transactions, pre-invested funds, fund restructurings, and LP portfolio sales Ownership transitions and strategic partnerships Fund governance and related matters Nick also maintains an active pro bono practice, including by advising charities on corporate and partnership matters. He also volunteers at legal aid centers, offering advice to individuals. Nick currently serves as the firm’s UK Money Laundering Reporting Officer (AML).

Sarah Evans

Sarah has built a strong reputation with over 20 years’ experience in construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy projects both in the UK and internationally. She has acted for multinationals, PLCs, SMEs and high net worth individuals in advising on a wide range of bespoke and standard form contracts including JCT, NEC, ICE, RIBA, ACE and FIDIC. Sarah represents all members of the construction supply chain to ensure that commercial, strategic and financial objectives are met. Sarah’s work encompasses the full spectrum of contractual negotiation, risk management and live project advice through to dispute avoidance and dispute resolution. She is particularly adept at assisting contractors involved in claims concerning defects, payment termination and final account issues. She has expertise in ADR (negotiation, mediation, expert determination), adjudication, TCC litigation and domestic and international arbitration. Her international arbitration expertise covers disputes in Europe, West Africa and the UAE conducted under ICC, LCIA, LMAA and DIFC-LCIA as well as ad hoc rules. Sarah has extensive City firm experience, having worked during her career for Hogan Lovells, Ashurst and most recently, Charles Russell Speechlys. In addition to her client work, Sarah is Co-Chair of Constructing Excellence (Surrey), a member of Arbitral Women and a mentor on their current mentoring programme. Sarah is also a regular presenter of seminars and webinars, writer of articles and a qualified business coach.

Sharokh Koussari

Sharokh represents a broad range of UK and overseas corporate clients, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals advising them on employment and commercial litigation matters. His clients are involved in various sectors, including wealth management, banking and finance, media, retail, technology, energy and renewables, and real estate. He regularly advises clients tactically in contentious situations with the aim of achieving solutions commercially and effectively. He regularly advises clients on shareholders’ and boardroom disputes, as well as heavy employment matters successfully resolving complex contentious issues. Sharokh has been rated by Chambers Global. He works regularly with international clients using his language skills. He is on the advisory board of Goal UK, the international humanitarian agency dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor. He is multilingual in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Farsi. Sharokh was recognised by the UK Legal 500 2020 and 2021 editions as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ within ‘Commercial Litigation’ and ‘Employment: Employers and Senior Executives’, ‘who has been noted in previous editions are being ‘highly experienced‘ and for ‘thinking outside the box to find creative solutions’. The UK Legal 500 2020 testimonials for Sharokh described him being: “strong tactically” and “a wise and measured litigator with commercial sensitivity and business acumen. He knows when to fight and when to negotiate a settlement and excels in both’. ‘Sharokh Koussari has a broad based practice and a commercial outlook; he is strong tactically’. Legal 500 2021 client testimonials provided: “He is a strategic thinker, able to grasp complex issues very quickly. Sharokh is a shrewd negotiator who sees the big picture and is able to come up with solutions to very complex problems.” “Sharokh Koussari’s advice has been very valuable to me. He navigated me through challenging situations with expertise and foresight. He has a no-nonsense approach to dealing with disputes which is just what you need, when dealing stressful high level employment disputes.” “Sharokh Koussari is a shrewd negotiator who sees the big picture and is able to draw focus to and prioritise elements that need critical attention.”

Simeon Spencer

Simeon founded the firm in December 2010 after almost 20 years in big international firms. Simeon’s advice and counselling practice covers all aspects of the corporate, commercial and employment field as well as directors, officers, partnerships and consultancy / independent contractor issues. In the employment field, Simeon is constantly drafting employment contracts, policies, procedures, protocols, restrictive covenants and benefits. He regularly advises and assists corporate clients in drawing up and implementing stock/share option plans such as EMIs and JSOPs. When things get contentious, Simeon leads litigation for corporate clients in minority prejudice, restraint of trade/restrictive covenants, confidentiality and trade secrets, discrimination and general contract disputes. He litigates for and provides the advocacy for clients in the Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeals Tribunal and has acted in some landmark cases over the years. He is adept at bringing these disputes in at a realistic costs budget.

Sonya Bassett

Sonya is a business leader with an entrepreneurial edge, able to add value to any board or assist a rapidly growing business which is seeking an advisor with an attention to detail to join and support their management team. Sonya has worked in the private sector as a legal director of one of the UK’s leading energy efficiency businesses. A strong negotiator and mediator with commercial experience and a flexible attitude to do what it takes to get a job done. Whilst leading large transactions Sonya has also worked on a large array of bespoke commercial contracts and provided advice in respect of renewable energy issues as and when they arise. Sonya utilises her experience of running a business through the ups and downs of the government tariffs alongside her unique approach to client service to successfully assist a great deal of businesses through a variety of projects and transactions. Sonya has been recognised in Legal 500 for her work assisting SME’s in Cornwall and the South-West and for expertise in the renewables and tourism and sectors. Sonya is currently also a non-executive director of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, which operates an airline, airport and marine businesses, based in locations across West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and chairs the Group’s environmental and remuneration committees.

Sonya Bedford

Sonya Bedford is a leading solicitor practitioner in the field of renewable energy with over 20 years’ experience in the field. Her expertise covers all technologies involved in renewable energy including wind (wind farms, large and small scale single turbines), solar (PV and thermal), hydro, wave, biomass, anaerobic digestion. It also covers leasing, construction, operation and maintenance contracts, energy regulation, land agreements, power purchase agreements and community projects. Her expertise encompasses work in private practice and also for a public authority involved in procurement in this sector. Specific areas of expertise include:- Wind farms – land agreements, power purchase agreements, construction and finance, technology contracts, operation and maintenance contracts, National Grid connection Ground mount solar - land agreements, power purchase agreements, construction and finance, technology contracts, operation and maintenance contracts, National Grid connection Public sector power purchasing, including procurement and state aid District heat – connection and supply agreements / leases / concessions Roof top solar – leasing, operation and maintenance contracts, construction contracts Anaerobic digestion – feedstock contracts, supply contracts, power purchasing Local energy markets, microgrids, smart energy contracting Energy regulation and energy supply contracts Financing of renewable energy projects; equipment warranties; energy planning Community energy – all aspects Sustainable development - co housing, eco villages, commonhold Sonya has been awarded an MBE for her contribution to advancing renewable energy in community projects.

Suzanne Brooker

Suzanne is one of the leading insolvency and turnaround specialists in the South East dealing with all aspects of corporate and individual insolvency, restructuring and refinancing including, but not limited to, contentious and non-contentious issues arising in administrations, receiverships, liquidations (solvent and insolvent), bankruptcies, voluntary arrangements. Suzanne's assignments are not sector specific and frequently include security issues, restructuring and refinancing projects as well as advice to one or more class of key stakeholders. She is a licensed Insolvency Practitioner. Suzanne's clients include funders, investors, management (directors), shareholders, creditors (customers and suppliers), landlords and insolvency and turnaround practitioners. Chambers 2021: Clients praise her professionalism and technical knowledge, saying she “Not only is she a first-rate lawyer with sublime business acumen, but she is also a very effective tactician who knows how to run substantial litigation for her clients.” Legal 500 (2021) : - "Suzanne Brooker and her team took a calm and pragmatic approach to their engagement. At all times they displayed great competence and a work rate second to none. They were a pleasure to work with during what were trying circumstances. I couldn't have had anyone better un my corner. Suzanne Brooker was the lead partner on the project. She was supportive, calming and reassuring throughout, with a degree of competence that I have found hard to match elsewhere." "Suzanne Brooker has an excellent understanding of the law providing commercial answers to difficult situations." Specialties: Insolvency & Restructuring Turnaround Debt Recovery, asset tracing Fraud Invoice Discounting, factoring and asset based lending.

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