Poppleston Allen

Alcohol licensing.

Managing Partner

Lisa Sharkey if one of the founding members of the firm and, in April 2018, took over from Jonathan Smith as managing partner.

Lisa specialises in alcohol licensing and entertainment law and has been a partner at Poppleston Allen since 2001. She has experience in advising all sectors of the industry from pubs, bars and restaurants through to major property investors and developers. Lisa’s advice covers the more complex matters surrounding reviews, enforcement and late-night licensing, particularly in cumulative impact areas.

She helps clients navigate licensing laws, with an ever increasing workload in central London due to the growth of cumulative impact zones. As Lisa advises one of the largest pub estates in England and Wales, she spends much of her time ‘on-the-road’ dealing with all types of licensing issues affecting their 1,600 strong estate. Lisa is former Director of Legal and Ethnics for the Security Institute and is now Honary Fellow of the Institute, providing pro-bona legal advice and support.

Lisa also runs legal training sessions and talks at client forums, trade shows and conferences.

Some of Lisa’s key clients include: Carluccio's, Mitchells & Butlers PLC, Ricker Restaurants, The Howard de Walden Estate, Consolidated Developments, Z Hotels and Splendid Restaurants.

“Lisa Sharkey has deep experience in the licensing space and is considered an industry expert.”

Lectured Law at University of Derby. Articled Hunt Dickins 1992. Left in 1994 with Jeremy Allen and Susanna Poppleston when they founded Poppleston Allen; Partner in January 2001.

Honary Fellow of the Institute of Licensing Tribunal Member of the Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service (PICAS)

Enjoys cookery, country walks and generally having fun with the children.