Shoosmiths LLP

Aaron Harlow

Aaron is a Partner in the corporate department's restructuring and advisory team. Aaron’s practice includes advising include banks, asset based lenders, insolvency practitioners and company directors in connection with in all aspects of corporate insolvency. Aaron has particular expertise in the retail and financial services sectors, having advised in connection with the administrations and company voluntary arrangements of a number of well-known retailers (Monsoon Accessorise Limited, Cath Kidston, Coast, Modelzone, Supercuts, Select Fashion and Store Twenty One). In addition, Aaron is leading the team advising the administrators of Lendy Limited, and its associated company, Saving Stream Security Holdings Limited, a major insolvency in the sphere of peer to peer lending and advised the directors of Wellesley Finance Limited, an alternative financier providing listed bond investment products to retail customers, in connection with its successful CVA. Aaron also advised the administrators of ASA Resource Group Plc a company with gold, nickel copper and diamond mining interests in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, culminating with the negotiation of a number of transactions to realise the Company’s overseas interests with an aggregate value of in excess of £27m. Aaron has also advised in relation to the following: • The administrations of Monsoon Accessorize Limited and Accessorize Limited and the sale of the business and assets of these companies; • The administration of Cath Kidston Limited and the sale of its online business and brand; • The purchase of certain of the business and assets of Coast from its administrators; • The CVAs of Thomas Sabo, Fuel Juice Bars and Forever 21; • The administration and subsequent sale of the business of T.M. Lewin & Sons Limited; • The administration of Jaeger Retail Limited and the subsequent sale of its assets to Marks & Spencer; • The CVAs of the restaurant chains Chilango, Polpo and Thai Leisure Group; and • The CVA and subsequent administration of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, a company with specific strategic importance in the aviation industry.

Abi Falshaw

Abi is a Senior Associate working in the Real Estate team in Leeds. She has a wide experience in varying aspects of property law with a particular focus on development and landlord and tenant matters. Her recent project experience includes advising on: • agreements for lease and occupational leases of convenience stores for a leading UK supermarket chain; • the ongoing management of the portfolio of properties owned by a leading motorway service stations operator in the UK; • the acquisition of development land by leading institutional investors acquiring and developing buy to rent and single family housing schemes; • strategic options and onward sales of development land where the end use is a mix of residential and residential care; and • a range of leading UK Banks on development and acquisition funding of various high value sites nationally.

Abigail Gisbourne

Abigail is a Senior Associate real estate lawyer dealing with all aspects of commercial property transactions. Abigail acts for regional and national clients including landlords, tenants, developers and investors. Her recent experience includes: acting for a multinational tech company with a presence in 130 countries in their lease agreement for new premises in the UK along with assisting on an agreement to surrender existing premises; assisting with the due diligence for a global tenant on a new lease at a purpose built logistics unit with an annual rent of £1.715 million; acting for a national haulage operation in their sale and purchase of strategic sites, including a portfolio purchase; acting for various corporate occupiers in all real estate matters/interests; acting for a REIT with its general landlord and tenant matters including the grant of leases and occupational licences; and assisting with the due diligence for a Government Body in relation to their lease regears. Abigail joined Shoosmiths in September 2017 after having qualified as a solicitor into Hogan Lovells LLP following a number of years as a Legal Executive.

Adam Leszczynski

Adam is a corporate senior associate based in the Thames Valley office. Adam has experience in a range of transactions including acquisitions, disposals, venture and growth capital investment, private equity investment, reorganisations, shareholder investments, private to public re-registrations of companies, share buy backs, conducting legal due diligence as well as general corporate governance. Adam has experience working with investors, management teams and companies, particularly in the manufacturing, tech, media and communications sectors. Adam’s recent experience includes: assisting with the £221 million sale of smart locker technology and field service solutions company Bybox to private equity backer Francisco Partners; assisting with the acquisition of Wax Digital, an independent Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business by a private equity house; advising LDC on its £16 million investment into national hair salon operator, Rush Hair; advising Downing Ventures and Gresham House Ventures on its combined £8 million investment into Funding Xchange, a FinTech company offering its customers instant access to personalised quotes for business funding; advising Downing Ventures and Foresight Group on its investment into Masters of Pie, a virtual reality and augmented reality software company; advising NVM Private Equity on its £3.1 million investment into Clarilis Limited, a provider of automated solutions software for the legal industry; advising NVM Private Equity on its £2.2 million investment into Mo, a recognition, employee reward and ideas platform; advising NVM Private Equity on its £2 million investment into Duke & Dexter, an award-winning footwear manufacturer; advising Treetops Nurseries on its expansion through a number of acquisitions of other nursery sites; advising the shareholders of Xtrac, a world leader in the design and manufacturer of high performance transmissions for the motorsport and automotive industry, in a buyout deal with Inflexion Private Equity; advising the shareholders of Phabrix Limited, a manufacturer of video and audio broadcast test and measurement instruments, in their exit and sale of shares to Leader Electronics; advising on a company re-registration from private to public limited status, including the UK’s first re-registration of a private Community Interest Company to a Community Interest Public Limited Company; advising company directors in relation to a proposed public offer of investment; and principal advisor on the acquisition of a specialist case management company providing rehabilitation services to clients with severe and complex injuries.

Adam Fox

Adam is a Principal Associate working in the commercial team in London. Adam advises clients on a wide range of commercial matters, with a particular focus on digital technologies and emerging business models, global privacy and data protection, and marketing laws and regulations. Adam’s experience includes: acting (on secondment for 2.5 years) as sole Privacy Counsel for WeWork's EMEA region, leading privacy and data protection compliance in the region; conducting GDPR audits for various multinational organisations, including a Japanese car manufacturer, an artificial intelligence business in the pharmaceuticals industry and a television production and distribution company; providing strategic international data transfers advice and support (both from a UK GDPR and EU GDPR perspective) for global clients, including a well-known international IT company, a leading international hotel chain, a SaaS-based web, desktop and mobile analytics platform and a leading manufacturer and marketer of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair products; advising on large data subject access requests (DSAR), including supporting a bank on a highly contentious DSAR by project managing and co-ordinating a review team to ensure regulatory deadlines were met; assisting multinational businesses with data breaches, preparing breach notifications for supervisory authorities across the globe and conducting post-breach investigations and audits; supporting an on-demand online grocery delivery business by negotiating agreements with partners in its AdTech network; advising an online takeaway delivery company on their negotiation of a Google Marketing/Ads Platform reseller agreement; acting for an internationally recognised digital brand: co-ordinating large global e-compliance projects, implementing end-to-end GDPR, Data Protection 2018 and ePrivacy compliance, responding to DSRs, advising on direct marketing and online advertising strategies, competitions and promotions, social media marketing and the use of children’s data, advising on high-value commercial distribution agreements and technology-related procurement contracts; drafting software development agreements for a major telecommunications and internet service provider in relation to a new SIM-only mobile network trading platform for retailers; and acting for J.K. Rowling’s agency protecting J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter brand from an IP and reputational perspective, drafting and advising on agency and publishing deals and managing J.K. Rowling’s domain portfolio.

Adam Frost

Adam is a Senior Associate based in the Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes corporate team, having qualified into the team in April 2019. Adam has a wide range of expertise in corporate transactions, working with private equity houses, corporate entities and management teams on M&A transactions, disposals, investments, shareholder arrangements and general corporate governance. Adam’s recent deal experience includes advising on: Five Arrows Principal Investment’s sale of Umbria Topco Limited, the holding company of Opus 2, which is a provider of legal software; Ipsos’s acquisition of Karian and Box, a leading specialist in employee research and experience; the acquisition of Wizkids (five multi-jurisdictional entities) by the TextHelp group, who specialise in education accessibility tools and data synchronisation; the acquisition of Allocate Software by RL Datix, investee company of Five Arrows Principal Investments, TA Associates and Nordic Capital; US based Beeline group’s acquisition of JoinedUp group, a workforce management software provider, backed by the group’s investee company, New Mountain Capital; the purchase of the business and assets of Keysoe and the College Equestrian Centre; and the acquisition of Mintec Global, provider of food commodity price data and market intelligence, by Five Arrows Principal Investments. Adam has also gained significant experience on secondment, working within the legal functions of Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Travelodge Hotels Ltd and Volkswagen Financial Services.

Adam Barrett

Adam is a real estate lawyer with over 10 years' experience. He acts on a wide range of property transactions, with particular expertise in acting on development projects and investment acquisitions involving delivery of offices, health care, leisure and education facilities, shopping centres and residential and commercial mixed-use schemes. His recent experience includes: advising public/private joint ventures between Bruntwood and local authorities on the acquisition for redevelopment of shopping centres including the Millgate Centre in Bury, Stretford Mall and the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham acting for large pension funds, local authorities and institutional investors in relation to forward funding of development projects and acquisition of key investment assets leading the £25m acquisition and re-development of the former Kelloggs headquarters in Old Trafford as the campus for UA92 - an education joint venture between Lancaster University and Manchester United 'Class of 92' alumni acting on the forward funding of a £130m residential-led development project in Manchester City Centre representing a large national infrastructure operator on a number of high-value disposals of surplus land for delivery of housing and leisure schemes in key strategic locations throughout the country including North London, Central Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Aimee Cook

Aimee is a Principal Associate in Shoosmiths' Dispute Resolution team, based in the Thames Valley. Aimee advises clients on complex, high value commercial disputes, acting for clients primarily in the Energy, Technology, Logistics and Automotive sectors. Aimee acts on cases in the English High Court and has experience of commercial and investor-state arbitration, and mediation. Aimee's experience is particularly focused on: outsourcing disputes; corporate and shareholder disputes; procurement challenges; and restrictive covenant disputes. Recent work includes: acting for a major communications company to successfully negotiate a pre-action settlement of a multi-million pound outsourcing dispute; acting for the defendant company in a substantial High Court claim regarding alleged breaches of a shareholder agreement (successfully settled pre-trial); successfully protecting the interests of various pharmaceutical clients in respect of procurement challenges; and successfully avoiding a potential injunction in respect of alleged breaches by the clients of restrictive covenants in an employment contract.

Alan Corcoran

Alan Corcoran is a real estate lawyer in Shoosmiths' national real estate team. Alan advises on a range of commercial property related matters including investment and development work, site assembly, conditional sale and purchase agreements and options, together with broad asset management and property finance experience. His recent project experience includes advising long standing client, McKay Securities PLC, on the development and pre-let to St James Wealth of its 60,000 sq ft office development in Lombard Street, London, and the subject to planning disposal of a 1.1 acre site in Woking to Watkin Jones who plan to construct 350 build to rent apartments on the site. Alan also led the team which advised McKay on the real estate aspects of its recent £180 million revolving credit facility. Alan is recognised as a leader in his field of real estate by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. He has recently been noted in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame which highlights individuals who have received consistent praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession as one of the elite leading lawyers for six consecutive years.

Alastair Peet

Alastair chairs our International Committee, responsible for directing Shoosmiths international strategy. He also leads our venture capital practice group and is nationally recognized for his venture capital expertise. Alastair’s focus is on venture and growth capital, advising both institutions and companies/founders on start-up through funding rounds, M&A, and ultimately exit. He is passionate about helping clients with both day-to-day and strategic issues through their life-cycle. Key clients include Octopus Ventures, Triple Point, Gresham House, DIF Capital, MML Capital Partners, BGF, and numerous other institutional investors in the UK and elsewhere. He also advises start-up, scaling, and expanding companies, typically technology enabled. Alastair and his team have market leading expertise in advising on investments involving Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) tax complexities. Recent experience includes advising: Octopus Ventures on multiple investments, including investments into Secret Escapes, Digital Shadows, Depop, Big Health and others. Alastair also advised Octopus on exits of Swiftkey to Microsoft, Evi to Amazon, Tails.com to Nestle, and Magic Pony to Twitter (X); Ai language processing company Speechmatics on its $62m Series B led by Susquehanna Growth Equity; Ai as a service company Faculty on its $42.5m Series B led by Apax Digital Fund; Oxford Capital Partners on investments including into savings platform Moneybox and insurance disrupter Wrisk; Harbr on its $38.5m investment round led by Dawn Capital and Tiger Global; Burda Principal on the Series D investment in florist Bloom and Wild; Triple Point on multiple disposals of solar and other energy generation assets; Los Angeles headquartered Global Critical Logistics on acquisitions of multiple companies outside the USA; MML Capital and management of Learning Curve Group on their exit to Agilitas; BGF and management of CAD reseller Solid Solutions Management on investment by LDC; US investment bank Cowen on its leading a $61m late stage investment into biotech firm F2G; Amber Infrastructure, manager of the National Digital Infrastructure Fund, Equitix, and DIF Capital on investments into fibre broadband providers; and Oxford Nanoimaging on its Series C investment from Oxford Sciences Innovation (OSI) and others.

Albi Bell

Albi is a Senior Associate construction lawyer with experience in acting for funders, developers, contractors, consultants and end-users across a wide range of sectors including retail, office, manufacturing, residential, energy and infrastructure. His work includes negotiating and advising on building contracts, bonds, guarantees, appointments, collateral warranties and construction aspects of funding agreements, development agreements and agreements for lease. His recent project experience includes: acting for a developer in relation to the development of a mixed office, residential and hotel scheme with a development value of £200 million; advising a distribution company on the construction aspects of its leasehold acquisition of a new 300,000 sq ft distribution hub; and acting for a developer in relation to a 350 unit build to rent scheme in Manchester.

Aleksandr Bosch

Aleks is a Partner in the Milton Keynes corporate team, advising on acquisitions and disposals, private equity investments, shareholders' agreements, joint ventures, group reorganisations, corporate governance and compliance issues. Aleks works with a variety of clients including private companies, PLCs, management teams and high net-worth individuals. Recent project experience includes: acting for Five Arrows Principal Investments (Rothschild) on a number of transactions including its investment into Texthelp, a global leader in education technology and on the sale of White Clarke Group to IDS, backed by Thoma Bravo; acting for the selling shareholders and management on the sale of Metals and Materials to Advanced Scientific Materials Acquico, a newco backed by Battery Ventures; acting for Foundation Investment Partners and the management team of Strictly Education on numerous acquisitions and their subsequent exit to Supporting Education Group Limited; advising BGF on its investment alongside Peter Jones of Dragon’s Den, into e-commerce platform Localised Group and Retail Services Group; and acting for CBD business Cannaray, from start-up and its series A investments through to a number of follow-up investments and bolt-on acquisitions, including the acquisition of Therismos Limited.

Alex Kirkhope

Alex is a Partner in the Commercial team with a particular focus on Technology and outsourcing, advising clients on all aspects of their business-critical IT systems and related business functions, as well as wider technology-based commercial contracts, software licensing and information law. Alex works closely with client commercial and legal teams in delivering transactions and has a detailed understanding of the key commercial drivers behind technology deployments. Over his career, Alex has advised on numerous major public sector IT contracts and procurements for UK Government, in particular in relation to the development, implementation and delivery of nationally significant benefits systems, a £1bn BPO of administrative and payment systems underpinning the NHS in England, and the largest UK police force on its outsourcing of Application Maintenance and Support Services. Recent examples of transactions Alex has advised on include: advising Moorfield Group in relation to its £600m PropTech-based JV with Bricklane; advising a luxury high street retailer on its £multi-million O365 Transition Framework negotiations with IBM; advising a global automotive manufacturer on multiple contracts related to their IT environment and supply contracts, including in relation to their international enterprise-wide licensing arrangements with Microsoft; acting for a high-growth financial services technology provider on the contract terms underpinning the rollout of its mortgage aggregation software platform to corporates, brokers and intermediaries; advising a leading Smart Cities technology provider in relation to a number of significant smart city technology deployment projects; leading a team advising a major UK Building Society in relation to the second generation outsourcing of its savings and mortgage account software platform; advising another leading UK Building Society in relation to contracts covering multiple aspects of its IT systems and infrastructure including the negotiation of terms relating to a high-value cloud service deployment, as well as a range of other business-critical IT agreements; acting for a major UK construction company in relation to its procurement of WAN services to support its UK and international operations; and acting for a global airline group in relation to the negotiation of enterprise-wide software licensing arrangements with Oracle.

Alex Haider

Alex Haider is a Senior Associate in the clinical negligence department in Shoosmiths' Reading office. Before going to university to study law, Alex worked in the NHS as a staff nurse on a vascular surgery ward and in an intensive care unit. Alex manages cases arising from a wide variety of NHS and private medical care including delayed diagnosis of cancer, orthopaedic surgery, general surgery, ophthalmic treatments, GP errors and injuries to mothers and children occurring during labour. Some examples of cases that Alex has successfully concluded are: a settlement of over £300,000 arising from the negligent management of a wrist fracture resulting in the claimant having to abandon his career in the armed forces; a six-figure settlement due to nerve damage during a biopsy, resulting in weakness in the claimant's dominant arm; and a delay on the part of hospital doctors in the management of a young child who had swallowed a button battery, with the result that he sustained a full thickness burn to his oesophagus and required major surgery that could have been avoided.

Alex Jones

Alex Jones is a Principal Associate specialising in planning, highways, and environmental matters. Alex’s work comprises a mix of both contentious and non-contentious planning work, including drafting and negotiating complex s106 agreements, providing highways advice, negotiating infrastructure agreements, undertaking planning due diligence on a variety of matters, providing strategic planning advice, undertaking judicial reviews, obtaining footpath and highway closures, and undertaking planning appeals. She acts for a wide range of clients, including public bodies, funders, commercial and residential developers, governmental departments, charities and retail clients. Alex's experience includes: Drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 Agreements, including the negotiation of the various planning agreements associated with the redevelopment of Birkenhead town centre and the Section 106 Agreement relating to the Eden Project in Lancashire; Negotiating sewer and highways agreements and providing support to the Real Estate Division, including inputting into development agreements, sale contracts and leases; Submitting a successful application for a screening direction from the Secretary of State in respect of the Council's decision to determinate that an application for a large development fell within the criteria for an Environmental Impact Assessment; Promoting a Development Consent Order for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in Cheshire; Submitting appeals to the Secretary of State against the refusal or non-determination of planning applications; and Advising developers and landowners in relation to permitted development rights and changes of use. Alex regularly speaks at internal and external seminars aimed at local authority, public sector and private developer clients. She also delivers training for RICS and the Local Government Association.

Alex Bishop

Alex is National Head of the Dispute Resolution & Litigation practice and Head of the firm's Birmingham office. She advises on a broad range of commercial disputes from shareholder disputes, contract and misrepresentation claims to obtaining freezing orders and search and seizure orders in complex fraud cases. She has a broad range of experience dealing with litigation and international arbitration as well as participation in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediations. Alex has particular experience dealing with reputationally significant matters and internal investigations, navigating the potentially competing interests of different stakeholder groups. Given the costly nature of Court proceedings, Alex will always look to achieve a speedy and cost effective resolution to any dispute. Where Court proceedings are the only option, Alex will pursue them aggressively albeit always focused on the client’s commercial objectives. Her clients include large companies in the IT, retail, automotive and manufacturing sectors such as Electrolux plc, Husqvarna UK Limited and Next Plc. Her recent instructions include: • representing an African telecommunications company in international arbitration proceedings in London and Dubai regarding multi-million dollar claims against a Chinese equipment supplier. • advising a Plc client following allegations of bribery in a civil dispute, conducting an internal investigation and supporting with a self report to the authorities. • advising a major high street name in relation to the termination of a fixed term IT contract carrying an exposure of £35million. A favourable exit was achieved through negotiations without proceedings being issued; • successfully obtaining a permanent injunction and substantial costs recovery for a major petrochemicals company against an unauthorised dealer. The claim also involved executing a search and seizure order; • advising a global financial services company in relation to fraudulent activities conducted by a former employee including unlawful access to the company’s IT systems. Undertakings were obtained together with full financial recovery; and • acting for a UK Plc in relation to a claim against multiple defendants for conspiracy to defraud and civil bribery securing a substantial financial recovery for the client. The claim involved obtaining a Freezing Order over the fraudsters' assets. Alex’s understanding of the issues facing businesses and the pressures on in-house lawyers has been enhanced by a number of secondments, one of which was spent in an in-house legal department of a UK based oil company, another in the Cayman Islands in an in-house legal team for a multi-national investment bank and as acting head of legal at a fleet management company. Alex has also worked in-house assisting the in-house legal team of a UK based mobile phone supplier with substantial US litigation, working with US lawyers and preparing the UK arm of the litigation. Alex has recently been identified as a leader in her field of Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in which she is described as "praised for her ingenuity and her commercial vision.". She is also in the Legal 500 'Hall of Fame' for Commercial Litigation and is listed in The Lawyer's 'Hot 100' 2021.

Alexander Massey

With a background in accountancy, Alexander joined Shoosmiths in 2019 as a Solicitor. As part of the firm’s specialist tax team, Alexander is a Senior Associate providing assistance on: corporate tax issues in mergers and acquisitions; income taxes and reliefs; VAT, SDLT and CGT arising on property transactions; and VCT, EIS and SEIS reliefs as part of the firm’s award winning tax advantaged venture capital reliefs division.

Alexandra Tiptree

Alexandra (Ali) is a finance and banking lawyer specialising in a range of debt finance work, including secured and unsecured, bilateral and syndicated lending both on a national and international level. She acts on behalf of either banks or borrowers (either corporate or private equity). Ali's experience includes acquisition finance, telecoms finance, project finance, debt restructuring as well as leveraged and investment grade corporate lending transactions. She has worked on a wide variety of transactions including: advising a South African mobile phone operator on its USD275,000,000 facilities from Chinese and South African lending institutions; advising an Indonesian mobile service provider on its USD40,000,000 facilities from an international investment management firm; advising a private equity house on various of its acquisition and unitranche facilities in connection with its separate purchases of a German payment institution, a French business intelligence company and an English insurance brokers; advising HSBC Bank plc in relation to over 20 banking facilities relating to its European Corporate Banking Centre; advising Bankmed SAL on over USD230,000,000 of term, payment and performance bond facilities in connection with the project finance of a powership.

Alexandra Triptree

Alexandra Ventham

Alexandra has experience of advising employers and trustees of occupational pension and life assurance schemes on all aspects of pensions law, and providing advice in relation to pensions issues on corporate transactions and pensions litigation. Alexandra’s experience includes: Advising both pension scheme trustee and employer clients on scheme mergers, drafting documentation to implement such mergers, and taking on a project management role to ensure completion of mergers in required timescales. The de-risking of occupational pension schemes, recently advising an independent trustee on a buy-in of the scheme's liabilities and plans to achieve a full buy-out and wind-up. Advising on scheme closure exercises, including the implications of scheme amendment powers and case law requiring salary linkage. Advising on the updating and consolidation of pension scheme trust deeds and rules. Drafting scheme contingent assets, such as PPF compliant company guarantees. Advising employers on automatic enrolment obligations. Defending complaints brought under scheme internal dispute resolution procedures and before the Pensions Ombudsman. High court pensions litigation, including acting for an employer and trustees in multi-defendant professional negligence proceedings associated with equalisation issues. Alexandra also has experience of mediation and settlement of high court disputes. Advising on TUPE transfers and share sales, including drafting contractual provisions, advising on obligations during and following such transfers/ sales and whether section 75 employer debts may be triggered and the appropriate steps to mitigate such risks. Advising on the establishment of group life assurance schemes.

Alexandria Kittlety

Alex has a breadth of experience in all aspects of real estate, including: • landlord and tenant; • freehold sales and disposals; • strategic portfolio acquisitions and disposals; • investment sales and purchases; • transfers of going concern; • licensed premises; • corporate support; and • working in-house / setting up secondment functions at clients' offices. Alex acts predominantly for tenants, but also landlords, in high street, office, industrial and retail parks and shopping centre locations. Alex's main clients include Whistles, Hobbs, Phase Eight, Sk:n, Waterstones, Mercedes-Benz, Euro Garages, Mountain Warehouse, Iron Mountain, Accident Exchange, Topps Tiles.

Alice Casey

Alice advises banks, financial institutions and corporate borrowers on domestic and cross-border financing. She has particular experience in real estate finance and has spent time on secondment at a major UK clearing bank. Recent transactions include: acting for a 4 bank club providing a £185,000,000 development and investment facility to a commercial property borrower; advising on a Takeover Code governed public to private takeover of a large PLC; acting for a major clearing bank in relation to a £45,000,000 term, revolving and ancillary facility to a privately owned group in connection with the refinance of a portfolio of over 30 properties; acting for a major clearing bank on a £32,000,000 real estate investment facility with a Jersey borrower group in respect of a multi-property logistics portfolio; acting for a developer borrower client on senior and mezzanine facilities in respect of the development numerous properties; acting for a private equity real estate fund manager on a term loan facility with a major clearing bank in connection with financing the acquisition of a portfolio of 77 show homes; and acting for local authorities on various projects including real estate finance loans and grant funding agreements in the further education sector.

Alistair Hammerton

Alistair is a Partner in the corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, with particular specialty around mergers and acquisitions, growth and venture capital, private equity and joint venture arrangements. Alistair is one of the country’s leading and most active venture capital lawyers - advising on early stage seed investments to series A and later rounds and through to exits. Alistair works with a variety of clients including for prominent investors such as Octopus Ventures, BGF, Triple Point, Hambro Perks, Blackfinch and Mercia on a serial basis, private companies (from start-ups to large corporates), listed plcs, founders and management teams.

Alistair Hayes

Alistair is a Senior Associate in the Banking and Finance team, based in our London office. Alistair specialises in asset based lending transactions, with a particular emphasis on acquisition and sponsor-led ABL financings. Alistair is also experienced in advising banks, financial institutions and large corporates in leveraged finance, asset finance and real estate finance transactions. Alistair's experience includes: advising RBS Invoice Finance and ABN AMRO on the provision of £100m receivables finance facilities to Pertemps Network Group; advising ABN AMRO on the provision of revolving plant and machinery facilities to Van Elle Holdings plc; advising Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending on combined receivables, inventory, plant and machinery, property and cash flow facilities to support Chiltern Capital's acquisition of mechanical contractor Doby Verrolec; acting for HSBC Bank in relation to the provision of £26m ABL facilities to CST Pharma; advising Investec Growth and Leverage Finance in connection with its provision of debt facilities to Southgate Global; acting for Shawbrook Bank Limited in respect of a number of asset based and commercial loan facilities to fund customer acquisitions and MBOs, including Hydromarque, Fargro and Retrac's employee ownership trust transfer; and advising a listed corporation in the utilities sector in connection with it obtaining RCF and CLBILS facilities from a major clearing bank. Alistair joined Shoosmiths in November 2019, moving to the firm together with partners Jon Bew and Natalie Barnes. He originally trained under Jon and Natalie at Irwin Mitchell LLP, qualifying in September 2019. Prior to commencing his training, he studied at King's College London and the University of Law.

Amardeep Vangar

Amardeep is a corporate solicitor with broad sector experience covering transactional and non-transactional corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments and general company law matters. She advises a wide range of clients including individual entrepreneurs, corporates, developers, private investors, joint ventures and property funds with considerable experience advising clients on corporate real estate transactions. Amardeep is responsive to her client’s needs and aims to achieve their objectives and goals in the most thorough and practical way possible, whilst adopting a pragmatic approach to complex legal issues. Her recent experience includes advising: the private equity firm LDC on its multi-million pound investment into Foundation SP a leading national children's care and education provider, on its various business acquisitions the shareholders of an online own-brand bike accessories and tools business on the sale of their company to Factory14 the shareholders of Procomm Site Services Ltd (a provider of portable modular accommodation in the UK) on its sale to Modulaire Group the shareholders of a UK insurance broker network on the sale of their company to a US private equity backed purchaser a global moving company, on its acquisition and expansion of a UK relocation business

Ami Bhatt

Ami is a Legal Director with over 10 years' experience of corporate transactions such as acquisitions, disposals, management buy-outs, private equity and angel investments, pre-pack acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures. EOTs, share buy-backs and general corporate governance matters. Ami has experience of working with owner managed businesses, investors, buy & build businesses and management teams in various sectors such as IT, real estate, logistics & packaging, consultancy and childcare.

Amit Nayyar

Recognised as one of the leading Private Equity lawyers in the UK Amit Nayyar helps PE sponsors, investee companies and management teams realise their investment strategies. Amit heads our relationship with leading PE sponsors such as Rothschild (Five Arrows Principal Investments), Foundation Investment Partners, Kelso Place, Norland Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners. With over 15 years' experience in private equity, Amit has acted as lead counsel on a variety of high-profile buy-outs, restructurings and deals in the UK and Europe – with a particular focus on technology, healthcare and education investments

Amy Anderson

Amy is a Principal Associate based in our Manchester office. Amy's particular area of expertise is managing employment tribunal litigation for businesses in the retail, hospitality and logistics sectors. In addition to defending employment tribunal litigation, Amy enjoys working alongside clients to manage people-related risks, whether that is by ensuring that businesses have the right contractual and policy documentation in place, to negotiating settlement agreements, to providing strategic advice during periods of organisational change. Amy prides herself on getting to know her clients' businesses so that she can provide straightforward, pragmatic advice which is in line with their commercial objectives. In recent years Amy has: ◦successfully defended a company in the hospitality sector against multiple claims of race discrimination which were alleged to have taken place over a period of in excess of five years; ◦successfully acted for a real estate business in respect of claims of sexual harassment in circumstances where the perpetrators of the allegations had left employment and were not willing to give evidence at Tribunal; and ◦advised a sports club on the employment aspects of the sale of a number of its golf clubs including on the application of TUPE.

Amy Bars

Amy is a Senior Conveyancing Manager working in the Conveyancing Department. Amy joined Shoosmiths in March 2006 as an Assistant Case Handler in the Conveyancing department. Amy works on a wide range of diverse cases across Conveyancing, including sale, purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity transactions which include freehold, leasehold and shared ownership dealings. Amy has helped thousands of clients move home, taking responsibility for the progression of transactions on behalf of our clients through to completion.

Amy Barrs

Amy is a Senior Associate working in the Conveyancing Department. Amy joined Shoosmiths in March 2006 as an Assistant Case Handler in the Conveyancing department. Amy works on a wide range of diverse cases across Conveyancing, including sale, purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity transactions which include freehold, leasehold and shared ownership dealings. Amy has helped thousands of clients move home, taking responsibility for the progression of transactions on behalf of our clients through to completion.

Amy Dyson

Amy is a Senior Associate and part of Shoosmiths' national Construction team, based in Manchester and specialises in both contentious and non-contentious construction law and practice. She has acted on a variety of disputes relating to time, money and defects and for a broad range of clients across the industry, including developers, financial institutions, employers and trusts. She has experience in litigation, adjudication as well as less formal methods of dispute resolution including negotiation and mediation. Amy also acts for developers, contractors, subcontractors and funders alike, negotiating and drafting building contracts, consultant appointments and collateral warranties. She also advises on the construction aspects of Real Estate finance and banking deals for both funders and borrowers.

Amy Leech

Amy is a Senior Associate within the Milton Keynes employment team. She advises on a full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, including specialist areas such as employee data protection and business immigration. Amy works with local and national clients across a variety of sectors including logistics, retail, leisure and higher education. Although Amy primarily acts for employers, she also supports individuals on settlement negotiations, tribunal litigation and advising individuals on their post-termination restrictions. Amy's recent experience includes: defending employment tribunal proceedings, including constructive unfair dismissal claims, pregnancy and maternity discrimination claims and disability discrimination claims; advising organisations on day-to-day employee relations matters, including flexible working requests, disciplinaries and grievances; assisting organisations with managing redundancies and restructures (including TUPE where relevant); and advising organisations on managing and negotiating exits including settlement agreement proposals and terms. Amy conducts her own advocacy in the Employment Tribunal and has successfully represented various clients at case management and substantive preliminary hearings and at final hearings. She also regularly provides support to the corporate team within Shoosmiths, advising on the employment law aspects of national and international corporate sales, acquisitions and investments. Amy has a particular interest in employee data protection matters and advises on the varied commercial and employment implications in this area. She has extensive experience in assisting organisations with managing data subject access requests and has also advised individuals making such requests. Recent employee data protection work undertaken by Amy includes: assisting multiple clients with large data subject access requests; reviewing and drafting workforce privacy notices and employee data protection policies, including subject right policies; and advising a client in relation to the data protection implications of conducting criminal record checks on its workforce. Amy also has experience in business immigration matters. Work handled by Amy in this area includes: supporting organisations with various right to work check queries and providing bespoke training to clients relating to the same; advising clients in relation to applying for a skilled worker sponsor licence and managing the licence once granted, especially in a post-acquisition context; and reviewing and drafting right to work and business immigration policies. Amy regularly writes articles and comments for the firm and is one of the founding co-hosts of the Shoospeak HR podcast. She is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association. Amy also regularly advises individuals on a pro bono basis through the firm's employment pro bono clinic set up in collaborate with Milton Keynes' Citizens Advice Bureau. Amy is also a current member of the firm's "Balance" network, which aims to champion gender equality and better representation of women in the legal sector. Amy also co-chairs the Milton Keynes office's Social Mobility Working Group.

Anastasia Fowle

Anastasia is a partner specialising in the motorsport and automotive sector. She has a depth of experience in this multi-faceted sector: from IP, regulatory, litigation, international cross border matters, complex commercial and strategic arrangements and projects, end-to-end supply chain and privacy, together with extensive and sought after expertise in the world of motorsport (most notably F1). Anastasia's experience of private practice and general counsel in house roles, gives her a refreshing "both sides of the fence" perspective that enables her to cut through to commercial realities. Having sat on the Executive Committee Board for an F1 Team, she has an acute understanding of the importance of delivering pragmatic, solution driven and commercially sensible advice. Anastasia enjoys a unique and enviable position having worked with many F1 teams, F1 Drivers, Formula E Team and various motorsport and automotive clients. She currently also maintains legal in-house roles, active in motorsport and related activities. Her deep sector knowledge in this complex sector, means that she has a full hinterland of non-contentious and contentious experience including: intellectual property; complex commercial agreements; corporate transactions; digital media; commercial/corporate strategy (domestic and international); specialist sporting litigation; brand and reputation management; advertising and marketing strategies (often in conjunction with major sporting events); confidential information; licensing; sponsorship; endorsements; driver contracts; management contracts; motorsport regulatory advice; WADA regulatory matters; R&D and collaboration agreements; technical partnerships; complex data protection issues; compliance/audit; and litigation. She initiates and conducts proceedings before the High Court, OHIM, FIA International Court of Appeal, UK Trade Mark Office and Nominet and works with UK Customs authorities with regard seizures of counterfeit goods. She often works on cross border transactions for clients. Anastasia has spent time on secondment at Red Bull F1 race team, which, alongside her General Counsel role at Manor F1 race team and ROKiT Venturi Racing (Formula E Team) (current) has given her a great insight into the dynamics of a team and business operating within a competitive sporting environment. Anastasia is a Director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the first non-driver to become a director of the GPDA since its inception in 1961. She sits on the board alongside Sebastian Vettel, George Russell and Chairman Alex Wurz. Recent highlights include: UK representative and member of the European Automotive Network leading on High Court trade mark infringement dispute on behalf of German automotive manufacturer (acting for both UK national sales centre and German OEM) representing former F1 World Champion driver in all his commercial projects working with leading premier league football team in relation to confidential commercial deal; working with Audi UK and Audi AG with regard ground breaking new project for the car sales market; advising leading global German car manufacturer (VW Group) on its UK IP, branding, technology and digital media, commercial and data protection matters and IP disputes. Providing strategic advice and solutions in relation to technical and legal issues arising as VWG strives to push the boundaries with new technology and enhance the customer journey experience; advising Mercedes UK, Nissan and Renault in relation to Commerical, IP and DP matters; advising on the Jules Bianchi litigation for the Manor F1 team and resultant settlement agreement; advising on the Maria di Villota case for the Manor F1 Team; working on complex High Court and Court of Appeal patent litigation and breach of contract matter on behalf of H&M (Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd v H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd ) [Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltdv H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 516 (22 May 2015)]; advising British Amercian Tobacco in relation to various global commercial projects; providing strategic and commercial advice in relation to various global commercial and multi-supplier projects; acting for and advising various retailers, including H&M, The White Company, Dixons Carphone, Henkel, Nectar (Resident), United Talent Agency, Thorntons, LK Bennett, GAME, IKEA, RIXO, Ann Summers in relation to sponsorship, licensing, advertising, counterfeit matters and general commercial/data protection matters; appeal by Infiniti Red Bull Racing against the decision N°56 dated 16 March 2014 of the FIA Stewards of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix counting towards the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship. Appeal before the International Court of Appeal [2014] (ICA-2014-01) (the “Fuelgate Litigation”); advising Henkel (and its associated brands, including Right Guard and Schwarzkopf) with regard TV rights clearances, music clearance, vlogger/blogger contracts, music licences/permissions for broadcast; acting for Global fast food restaurant chain (McDonald's) with regard UK intellectual property matters, including online and social media issues and reputational strategy; acting for leading global cereal brand in relation to multi billion pound bid to acquire United Biscuits; lead UK Counsel co-ordinating the securitisation of all IP of a borrower's European portfolio in relation to various major re-financing deals (value in excess of $1bn); Red Bull GmbH v Sun Mark Limited et al (High Court) (Red Bull GmBH v Sun Mark Limited and another [2012] EWHC 1929 (Ch), 17 July 2012.); co-ordinated worldwide IP due diligence and strategic advice on behalf of last round bidder regarding its multi billion dollar bid; acting for global motorcycle brand in relation to a serious breach of confidential information, which included an injunction claim against a well known motorcycle publication; obtaining immediate removal of online infringement and achieving successful outcome for client; advising hi-tech engineering company with regard potential large scale commercial dispute. Successful outcome for client; and advising a wide range of international and domestic clients active in the field of automotive, motorsport, manufacturing, retail, food and drink, technology, fashion, and media. Anastasia has an enviable list of clients who regard her as the “go to” person. Anastasia contributed a chapter to the book "Landmark IP Decisions of the European Court of Justice" (2008-2013).

Andrea Rusbridge

Andrea is head of the clinical negligence team in Northampton consisting of six legal advisors and two PAs. In 1998 Andrea was accepted onto the AvMA panel of specialist solicitors and has retained that accreditation ever since. Andrea sat on the legal aid assessment panel for dealing with appeals against decisions by the legal aid agency and continued to volunteer for this for four years. Andrea is now a CEDR accredited mediator having completed the 5 day CEDR mediation course in October 2019. Andrea has experience of many types of medical negligence case, including cerebral palsy/birth injury, obstetrics, gynaecology, vascular, amputation, cardiology, and delayed diagnosis of cancer, wrongful birth, neurological injury and cauda equina. She regards her legal expertise primarily as the means to help rebuild the lives of people and their families who have been injured as a result of negligent medical treatment and maintains that it is important to provide support and understanding throughout the process as well as achieving the best outcome that she can for her client. Work highlights • Mrs Chaudhry deceased - this was a claim against Northampton General Hospital for delayed diagnosis of breast cancer which led to the early death of Mrs Chaudhry. The claim was for the pain and suffering of Mrs Chaudhry before she died and a claim for financial losses for her and her husband and children. • Mrs Quadling - a claim was brought against Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust for the negligent insertion of a placebo contraceptive device which led to the birth of twins. Mrs Quadling recovered compensation for loss of earnings and pain and suffering. • Mrs Meehan - recovered compensation for delay in diagnosing and treating necrotising fasciitis against Heart of England Foundation Trust. She was compensated for loss of earnings, changes to her home, childcare and for pain and suffering now and in the future. • Mrs N - cauda equina injury caused during spinal surgery, colostomy required and stroke injury following surgery due to failure to treat atrial fibrillation. Client lost capacity to provide instructions and a litigation friend had to be appointed. Compensation included pain and suffering as well as a claim for care for herself and care she could not provide to her husband who was diagnosed with Parkinson's during the lifetime of the claim, the additional cost of holidays and activities were also included. • Mrs Parkin - surgical injury to iliac vein which prevented her return to previous number of hours as a pharmacist and caused swelling and pain reducing her mobility significantly. Claim included provisional damages for the risk of ulcer development and potential loss of her leg. She claimed loss of earnings, care and additional costs of holidays to accommodate her mobility. • Mr C- compartment syndrome injury to both legs causing foot drop and constant pain. The client could not play with his children and so his whole family were introduced to wheelchair basketball. The client claimed for care, the cost of adapted accommodation, a salt pod, case manager, loss of earnings and additional cost of holidays to see his family who live abroad in homes that do not accommodate disability. • SXC - a child who suffered from cerebral palsy birth injury, judgment has been obtained as well as substantial interim payments to provide care, therapy and assistance to age 13 when he can be assessed for the rest of his life. • Mr D - claim for failure to diagnose cancer leading to partial collapse of spine. Claim included care, loss of earnings and compensation for additional pain and suffering. • Ms W and Mr B- claim for the loss of their child to Kawasaki disease as a result of the failure of the hospital to treat the disease when it was diagnosed. The claim settled at a mediation which allowed the trust to provide an oral apology and an explanation about what steps have been taken to prevent this happening again. Testimonials from clients Paul Cockerton - “Very impressive service, as much in the manner with which it was handled, as getting the best result for us.” Mrs Meehan – “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all your team from myself and my family you have made a massive difference to our lives.” Mr Chaudhry – “As I got the best possible service, I have no idea how you can improve your service. I am 100% behind the service I received. From the start to finish I/we were updated on what was going to happen.” Mrs Coles – “Genuine empathy and interest in the case and in my daughter as a "real" person and not just a source of income.” Andrea has been ranked in Chambers and the Legal 500 both individually and for her team for many years.

Andrew Millar

Andrew is a corporate partner whose clients include public and private companies, investors and management teams. Andrew has extensive experience of running local and cross border transactions and client relationships. He is experienced in helping his clients to identify, prepare for and resolve their legal issues, whether through the provision of company law advice or in leading companies, from technology start-ups to listed companies, through complex corporate transactions. Andrew’s particular expertise covers company law advice, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets transactions, takeovers and group reorganisations. Recent transactions include: advising Datix on its acquisition of a business from Health Matrix; advising LDC on sale of ByBox to Francisco Partners; advising Ikon Science Limited on its sale to Great Hill Partners; advising a local authority on its corporate joint venture to regenerate a housing estate which will involve the construction of circa 2,500 new homes; advising AMR Centre Limited on a fund raising; advising Gaist Holdings Limited on its investment from BGF; and advising the sellers of Verpihy Limited on its sale to Davies Group.

Andrew Pattinson

Andrew is joint head of Real Estate North. He has over 25 years experience in the real estate sector. . He has a particular focus on development, investment and heads up the student sector team at Shoosmiths . Andrew is known for his practical approach. His recent experience includes: Andrew is client partner for Select Property Group. The team has acted a number of high profile acquisitions including Circle Square at the former BBC site City Suites in Salford and Embankment West; leading the Derwent Estate team acting in connection with a the redevelopment of the Edge Lane retail park; acting for PRS Reit Sigma; the acquisition on behalf of a national corporate of a 67,540 square foot office and warehouse space at an annual rent of £470,000; acting on behalf of Manchester Airport as developer on the construction and letting of the Raddison Blu Hotel at East Midlands Airport; and leading the team acting for a national retailer in connection its portfolio including acquisitions and disposals and general management.

Andrew Brennan

Andrew heads Shoosmiths’ 20 strong national IP team. He is recognised as a leading intellectual property lawyer who "knows his IP” and “provides solid, targeted and fast advice”. Clients find him approachable, pragmatic, agile and very user-friendly. Andrew’s practice covers all areas of intellectual property law, with a particular focus on the technology, engineering and consumer brand sectors. He works for global tech companies and household brands through to pioneering SME’s and disruptive start-ups. Passionate about innovation, Andrew is recognised for his excellence in handling complex disputes with a technical element involving patents, confidential information and software. He also helps technology clients in relation to their strategic R&D programmes and specialised IP commercialisation arrangements. Andrew's experience covers a range of technologies, including oil and gas well perforation, various waste to energy processes, robotics, photonic printing, supercontinuum lasers, friction stir welding, graphene filtration, sealed grafts, stroke detection equipment, autonomous vehicles, software and many more. In the consumer brand space, Andrew has handled countless trade mark and design disputes and licensing deals on behalf of well-known and up and coming brands. Recent work examples include: conducting multi-jurisdictional patent dispute regarding reactive shaped charges on behalf of global designer and manufacturer of gas and oil well perforating equipment; advising on patent and know-how licence dispute between two global engineering companies; handling international patent licensing programme on behalf of global photonic printing company; advising on complex pre-clinical and clinical milestone co-development and patent licensing agreement on behalf of US life sciences company; working as part of an international team to help one of the world’s largest vodka manufacturers enforce and protect a key trade mark; and advising numerous well known cycle brands in relation to brand protection, enforcement and licensing matters.

Andrew Bowden-Brown

Andrew is a Partner specialising in banking and finance litigation, asset based lending and alternative finance lending, cryptocurrency asset recovery and commercial litigation. Andrew regularly advises banks and other financial institutions on security and enforcement issues arising out of facility and / or security documentation. These issues range from complex multi-jurisdictional fraud claims to simple debt recovery matters, loss mitigation, contentious and non-contentious insolvency and asset recovery and tracing claims. In addition, Andrew has extensive experience of dealing with complex commercial and crypto asset recovery litigation. He works alongside leading asset recovery experts to ensure quick, commercial and pragmatic steps are taken to assist victims recover their misappropriated assets. Andrew is a member of the Shoosmiths' crypto working group. Andrew's expertise includes: advising on actions against clients and former clients of asset based lenders, banks and other financial institutions, including guarantors, warrantors and indemnifiers advising banks and other financial institutions on claims against them by current or former clients and any consequent reports to their respective regulatory bodies. In particular, Andrew has advised banks subject to numerous high-value claims for the alleged mis-selling of various financial products, including invoice finance, asset based lending, secured and unsecured finance, structured collars, swaps, simple collars and cap products advising numerous individuals and institutions on civil and criminal recovery options following theft of their crypto / virtual / NFT assets working alongside insolvency practitioners advising on fraud investigations, administrations, liquidations and provisional liquidations, actions against bankrupts, directors and third parties and obtaining relief under the Insolvency Act, such as wrongful trading, transactions at undervalue, preference and misfeasance advising on bespoke facility and security documentation in connection with prospective clients (including assisting credit committees), reviewing and amending intercreditor documents, undertaking security reviews and re-negotiating / taking new security during the course of a facility and assisting the business to create and maintain an “exit plan” for distressed or defaulting businesses advising on professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants and other professional advisers Specialist areas include: asset based lending, invoice finance, fraud, commercial litigation, trade finance, supply chain finance, construction, insolvency and restructuring, director disqualification, debt recovery, cryptocurrency & digital asset recovery and professional negligence

Andrew Mills

Andrew is a senior associate and provides clear, strategic and pragmatic advice to businesses areas of data protection, digital marketing, advertising and general commercial law. Andrew has experience working on secondment with a regulator and a global UK-based plc in the top 10 of the FTSE. Before embarking on a legal career, Andrew worked as a Management Consultant at a global IT company and as an Analyst at a global investment bank. Andrew’s experience: successfully delivered the GDPR implementation programme for a global retail and manufacturing business which involved drafting complex third-party contracts, advising on international transfers, managing data subjects rights requests, advising on security/data issues, completion of over 25 DPIAs, creating numerous templates, and rolling out training across the organisation; acted as in-house legal lead for the implementation of a multi-million-pound HR system rolled out across over 100 countries; advised on numerous client website privacy and cookie notices and assisted with development of compliant cookie banners (relating to EU and USA clients); led numerous training sessions for colleagues across Europe on digital marketing and AdTech, including compliance with cookie rules; drafted consumer website terms and conditions and various competition terms and conditions for a Global luxury goods retailer; provided legal support (contractual, due diligence and analysis) for a retailer client in respect of its launch of digital marketing campaigns via social media with an annual spend over £1.5 million; reviewed, advised on and approved over 100 items of marketing collateral within a fast-paced and heavily regulated area to ensure client compliance with data protection laws and CAP/BCAP Codes; and supported the in-house legal team of a major UK client to release their advertising strategy and increase revenues within a challenging landscape, including advising on new entry points (QR codes, social media marketing, movement to online platforms, developing CRM systems and supporting ‘return to work’ initiatives) and drafted numerous supplier contracts.

Andrew Whalley

Partner

Andrew Outram

Andrew specialises in providing advice on non-contentious construction related issues to a wide variety of entities, including developers, contractors, public bodies and funders. Andrew has also previously undertaken a six month secondment as a commercial legal adviser at one of the UK’s largest contractors at their head office. During this time he advised on a wide variety of legal issues (including both construction and non-construction issues) and gained a useful first hand perspective on the client’s and an in-house lawyer’s approach. Recent examples of work include: Acting for one of the UK’s largest regeneration specialists on the construction aspects (including strategic advice) on: the agreements relating to the design and construction of a major heavy manufacturing and assembly facility in South Wales. As part of this, Andrew advised on the building agreement with the purchaser as well as the building, infrastructure and remediation contracts, professional appointments, rail asset protection agreements, collateral warranties and performance security; three phases of a major town centre redevelopment in the West Midlands with a construction value of over £70m. These phases included advising on the construction aspects of the relevant development agreements with major retailers and negotiating all of the relevant construction documents with all the parties involved in the redevelopment; various development, infrastructure and remediation works across its various sites in the UK (including advising in relation to the JCT and NEC3/NEC4 forms of contract, the construction aspects of agreements with Highways England, professional appointments and framework appointments, collateral warranties, performance security measures and in relation to insolvencies in its supply chain). Advising a real estate investment trust on the design and construction of a circa £35m office building in the City of London, which involves a confined site, the demolition of a large existing structure and negotiations with one of the UK’s largest contractors. Andrew also advises this real estate investment trust in relation to all of its construction activities across its portfolio; Advising one of the UK’s largest private developers on two of its key strategic sites, including advising on the construction aspects of agreements for lease and sale, the building contracts for site preparation and infrastructure works together with the design and construction of industrial logistic units (including for one of the UK’s largest speculative industrial units together with the works to create a new junction on a strategic highway), professional appointments, utility delivery contracts, collateral warranties and performance security; Drafting bespoke building contracts and framework agreements for two large listed residential developers and subsequently working with the clients to update these forms of contract so that they evolved to meet the each client’s aims as they sought to grow and expand their business.

Andy Sinclair

Andy is the National Head of the Costs Team and a Legal Director and Costs Lawyer. He has specialised in both Claimant and Defendant costs for 20 years. As an experienced costs draftsman and litigator he has dealt with a wide range of complex and high value claims throughout his career, including claims in clinical negligence, catastrophic injury, construction and property litigation and commercial disputes and is heavily involved in phone-hacking litigation. Andy and his team are able to prepare Costs Budgets, attend CCMCs, prepare Bills of Costs and deal with the entire costs of assessment process through to attendance at detailed assessment hearings or mediation/arbitration. Andy also regularly advises on any technical costs issues that may arise and has provided training to the Legal Advisers in our advisory teams. Andy regularly appears as an advocate in the Royal Courts of Justice and regional Courts across the country and has taken cases to the Court of Appeal.

Andy Oldham

Andy is a Senior Associate Costs Lawyer within the Costs Team based in Birmingham who whilst beginning a costs career acting on behalf of Defendants has over the last 10 years specialised in Claimant costs. Andy initially commenced a career in the costs sector as a Defendant representative in considering claims and costs before moving to deal with Claimant costs. He has considerable experience in complex high value claims including claims in clinical negligence, personal injury and commercial litigation. With a background on both sides he has significant experience in all aspects of costs and has a good working knowledge of procedure and costs law. Andy is able to draft and prepare Bills of Costs and Costs Budgets as well as preparing both Points of Dispute and subsequent Replies whilst also negotiating favourable settlements. He is also able to provide advice on any costs issues. Andy has appeared as an advocate at regional courts across the country.

Angus Evers

Angus is an experienced environmental and sustainability Partner whose practice covers all aspects of environmental law from contaminated land to waste, climate change, renewables, nuisance, water pollution and asbestos. He also has expertise in related areas such as energy, planning and health & safety. He advises developers and operators of, and investors in, infrastructure, real estate and other businesses on transactional, regulatory and contentious issues, regularly working alongside corporate, real estate, commercial, projects and EU/competition teams. Angus’s recent experience includes advising: • one of the UK's largest service station operators on the environmental aspects of the sale and purchase of approximately 50 service stations; • a chemicals company on an application for Hazardous Substances Consent;• holiday park operators on the environmental, health & safety and other regulatory aspects of acquisitions of holiday parks;• a chemicals company an internal investigation into its compliance with the emissions limits and reporting requirements under its environmental permit; and • an automotive business on trans-frontier shipment of waste requirements for transporting waste catalytic converters for recycling. Angus has led Shoosmiths’ environmental practice since 2016. He is one of the Convenors of the UK Environmental Law Association’s (UKELA) Waste Working Party and a former Co-Chair of UKELA's Governance & Devolution Group.

Ania Vernon

I am a Legal Director corporate lawyer, and joined Shoosmiths in 2017 from a global firm. As a member of Shoosmiths’ private equity group, the focus of my practice is delivering advice on private-equity sponsored buyouts and sales processes. I am also an experienced private M&A practitioner, with notable sector expertise in tech, retail, asset-manager M&A, and indirect real estate (both offshore and domestic). Recent work includes: acting for a US-based real estate investment fund on its £110m acquisition of a large portfolio of onshore asset-holding vehicles; the merger of two of Europe's most prominent on-demand laundry operators effected via a complex cashless consideration structure, and a subsequent equity fundraising; acting for a national, US fund-backed care home operator in their £148 million acquisition of a competitor; advising the sellers (including BGF) and management team on the sale and reinvestment streams relating to the secondary buyout of Solid Solutions Management Limited by LDC; the secondary buyout of FFX Group Limited, acting for the sellers (including Foresight) on the sale to H2 and rollover and for management in their rollover; acting in the sale of, and rollover relating to, the August Equity-backed secondary buyout of Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Limited; and acting for a global management consultancy firm in its acquisition of a Polish LLC and LP (for an undisclosed sum).

Anita Shepherd

Anita has almost 20 years’ experience in all aspects of family law, mainly complex and high value financial matters alongside difficult children cases. As a trained collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution she is committed to promoting alternatives to court proceedings to resolve relationship disputes thereby providing clients with greater choice of procedure to resolve the issues they face. Anita is a resolution accredited specialist with Resolution in Advanced Financial Provision and Domestic Abuse. Anita is passionate about achieving healthy and sustainable outcomes for her clients and is well known for her problem solving skills. She is renowned for her ability to devise solutions to what are often complex family disputes. Areas on which Anita and the team regularly advise include: Divorce – fair financial provision Dissolution of civil partnerships and nullity proceedings Financial provision in all those circumstances and after overseas divorce Variation or set aside of existing financial orders. Cohabitation rights Separation Agreements Pre and post-nuptial agreements Applications for permission to resettle overseas with children Child relocation disputes Adoption, disputes about care or education of children Applications for parental rights Child residence and contact disputes International child abduction. third party rights as interveners in financial remedy proceedings.

Anjali Patel

Anjali is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Litigation team and is recognised as a "key lawyer" in The Legal 500. She specialises in all aspects of commercial property disputes such as contractual disputes, commercial arrears recovery, water ingress disputes, dilapidations and break notices. She acts on behalf of clients at the onset of litigation, thereby providing advice in terms of mitigation, through to negotiated settlements and court proceedings. She aims to provide succinct, strategic advice whilst focusing on clients' commercial objectives. Her recent experience includes: defending hundreds of court proceedings on behalf of major UK retail occupiers in relation to their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the Lillywhites litigation and the High Court case of AEW UK Reit PLC -v- Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited [2021] EWHC 1013 (QB) which involved defences such as frustration, rent suspension and implied terms; acting on behalf of an investor client in relation to a multi-million pound claim issued against them relating to an alleged joint venture agreement; successfully settling a water ingress dispute which resulted in the client being compensated for substantial losses it had suffered; acting on behalf of retail and hospitality clients in relation to all aspects of commercial property disputes across their England and Wales portfolios; and providing strategic advice to a client regarding opposed lease renewals in relation to its development strategy. Anjali's advice is described by clients as "sound and consistent" and she is a "trusted advisor" for many of the firm's clients.

Anna Lowe

Anna is legal director who has a wide range of property experience with particular expertise in acting for retail and investor clients as well as representing various well known occupational and industrial tenants, landlords and portfolio holders since qualification in 2002. She has a pragmatic and commercial focus enhanced by several in-house secondments during the course of her career. Her clients value her committed approach to client care combined with her can-do attitude. Her recent project experience includes: acting on the first phase of a £100 million mixed use retail and leisure scheme which, when completed, will be one of the biggest retail parks in the UK. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, Anna led the client team in relation to this scheme, dealing with the majority of lettings and acting as the main client point of contact. Anna is now instructed on the next phases of the scheme scheduled to PC late 2020; acting for the UK's leading independent energy and multi-utilities service provider and running a bespoke team servicing this growing client; acting for a luxury retailer as part of its ambitious expansion plan onto the UK high street and into shopping centres over the next two years; working with a PRS REIT in relation to the housing developments it has earmarked for purchase this year; and advising a regional airport on all of its property requirements in relation to what is a complex and multi-tenanted site. One of her key client’s has recently commented “Anna is our “go to” person at Shoosmiths … not only is she technically very able, but also diligent, committed, organised, easy to deal with, hard-working and efficient. She always goes the extra mile for us and can be depended upon to get things done when she says she will…”. Anna also considers corporate social responsibility to be a vital part of her work. One of Anna’s pro bono clients (a hospice with a number of retail units) has recently commented “The legal work that you do starts the whole process off by giving us the opportunity to make the shop the success that it has turned out to be, but ultimately it helps to fund the doctors and nurses who provide direct patient care. Whilst it might be another day in the office doing legal work, hopefully you can be heartened that the fruits of that labour is helping to support many patients and their loved ones in the most difficult time of their lives.”.

Anna Vangrove

Anna leads the Shoosmiths' Belfast banking and finance team. Anna advises clients including corporate borrowers, financial institutions and specialist funders on a range of transactions including energy finance, real estate finance and corporate banking. Anna works closely with our Financial Services and Energy and Infrastructure Sector heads in delivering these transactions. Anna has worked on a wide variety of transactions to include: acting for a national bank on the restructuring of two UK based Shopping Centres; acting for a national bank on the acquisition finance of two UK based wind farms; acting for a Hong Kong based fund restructuring facilities in order to provide on-going mezzanine funding to a corporate borrower; advising an alternative funder (in its capacity as borrower) on a £30mil back to back syndicated facility; and advising various national and alternative funders on the implementation of government backed loan schemes to include bank accreditation, CBILS and CLBILS. Anna is dual qualified and regularly practices in both Northern Ireland and England & Wales jurisdictions.

Anna Richardson

Anna is a Principal Associate in the banking & finance team, based in the Solent Office. Anna undertakes all aspects of banking work with a focus on leveraged acquisition finance and with experience in asset and property finance as well as general corporate lending and portfolio management. Anna works for borrowers and lenders including corporates, individuals, high street and challenger banks and other (corporate and PE) financial institutions. Anna has experience working on bilateral and syndicated transactions, both nationally and internationally and is familiar with the LMA as well as most bank standard form finance documents. As well as corporate lending, Anna works with a number of our clients and their in house teams in preparing and maintaining standard form finance documents. Anna’s recent project experience includes: advising a high street bank in relation to a £20 million lend for the acquisition by a PE funder of a software company; advising a challenger bank in relation to circa £10 million of funding for two acquisitions of financial planning businesses; advising a leading venture capital house in relation to loan documentation, security packages and intercreditor arrangements to facilitate investment into growing businesses, in particular those with a focus on healthcare; advising a borrower on the English law elements of a €100 million loan from a syndicate of banks; and working with a bank client’s in house legal team to prepare and advise on a new standard form loan agreement.

Antonia Blackwell

Antonia is an experienced employment lawyer providing commercially focused advice to businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious, including proactively managing Employment Tribunal claims and providing pragmatic advice on a broad range of HR issues such as disciplinary and grievance procedures, discrimination complaints, business reorganisations, executive severance issues, union related matters and the application and effect of TUPE. Throughout her career, Antonia has advised across a variety of sectors, especially retail, manufacturing and logistics, working with many household names. Her particular specialism is in negotiating indemnities and warranties for business transfer agreements and outsourcing projects in a commercial manner whilst retaining key protection for her clients. Recent work handled by Antonia includes: negotiating indemnities and warranties in various outsourcing agreements between an international service provider and several financial institutions covering up to 88 jurisdictions; advising on a national reorganisation programme including the approach to consultation and providing training to up-skill the HR officers on the process to be followed; successfully representing a major logistics client in defending six separate employment tribunal claims brought against it by a serial litigant, including various discrimination complaints, ensuring that all claims were struck out by the Employment Tribunal at a preliminary stage; advising a major logistics client on various union issues including voluntary recognition agreements, pay disputes and threatened strike action; updating a major retail client’s HR Manual, handbook and employment contracts and advising on the implementation process. Antonia’s understanding of the key challenges facing her clients allows her to write and present both bespoke and general training programmes, in addition to regularly speaking at externally organised events.

Ayesha Chandegra

Ayesha is a Senior Associate in our Commercial Team, based in the Milton Keynes office and acts for a variety of clients particularly in the retail, automotive and technology sectors. Ayesha advises on a range of commercial matters including supply of services/goods, framework agreements, distribution and agency arrangements, IT (including SaaS) and outsourcing agreements. She also has specialist knowledge of consumer and e-commerce laws and regularly advises numerous large clients on its online sales platforms, including reviewing and drafting terms and conditions, website agreements (terms of use and cookie policies), internal policies and providing pragmatic advice on the client’s e-commerce customer journey to ensure it is compliant with such laws. Ayesha has gained first-hand experience of working in an in-house environment by completing several client secondments including at a global car manufacturer and a leading recruitment and facility services provider. As a result, she understands the importance of providing commercial and practical solutions for her clients that are often faced with complex legal issues.

Barbara McGreal

Barbara is real estate lawyer with experience of acting for a range of property clients from investment funds, retail clients, to industrial landlords, mixed use developers and larger plc clients. She advises on all aspects of commercial property, from the grant and exercise of options, to conditional contracts, agreements for lease and pre-lets, acquisition and disposal work and is experienced in landlord and tenant and portfolio management work. Recent experience includes: acting for a major FTSE 250 brewery company in relation to its property portfolio, including all aspects of a large scale disposal programme and development of new build pub sites; acting for sustainable property investment fund on the sale and purchase of investment and development property; acquisition and disposal of leasehold properties for high street retailers, including new build retail schemes and contracts which are conditional on substantial landlord’s works; acting for an industrial landlord on lettings and/or disposals of large warehouse space, including contracts which are conditional on planning and works; acting for a commercial developers and a national house builder in relation to pre-lets on mixed use development schemes.

Barry Stimpson

Barry heads up Shoosmiths’ Investment Funds practice and is recognised in Chambers & Partners as a notable practitioner, with clients describing him as being "very responsive and highly knowledgeable of the sector", adding that he is "pragmatic and an excellent negotiator." His drafting skills and knowledge of hedge funds are further acknowledged in the Legal 500 directory. Barry’s experience as a funds specialist with City and international law firms extends to more than 30 years in advising clients on establishing real estate, venture capital, private equity and hedge funds and other investment structures, as well as on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and other corporate work. His work includes advising fund managers, investors and professional services firms on limited liability partnerships and partnership agreements and mergers. Barry was previously an investment banker at UBS, gaining experience in the real estate and listed funds sectors to bring an understanding of both the financial and legal drivers behind projects. Barry’s experience includes: • Advising a UK real estate manager on establishing 3 real estate funds • Acting for a UK asset advisor on over 20 real estate club deals • Establishing a private equity fund for a family wealth office • Establishing a credit fund for a UK and EU lending institution • Establishing 2 crypto currency funds in the Cayman Islands • Establishing a series of 3 BVI hedge funds on behalf of a UK fund manager

Becky Gray

Becky is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team at Shoosmiths, based in the Thames Valley. She advises on a wide range of commercial and privacy matters across different sectors, including: supply agreements for goods and/or services; distribution agreements; contract variations; consultancy agreements; confidentiality agreements and general privacy work and advice. Whilst training, Becky undertook seats in Real Estate, Commercial and Employment. Prior to her training contract, Becky worked as a paralegal for Panasonic Europe Ltd in a small in house legal team, providing practical and timely advice directly to business stakeholders on broad commercial matters. This experience has given her an invaluable insight into the type of legal assistance required by in-house legal teams and business, and the necessity for providing pragmatic and focused legal advice. Becky’s recent experience includes: reviewing various types of IT agreements, including software licensing, software development, support and maintenance, SaaS and systems implementation agreements; drafting a suite of documents for an innovative new car booking app, including both business and consumer terms of use, and a privacy policy for a local start-up company; drafting an agreement for the supply and ongoing support for a revolutionary new 3D printing solution for a UK university; undertaking an in-depth GDPR compliance audit for a known brand retailer business, producing and discussing with the business an onward action plan to enable the company to work towards GDPR compliance; working with an international construction company to review and update its GDPR compliance programme, including drafting and amending numerous policies and procedures and data transfer and sharing agreements; general privacy work including UK breach reporting, compiling cross jurisdictional Article 30 records, conducting DPIAs, drafting and amending data processing agreements and contract clauses, and reviewing and amending general data protection policies to ensure compliance with data and privacy legislation; and drafting a range of agreements facilitating the supply of products for UK brand name on an international basis; advising on a clothing donation, recycling and reuse agreement for large multinational retailer, maintaining direct communication with the business to progress finalising the agreement; and drafting a suite of documents for a start-up nanny agency business, including consumer facing terms and conditions.

Ben Pariser

Ben is a Partner and has worked extensively for residential, commercial and mixed-use developers throughout his career, as well as a number of local authorities, regional development agencies and registered providers. Ben’s development project work includes the drafting and negotiation of multi-phase, multi-conditional development agreements, collaboration and joint venture agreements (including public/private JVs), remediation conditions, overage provisions, land assembly, asset management, acquisitions and disposals. He regularly advises on the contractual framework and heads of terms at the project outset, then drafts and negotiates the various agreements, incorporating all necessary outputs, milestones, key performance indicators, clawback, security, overage and step-in provisions. He is adept at anticipating, identifying and thereafter mitigating public law and other risk factors such as state aid, vires, best value, procurement and governance issues. Ben's recent projects have included: •Working on behalf of a consortium of PLC residential developer in the strategic acquisition of a 3,000 unit new urban extension; •Working on behalf of a consortium of PLC residential developer in the strategic acquisition of a site for a 1,000 unit new neighbourhood; •Working on behalf of a PLC residential developer and a registered provider in their joint venture acquisition of a complex brownfield regeneration site from the HCA; •Working on behalf of a residential developer on a number of equity and debt funded acquisitions of immediate land. Ben has also advised high-street lenders in development projects and investment transactions, and so, when acting for the borrower or public sector partner, is adept at identifying the bank's likely requirements. Ben's experience includes mixed use regeneration schemes, hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities, offices, warehouses, supermarkets, industrial units, motorway service stations, residential / affordable housing developments and educational establishments.

Ben Traynor

Ben is a Principal Associate in the Financial Services team. Ben specialises in B2B asset finance & leasing and has advised banks, finance providers, lessors, lessees, brokers and trade bodies in connection with a diverse range of matters including: General equipment leasing (operating and finance leases, short term and long term rental arrangements, hire purchase agreements, sale and lease/hire purchase back structures, asset refinancing, staged payment and pre-facility funding, and commercial loans). Contract hire and vehicle fleet funding arrangements. Sale, purchase and financing of receivables. Stocking finance. Block discounting. Introducer and broker arrangements & disclosed/undisclosed agency funding structures. Recent experience includes: Assisting a specialist asset-based lender in streamlining and updating their customer facing HP and lease documentation suite. Assisting multiple automotive financial service providers in establishing contract hire and contract purchase product offerings. Advising an electric vehicle provider in documenting the sale of contract receivables and related vehicles to a UK based specialised asset finance funder. Advising a UK finance provider in connection with its disclosed and undisclosed product offerings relating to vehicle financing. Assisting a finance provider in connection with the restructuring of its wholesale funding stocking facility.

Ben Churchyard

Ben is a Senior Associate in the Banking and Finance team, based in our London office. Ben specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance transactions, as well as having experience advising banks, financial institutions and corporates in relation to real estate finance and general corporate banking. Ben’s recent deal experience includes: advising Livingbridge Enterprises LLP in relation to the debt and equity restructure of one of its portfolio companies - a leading online energy and services provider to off-grid homes across the UK including Northern Ireland; advising a well-renowned challenger bank in respect of a multi-million pound cross-jurisdictional facilities agreement provided to an online shopping search engine operating in the UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, Cayman Islands, Germany, Turks and Caicos, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Norway; acting for an aerospace group in relation to its debt facilities from a US fund, alongside asset financing from a UK lender, including debt to equity conversion steps; advising a Five Arrows Growth Capital backed borrower in relation to a multi-million pound facilities agreement provided by Goldman Sachs in respect of its acquisition of Symposium Capital Ltd; advising Santander UK plc in relation to its acquisition finance facility to transport software provider Mandata; advising Alpha Group Bidco Limited (and NVM as sponsor) in relation to various loans provided by Thincats as part of the private equity backed MBO of Pareto Facilities Management Ltd; acting for British International Investment plc (the UK’s development finance institution) and Swedfund International plc in relation to their financing of Stichting Medical Credit Fund, a fund financing small and medium-sized healthcare facilities in Africa; advising a mid-market private equity firm in respect of debt funding received from a clearing bank to partly fund the acquisition of a care management technology business, alongside the investment provided by the private equity firm; and acting for Shawbrook Bank Limited in respect of a number of commercial loans to fund various acquisitions.

Ben Gardner

Ben is a Commercial partner based in the firm's Birmingham office. Ben supports clients across the full range of commercial law disciplines, including supply of goods and services arrangements, technology contracts, outsourcings, warehousing and logistics, facilities management, joint ventures, routes to market, and consumer/e-commerce law. Ben has a particular focus in the Automotive and Technology sectors, especially where these two worlds collide: working on transformational and award-winning projects in the “Future Mobility” space. Ben’s work and profile in this area has seen him appointed to specialist boards and working groups within the UK Automotive Council and SMMT. His role in the Automotive Council sees him working with Government, OEMs, and other industry stakeholders to ensure that the UK automotive industry remains competitive internationally. Ben has also provided evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee on the regulatory changes needed to facilitate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the UK. He has previously been involved with a range of automotive and mobility research projects and is now working with the DfT and CCAV on the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Bill. Ben is recognised in Legal 500 for the advice he provides to both traditional businesses and disruptive start-ups and is described as having “a wealth of experience handling contractual arrangements in the automotive industry”.

Ben Turner

Ben is a Partner with over 25 years’ experience of corporate transactional and advisory work, specialising in M&A (buy-side and sell-side); PE transactions; restructurings; and fundraisings with a particular focus on Germany, the Nordics and the USA. He is regarded as an excellent contributor at board level and praised by clients for his hands-on approach to delivering complex transactions smoothly and within budget. He has particular expertise in technology, consumer, financial services and national security sectors and advises large corporates (including several PE-backed corporates), high growth businesses and entrepreneurs across these and other sectors. Recent highlights include: advising Heligan Private Equity on the establishment of their funds and on multiple investments in national security, crime prevention and public safety; advising Waterstones on a significant group restructuring of its UK businesses; advising Peloton on a UK strategic acquisition advising a listed US software business on its UK acquisition programme. Ben heads the Corporate department nationally and is responsible for the management and strategy of our venture capital & growth, private equity and M&A teams. Ben joined Shoosmiths as a partner in 2013, having previously been a partner at boutique corporate practice Hill Hofstetter (formerly part of Reed Smith). He is praised by clients as someone who “gets things done” and who builds “strong relationships with clients”.

Beth McArdle

Beth is a real estate partner in our Birmingham Office and leads the Corporate Occupiers Team. Beth specialises in providing strategic, commercial real estate advice tailored to suit her clients and together with her team strives to offer an excellent client experience. Beth has 17 years' experience in providing a broad spectrum of real estate advice to clients including amongst others Castle Galleries, Crown Paints, Krispy Kreme, Poundland, Topps Tiles, The Foschini Group and Waterstones. Beth's recent experience includes: Providing corporate support on both asset and share sales. Acting for national retailers on all of their real estate requirements in a variety of locations and concepts. Advising a National Retailer floating on the stock exchange and with an initial IPO together with preparing all the property due diligence. Leading on the acquisition of 250 stores and dealing with the CMA elements of the deal and then integrating the entire estate into a core portfolio in a six month period. Beth and her team have developed/are developing and implementing transparent and client focused products for designed to enhance the client experience and is using technology to increase their offering.

Beth Jenkins

Beth is a banking and finance lawyer within the Shoosmiths Banking team and undertakes a wide variety of debt finance work, including corporate loans, acquisition, property and leverage finance. Beth acts for banks, borrowers and financial institutions and has experience of advising on both national and international transactions. Beth commenced her training contract at Shoosmiths in September 2017 and qualified into the Banking team in March 2019. Prior to her training contract, Beth worked as a paralegal in the Banking team.

Bethan Moore

Bethan Moore is a partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team. Bethan has a particular focus on non-contentious restructuring, corporate recovery and turnaround mandates. Bethan's clients include banks, asset based lenders, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, directors and other key stakeholders in financially distressed businesses. She has extensive experience advising lenders, insolvency practitioners and receivers on distressed real estate. Bethan has substantial experience in the retail sector; having worked on a number of recent high profile retail sector insolvencies and restructurings. Her recent experience includes: - advising the administrators of a high profile fashion retailer on the disposals of its real estate portfolio, including the sale of its online sales distribution centre; - advising the administrators on all aspects arising out of the trading administration of a group of companies operating in the travel and leisure sector. Specifically, advising the administrators on the transfer of the group's portfolio of circa 40 hotels; - advising a funder on the restructuring of a group of companies operating in the construction sector; - advising the special servicer and receiver of a portfolio of circa 30 retail stores; and - advising an asset based lender on the funding and restructuring of a group of companies operating in the recruitment sector.

Bill Molloy

Bill advises in respect of outsourcing, large scale technology procurements, telecommunications; software development projects and intellectual property both contentious and non-contentious in the life sciences, media and communication sectors. Bill also specialises in heavyweight and high profile commercial dispute resolution and arbitration under the auspices of most of the institutional rules. He has extensive experience of resolving high value and complex commercial disputes often with a multi-jurisdictional remit for TMT, engineering, banking/finance and life science clients. He frequently advises on breaches of contract, termination rights, damages and injunctive relief. Bill is also recommended in the Legal 500 and was a contributor to "Outsourcing Transactions - A Practical Guide".

Bob Pritchard

Bob is a specialist planning lawyer with over 25 years’ experience. He has also held senior positions in local government including the post of City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer at Leeds City Council. He specialises in large scale regeneration and infrastructure projects including the use of compulsory purchase (CPO) powers. Recent experience includes:- Acting for the 5 partner local authorities to provide development management, policy and CPO advice in connection with the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Project to deliver c 23,000 dwellings over a 30-year period. Acting for York City Council on CPO and planning issues associated with the delivery of the York Outer Ring Road (YORR). Acting for Leeds City Council on the promotion of development plan documents including the Aire Valley Area Action Plan. Acting for Herefordshire Council on the successful adoption of their Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document. Acting for Cheshire East Council on planning and CPO issues relating to the promotion of two major highway schemes (Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A500)

Brian Hession

Brian is a Partner with 20 years' experience in private sector commercial and mixed-use property investment, development, funding and leasing deals. Most recently I have focused on managing real estate investment, financing and development transactions, both where these are property-led or part of a wider corporate transaction. I have recently completed a Real Estate Economics and Finance course at the London School of Economics which has given me an insight into the rationale behind clients' real estate investment decisions. My recent experience includes advising: • on the sale of a company that owns 47 industrial sites; • re-financing 44 industrial properties; • on the re-financing of 72 cash and carries; • development finance for 6 logistics depots in Greater London; • re-financing a portfolio of 7 retail parks. I have been recognised personally in industry directories as “an investment specialist who is very strong on technical detail".

Brian West

Brian is a Partner and specialises in residential, mixed use and commercial development. He has experience of dealing with option and promotion agreements as well as letting agreements. Brian likes to take a proactive approach and build a rapport with clients to understand their business needs and reach a satisfactory result. Brian also has extensive experience of real estate matters including agreements, leases, sales and lettings management. Brian's recent work includes: acting for a number of national, regional and local house builders on the acquisition of development sites; advising on option and promotion agreements for developers and landowners; and dealing collaboration agreements and consortium sites.

Brodie Thomson

Brodie acts for a wide range of clients, including corporates, private equity houses and management teams. She advises clients on matters including acquisitions, disposals, investments as well as undertaking portfolio advisory work. Recent experience includes advising: the management team of CLC Group Limited on an investment by H.I.G Capital; the Foresight Group on its sale of Protean Software Limited to Joblogic; Livingbridge in connection with a fundraise for an existing portfolio company; YFM Equity Partners on its follow-on investment into Unbiased; and the Clean Growth Fund on a number of its Series B and follow-on investments including in respect of Vector Photonics Limited, Open Utility Limited, Above Surveying Ltd and Kamma Limited.

Callum Larkin

Callum is an Associate in the Banking & Finance team based in Solent. He supports the national team on a wide range of transactions, focussing on general corporate lending and asset based lending. Many of the transactions Callum works on have an international component and he is experienced at supporting multi-jurisdictional deals. During his training contract with Shoosmiths, he spent six months with each of Banking & Finance, Core Corporate and on secondment at Meridian Corporate Finance. Callum also supports the firm's Crypto Working Group and is a Mental Health Champion.

Caroline Chester

Caroline provides commercial law advice to a variety of public and private bodies, including: outsourcing arrangements; franchise agreements; IT; supply of goods and services; distribution; consumer law; direct marketing; advertising; and modern slavery. Caroline has extensive in-house experience through various client secondments. Caroline has managed internal and external legal teams across several disciplines and often implements new processes to maximise efficiency for both in-house legal teams and business leads; including by developing suites of template agreements and how-to guides; introducing legal policies and document management procedures; and by providing legal training presentations and workshops. Caroline understands first-hand the pressures our clients are under, which enables her to provide wide-ranging pragmatic and solutions driven support. Recent experience includes: supporting a leading provider of assurance services in the food safety audit and certification sector, covering the food supply chain “from farm to fork” on a number of issues. Recently Caroline advised and led the negotiation of the contract in relation to this client’s supply of auditing services to three well known fast food brands, covering the brands’ restaurants and franchises across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. providing ten template agreements to our global publisher client relating to online publication subscriptions, online webinars, sponsorship and events management, advertorials, editing services and workshops. preparing and negotiating complex framework agreements on behalf of a global car manufacturer for the supply of marketing services, across several global brands. supporting the Global General Counsel at a global mass media company while on secondment as the sole UK Legal Counsel in 2019. Caroline handled day-to-day queries and provided advice globally in relation to a wide variety of issues. Caroline’s highlights were: managing several global IT projects; creating and rolling out new global licensing terms regarding the company’s branding; creating events sponsorship terms for the company’s luxury events; and working closely with the social media / influencer marketing teams on a variety of marketing issues. acting as our global client’s interim Regional Legal Counsel while on full-time secondment, covering the client’s operations in the assurance, risk and compliance sector across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, including managing 25 legal entities and various branch offices. Caroline prepared and negotiated agreements in relation to the company’s software subscription service offering, its world-wide auditing of a number of household food brands, standards certification (including farm assurance schemes) and its other risk management services. while on secondment as Senior Legal Counsel at a British multinational retailer and international franchisor, Caroline managed and supervised the junior team on domestic and international BAU matters, overseeing several outsourcing projects, and implementing efficiency changes throughout the company. providing full on and off site legal support to a leading cereal manufacturer, including in relation to the purchase of advertising and media services, locally sourced ingredients (including wheat and sugar), packaging, haulage services and facilities management. advising a start-up tech company in relation to the legal requirements involved in providing social media services through the hosting of a website and innovative mobile app, including direct marketing advice

Caroline Airey

Caroline is a principal associate in the Tax team. Caroline advises on all aspects of corporate and business taxation, including in relation to mergers and acquisitions, property acquisitions and disposals. Caroline also advises on EIS and VCT qualifying fundraising.

Catherine Hood

Catherine is a real estate lawyer who works to enable real estate investors, developers and corporate occupiers to successfully fulfil their property requirements. She has 20 years of experience including a three year part-time secondment to a shopping centre developer as sole in-house counsel. Her special expertise is in the management of complex and multi property deals and she has a particular interest in automotive, health and shopping centre sectors. Examples of the types of work Catherine has undertaken include: acquiring landmark listed building 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham and working on the financing, ongoing redevelopment letting and subsequent sale for £98m for IM Properties plc; Working with IM Properties on their industrial and logistics development at Hinkley. negotiating and agreeing legal documentation for CBRE's new office in Birmingham; advising a French motor vehicle manufacturer on all aspects of their English property portfolio including acquisitions, taking leases, redevelopment, underlettings, and disposals (including a nine property sale and leaseback) and the sale of their main UK assembly plant; providing real estate support to purchaser's principal legal advisor on Project Isobel (RBS debt sale with a value of over £1billion). Managing a team which reviewed security over 900 properties, sampled titles for more detailed reporting, responded to specific questions on the portfolio, liaised with overseas counsel in relation to real estate/security matters and co-ordinated planning, banking and insolvency specialists; managing real estate due diligence team acting for a US private equity firm acquiring Farnborough Business Park for over £70 million including dealing with real estate aspects of the financing and undertaking major land disposals; leading the real estate team acting for a UK private equity house on property elements of the acquisition of a special education provider. Catherine reviewed and supervised review of 15 certificates of title, negotiated property aspects of corporate sale agreement and dealt with real estate aspects of debt funding. Subsequently acquiring a freehold property leased to the company and dealt with debt and equity financing aspects; acting for investment companies, individuals and pension funds acquiring and disposing of investment properties and portfolios (retail, office and industrial); completing land sales for residential and commercial development (including phased payments with security, overage and multiple land draw downs) and "contaminated" and "remediated" land (both with and without overage) for utility suppliers. advising healthcare developers (within and outside LIFT) on developments such as the Portway Lifestyle Centre, the Lyng Centre for Health and Social Care, the City of Coventry Health Centre and advising PCT's on property solutions for equitable access programmes.

Charles Williams

Charles specialises in all aspects of non-contentious restructuring and insolvency, advising banks, insolvency practitioners, company directors and creditors on all aspects of the insolvency process, with particular emphasis on company voluntary arrangements and administrations in the retail and hospitality sector. Known for his excellent technical skill and commercial awareness, Charles has recently advised on a number of high profile retail CVAs (Poundstretcher, Moss Bros, Jigsaw, Monsoon Accessorize Limited, Accessorize Limited, Office Outlet (formerly Staples), Supercuts and Select Fashions). Charles also advised in connection with the restructuring of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, culminating in the implementation of a CVA, and continues to advise the administrators of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited following the failure of the CVA. Charles’ notable experience includes: advising the administrators of Harveys and Bensons for Beds;advising Healthy Retail (trading as Pure), Thai Leisure Group and Iberica Restaurants in connection with their successful CVAs; advising the directors of Office Outlet (a company operating from 87 stores formerly under the Staples brand) in connection with its company voluntary arrangement; advising Regis UK Limited, trading as Supercuts, a company operating hairdressing and beauty salons from 223 outlets, in connection with its restructuring through a company voluntary arrangement; advising the administrators of Gelpack Excelsior Limited and Gelpack Industrial Limited; advising the administrators of the Sealine group of companies; advising the administrators of the Ham Baker Group of companies;

Charles Jackson

Charles is a Legal Director in the Real Estate Division. He has experience of all aspects of real estate work and specialises in acting for investors, developers and funders in relation to investment sales/purchases, commercial, mixed use and residential developments, forward sales/purchases, forward fundings, and lettings. Charles has particular sector expertise in relation to build to rent, mixed use and healthcare transactions (including care homes, retirement villages and primary care centres). Recent experience includes: acting on the purchase of a residential-led mixed use city centre development for a London-based property fund; acting on the purchase of a major city centre office building and the forward funding of a build to rent development/conversion for a London-based property fund; acting for a local authority in relation to a major mixed use town centre redevelopment, including cinema, food and beverage lettings and a retail lease re-gear; acquiring a development site for a retirement village developer and advising on structuring and set-up issues in relation to the development; and managing the team acting for the landlord of a major city centre shopping centre in relation to retail unit lettings.

Charles Arrand

Charles is an experienced regulatory crime solicitor advising corporations and their directors on investigations, prosecutions and other enforcement actions in relation to the offences which can be committed by companies, including bribery and corruption, environmental, waste and nuisance, corporate manslaughter, health and safety, trading standards, animal welfare, pricing and promotions, food labelling, food hygiene and food safety, weights and measures, Coroner's inquests, product recall and product safety etc. Charles has over 20 years’ experience in pretty much all sectors but in particular - retail, food and drink, hospitality and leisure, manufacturing, rail, construction, property and facilities management, automotive, government and defence, mining, transport, warehousing and logistics, and healthcare and acts for individuals as well as many well-known global and high street businesses. Charles is acutely aware of reputational risk/brand protection and is used to having to act and advise in high profile matters. Charles is ranked locally and nationally in various legal directories over many years, and is a regular speaker at seminars and events, a provider of bespoke training for clients and umbrella bodies, a writer of articles on various subjects within his expertise and a reviewing editor of leading textbook Consumer and Trading Standards: Law and Practice.

Charley Hemming

Charley is an principal associate Real Estate solicitor, based in the firm's Nottingham office and has a broad range of experience in all areas of non-contentious property work, with a particular emphasis on landlord and tenant work. Her current role at Shoosmiths is as the team leader for the Client Services Team, a specialist team dealing with the submission of Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns and Land Registry applications.

Charlotte Cannell

Charlotte is a Principal Associate in our corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, including venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, turnaround/distressed situations, and private equity transactions. Charlotte works with a variety of clients including private companies, venture capital investors and companies, management teams and owner managed businesses. Recent experience includes advising: EVC Chargers Ltd on the £165m investment by Denham Capital; BGF on their investment into Brompton Bicycle; Pentech Ventures, Pi Labs, Outward VC and West Loop Ventures on their exit from Vauban; Twenty7Tec Group on its acquisition of Bluecoat Software; N Family Club on the £42.5m investment by Gresham House; Peloton, on its acquisition of Rogo Scott; Gresham House's British Sustainable Infrastructure Funds on their £164 million follow-on investment into Borderlink Broadband Limited; the shareholders of Bramble Foods Limited, a successful manufacturer and distributor of fine foods, on the investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC; GEMS Education on the sale of GEMS' international schools, Tropicana Metropark in Kuala Lumpar and Pearl City in Penang, to XCL Education; VivoPower, an international battery technology, electric vehicle and solar power services company, on their capital raising of $28.75 million through the issuance of new shares on Nasdaq; Gresham House Ventures on their £63 million investment into Telcom Group Ltd, a full-stack UK internet service provider; MML Capital Partners on the disposal of training and education platform, Learning Curve Group, to Agilitas Private Equity; Titgemeyer, a German manufacturing business on its acquisition of Yorkshire based Cirteq Limited, a leading international circlip specialist; and Safanad, an American private equity fund on its investment in Rimstock, a Cayman manufacturing business.

Charlotte Broster

Charlotte is a Principal Associate in the Corporate Restructuring & Advisory department. She advises a range of clients including insolvency practitioners, directors, creditors and banks on all contentious and non contentious matters arising out of corporate insolvencies. Charlotte's expertise include; advising on the sale and purchase of businesses and assets in an insolvency context, conducting security reviews and advising on the enforceability of security, as well as advising insolvency practitioners in relation to antecedent transactions.

Charlotte Thomas

Charlotte is a Legal Director in the Banking and Finance team, based in our Leeds office. Charlotte specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance transactions, as well as having experience advising banks, financial institutions and corporates in relation to general corporate banking and growth finance. She is listed as an Associate to Watch in Chambers and Partners. Charlotte's experience includes: acting for an aerospace group in relation to its debt facilities from a US fund, alongside asset financing from a UK lender, including debt to equity conversion steps; advising the a large venture capital investor on a number of VCT lending matters; acting for a management team in their capacity as junior creditors alongside senior funding provided by a club of banks, as part of a private equity investment into the business; advising the borrowing group on acquisition financing provided by an alternative lender for an MBO; acting for an education group on its banking facilities to fund its acquisitive aims; advising a clearing bank on its financing of the purchase of a Midlands based wholesale foods business by its founders; and acting for a lender in respect of a number of commercial loans to fund customer acquisitions.

Choisanne Man

Choisanne has a broad practice which focuses on investment acquisitions and disposals, development of residential led, commercial and mixed use schemes and general asset management work. Her experience is across all sectors including offices, shopping centres, retail parks, industrial, student accommodation, hotels and mixed use properties. She has particular experience in the acquisition and forward funding of developments to be used for mixed use, PRS and BTR. Choisanne acts for a spectrum of clients ranging from private and publicly listed property companies to investments funds, asset managers and high net worth individuals. She also acts for several well-known high street retailers on their occupier/tenant management work. Clients value her commercial approach and her ability to project manage and lead on large/high value transactions.

Chris George

Chris is a principal associate and specialises in acting for sophisticated landlord investors in relation to portfolio and high value/profile acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters including lease re-gears, new lettings, vacant possession programmes, finance lease structures and lease management. He also has significant expertise advising in the motor manufacturing, retail, leisure and late-night entertainment sectors while regularly acting for financial institutions, particularly in relation to real estate portfolio refinances. Chris’ recent projects include: providing ongoing advice to Volkswagen Group United Kingdom in relation to their national dealer portfolio; acting for London & Continental Railways Limited in its disposal of a key development site to facilitate the £200 million Oxpens Road, Oxford regeneration program; representing The Open University in its property reorganisation program involving acquisitions and disposals across various multi-million pound sites across the country; advising Almacantar in relation to a lease management scheme to obtain vacant possession to facilitate the redevelopment of London’s Centre Point tower; working as part of the property team carrying out the due diligence in relation to the £172 million share purchase of Park Holidays UK; advising health and fitness group of companies in connection with its fire-sale disposal of multiple health clubs; and working on a team representing a ‘Big Five’ UK bank in relation to a petrochemical company’s acquisition of a portfolio of filling stations.

Chris Moakes

Chris is a Partner who joined the firm in 2019 as a Tax Manager to focus on the enterprise investment scheme (EIS) and venture capital trusts (VCT) tax practice. Chris has extensive experience advising a wide range of investors and investee companies on structuring and implementing tax efficient investments, reorganisations and exits in compliance with the EIS and VCT regimes. In addition Chris has substantial experience of advising VCT's on their compliance obligations to ensure that they continue to meet the range of qualifying conditions which must be considered on an ongoing basis. Chris has a general corporate tax background and has previously provided corporate tax advice to companies ranging from start ups to multinational groups on both one-off business transactions, relevant changes to the tax legislation/environment and on-going tax compliance obligations. His recent experience includes: advising a number of EIS and VCT investors including the Livingbridge (Baronsmead VCTs), Octopus Investments and Puma Investment Management on the impact on their existing and proposed investments of recent and forthcoming changes to the EIS and VCT regime; acting on a wide range of EIS and VCT compliant transactions, including obtaining advance assurances from HMRC and providing opinions to investors on whether a company would qualify under the schemes; advising on VCT mergers to ensure continued compliance with the VCT regime, including negotiating with HMRC; advising a VCT on how to implement a complex restructure of an existing investment so as to ensure continued compliance with the VCT regime whilst securing the future of the investee company, including negotiating with HMRC; advising a range of companies ranging from multinational groups to start ups on the corporate tax compliance obligations as well as any changes to the tax environment that could impact them. Chris is an ACA chartered accountant having trained at PwC in their tax department.

Chris Pritchett

Chris is a commercial Energy and Mobility partner, with nearly 20 years' experience in the sustainability sphere. With specialist knowledge of battery storage, solar, EV infrastructure and wind, Chris regularly advises funders, asset owners, developers and contractors on renewable energy projects and the trading and procurement of renewable power. From PPAs and optimisation agreements to commercial frameworks for energy and EV developments, Chris has worked on some of the most exciting UK and international energy and mobility developments. He is also a keen advocate for innovation in the energy and mobility space and is passionate about working on new commercial models to drive ever quicker towards Net Zero, from voluntary carbon offset schemes, local energy markets and a host of data-driven flexibility projects. Chris also takes an active role in the development of energy policy, and was a steering group member of the Government's Energy Data Task Force as well as chairing the Electricity Storage Networks Markets and Revenues Group. He was also included in The Lawyer's HOT 100 for his pioneering work in battery storage and EV Charging.

Chris Mills

Chris is a banking and finance partner specialising in real estate finance. Chris has more than a decade's experience in advising borrowers, financial institutions and sponsors on a wide range of national and cross-border debt financings, including syndicated and bilateral loans, across a wide range of industry sectors. Chris also has experience in acquisition and leveraged finance, as well as asset-based lending. Chris' clients include a number of major UK clearing banks, as well as alternative lenders, debt funds, debt brokers and corporate borrowers. Recent transactions include: advising a large corporate borrower in regard to its lending of up to circa £100 million from a global asset management owned SPV in regard to the acquisition and development of an industrial platform located in London; advising a major UK clearing bank in relation to is lending of circa £20 million to a corporate borrower for the purposes of re-financing existing borrowings in relation to a portfolio of properties across London; advising an alternative lender in respect to their lending of mezzanine finance to an Abu Dhabi borrowing entity to, amongst other things, refinance the acquisition of a famous hotel in Edinburgh; and advising a major UK clearing bank in relation to its lending of a £10 million development finance facility to a corporate borrower for the purposes of financing the development of a former garden centre in Hertfordshire.

Chris Morris

Chris is a Partner within the Shoosmiths's Real Estate team in Birmingham Chris is an experienced lawyer working with developers, investors, operators and occupiers to deliver their real estate requirements. He has over 16 years’ experience helping clients to structure and plan their projects and transactions, understand and manage risk and protect their interests. He draws on his legal experience acting regularly for parties on both sides of the negotiating fence to make him perfectly placed to quickly focus on what will be most important to his clients and pragmatically to deliver the right end results.

Chris Garnett

Chris advises public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital fundraisings and restructurings and corporate governance. He now works closely with the Corporate Divisional Head on strategic projects, including the significant level of partner recruitment being undertaken to drive the growth of our wider corporate practice. Chris also leads our corporate team in the North. His transactional experience includes advising: British Gas the acquisition of JK Environmental (UK) Limited, a company providing environmental, sewer cleansing and tankering services, and ECL Contracts, which provides cladding and insulation services to a range of commercial and industrial clients; the family shareholders and management team on the management buyout of leading UK packaging business Benson Box, backed by LDC – voted 'Deal of the Year' at the Midlands Insider Deal Awards 2012; and the management team on their £41m takeover of AIM listed Workplace Systems International plc. Under Chris' leadership the Corporate Practice Group enjoyed a period of significant growth. They were voted ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at the UK M&A Deal Awards in 2015 and in 2016 were ranked No 1 in the Experian Corpfin deal league table, handling more M&A deals in the UK than any other law firm.

Chris McKinney

Chris is a Partner and leads the Personal Injury team at Shoosmiths. He qualified as a solicitor in 1984. Ranked as a notable practitioner by Chambers, and a recommended lawyer by the Legal 500 Chris has been undertaking personal injury claims for more than 30 years and only act for the victims of accidents. He acts for individuals who have suffered life changing injuries. Chris provides support to his clients and their families from his first instruction to the end of their claim making sure he is available and accessible to them. Most of his instructions come from personal referrals from existing and former clients and other professionals. Brain injury Chris has a particular interest and specialism in brain injury claims and has won numerous £ million compensation claims for the victims of such accidents, and several multi-million pound claims. He is currently instructed in more than a dozen such claims. He is a member of the Headway Panel and a trustee and company secretary of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Headway. Spinal injury Chris has an expertise in spinal injury cases and has acted for clients who have suffered both quadriplegic and paraplegic injuries, and has negotiated settlement of claims both on a lump sum and annual payments basis. He is currently instructed in a number of spinal cord injury claims of the utmost severity. Amputation injuries Chris has undertaken many claims for inured people who have suffered amputation injuries and catastrophic injuries that have resulted in surgical amputations. Advocacy Chris carries out much of his own advocacy, and regularly appear as an advocate in inquests and in the county and High Court. Testimonials "My Solicitor has been brilliant from the beginning through to the end. He helped and guided me through the many ups and downs of a 5 1/2 year compensation claim which was extremely stressful. Nothing ever seemed too difficult, no question was ever deemed to be too trivial, deadlines were always met well in advance, and every stage, however complicated and confusing, was handled professionally but also compassionately." (Sally Francis) “The situation I have been involved in has been overwhelming and having such good support from Mr McKinney was the stability I needed and guidance” (Michelle Aveyard) “Exceptional service, knowledge, approachability. Professionalism of the highest order” (Wayne Smith). “From the initial meeting to discuss my case I felt that I was being dealt with as a person rather than a reference number. All queries I had were answered promptly and thoroughly I would have no hesitation in recommending Shoosmiths” (Will Stephens) “Thank you for everything you have done for me over the last few years. You made a stressful time feel easy to understand” (John Quinn). "Thank you! Chris and his team at Shoosmiths have both been an amazing comfort and asset to have on our side. It’s been a pleasure working with you." (Chris Hadley) “..would like to say thank you for all the work you have done and the result you got for me, I am so pleased its done with and now we can get on” (Paul Kavanagh). “I wanted to send a personal email of thanks for all your hard work during the case. From start to finish nothing was too much trouble and you demonstrated your wealth of knowledge and experience. I think the service your team led by yourself provided was second to none. I am most grateful for how you dealt with the case” (RH). "From the very outset I had 100% confidence that I was in the best possible care with regards to my case. Chris's“I wanted to send a personal email of thanks for all your hard work during the case. From start to finish nothing was too much trouble and you demonstrated your wealth of knowledge and experience. I think the service your team led by yourself provided was second to none. I am most grateful for how you dealt with the case”. empathy, clear communication and professionalism were all excellent and I know I had the best possible outcome" (Cathryn Hancock). ‘Chris McKinney has always been excellent. He provides comprehensive and clear advice and is obviously very knowledgeable. He is also very pleasant to deal with, both by email and telephone’. Legal 500 2022. "His advice is always relevant, timely and personal. He clearly knows his area of expertise inside out” Chambers 2022." ‘Chris McKinney has been leading my case and he is exceptional. His communications are professional and clear, but also easy to understand from a lay person’s perspective. It is clear that he brings with him a huge amount of experience in this area and in discussions we have had during the course of my claim, he has explained all options available to me in a very open and understandable way’. Legal 500 2023. Chris McKinney is one of the best claimant PI solicitors out there. He never fails to get results for his clients, who universally adore him. He's very reassuring and technically able." Chambers 2023. My case was headed up by Chris McKinney, his depth of knowledge in personal injury claims and rehabilitation was extremely vast. From start to finish I felt comforted that Chris Mckinney and his team had my best interests in hand. Anytime I wanted to speak to Chris I had his personal mobile phone number’. Legal 500 2024 Chris McKinney is one of the finest serious injury lawyers in the country. Highly experienced and someone who will never stop fighting for his clients – he cannot be recommended highly enough Legal 500 2024 "He's one of the best lawyers in the country for claimant work." Chambers 2024

Christian Cockroft

Christian is a Principal Associate, data, privacy and regulatory lawyer whose practice spans a broad spectrum of data governance, data regulation (antitrust, privacy and sectoral) and cybersecurity related work. Christian is versed in a multitude of privacy laws, including GDPR, the PECRs (and related cookie-law), CCPA and PIPEDA, while his wider regulatory experience involves advising on antitrust, data governance and market access laws, law enforcement access & lawful intercept, and sector/industry-specific laws and codes of practice (including HIPPA, SOX, DORA, ISO information security standards and PCI-DSS). This mix of experience makes Christian uniquely placed to assist multi-national organisations in navigating a range of cross-border compliance issues, from implementing global privacy programs and advising on cross-border data breaches, complex strategic or transactions matters (such as outsourcing or digital transformation global), as well as advising on novel or higher-risk technologies (e.g., MarTech, AI-regulation, blockchain, crypto-tech, NFTs, metaverse etc.). Representative engagements include: Assisting multiple organisations in navigating data transfer compliance, including Schrems II compliance, model clauses and docking arrangements, transfer risk assessments (having conducted over 20 TRAs in 2022) and negotiating supplementary security measures. Advised a number of organisations in the acquisition of Binding Corporate Rules, including acting on one of the UK’s first post-Brexit standalone BCR applications for a leading Ed-tech provider. Conducted an international data mapping and compliance project for a Japanese automotive manufacturer. Assisted a large timeshare and resort provider with its global privacy & data compliance efforts, including data mapping, vendor management, revision of existing privacy and information security policies, use of MarTech and cookie compliance. Advising on multiple intra-group data transfer arrangements for companies spanning a broad range of sectors (e.g., banking, social media, telecommunications, heavy industry, automotive etc.). Advised a global bank on a $100m+ outsourcing arrangement with an edge-to-cloud provider, including negotiating contractual arrangements with vendors, drafting information security schedules and advising on associated data transfers issues. Advised a major social networking company on both privacy and antitrust aspects of its acquisition of a popular OTT messaging platform. Advice to a global credit rating agency on a range of privacy matters, including the use of AI-enabled decision-making technologies. Advice to various telecos, ISPs and digital advertising agencies on PECR compliance, use of location data and compliant data monetization strategies. Working with a multitude of automotive manufacturers on a range of privacy matters associated with connected car technology and law enforcement access to data. MarTech and privacy advice to a range of industry leaders, publishers and digital advertising agencies on TP cookie sunsetting. Advice to a leading provider of coworking on its global use of AI-enabled CCTV. Advised a global electronics manufacturer in a global data incident involving regulatory filings in over 30 jurisdictions.

Christian Cockcroft

Christian is a data, privacy and regulatory lawyer whose practice spans a broad spectrum of data governance, data regulation (antitrust, privacy and sectoral) and cybersecurity related work. Christian is versed in a multitude of privacy laws, including GDPR, the PECRs (and related cookie-law), CCPA and PIPEDA, while his wider regulatory experience involves advising on antitrust, data governance and market access laws, law enforcement access & lawful intercept, and sector/industry-specific laws and codes of practice (including HIPPA, SOX, DORA, ISO information security standards and PCI-DSS). This mix of experience makes Christian uniquely placed to assist multi-national organisations in navigating a range of cross-border compliance issues, from implementing global privacy programs and advising on cross-border data breaches, complex strategic or transactions matters (such as outsourcing or digital transformation global), as well as advising on novel or higher-risk technologies (e.g., MarTech, AI-regulation, blockchain, crypto-tech, NFTs, metaverse etc.). Christian trained and practised in the Brussels office of a US law firm, before moving in-house, most recently as General Counsel & Data Protection Officer for an international security organization, before joining Shoosmiths in 2021. Representative engagements include: Assisting multiple organisations in navigating data transfer compliance, including Schrems II compliance, model clauses and docking arrangements, transfer risk assessments (having conducted over 20 TRAs in 2022) and negotiating supplementary security measures. Advised a number of organisations in the acquisition of Binding Corporate Rules, including acting on one of the UK’s first post-Brexit standalone BCR applications for a leading Ed-tech provider. Conducted an international data mapping and compliance project for a Japanese automotive manufacturer. Assisted a large timeshare and resort provider with its global privacy & data compliance efforts, including data mapping, vendor management, revision of existing privacy and information security policies, use of MarTech and cookie compliance. Advising on multiple intra-group data transfer arrangements for companies spanning a broad range of sectors (e.g., banking, social media, telecommunications, heavy industry, automotive etc.). Advised a global bank on a $100m+ outsourcing arrangement with an edge-to-cloud provider, including negotiating contractual arrangements with vendors, drafting information security schedules and advising on associated data transfers issues. Advised a major social networking company on both privacy and antitrust aspects of its acquisition of a popular OTT messaging platform. Advice to a global credit rating agency on a range of privacy matters, including the use of AI-enabled decision-making technologies. Advice to various telecos, ISPs and digital advertising agencies on PECR compliance, use of location data and compliant data monetization strategies. Working with a multitude of automotive manufacturers on a range of privacy matters associated with connected car technology and law enforcement access to data. MarTech and privacy advice to a range of industry leaders, publishers and digital advertising agencies on TP cookie sunsetting. Advice to a leading provider of coworking on its global use of AI-enabled CCTV. Advised a global electronics manufacturer in a global data incident involving regulatory filings in over 30 jurisdictions.

Christine Burrows

Christine has over 12 years’ experience as a non-contentious construction lawyer. Christine acts for clients across both the public and private sector. Her work involves negotiating building contracts, bonds, guarantees, collateral warranties, professional appointments and construction aspects of development agreements and agreements for lease. Her recent projects experience includes: Advising a developer on a number of high profile city centre developments including the preparation and negotiation of building contracts, appointments, warranties and security documentation; Advising investors in shopping centres and retail parks on their construction projects relating to the operation of and extension to the centres. In addition advising the investors on the construction elements of the sale of such assets; Acting for a local authority on a large town centre re-development project including retail, cinema and car parks; Advising funders on a variety of construction projects.

Christopher King

Chris is a real estate lawyer with over 15 years’ experience of a mix of commercial property transactions advising both companies and public sector clients. His experience includes: Acting for an acquisitional discount retail food store and one of the main fast-food drive thru operators, working on conditional contracts and development agreements for lease. Working on acquisitions, sales, development agreements and a key leisure restructuring project for a north-west local authority. Regeneration including acquisitions, development agreements and development agreements for lease – private rented sector, retail and leisure including a performance venue. Hotel acquisitions including development agreements and sale and lease back arrangements. Looking after the property interests of an air services operator at Leeds Bradford Airport. The disposition of a strategic East Yorkshire site to a multi-national manufacturing company. Advising landowners on renewable projects for in-shore wind and solar farm development. Acting for a local independent school including with neighbouring properties after a major redevelopment.

Claire Hayes

Claire is a Principal Associate in the Real Estate team. She has experience of a wide range of transactions, particularly specialising in residential development work. Claire has extensive experience of acting for developer clients on immediate and strategic development sites pursuant to conditional contracts and options, often including overage arrangements. She also acts for landowners. Claire's experience includes: acting for a number of well known house builders in the acquisition of land for both strategic and immediate development, advising developers on the disposal of affordable housing to registered providers, advising landowners in relation to promotion agreements to enable the possibility of development of sites; and working on site assembly and negotiating agreements for key infrastructure required to serve the London 2012 Olympic Park.

Claire Raddan

Claire Raddan is a principal associate real estate lawyer with experience of acting for a wide range of clients including investors, commercial and mixed use developers, institutional landlords and household names. Claire undertakes a variety of core real estate work with a focus on landlord and tenant transactions. Claire's recent work include: acting for a warehouse and distribution company in a complex re-gearing of leasehold property interests in connection with a multi-million pound joint venture and share sale; acting for the purchaser of strategic agricultural land with overage options and re-finance; acting for a developer in the acquisition of land for immediate mixed use development; acting for a variety of tenants, including many household names, on all aspects of leasehold interests; and acting for a large corporate client on the real estate aspects of a multi-million pound merger, including property due diligence, leasehold restructuring and advice on the property aspects of the corporate agreements.

Claire Ward

Claire is a senior associate in the Residential Conveyancing department at The Lakes in Northampton. She runs a large case-load of matters, dealing with a wide range of Conveyancing cases, including freehold and leasehold matters, new-build properties, deeds of variation, lease extensions, right to buy and shared-ownership. Claire has the overall responsibility for managing the conveyancing transactions from inception through to successful completion, focusing on the technical requirements of the matter.

Claire Rowe

As an adviser to Shoosmiths’ Partnership Claire provides experience and insight to the continuing benefit of the firm she has served for more than thirty years. Before stepping in to her current role, Claire was the elected chief executive officer (CEO) of Shoosmiths from 2009 to 2018, during which time she led the series of changes that has powered Shoosmiths from being a mid-range regional firm into the leading UK challenger is it today. Taking over as CEO when a UK recession was at its peak, she made and implemented a series of strategic decisions to focus the business on its commercial operations and extend its range across leading UK cities, including the opening and successful growth of new offices in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Belfast and the delivery of a successful re-brand in 2012; all underpinned by a resolute commitment to the differentiator of client service and backed by investment in the firm’s people. A 30% increase in turnover and 230% growth of profitability accompanied this ten year-trajectory, together with a slew of legal sector awards have including Shoosmiths being named a top tier firm for client satisfaction in 2012 as well as winning “Law Firm of the Year” awards in both 2015 and 2018. Claire joined Shoosmiths in 1984 as a trainee solicitor and was rapidly promoted ‘through the ranks’ to become a partner in 1990. She led the firm’s dispute resolution team, and also the firm’s commercial practice group, prior to her election as CEO in June 2009. Her continuous commitment to the firm enabled her to drive an extraordinary amount of change without compromising the spirit of the business and its values. The qualities of balance, commercial pragmatism, warmth and courage she displays are highly valued by the firm in 2019 and beyond. In 2014, Claire was featured in The Lawyer’s “Hot 100” and is also a recognised role model for diversity.

Claire Checketts

Claire is a partner in the corporate team, advising on mergers and acquisitions, disposals and venture capital work. Claire works with a variety of clients including private companies, listed PLCs, management teams and owner managed businesses. Recent project experience includes advising: a joint venture company of Domino's Pizza UK and Ireland Limited on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of AKS Partners Limited; the management team of Celaton Limited on the investment of £2.5 million by the Business Growth Fund; Downing LLP on a number of investments.

Craig Armstrong

Craig is a partner within Shoosmiths’ IT & Tech team with over 20 years of experience within the technology sector. Craig advises both customers and suppliers on a wide range of FinTech, IT and sourcing matters across a wide range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on the telecoms, financial services, manufacturing and retail sectors. Craig's diverse experience includes negotiating IT system integration agreements, SaaS-delivered platforms, infrastructure and desktop outsourcings, ERP and CRM system procurements, complex IT-centric and business process outsourcings (both onshore and offshore), negotiating software implementation, licensing and support agreements and advising on contractual arrangements relating to e-commerce trading platforms and co-branded financial services on behalf of financial institutions and retail partners. Craig also has niche expertise within financial services and regularly advises on merchant acquiring, co-branded and affinity products, customer account value added services and other commercial contracts within the financial services sector. Craig is also the co-author of PLC and Lexis Nexis merchant acquiring and PCI DSS guidance notes for commercial lawyers. As a result of his experience, Craig is a member of Lexis Nexis’ consulting Editorial Board for TMT, working alongside other leading industry experts in this field. Craig is also the author of Lexis Nexis’ System Integration precedents and PLC’s “Special Issues in IT Outsourcing” practice note. Craig is ITIL certified, the leading global best business practice for IT Service Management. Craig's experience includes advising: • a British modern luxury automotive manufacturer on its £800m digital transformation project with TCS • two systemic European banks entering into separate long term partnering arrangements with the acquirers of their respective merchant acquiring businesses • a UK bank in respect of its white labelled digital mortgage platform arrangements with a leading mortgage platform provider • a global manufacturer in respect of the procurement and roll-out of its transformative SD-WAN network solution across over 100 global sites • a UK SD-WAN solutions provider in respect of its customer contracts and contractual arrangements with resellers in other key markets • a global intelligence, events and research group in respect of its customer data platform contractual arrangements with a market leading US provider • a FinTech betting odds solutions provider in respect of its publisher arrangements with the likes of ESPN, NBC and CBS Interactive. • a UK MNO on its £250m+ IT transformation project to create a SaaS-based new IT system • a UK MNO on the potential managed service outsourcing of its entire legacy IT and core network infrastructure to two major outsourced service providers • a UK challenger bank on the replacement of its existing contractual arrangements with a key IT supplier from a managed service model to a truly outsourced model whilst also tripling the breadth of IT services provided by the supplier to the bank

Crispin Bridges Webb

With 30 years’ experience of corporate and M&A work, Crispin is a partner in the Corporate Group and a leader in his field. Crispin not only works across the UK (working between the London and Midlands offices of Shoosmiths) but also manages transactions outside the UK. He has a wide breadth of experience in terms of clients (whether UK or international private or public corporates, institutions, private equity houses, growth companies and start ups and individuals) across most sectors. Work includes M&A, divestments, equity capital markets, private equity transactions, corporate governance and general corporate matters. Crispin also jointly heads Shoosmiths International managing and co-ordinating Shoosmiths’ relationships with law firms around the globe, including through its’ membership of the World Services Group (WSG), a global network of law firms, as well as its participation in the International Bar Association (IBA). He was awarded UK M&A Lawyer of the Year 2020 by Lawyer Monthly. Legal directory quotes include: ‘cutting-edge advice’, ‘fantastic client-focused service’, 'good commercial sense with a view to getting deals done quickly’, ‘pragmatic approach to complex multi-party negotiations’.

Dan Sharman

Dan is a Partner in the Corporate Tax team in London. Dan specialises in advising on all types of employee incentive arrangements, ranging from share options, share ownership (particularly growth shares), cash-based schemes and employee benefit trusts. In addition to handling share options work, he also advises clients on all areas of employment tax, including internationally mobile employees and the tax efficient structuring of bonuses and termination payments. Dan is dual qualified as both a solicitor and a chartered tax adviser.

Dan O'Keefe

Dan is a Legal Director and clinical negligence solicitor, acting for Claimants in complex cases, all over the country. Dan has a specialist interest in spinal injury cases, in particular Cauda Equina Syndrome claims. Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Dan was a Director at Moosa-Duke Solicitors and before that he worked at Russell-Cooke in London. Since qualifying, Dan has exclusively represented claimants in high value, complex, novel and high profile personal injury and medical negligence cases. Dan has always been an enthusiastic contributor to his local legal community. Dan has served in many voluntary roles, including as Editor of the Leicestershire Law Society magazine and as President of the Leicestershire Medico-Legal Society. In 2021 Dan was awarded the accolade of Solicitor of the Year by the Leicestershire Law Society. Throughout his career, Dan has always been an active member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), previously being Secretary for the Product Liability Special Interest Group and Co-ordinator for the East Midlands Group. Dan acted for the claimant in the case of X v University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (2019) where there was a negligent delay in diagnosing and treating Cauda Equina Syndrome. Dan recovered a 7 figure sum for the claimant, following a three week trial. In light of his expertise in Cauda Equina Syndrome cases, Dan was invited to contribute to a new Cauda Equina Syndrome pathway, being implemented by three hospital trusts.

Dan Greatorex

Dan is a Senior Associate advising clients on a wide range of commercial matters including supply and purchase terms, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, IT software agreements, reseller arrangements and legal compliance matters. He is praised by clients for his pro-active approach to progressing deals, understanding clients’ business objectives and providing clear, concise legal advice. He regularly advises clients in a broad range of sectors including logistics, technology, sports, media, transport and renewable energy. Recent project experience includes advising: A local authority on its £58.9m purchase of two hybrid solar farms with battery storage, and subsequent management and sale arrangements; An outsourced service provider on its £50m food and consumable UK distribution agreement; A national development bank on the outsourcing of its loan administration IT system; A Championship football club in relation to its lead shirt sponsorship deal, including advising on club, player and coach promotional inventory; Various high-profile professional athletes on their image rights, sponsorship and endorsement agreements; A sports therapy device retailer on its licensing arrangements with the British Olympic Association; An international IT service provider on its suite of supply agreements in respect of its telehealth messaging platform; An IT start-up on various data protection compliance matters relating to its ticketing platform which utilizes facial recognition technology; and A software developer on all contractual documentation relating to the release of its flagship managed services product. Outside oflarge project work, Dan works closely with several of our clients’ in-house legal teams to assist with their day-to-day commercial contracting arrangements. This work typically involves negotiating contracts based on standard terms, understanding the business’ risk profile and providing strategic commercial advice. Dan recently returned from his secondment to a Fortune 500 international outsourced service provider, during which he supported their UK onshore and global offshore operations. This support included assisting stakeholders across the business by restructuring commercial agreements to mitigate against the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dan Stamford

Daniel qualified as a solicitor in March 2021 and was promoted to Senior Associate in March 2023, having joined the firm as paralegal in 2017 and undertaking a training contract in the London office in September 2019. Daniel advises on all aspects of commercial real estate including asset management and real estate investment acquisitions and disposals, and has experience acting for landlords, tenants and portfolio holders of both freehold and leasehold properties. Daniel also has expertise in advising on all aspects relating to data centres including providing support for operators and developers and he is a member of the Data Centre team at Shoosmiths.

Dan Thomas

Dan is a Senior Associate in our Corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law including venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, shareholders' agreements, investments and general corporate advisory mandates. Dan joined Shoosmiths in April 2021.

Daniel Shilvock

Dan is a Partner in the Corporate team and specialises in private equity transactions acting for PE sponsors, management teams and investee companies. He also focuses on M&A transactions (buy-side and sell-side) for a number of corporate clients and has experience across a variety of sectors. Recent experience includes advising: Livingbridge on its investments into Quorum Cyber and Nourish Care; GEMS Education on various transactions, including the disposal of its international schools based in Singapore and Malaysia respectively; the shareholders of Bramble Foods Limited on its sale to LDC and subsequent reinvestment; Mutares on its acquisitions of Alan Dick Communications and Special Melted Products; Cow Corner on its investments into Dayshape and Mitchell Charlesworth.

Daniel Halstead

Daniel is a partner in Shoosmiths’ Real Estate team and has over 20 years’ experience in the Real Estate sector. He acts for developers, funders, investors and operators on a wide range of real estate transactions with particular focus on those within the Living sector, where he has lengthy experience in purpose built student accommodation schemes as well as mixed use schemes, build to rent and co-living developments. Daniel also regularly advises investors on their acquisition programmes and has experience in a variety of asset classes including office and industrial, whilst also working on new development projects with his clients. His recent experience includes: Acting for an overseas fund on their acquisition programme of £200m worth of UK regional office investments, financing arrangements and the ongoing asset management of these portfolios; Acting for investors in national affordable housing stock with over £50m of assets over the last 12 months; Working with a regional student accommodation operator on their existing portfolio management and funding requirements as well as advising on their development pipeline of PBSA and BTR schemes; Acting for overseas investors on the development, financing and disposal of a mixed use city centre scheme including apartment sales, commercial lettings, investment sales and ground rent disposals; and Acting for major banks on the funding of nationwide student accommodation schemes for both development projects and fully operational properties.

Daniel Pugh

Dan is an associate in Shoosmiths' Manchester corporate team and advises on all areas of corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, shareholders' agreements, venture capital, private equity transactions, investments, and general corporate advisory matters. Recent transactional experience includes: acting for a leading UK specialist real estate investment management company on a number of high value disposals of international target companies; acting for both individual sellers and corporate buyers on numerous disposals and acquisitions of SMEs in a wide range of sectors; IPO experience - primarily assisting private limited companies on the conversion to public and ultimate admission to AIM. Primary role includes due diligence, verification and the drafting of articles of association, share dealing code, board committee terms of reference, the admission document and various requisite ancillary documents; and carrying out group reorganisations involving private companies limited by shares (to include numerous share for share exchanges), private companies limited by guarantee and charitable incorporated organisations.

Daniel Kennedy

Daniel is a partner in the firm's Tax department and heads up the firm's real estate tax practice. Daniel has acted for a broad range of real estate clients including institutional investors, private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, REITs, developers, occupiers, high net worth individuals, charities and housing associations. He has therefore received exposure to all areas of the UK commercial and residential real estate markets. He has particular expertise in advising on the acquisition and development of student accommodation and care homes, having acted on some of the largest transactions in these sectors in the last few years. Daniel also has considerable experience in providing transactional corporate tax advice, including in relation to M&A, reorganisations, demergers, MBOs and other corporate transactions. In addition, Daniel has regularly advised on personal and employment tax matters (e.g. management taxation, termination payments) and charity tax issues (e.g. VAT recovery and application of tax reliefs).

Daniela Munro

Daniela is a Senior Associate in the corporate team in the Thames Valley office. Daniela's experience encompasses a variety of areas including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and IPOs. She specialises in equity capital markets transactions such as IPOs and secondary fundraisings and has acted for UK listed companies, nominated advisers and brokers. Daniela has been ranked Rising Star and Key Lawyer in Legal 500.

Daren Allen

Daren is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team and has over 30 years experience in acting for financial institutions, large corporations, Governments and individuals in relation to complex investigations, litigation, regulatory enforcement proceedings and legal and regulatory compliance. Daren regularly advises clients on matters relating to fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering. He assisted the Ministry of Justice in drafting the Guidance on the Bribery Act 2010. he has also advised the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group on the Guidance Notes for the financial services sector. Notable cases/matters include: • acting for the Bank in N v The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC [2019] EWHC 1770 (Comm) and in NCA v N and The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC [2017] EWCA Civ 253; • acting for the Bank in Property Alliance Group Limited v The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC in the first major Court of Appeal decision on LIBOR manipulation and Interest rate hedging products [2018] EWCA Civ 355; • acting as a Section 166 skilled person in connection with the widely publicised mis-selling of Interest Rate Hedging products to non- sophisticated customers, including designing the methodology of the file reviews, designing customer communications, recruiting and training a team of file reviewers, reviewing customer files, attending skilled persons forums at the FCA and determining redress for customers; • advising a large international Bank on anti-money laundering compliance across 22 jurisdictions; • advising on proposed deferred Prosecution agreements; • advising over 60 individuals in relation to a complex FCA investigation into a firms anti-money laundering systems and controls; • advising a payment services firm on its anti-money laundering systems and controls following an FCA visit and advising on subsequent VREQ; • acting for the bank in the seminal case of Jayesh Shah & Another v HSBC Private Bank [2009] EWHC 79 (QB), and [2010] EWCA Civ 31, [2011] EWCA Civ 1154, [2012] EWHC 1283(QB) in a US$300 million claim brought by two former customers. The claim arose out of the Bank's alleged wrongful delay in processing four payment instructions and refusal to provide information, due to (1) its making of authorised disclosures to the relevant authorities under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 when it suspected money laundering and (2) the tipping off provisions in the Act. This is the leading case in relation to Banks and their obligations to file Suspicious Activity Reports and the outcome received a significant amount of commentary; and • acting for the bank in Stone and Another v National Westminster Bank and Paul Aplin [2013] EWCH 208 (CH). This case was a claim against the Bank arising out of a significant Ponzi scheme and has been widely reported.

David Mathias

David is a specialist planning solicitor with over ten years' experience acting for a range of both public and private sector clients on all aspects of planning and related law. David has particular expertise in advising on the assembly of sites for infrastructure and regeneration projects and has led multi-disciplinary teams of professionals through all stages of the planning and infrastructure consents process. David's recent experience includes: advising Nottinghamshire County Council in relation to the promotion of a compulsory purchase order and associated side roads order for a major highways scheme delivering a 3.8km road running adjacent to the village of Gedling, unlocking the redevelopment of the Gedling Colliery site to provide over 1,000 dwellings together with a variety of employment uses; advising Walsall Council in relation to a major highway improvement scheme affecting Junction 10 of the M6. The £64.5 million scheme is being promoted by the Council in partnership with Highways England and required the making of two compulsory purchase orders, a side roads order and a special roads scheme in order to secure the land and necessary powers required to improve this heavily congested section of strategic highway; advising Liverpool City Council on the development proposals for its £1.8 billion Paddington Village Scheme, delivering upwards of 1 million sq ft of new mixed-use floor space within the Knowledge Quarter in central Liverpool; advising Cheshire East Council on the CPOs required to deliver £131 million of highways schemes including Sydney Road Bridge, Middlewich Eastern Bypass and the A500 Dualling Scheme; and advising City of York Council on the promotion of a proposed compulsory purchase order for a £38 million project to improve York's Outer Ring Road.

David Farnell

David acts for banks and other financial services providers in a variety of complex disputes, often with a cross-border element. He has extensive financial services sector experience, both in private practice and in-house, through two secondments with major UK banks. Reported cases that David has worked on are BMW v Bhagwanani (concerning whether registration of a third party keeper amounted to conversion of a motor car), Alexander v West Bromwich Building Society (representative claim challenging Society’s variation of interest rates on buy-to-let mortgages) and Carey v HSBC (approving lender’s reliance on a reconstituted agreement to satisfy the requirements of section 78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974). In addition to general banking law, David’s specialisms include: Asset Finance His asset finance experience includes cases involving civil fraud; contractual interpretation, eg. liquidated damages clause or penalty; High Court interim orders for delivery-up or preservation of goods, eg. aircraft, plant and machinery; satisfactory quality claims; title disputes and liens; third party claims, eg. surveyor or valuer negligence; and wrongful interference. Recent cases: • negotiated a settlement between two lessors with competing title claims over undelivered construction equipment, following the supplier’s appointment of administrators • successfully defended of a misrepresentation claim against a lessor arising from the contra settlement of VAT invoices for the supply of commercial vehicles • assisted a lessor in assessing and disposing of a £1.3m claim arising from the supply of robotic milking equipment (declining a request for a standstill agreement) • advised a lessor about its £1m claim against third parties for fraudulent misrepresentation, inducing the lessor’s purchase of specialised salt machinery Receivables Finance David’s work in receivables finance includes civil fraud; exercising recourse; retention of title clauses; customer insolvency and enforcement of security Recent cases: • advised an invoice finance lender about a third-party manufacturer’s purported charge over receivables (pursuant to a distribution agreement between the third party and the lender’s customer; the case settled on terms that were favourable to the lender) • pre-empted a customer’s alleged breach of contract claim by terminating a £0.6m invoice finance facility and forcing a negotiated settlement • recovered £0.5m from a local authority in settlement of a bank’s assigned invoices, despite allegations of fraud against the assignor Corporate Lending Corporate lending disputes include issues over asset management and investment funds; civil fraud; enforcement of bank and non-bank commercial loans and related security; mis-selling complaints; priority of lenders’ charges; and Tomlinson-type allegations of misconduct) Recent cases: • various corporate and personal guarantee claims on behalf of banks, in circumstances where the corporate borrower has entered an insolvency procedure • defending a breach of trust claim against several asset management companies, following misconceived allegations of fraud against a director • disposing of a £1.5m finance brokerage dispute without the need for court proceedings • pursuing a £25m claim arising from a series of loans between offshore trust companies (with parallel court proceedings in England and the British Virgin Islands)

David Goy

David is a Legal Director and advises on a wide range of non-contentious property issues, but with particular focus on high-value and complex strategic land and development transactions, advising on all aspects from initial site assembly through to disposal for residential, commercial and mixed-use. David also has experience of advising on general acquisitions and disposals, particularly in connection with brownfield industrial land and of corporate support and secured lending transactions. David advises a wide range of clients including developers, national housebuilders, retailers and manufacturers. Current and previous clients include Henry Boot Plc, Countryside Properties Plc, Santander UK Plc, HSBC Bank Plc and Sheffield Hallam University. Recent work includes: acting for the developer in a large mixed-use scheme including the sale to various national housebuilders of 1,000 houses and to a national supermarket of a major regional distribution centre; acting for the developer on various sites in connection with planning promotion and option agreements, together with onward disposals valued at between £5 million to £25 million to national housebuilders; completing the disposal of a number of brownfield sites for an international steel manufacturer; advising an off-shore fund on the charging and subsequent disposal of a significant national student accommodation portfolio; and advising a major financial institution in connection with a reorganisation of its property interests.

David Meisel

David is a Partner in the corporate division advising on M&A transactions with significant experience acting for a range of corporate clients including on domestic and cross border transactions. David has experience across a variety of sectors with extensive experience advising clients in the dental and healthcare sectors. Recent experience includes advising: Global Critical Logistics on its acquisitions of Dynamic International Freight Services, Dynamic Dox and the CARS group; Livingbridge on its investments into Quorum Cyber Security and Nourish Care Systems; Lightpoint Medical on its sale to Telix; the shareholders of Enamel Dental on its sale to Real Good Dental Group; the sale of Dawood and Tanner Dental Practice to Dentex; and Dental Beauty Partners on its acquisitions of Kiss Dental and Ascent Dental.

David Thompson

David is head of our national Pensions team and has 32 years' experience of working with clients and professionals in the pensions industry. He advises both trustees and sponsoring employers of occupational pension schemes on issues including the closure and re-structuring of defined benefit schemes; scheme mergers; buy-ins and buy-outs of pension scheme liabilities; asset-back contribution structures and contingent assets offered by employers to support pension scheme liabilities; the legal aspects of funding negotiations; drafting scheme documentation; dealing with The Pensions Regulator, and managing complex scheme entries into the Pension Protection Fund. David advises clients across all sectors, including manufacturing, retail and not-for-profit. Recent work on which David has advised includes: • a buy-in of scheme liabilities with an insurance company; • scheme closures and mergers; • long-term funding and de-risking agreements; • a Pension Increase Exchange exercise; • establishment of an asset-backed contribution structure; • the provision of contingent assets compliant with the Pension Protection Fund requirements; • transfers to DB and DC mastertrusts; • GMP conversion exercises; and • the pensions implications of corporate group re-structurings. David has acted in a number of high-profile pensions-related High Court cases. In 2012, he advised Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Limited on an application to the High Court for rectification of its scheme rules.

David Jackson

David is Chief Executive of Shoosmiths. He is responsible for delivering the firm’s strategy and for driving operational excellence in the business to help serve our clients. Prior to being elected to the role in 2022, David practised as a specialist Technology & Outsourcing lawyer, leading Shoosmiths’ award-winning national Commercial Group for over ten years. He was recognised by the directories as a Leading Individual in his field, being described as ‘very pragmatic, very commercial and technically brilliant’. David is passionate about client service and innovating to create new ways of solving our clients’ problems. He won the prestigious Client Partner of the Year Award at the British Legal Awards following a survey conducted by Legal Week of over 1400 senior in-house lawyers who were asked to rate the client partner who’d impressed them most. David topped the poll in the UK. As Chief Executive, David combines leadership and management of the firm’s three core divisions (Corporate, Real Estate & Advisory Services) and its support directorates and is focused on uniting our people in the pursuit of excellence for the benefit of our clients and each other. David joined Shoosmiths in 2006 from an in-house counsel role. During his time with the firm, he served on its Partnership Council for six years and led the team responsible for creating connected services offering ‘Shoosmiths8’. In his role as CEO, David is committed to working hard to encourage more diversity of thought, perspective and experience in the firm and he has a personal passion to see improved social mobility across the profession.

David Parton

David Parton heads Shoosmiths’ Personal Advisory Division of Shoosmiths responsible for the management and direction of the range of legal services Shoosmiths provides for its private clients, individuals and families. These services include Wealth Protection, Serious Injury, Family, Education and Conveyancing, comprising 280 legal advisers and personnel. David was previously head of the firm's Conveyancing Department for over twenty years to 2021 building that to become a nationally renowned business for its scale capability and probably the largest business accredited with the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme. David continues to serve a discreet client following with their often complex and high net worth property needs as part of the firm's Private Wealth team. He also served as head of the Northampton Office for eight years to 2021 where he was responsible for the firm's profile in Northampton and surrounding area and the well being of its 550 personnel located there.

David Perry

David is a real estate lawyer, and Living Sector specialist, with extensive experience of acting for developers, end users, investors and funders. With a particular focus on residential development, housing and regeneration work, he advises on acquisitions, development and disposals, including site assembly, pre-lets, strategic and immediate use options and complex conditional contracts with overage, planning and development obligations, on both immediate take and major strategic land schemes. As national lead of Shoosmiths’ Affordable Housing team, David works with specialists throughout the firm to advise Registered Providers, developers and funders on all aspects of affordable housing, helping clients to manage risk in a complex regulatory and funding environment. His recent experience includes advising: • a regional local authority on a series of residential development acquisitions; • a major regional house builder on a programme of strategic land options and regears to deliver their development pipeline, including single-take schemes, phased drawdown sites, and hybrid option-promotion agreements; • various commercial lenders on a range of asset management and lending instructions to registered providers, including portfolio charging and review work; • a registered provider on the negotiation and regearing of a phased drawdown development agreement for more than 130 units, including the eventual termination of the agreement post-long stop date with recovery of deposit monies; • a registered provider on the acquisition of mixed-tenure affordable plots within a larger development of their land including secured development obligations and open market sales overage provisions; • a registered provider on the drafting of an innovative tenure structure based on traditional shared ownership leases, allowing them to release stock into the market for sale while mitigating carrying costs for void and short-term leases.

David Adams

Partner David is an experienced banking lawyer and advises some of the UK’s largest financial institutions in real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance (both sponsor and non-sponsor), pensions-related finance, restructuring, refinancing and asset-based lending. He has exceptional technical expertise in this area of the law, which is underpinned by a superb track record in business development. Recent examples of David’s work include: acting for a major high street bank in relation to a high profile business and property acquisition of a national fuel supply business; acting for a Midlands University in relation to two major funding projects, with funding for both development work and general corporate purposes being provided by two high street banks; acting for a Midlands based automotive parts and processes supplier in relation to the multi-jurisdictional asset based funding of a UK/Chinese joint venture; and acting for an overseas owned but Midlands based eye wear manufacturer and distributor in relation to their ongoing funding requirements.

Dean Cooper

Dean is an experienced senior lawyer in the firm's real estate team, with broad knowledge acquired over many years working with clients on commercial real estate transactions and which includes acting for investors, occupiers, developers and lenders. His experience includes advising on all aspects of commercial property related matters, including: purchasing, selling and managing investment properties; landlord and tenant matters; letting of shops, offices and industrial units; acting for large corporate occupiers; acquiring and structuring sites for commercial and residential development, as well as coordinating teams on the end unit sales process. Some particular examples of Dean’s wide experience include: acting for large industrial investment funds on acquisitions, disposals (including £150m portfolio), and asset management of large portfolios of industrial estates; acting for a large logistics operator in acquiring a new 150,000+ sq. ft. facility at London Medway pursuant to a development agreement for lease; acting for a large transatlantic financial services operator in the taking of new London headquarter premises in Paternoster Square; advising and acting for a large PLC on the disposal of its £100m+ Manchester office portfolio; acting for overseas investors in the acquisition of £60m+ plus office building in Mayfair; advising residential developers on the acquisition and structuring of residential development sites; acting for a substantial private investment and development company in its acquisition, development and forward sale of sites including for electronic vehicle charging and self-storage facilities; advising alarge property developer in connection with its proposed £150m PBSA scheme; and providing corporate support on the acquisition of care homes, acting on the real estate aspects of those business acquisitions.

Deborah Gordon Brown

Deborah has substantial experience in advising on complex transactions and portfolio acquisitions and disposals, regularly acting for major UK property funds, landlords, portfolio holders and occupiers. She also advises on the property aspects of large corporate transactions. Listed in the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame, which highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence, her experience includes the sale and transfer of major property portfolios, refinances, development agreements across the UK. Deborah serves on Shoosmiths’ strategic body, the partnership council as well as its inclusion group and community investment committee. Additionally, she is head of the firm’s Nottingham office and responsible for its contribution to, and profile within, the local business community.

Denise Stephens

Denise Stephens is a partner working in the Medical Negligence Department. Denise is one of the country's leading medical negligence specialist solicitors. She heads a team in Reading and, although based in Reading, she travels extensively throughout England and Wales representing her catastrophically injured clients. Denise has 22 years of expertise in handling numerous claims for patients across a wide medical spectrum. Denise is passionate about fighting for the rights of injured patients, she is focused, approachable and sympathetic. Denise gets to the centre of an issue quickly and with expertise. The Legal 500 describe her as: 'First rate ... handles extremely heavy cases with a certainty of touch and capability.' Chambers describes her as: 'Charismatic and forceful with a wealth of experience in the field.' Sources admire her 'client centred approach' and describe her as 'top-notch'. Denise is renowned for her work involving babies injured at birth but also has vast experience across a wide and diverse range of medical cases. Work highlights Denise has dealt with many highly complex cases involving multi-million pound claims in the High Court. Highest ever court award for medical negligence Denise achieved the highest ever court award for medical negligence. She secured the sum of £14.6 million in an 11 day trial in the case of Robshaw v United Lincolnshire Hospitals [2015] EWHC 923 (QB); MED LR 339, James Robshaw had suffered cerebral palsy at birth. This case is a landmark judgment in quantum. Cerebral Palsy testimonial Milly Evans acquired a brain injury at birth resulting in cerebral palsy and Denise recovered £10.8 million by way of damages. Andy Evans said: 'You need to have a legal team who are caring, who you absolutely trust and who will tell you the truth. Certainly from our point of view Denise Stephens from Access Legal has been absolutely amazing.' Deputy by the Court of Protection In addition to her litigation work Denise is also appointed as a Deputy by the Court of Protection to look after the financial interests of protected parties. Law Society accreditation and member of their specialist panel Denise is accredited by the Law Society as a specialist in Medical Negligence and has been on their specialist panel for many years. APIL Senior Litigator Denise has also obtained Senior Litigation status with Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

Dominic Murphy

Dominic heads up the national Trade Mark practice. He has significant experience in a diverse range of industries including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, telecommunications, fashion, software, high street retailers and confectionery. He assists clients with the entire range of Trade Mark work, including pre-filing searching, filing strategies, filing UK, EU and International Trade Mark applications, oppositions, cancellations and invalidity actions. Dominic’s experience includes managing the world-wide Trade Mark portfolios of global electronics corporations, biotechnology firms, clothing retailers, financial software companies and confectionery retailers. This global portfolio management routinely spanned from urgent pre-filing searching, to world-wide Trade Mark filing strategies with tiered filing priorities and costs, to Trade Mark enforcement and oppositions, to budget forecasting and yearly management. Dominic also has extensive experience in advising on and filing Designs in the UK, EU and Internationally around the world.

Edell Asquez

Edell is a Partner in the real estate team specialising in residential and commercial development, strategic land and healthcare. Key areas of her work include: advising developers and land promoters in relation to large scale strategic land transactions involving complex site assembly issues, land promotion agreements, option agreements and collaboration and equalization agreements; acting for regional and national housebuilders, strategic land developers and care home/retirement village developers; and acting on behalf of a leading motorway service area operator in relation to the development and management of its network of UK MSAs, including Cobham MSA (M25) and Beaconsfield MSA (M40) and most recently the development of the new Leeds Skelton Lake MSA on the M1.

Elaine Seamark

Elaine is the Team Manager of the largest conveyancing team located in the Northampton office, handling approximately 5000 house moves every year. Elaine’s team deal with all types of residential conveyancing including sales and purchases of houses, flats, new build properties, shared ownership properties, transfer of equities and remortgages. Her team also act for Companies in property transactions and for mortgage lenders. Elaine's team focus on delivering an excellent customer service to all clients which is evident from the Trustpilot reviews her team receives. Elaine started working in Conveyancing in 1998.

Eleanor Grindley

Eleanor is a Senior Associate and a member of the Real Estate Litigation (South) team. Her areas of expertise includes leasehold enfranchisement and landlord and tenant disputes within the long leasehold and living sector. Eleanor acts for clients including high net worth individuals, property funds and developers. Her work includes both advisory work and where necessary, as a litigator. She routinely deals with matters before the property chambers of the First Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Residential Property) as well as in County and High Court.

Elia Montorio

Elia Montorio is the head of the North West Corporate team and national head of M&A at Shoosmiths, having joined as one of its senior partners in March 2022. Elia was previously a corporate partner at a global law firm, where she spent just over 28 years, ranked for many consecutive years as No.1 in deal volume in the UK, Europe and globally (Mergermarket). She practices in all aspects of corporate law, including M&A, complex reorganisations and corporate venture arrangements but with a particular focus on international cross-border transactions. She is also known for successfully managing international corporate law matters and global client relationships. Elia has been described as a very experienced, pragmatic and client-orientated lawyer, who listens to her clients and their needs. She is a recommended leading lawyer in Legal 500 and is described as 'brilliant', and an 'exceptional deal counsel'. Elia is often cited as one of the most influential and powerful businesswomen in the UK, having been included as one of the Top 50 most powerful Businesswomen (Northern Power Women), voted for four consecutive years as one of the Top 100 most influential businesswomen in the North of England (Insider, 2014-2017), won Corporate Leader of the Year award (2018, Forward Ladies) and was selected by Cambridge Judge Business School as “one of the women internationally leading the charge in the future of law”. Elia's experience includes advising on: • English law governed transaction on the sale of CEE group by listed international company. • Acquisition of Canadian-HQ international robotics group by FTSE 100 global company. • Sale of fire safety UK company to listed Swedish company, Lagercrantz Group. • Acquisition of Danish-HQ international robotics business by FTSE 100 global company. • Investment and acquisition into a UK based e-commerce and retail skincare business by the private equity arm of French leading cosmetics/skincare brand. • Swedish-based listed global company on its acquisition of a UK-based online cosmetics retailer. • Co-operative Bank plc on the corporate aspects of the sale and outsource of its mortgage book. • Sale of perfume speciality chemicals international business Fragrance Oils plc to Swiss group, Givaudan SA. • The African Coast to Europe cable consortium of around 19 West African telecom operators together with Orange France on the corporate aspects of an unprecedented, ground-breaking project for international telecoms capacity. • South African listed company, Ascendis Health, on its acquisition of global pharmaceutical group, Remedica. • Online retailer on its IPO and its international expansion. • Global corporate on its multi-jurisdictional reorganisation including US, UK, Netherlands and Ireland. • Reorganisation of a Fortune 500 business in multiple jurisdictions with merger, sale and liquidation transactions in over 16 jurisdictions in EMEA. • £1+ billion buy-back of shares of UK private company.

Elinor Sandbach

Ellie is a Partner in the Real Estate team and has experience in all aspects of property and landlord and tenant litigation, acting for a wide range of clients including public and private companies, national retailers, banking clients, commercial developers and occupational landlords. In particular, Ellie has extensive experience in dealing with retail clients, both from landlord and tenant perspectives, including working closely with numerous retail banking and high street clients. Ellie has dealt with a large range of matters, including business lease renewals (contentious and non-contentious), dilapidations disputes, service charge disputes, tenant insolvency, rights of way and easement disputes, break notices, rent arrears recovery, contractual interpretation issues and issues surrounding landlord’s consent. Ellie also specialises in agricultural law, being experienced in work governed by the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, including termination of tenancies, recovery of possession and compensation issues.

Elizabeth McKillop Paley

Liz is a Partner in our Southern Real Estate team. She is a highly experienced real estate adviser acting for several leading banks and borrowers on high value secured acquisition and development finance of both residential and commercial sites, acting for institutional landlords, corporate investors and occupiers on disposals and lettings and well as investment and development acquisitions. Liz also supports the corporate team with the property aspects of both share and asset sales in various sectors including healthcare, education and renewable energy. Recent experience includes: acting for long standing client McKay Securities Plc on its subject to planning disposal of a 1.1 acre site in Woking to Watkin Jones who plan to construct 350 build to rent apartments on the site and part of the team who advised on its recent £180 million RCF; advising a US global client on the management of its UK property portfolio and the taking of its new Headquarters lease in central London; leading the real estate team that advised a national care home provider on the disposal of its business and consequent assignment of 40 leases; and advising investors and developers on the real estate aspects of the acquisition, finance and disposal of various solar, wind energy and biomass sites across the UK

Elizabeth Ward

Elizabeth joined Shoosmiths as a Partner in 2023. She specialises in all aspects of private equity transactions and PE portfolio company matters including advising sponsors and management teams on M&A, due diligence and equity arrangements. She has previously held the role of General Counsel with two private equity portfolio companies which included responsibility for M&A, ranging from extensive buy and build and integration projects, to exits, refinancings and management equity. Most recently, Elizabeth worked alongside Shoosmiths in the legal team of leading PE investor, Rothschild & Co (Five Arrows Principal Investments) where she advised on a number of buyout and growth equity transactions including major cross-border investments into N2Y, Mintec, Agribriefing and Kpler.

Ella Ward

Ella is a senior associate and has a wide range of experience across commercial real estate, with a particular specialism in commercial occupier matters, including conditional site acquisitions, disposals and landlord and tenant matters. Ella also acts for corporate landlords in relation to asset management and portfolio reorganisations. She regularly works with cross-departmental teams to provide real estate support to a variety of corporate transactions. Ella is involved in Shoosmiths' charity sector team, and regularly acts for charities in relation to real estate matters, from managing investment portfolios for charitable trusts to dealing with the occupational requirements of a range of charities. Ella prioritises building relationships with clients in order to understand where real estate fits in their wider strategy, so that she can provide bespoke advice for each client's individual requirements

Ellis Gardner-Browne

Ellis is an investment, retail, leisure and petroleum specialist with vast experience. He undertakes complex transactions, investment and occupier aqcuisitions and disposals, and, project work. He has worked with many household names in the retail and leisure sector including Arcadia Group, Sears Group properties, WHS, ETAM, Waterstones, Bodyshop, Swarowski, Mountain Warehouse, Pizza Hut, Karen Jones CBE, Fulham Shore Plc, Wallgreens Boots Alliance, Estee Lauder Cosmetics, Hugo Boss, Tesco, Value Retail ( Bicester Village) and others. In the petroleum sector he worked for many years with the largest independent petroleum retailer in the UK, MRH Group until sale of the group in 2017. He continues to work with Starbridge Limited and SGN. Ellis is client partner at Shoosmiths for Wallgreens Boots Alliance, Pizza Hut, Estee Lauder, SGN, Starbridge,, Mountain Warehouse, Leftfield Capital, Fulham Shore Plc, amongst others

Eloise Di Pasqua

Eloise is a principal associate and advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters but with a particular focus on intellectual property disputes. Eloise regularly advises high profile clients on the protection, exploitation and enforcement of their intellectual property rights and seeks to provide effective and pragmatic solutions. Her clients come from a wide variety of sectors such as retail, manufacturing, technology, travel and automotive, oil and gas, healthcare, fashion and education. Eloise has dealt with all stages of litigation from the pre-action work all the way through to trial and manages disputes involving trade marks, passing off, patents, copyright, database rights, groundless threats, confidential information and know how as well as comparative advertising. Her wealth of experience has meant that she has handled claims in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and Company Names Tribunal as well as many cross border cases. Eloise’s experience includes: managing a highly technical, multi-jurisdictional patent infringement and revocation claim related to technology used in the oil and gas industry being heard in the UK, Germany and the US; defending a claim for unregistered design right infringement and breach of copyright against a major UK retailer; regularly advising a global food and drink brand on the control of its brand, reputation management and enforcement of its intellectual property rights; acting for a leading travel brand in the enforcement of its trade mark rights in a variety of infringement claims being heard in the IPEC, High Court and the Court of Appeal as well managing a number of international disputes related to the same brand; advising the defendants in a High Court claim for infringement of database copyright and breach of contract and negotiating a settlement of the claim; defending a popular fashion label against a claim for design right infringement and passing off brought by a major fashion designer; advising on a complex claim for groundless threats and misrepresentation regarding a patent with a foreign party and the subsequent appeal; drafting, negotiating and finalising a variety of licences, assignments, R&D and technology transfer agreements and collaborations; and undertaking IP audits for various clients and due diligence during company acquisitions.

Emily Stocker

Emily is a Principal Associate in the national Real Estate team. She deals with all aspects of non-contentious commercial property work and has particular experience in advising clients in the education, financing, transport and investment sectors. Emily's experience includes: Advising Hitachi Rail Limited on the property aspects of the £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme and on the acquisition of its manufacturing depot at Newton Aycliffe; Managing a cross-office national project enabling a major public sector client to renew 300 of its leases; Acting as the lead client contact for the property portfolio management of a major US insurer; Providing ongoing property advice for McKay Securities PLC, with a particular specialism in landlord and tenant work; Working with the national corporate team in acquisitions and disposals, especially for clients within the education sector; Acting for NATs; Providing ongoing advice to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation in respect of its property interests; and Managing a project for a major telecommunications retailer to franchise 87 of its stores. In 2016, Emily competed a six month secondment at the Bishopsgate office of the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc. During this time, Emily provided in-house advice on general banking matters, finance agreements, and sales, purchases and sub-participations in the secondary loans market.

Emily Utley

Emily is a Principal Associate within the Technology, Digital and Commercial team. She is a highly experienced lawyer advising on a range of general commercial and technology matters across a wide range of industry sectors, in particular IT and sourcing projects. She has worked with clients on complex digital transformational projects, business critical systems procurements, software development and licensing and setting up a variety of sales channels. Emily’s experience includes advising: a global logistic company on the setting up of an offshore IT function with an Indian supplier with the option to transfer back inhouse after period of time; a leading automotive on its global framework agreement with a provider of a connected telematics based solution for its vehicles; a new entrant automotive company on its global sales channel strategy; an automotive manufacturer on its global framework agreement for supply of vehicle digital marketing services for location and purchase of pre-owned stock; a leading retailer on its IT transformation programme and the outsourcing of the group’s IT infrastructure and service management;; and a leading retailer on the disposal of part of its business by the group and subsequent ongoing transitional arrangements.

Emily Holt

Emily is a Senior Associate in the real estate disputes team. Emily has experience in advising both landlord and tenant clients on a wide range of contentious commercial property issues including business lease renewals, terminations, recovery of rent, insolvency and dilapidations. Emily’s recent experience includes: working on a portfolio renewal of circa 280 properties for a well-known high street name, half of which proceeded as a combination of simultaneous unopposed and opposed lease renewal claims; leading on portfolio management for a number of occupier clients with significant property portfolios; advising on rent strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic; acting for a brewery company on a contested break provision; and assisting on a high value and complicated joint development dispute involving two expert determinations and a mediation. Emily trained with Shoosmiths and qualified with the firm in September 2019.

Emma Lowe

Emma is an experienced commercial litigator who advises on high value commercial disputes.Emma has significant experience in acting for large international organisations, PLCs and SMEs as well as private individuals. Emma has particular experience in advising clients in complex contractual, shareholder, warranty, confidential information, professional negligence and pensions disputes. She has represented clients seeking High Court interim injunctive relief, including Freezing Orders and advised on Search and Seizure Orders.She has represented clients in the High Court and has adopted many forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution including mediation and arbitration.Emma also specialises in acting for employers and senior employees in relation to the enforcement of restrictive covenants and has experience of High Court unfair competition actions. She can also advise employers and employees alike in relation to team moves.Emma is a very capable ambitious lawyer and an invaluable part of both the Leeds and national dispute resolution teams. Clients and colleagues continue to praise Emma for her thorough yet common sense approach to litigation. As well as her legal work Emma is also on the firm’s National Equality and Diversity working group, leads the Leeds Office’s inclusion and diversity programme and is one of its mental health and wellbeing champions.

Emma Morgan

Emma Morgan is a partner in the employment team and is based in the Manchester office. Emma specialises in both employment and business immigration law. During her career Emma has worked with clients in a variety of sectors and has particular experience of advising clients in the retail, logistics and transport, financial services and housing sectors. In respect of employment law Emma advises on a broad spectrum of complex employment issues including executive terminations, TUPE transfers and reorganisations as well as discrimination and other complex tribunal claims in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Emma also has considerable experience of dealing with the employment aspects of corporate transactions and commercial contracts as well as advising on contractual disputes. In respect of business immigration law, Emma regularly advises organisations on the options for bringing overseas nationals into the UK, on eligibility to work requirements and compliance generally. Emma also advises on sponsor licence applications as well as suspensions or potential revocations under Tier 2 of the Points Based System. Most recently Emma has been advising employers on the impact of Brexit both in terms of the implications for their existing European workforce(s) and their ability to recruit. As part of this Emma has also been advising on the settled status scheme and how employers may encourage their European employees to register/formalise their residency in the UK. Emma also provides training to HR professionals, in-house lawyers and compliance and resourcing teams on both employment and business immigration law. Emma routinely works with in-house teams in respect of both employment and immigration matters and understands the impact of issues on clients’ businesses and works with them to find pragmatic and practical solutions

Emma Livesey

Emma is a Principal Associate in the Corporate team based in the Solent office. She advises on a wide range of corporate matters including acquisitions and disposals, private equity transactions, group reorganisations, investments, corporate governance and compliance issues. Emma works with a variety of clients including private equity investors, private companies, management teams and owner managed businesses. Recent transactions include: advising LDC and the shareholders of BOFA International on the sale of fume and dust extraction systems specialist BOFA International, whose headquarters are in Poole, to USA NYSE listed Donaldson Company Inc for a value of £90 million. Donaldson agreed to acquire an 88% stake in BOFA for £79 million valuing the business at £90 million and Emma assisted with both the disposal by LDC and management as well as advising management on their continued shareholding post-completion. This followed the initial advice Emma provided in August 2015 when LDC completed their investment into the company to support the £23 million management buyout of the previous management team; acting on the sale of Hamleys, the famous toy retailer to Reliance Industries in a deal worth nearly £70 million. Emma also worked on the previous sale of the group in 2015 to Chinese footwear group C.banner International; and advising the shareholders on the sale of specialist IT-provider Taylor Made Computer Solutions (TMCS) to Peach Technologies, creating one of the UK's biggest IT managed providers as a result. She was awarded the 'Young Dealmaker of the Year' award at the Solent Deals Awards 2019.

Emma Pearce

Emma is a principal associate within the Real Estate team and has experience acting for corporate occupiers. Emma has been involved in a variety of Cransactions including estate management, assisting on acquisitions and the disposal of commercial premises. Emma joined Shoosmiths’ real estate practice in March 2015 from Shakespeares. Emma’s recent project experience includes advising: a number of well known high street names on all matters connected with the management of their property portfolios including disposals, lease renewals and alterations; acting on behalf of a well known Midlands retailer who was looking to assign 24 properties in a timely and pro-active manner; negotiating the sale of properties through auction; on the assignment of both simple and complex assignments of a large international retailer in the acquisition of 180 properties including the negotiation of variations and reversionary leases to ensure the new properties are in line with their standard portfolio; on the hive up of over 300 properties; and on reporting on property details of a portfolio ahead of an international acquisitions to ensure the client was aware of what they would be acquiring should the transaction proceed. Emma is very dedicated to her work and highly professional in the way she represents clients and deals with any queries raised. Emma has gained insightful knowledge of the retail world whilst carrying out a secondment at a national retailer. Prior to initiating her working career in law, Emma studied at the College of Law (LPC) and the University of Birmingham (LLM) and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (LLB HONS).

Emma Foulds

Emma is a principal associate real estate lawyer with experience of a variety of commercial real estate matters including disposals and acquisitions, landlord and tenant work, general management of industrial and office properties and working with clients who have international real estate requirements. Her recent experience includes: advising McKay Securities Plc on all aspects of managing various properties within its portfolio; advising a provider of a new chain of high class gym facilities in relation to leasing new sites across London; and advising a client with international real estate requirements, co-ordinating with other members of the World Service Group.

Emma Woodyet

Real Estate CST

Emma Tonge

Emma is a real estate lawyer with over 20 years' experience of acting on a wide range of property transactions, with particular expertise in acting on investment acquisitions and development projects involving delivery of purpose-built student accommodation schemes, offices, hospital facilities, leisure facilities, business parks and residential and commercial mixed-use schemes. Her recent experience includes: acting on a 2.4 million square footage mixed-use office, retail and leisure scheme, including acting on one of the largest regional office deals recorded in 2021 and the largest in Manchester since 2020 advising on the forward sale and development of what (at that time) will be the most sustainable building in operation in Manchester City Centre acting on the acquisition of a 149-acre ex-colliery, including dealing with the complex site structure and financing acting for a cinema owner and operator on its UK portfolio and running the team servicing this client acting for different clients on a number of purpose-built student accommodation schemes, including dealing with the acquisition and financing Emma is named as a Rising Star in the Legal 500

Faith McLaughlin

Faith is an Associate in the construction team at Shoosmiths based in the Leeds office and qualified as a solicitor in March 2021, but has 3 years' prior experience in the team before qualification. Faith specialises in non-contentious construction law and has experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on professional appointments, novations, collateral warranties and other third party rights agreements, Faith has experience in a variety of sectors including development finance work, forward funding and conventional development projects acting for developers, forward funders, banks, purchasers and tenants.

Felicity Forward

Felicity is a Principal Associate Solicitor in the Commercial, Technology, Media and Telecoms team. Felicity advises clients on a full range of commercial arrangements, including compliance with consumer law, IT agreements, complex supply agreements for the provision of both goods and services, supply chain management and logistic agreements and distribution agreements. Felicity assists clients in navigating complex and developing areas of legal compliance, including consumer and privacy and data protection law (of which she has developed a specialism in consumer law). Felicity advises clients on all elements of e-commerce sales, assists clients in preparing bespoke terms of sale and advises clients on data protection and data privacy requirements. Felicity's most recent experience includes: advising global automotive clients on the launch of their online vehicle sales platform; preparing a complex SAAS agreement for the provision of survey services for a global fast food chain; advising on and reviewing data protection compliance for global retailers, public sector bodies and automotive clients; advising an innovative online interior design marketplace on its compliance with UK consumer rights and e-commerce law; negotiating a warehousing and logistics agreement for an international furniture fitting supplier; and advising a global automotive client on their website terms and conditions, terms of use, cookie and privacy policies. Felicity has completed several client secondments across different sectors including working with several global car manufacturers and global logistic companies. Felicity therefore has a full appreciation of the commercial and creative solutions that an in-house legal team comes to expect from its lawyers.

Fiona Teague

Fiona is a Partner in the Commercial team in Birmingham and specialises in a wide range of commercial contracts in particular warehousing, logistics, facilities and property management outsourcing arrangements, supply chain, routes to market (including distribution and agency) and manufacturing routinely with cross border reach. As an ex-GC herself, Fiona has extensive experience of working with in-house teams acting both as the interface between the legal team and the Board as well as legal team and the business. She acts both customer and supplier side advising pragmatically on commercial arrangements with a deep understanding of the need to balance risk with opportunity. Recently she has advised extensively in relation to supply chain disruption and other impacts of Brexit, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine. She advises clients across sectors including FMCG, food and beverage, food delivery, telecoms manufacturing and professional services. Fiona is also lead for Hexagon®, a Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services product. We help GCs and in-house lawyers identify and resolve key legal operation issues, eliminate wasted time and deliver optimal value to their businesses by utilising leading technology and real data, Hexagon® offers a clear route map to legal operational excellence.

Fleur Turrington

Fleur heads Shoosmiths Thames Valley's Dispute Resolution team and is an experienced solicitor acting for clients primarily in the Information Technology, Retail, Medical and Engineering and Construction sectors. Her experience includes acting for national and international businesses on a broad range of litigation issues which includes contractual and commercial disputes, corporate warranty disputes, professional negligence claims and product liability . Fleur has a strong reputation in Public Procurement and she leads the firm's Public Procurement contentious sector. Fleur adopts a commercial approach for clients, trying to resolve disputes at the earliest possible stage. Her recent project experience includes advising: Advising a financial organisation on a number of public procurement challenges - resulting in successful outcomes for all matters. Successfully obtaining Judgment against a German company on behalf of an English engineering firm in relation to the supply of specialised engineering equipment. Advising a client on a £16m tax liability and issuing Judicial Review proceedings to challenge the decision given. Advising an international pharmaceutical company on an urgent threat to their supply of products following their suppliers factory being shut down. Ensuring the supply of products was not interrupted and the disruption was kept to a minimum. Advising an international retail brand on a breach of supply agreement with their supplier. A successful settlement was reached avoiding protracted litigation.

Fraser Shuba

I am a Senior Associate with over 20 years experience of residential property conveyancing, covering all areas including technical areas involving development sales and purchases, options, overage and also some agricultural and commercial property work. I am currently helping to create a new case management system for the Firm which includes assisting with an overhaul of our drafted precedent documents and designing case management caseflows to be used in the new system. I am also involved in business development for the whole department and create marketing and training materials for our estate agents. Until recently I dealt with my own caseload of live files and was also responsible for a team of 8 lawyers and assistants (myself included) with a remit of ensuring that legal work is carried out correctly and that proper service and care is provided to our clients, and that estate agents' service level agreements and exchange targets were met. I deal with a small caseload of both freehold and leasehold transactions, including shared ownership and those within the Help To Buy schemes. I also assist colleagues with any technical queries on their transactions.

Gabs Rodriguez Cleary

Gabs is a Solicitor sitting in the Commercial Litigation team in Milton Keynes and has experience representing a variety of clients across a range of Commercial Disputes. Amongst the variety of disputes Gabs has worked on, highlights include: part of the team representing an international telecommunications claimant in two International Arbitrations in two separate $30 million claims; representing an international individual claimant whereby his claim was successfully registered in the UK and 100% of his claim was recovered; part of the team representing an international manufacturing claimant successfully negotiating settlement; and part of the team successfully negotiating settlement for a UK based manufacturing defendant. Gabs also has experience working on numerous matters involving defamation and harassment, contractual disputes and recoveries.

Gary Assim

Gary is the senior partner in the firm's national Retail and Intellectual Property and Creative Industry Groups in which he has built up strong reputations on both a national and international basis. He specialises in resolving disputes especially those to do with anti-counterfeiting, with particular emphasis on parallel importing. Over the past few years he has been involved in leading cases for H&M, Jimmy Choo and Dr Marten's relating to patents, trade marks, copyright and design right advice including (clients identified in bold): • Stretchline Intellectual properties Ltd v H&M Hennes & Mauritz [2015] EWHC 3298 (Pat); • J. Choo (Jersey) Ltd v Towerstone [2008] EWHC 346; • R Griggs Group Ltd v Evans [2005] EWCA Civ 11; and • Mackie Designs Inc. v Behringer Specilaised Studio Equipment (UK) Ltd RPC (1999). He acts for clients across a broad range of sectors, but is especially well known in the clothing and footwear and automotive industries. He has written articles for the New York Law Journal, International Commercial Litigation and various national and international trade press as well as being a well known commentator on television and radio on intellectual property rights. Recent accolades include being named Client Choice Awards winner for IP by The International Law Office for the years 2014 to 2018, included in the World Trade Mark Review's WTR 1000 from 2012 to 2018, awarded the Intellectual Property Magazine Innovation prize in 2010, named in the International Who's Who of Trademark Lawyers from 2009 to 2018, the Top 100 list of The Most Powerful and Influential People in Fashion in 2008 and The Lawyers Hot 100 in 2007. He is passionate about intellectual property, especially in relation to consumer brands, hence his love of fast cars, gadgets and anything sporting. He is best known for having advised H&M, Jimmy Choo, Chloe and Dr Martens as well as setting up the mentoring scheme for the British Fashion Council (organisers of London Fashion Week) to help their NewGen and Fashion Forward designers. The Times commented, after the Chloe case against Topshop, that Shoosmiths were "the legal label to die for"! He also leads the firm's international relationships and travels extensively meeting with clients, intermediaries and law firms. He was on the board of the international network the World Services Group between 2013 and 2017 and was its Chairman between 2016 and 2017. He is a member of the IBA and INTA and attends both conferences regularly. Prior to reading law at Durham University, Gary spent three years with Lombard North Central plc gaining commercial experience and an understanding of how in-house legal teams operate. He was articled with Travers Smith Braithwaite in London where he qualified and gained experience in commercial litigation and intellectual property for nine years.

Gemma Porter

Gemma joined the Shoosmiths Corporate Team in Manchester as a Principal Associate in June 2022. Gemma specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, ongoing portfolio work for PE houses and general corporate matters. Her recent transaction experience includes: - advising LDC on its minority investment into CTI Holdings - advising Literacy Capital on numerous management buy outs, and assisting with their buy and build strategies and ongoing portfolio work - advising the shareholders (including NorthEdge) on the sale of Direct Healthcare to Archimed (and several bolt-on acquisitions for Direct Healthcare) - advising Phoenix Equity Partners on its investment in Mobius Life - advising the founder shareholders on the sale of Eyeko to The Hut Group - advising MyDentist on numerous disposals of dental businesses

Gemma Siviter

Gemma is a Senior Associate within the Real Estate team based in our Birmingham office. She has experience acting for corporate occupiers, with a specialism in retail and leisure corporate occupiers. Gemma has been involved in a variety of transactions including estate management and assisting on acquisitions and disposals of commercial premises in shopping centres, retail parks and on the high street. Gemma’s recent experience includes: Advising a number of well-known high street names on all matters connected with the management of their property portfolios including disposals, lease renewals and alterations; Assisting on the acquisition of 280 stores and dealing with the CMA elements of the deal and then integrating the entire estate into the Client’s core portfolio; Dealing with the acquisition of UK headquarters for a growing international company; and Conducting a review of a national retailer’s entire portfolio consisting of over 850 properties and reporting on aspects of their leases in line with their specific requirements. Acting on a 'hive up' for a national convenience store, dealing with the transfer of over 350 properties.

Gemma Rooke

Gemma is a Principal Associate in the Construction and Engineering Team. Gemma advises developers, contractors, sub-contractors and other construction and engineering professionals across a broad range of contentious issues, including payment disputes, loss and expense claims, claims for defective workmanship and design, and professional negligence claims. She advises primarily in relation to dispute resolution including conducting mediations, adjudications and court proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). Gemma also has a background in insurance litigation and has experience in dealing in a range of disputes, including property damage related disputes. Her recent experience includes: Acting for an international main contractor in defending a multi-party, multi-million pound proceedings in the TCC in respect of alleged management, design and workmanship failings, and alleged defects relating to cladding, fire safety and Building Regulations breaches. The proceedings were successfully resolved through mediation. Acting for a logistics and housebuilding developer in defending procedurally complex, multi-party, multi-million pound proceedings in the TCC in respect of the defective construction and design of a ground floor slab and its associated foundations. The proceedings were successfully resolved through mediation. Acting for a Diocese in respect of allegations of professional negligence made against its structural engineer relating to defects in the design of a podium slab. The matter was successfully resolved through mediation. Assisting in advising a large retailer in respect of various issues arising out of an NEC3 form of contract with its contractor, including payment, compensation events, delay, defects and other third party claims. Acting for a leading developer and manufacturer of 3D/4D simulation attractions and special effects cinemas in a high value adjudication dealing with a number of issues relating to payment, delays and extensions of time, and defects. Acting for a regional contractor in an adjudication commenced by its subcontractor relating to a final account dispute, which required the commencement of enforcement proceedings in the TCC by our client. Acting for a high net worth individual in respect of major landscape restoration works undertaken at a Grade I, 18th century estate which were part funded by English Heritage and Natural England. The dispute related to defects in the design and construction of a restored water cascade, and was successfully resolved through mediation.

Georgina Rennie

Georgina works in the corporate team advising on all areas of corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, corporate restructuring and corporate governance. Georgina works with a variety of clients including private and public companies, LLPs, venture capital investors, management teams and owner managed businesses. Recent project experience includes advising: VC investors on a range of investments (including VCT/EIS investments); a British clothing company listed on AIM on its acquisition of an online homeware retailer; a NYSE listed records management and storage company on the acquisition of a fine arts storage and logistics business; the seller on the disposal of an iconic Birmingham hotel; an international hotel chain on various hotel acquisitions and disposals; a German car manufacturer on its disposal of used car sites and a body shop centre; a NYSE listed company on the UK aspects of an international reorganisation and the disposal of a facilities management provider; and shareholders of a company in the vet tech sector on an MBO backed by a private equity house.

Grace Mitchell

Grace is a Senior Associate in Shoosmiths’ planning and environmental team with experience in acting for both public and private sector clients including local authorities, landowners and developers. Since qualifying with Shoosmiths she has gained experience of advising on a wide range of planning and highways matters including the drafting and negotiation of section 106 agreements, assisting on CPO matters and advising on and negotiating various infrastructure agreements.Grace has also gained experience in aspects of environmental law, and assisted in advising developers and operators of infrastructure, real estate and other businesses on transactional, regulatory and contentious issues, working alongside the corporate, real estate, commercial, and regulatory teams.

Graham Burnett-Hall

Graham is a leading patent litigator, recognised by major legal directories, with over 25 years of experience. He is ‘noted for his ability to handle highly technical mandates’ and loves his work at the interface of technology and the law. He is adept at rapidly assimilating new scientific and technological developments and providing legal advice in a clear and straightforward manner. Whilst in the majority of cases a dispute will be resolved without recourse to the courts, should legal proceedings be necessary Graham ensures that the case is prepared thoroughly but efficiently for trial and always with the determination to secure a successful outcome. Graham ‘has a highly diverse offering’ and his clients operate in all areas of technology, with a strong track record in pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices and other fields such as electronics, telecommunications and engineering. Graham studied chemistry before becoming a lawyer and this scientific background is an asset that he puts to good use when working with clients, their R&D teams, and scientific experts. As well as patent issues, Graham frequently advises on other intellectual property rights such as designs, trade secrets and confidential information, copyright and database rights, and on the strategic use of intellectual property assets to achieve commercial goals. The disputes Graham advises upon are frequently multi-jurisdictional and Graham has considerable experience of litigation with parallel proceedings running across Europe and in other important jurisdictions worldwide, such as the USA and China, instructing and coordinating with specialist lawyers in each country. Graham is a solicitor advocate and in appropriate cases he appears as junior counsel, working alongside leading counsel. Examples of Graham’s past cases include: Representing a global pharmaceutical company in UK Patents Court proceedings, part of a multinational patent dispute concerning RSV vaccines based on the RSV prefusion F-protein. Acting for a major Indian manufacturer of trans-catheter aortic heart valves in a multi-national patent dispute, with parallel EPO opposition proceedings alongside proceedings in multiple European courts, including the Unified Patent Court. Conducting UK Patents Court proceedings on behalf of a German client, a leading company in simulation and validation, regarding electronic interfaces used in the testing of electronical control units, in particular in the automotive sector. Acting for a multinational biotech company in patent infringement and revocation proceedings concerning the glycosylation profile of antibodies, with parallel proceedings in the UK and Germany. A technically extremely complex dispute at first instance and at appeal concerning rights under a drug development contract to a candidate drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, including entitlements to milestone payments under the contract. Representing a medical device manufacturer in a patent dispute in the UK Patents Court and Court of Appeal relating to atrial septal occluders, with parallel proceedings in Germany that reached the German Supreme Court. Acting for a UK telecommunications company in multiple patent infringement and revocation proceedings concerning graphical user interfaces. Other past cases have concerned matters as diverse as interleukin-23 inhibitors for the treatment of psoriasis, air fryers, wound dressings, cryptography, insulin-like growth factors and potato harvesting equipment. These include cases that have become legal authorities on issues such as priority rights and indirect infringement. Graham trained and qualified at Lovells (now Hogan Lovells) before joining a specialist intellectual property law firm, where he worked for 20 years, becoming a partner in 2007. He joined Shoosmiths in April 2024. He has been recognised by a number of the leading legal directories, including The Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000, Who’s Who Legal, and is listed as an ‘Patent Star’ by Managing IP.

Gregg Harris

Gregg is a Senior Associate in the Birmingham corporate team, advising and assisting on all aspects of corporate law including: venture capital, private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business transfers, investments, shareholders agreements, joint ventures and general corporate advisory mandates. Gregg works with a variety of clients including private and public companies, LLP's, institutional investors, management teams and owner managed businesses.

Gurvinder Samra

Guv is a solicitor specialising in assisting parents of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). She has been working within SEN law since 2014. Her team secures the provision of services to be funded by local authorities for children and young adults with additional needs by way of EHC plans. Guv assesses EHC plans and advises on their contents to ensure they are fit for purpose. If there are deficiencies within the plans, Guv can assist in challenging local authority decisions by way of mediation or SEND tribunal appeal. The types of services that Guv is able to secure for the children and young people that she represents include therapies such as physiotherapy, 1:1 teaching assistance and specialist placements. Guv has regularly secured independent specialist placements worth over £70,000 a year at the local authorities' expense by way of SEND appeal and through pre appeal negotiations. Guv conducts seminars informing parents of their legal rights in respect of EHC plans and how they can enforce them. She has links to local charities whom she regularly visits to assist parents of children with SEN. Guv regularly works with personal injury and clinical negligence solicitors, court of protection deputies and case managers, where, she is instructed on SEND appeals and pre appeal work achieving favourable outcomes within agreed fee budgets. Testimonial We entered into a tribunal against our local authority over an educational provision for our disabled son. We quickly realised that we needed legal representation. We had watched an online workshop hosted by Gurvinder Samra of Shoosmiths LLP and so enlisted her services. Gurvinder dealt with and arranged everything, Tribunal paperwork, expert witnesses, counsel and took charge of the case while maintaining an eye on the mounting fees keeping them at a reasonable level. We ultimately won the case, a result that without Gurvinder's input would have had a different outcome. N & H Tarratt

Gwynneth Tan

Gwynneth is an experienced employment lawyer, advising businesses and senior executives in the commercial and public sector. Gwynneth has particular experience in the retail and higher and further education sectors. Gwynneth has gained valuable insight into employer working practices from secondments to two large organisations and she continues to enjoy a close working relationship with human resources departments advising on the impact of all aspects of employment law in the workplace. Gwynneth provides strategic and commercial advice, tailored to the client’s desired outcomes, on all areas of employment law, including organisational restructures, contractual variations, employment-related support on business acquisitions and sales, TUPE in commercial agreements and business transfers/supplier change and post-termination restrictive covenants. Gwynneth regularly represents employers at employment tribunal hearings, which include complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Gwynneth is also an accredited trainer and delivers bespoke training to employers. Recent work handled by Gwynneth includes: advising a major retailer on TUPE aspects and the application of the Agency Worker Regulations within commercial and outsourcing contracts; advising on the employment aspects of a business acquisition of a manufacturing assembly operations, and on the effective integration of incoming employees into an existing workforce as well as a few redundancies as a result, whilst ensuring minimal disruption to workforce morale and operations; advising a large motorway service company on the employment aspects and process involved in relation to a change in contractual pension benefits; advising a company on enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants, resulting in monetary settlement in favour of the client; successful representation of a recruitment business at an employment in its defence against a claim of unfair dismissal and sex discrimination, involving issues of employment status and pregnancy discrimination; advising on and managing a claim brought by a trade union against a University for a protective award arising out of a collective redundancy process.Gwynneth is recognised by legal directory Chambers UK and is a leading lawyer on the Legal 500. Gwynneth is recognised as a leading individual in employment law by Legal 500,2020; and is a ranked lawyer in Chambers 2020.

Hamish Corner

Hamish specialises in commercial, IT and data privacy law, including all aspects of technology, media and licensing arrangements, in particular software agreements (including SaaS, licence and implementation projects and outsourcing); EU data protection requirements, including GDPR; franchising, merchandising and co-branding agreements; as well as collaborations and joint ventures. His clients include growing businesses in the technology, media, retail and sports sectors. They range from start-ups and early stage growth companies, to scale-ups and privately held mid-sized and large corporates, in the UK, Europe and the US.

Hannah Gaskell

Hannah is a senior associate in Shoosmiths’ Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team. Hannah advises on all legal aspects of restructuring and insolvency relating to both contentious and non-contentious matters. Hannah regularly advises a variety of clients including banks, insolvency practitioners, companies, directors and creditors on all aspects of the insolvency process. Hannah’s non-contentious work includes advising insolvency practitioners on all elements arising from their appointment either as administrator, liquidator or receiver, acting for both buyer and seller in business and asset sales out of administration, advising on company voluntary arrangements, reviewing security documentation and structures and preparing court applications for insolvency related matters. Hannah’s contentious work includes advising on ROT issues, supply chain risks, formal insolvency appointments, debt collection, directors duties, director disqualification proceedings and advising on both sides in relation to antecedent transactions. Hannah has assisted on a number of high profile administrations including, ASA Resource Group PLC, Oddbins, Monarch Aircraft Engineering, Manchester House, Artisan, Late Rooms, Superbreaks and Malvern Travel Technology. Hannah’s CVA experience includes Aldo, Supercuts, Select Fashions, Poundstretcher and Jigsaw. Hannah has also undertaken a secondment with Santander UK Plc. Hannah has also been recognised as a key lawyer in the Manchester team by the Legal 500.

Hannah Farley

Hannah is a principal associate pensions lawyer, who advises both trustees and employers on a wide range of pensions issues. Experience includes: drafting consolidation rules and scheme documentation; advising on buy-ins/buy-outs, including drafting/reviewing benefits specifications and reviewing associated member communications; advising on the closure of pension schemes to future accrual, including where there is a final salary link; advising on the winding-up of a scheme; advising on the employer debt and apportioning the debt under a flexible apportionment arrangement; providing support and training to trustee boards on compliance with their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation; advising trustees on GMP equalisation and equalisation methods; advising on pensions issues on corporate transactions; advising on incentive exercises; reviewing investment management agreements and administration agreements; and providing training to trustee boards on current legal issues. Before becoming a pensions lawyer, Hannah practised as an employment lawyer at Stewarts Law in London, advising employees and employers on employment law issues. Hannah is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers and committee member of the Thames Valley branch of the PLSA.

Hannah Locke

Hannah qualified as a solicitor in February 2010 and joined the Solent Office as a Senior Associate in June 2020. With over 10 years practical conveyancing experience, Hannah has conduct of a variety of Conveyancing case-load matters, including freehold and leasehold matters, new-build properties, deeds of variation, lease extensions, right to buy and shared-ownership. Hannah has been accredited to the Conveyancing Quality Scheme as part of the firm’s wider accreditation to this industry-standard scheme.

Hannah Field

Hannah Field is a partner in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team at Shoosmiths and a corporate/commercial litigator with over 20 years’ experience across a breadth of complex cross-border and domestic disputes, with particular areas of expertise which include, shareholder disputes (of all manner, such as minority shareholder disputes both for the majority and for the minority shareholder), general transactional and commercial disputes issues (such as pre-emption disputes, SPA or shareholder agreement issues, breaches of warranty, earn outs, confidentiality disputes, jurisdiction disputes etc); regulatory investigations; director/fiduciary duties; cross-border insolvencies; and financial disputes. The disputes vary in nature arising from issues such as: breach of contract, misrepresentations, unfair prejudice, contractual interpretation matters, fraud etc. Hannah has acted on some of the highest profile disputes in the UK and internationally across a breath of sectors, including numerous private equity firms, funds, major corporates and commercial entities, start-ups, technology clients, high net worth individuals and banks. Hannah spent a number of years at US firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges where she became partner and later co-head of the London International Dispute Resolution department. She then joined White & Case before moving to Goodwin Proctor to assist with the build out of their disputes team in London. Hannah’s clients have included Providence Equity, Bain, Advent, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Bain Capital, iTunes, Facebook, Yodel, Four Seasons, Access Industries, CVC, ETF, Novator, Antin, Elliott, Get Living and GSO Capital. As part of her impressive corporate/commercial practice, Hannah has acted on some of the largest shareholder disputes in the Courts, such as securing victory for the Barclay Brothers and their associated entities concerning the ownership of Claridges, The Connaught and The Berkeley. Hannah has advised on litigation for some of the largest insolvencies/restructurings such as Lehman Brothers, Worldcom, Kaupthing Bank and Paragon. She also has experience in contentious intellectual property and tax matters, including having acted for Ingenious Media (producer of major films such as Life if Pi and Avatar) relating to one of the most high profile and complex tax cases ever litigated in England. Hannah has been recognised for her commercial and corporate litigation work across Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and London Super Lawyers.

Hannah Howard

Hannah is a Senior Associate in the regulatory team and regularly advises companies, directors and individuals on regulatory compliance across a range of sectors including health and safety, food safety, product safety, fire safety, environmental matters and anti-bribery and anti-money laundering legislation. Hannah spent a year of her training contract working within the regulatory team before qualifying as a solicitor in September 2020. She has experience of investigations and prosecutions by various regulatory agencies including the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and Local Authorities, as well as criminal prosecutions. Hannah also has experience of large-scale Inquiries and Inquests. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Hannah gained 12 years of experience as a serving police officer, including ten years as an accredited detective. Hannah is qualified to a high level in conducting suspect interviews, case management and disclosure. She has extensive knowledge of serious crime and investigation, including fraud and, latterly, specialised in intelligence and financial investigation.

Hannah Turner

Real Estate Midlands

Harriet Willmore

Harriet is a Senior Associate in our core Real Estate team with a strong development background. Harriet acts for national and local housebuilders, developers and promoters on site acquisitions (including phased acquisitions) and land disposals on both an immediate and strategic basis. Harriet regularly investigates title to land and produces reports advising clients on agreements, title to land and search results together with recommendations as to the appropriate course of action. She has experience in drafting contracts, overage deeds, transfers and other legal documentation associated with the development process. Harriet’s experience includes: acting for a number of the top national housebuilders in the acquisition of sites in the North West; acting on a disposal for an educational sector client to four housebuilders, to create 450 new homes; acting on an acquisition of land for a national UK housebuilder which will see them build more than 330 new homes including an extra-care development; and acting for a retirement living provider on the acquisition of sites and site set up.

Hayley Capani

Hayley is a Legal Director in the London office of the Shoosmiths Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team. Hayley advises on both contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters and has extensive experience in contentious insolvency matters, acting for office holders, banks and other creditors on a broad range of matters relating to administration, administrative receivership, provisional liquidation, liquidation and a range of cross-border issues. Hayley’s contentious matters include: advising the administrators of LBHI2 (a Lehman group company) in relation to a directions application in relation to the ranking of circa $8.3bn of subordinated debt; advising a group of opposing creditors who successfully challenged a proposed scheme of arrangement issued by Sunbird Business Services Limited in relation to $15m of debt; advising the administrators of the Castlebeck care home group (which previously ran the Winterbourne View care home); advising the administrators on the administration and liquidation of the UK subsidiaries of the Swiss Petroplus group; advising syndicates of banks in relation to potential international enforcement options against the failed Dubai based private equity fund Abaaj as well as (on a separate matter) the Saudi-based Algosaibi-business, Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers Company; and advising Canadian lessors in relation to the administration of the English airline, Flybe Hayley's non contentious experience includes: advising a syndicate of banks on contingency planning in relation to a restructuring of a substantial PP/PFI road infrastructure project in the UK

Hayley Saunders

Hayley is a specialist regulatory criminal defence lawyer advising leading companies, directors and individuals on all aspects of regulatory compliance across a range of sectors including retail, food, manufacturing and construction. Her extensive experience includes investigations and prosecutions in areas as diverse as corporate and gross negligence manslaughter; health and safety; fire safety; inquests; waste management and environmental matters; trading standards; food safety; advertising compliance and sales promotions; and anti-bribery legislation. Hayley advises at all stages of the criminal investigation including crisis management; interviews under caution; appeals against enforcement notices and conducts her own advocacy in the criminal and Coroners’ courts. Hayley provides robust and pragmatic commercial advice and her recent work includes: successfully defending a site manager charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a member of the public at a construction site; representing a national food retailer at in inquest into the death of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction; representing a supported living and care home provider throughout the health and safety investigation and inquest into the death of a service user; representing a national retailer in relation to a number of food safety prosecutions arising out of pest infestations; and representing a number of retailers prosecuted for placing unsafe electrical products onto the EU market. Hayley qualified in 2005 and joined Shoosmiths in 2007 from Greenwoods LLP where she provided extensive regulatory advice to Network Rail. Hayley has spent time on secondment at the McDonald's legal team and has experience of prosecuting on behalf of government authorities and private prosecutors giving her a great insight into the different considerations from 'both sides of the fence'. Hayley regularly speaks at public events including the Safety Expo at London ExCeL and annual IOSH events. Hayley is currently part of the research team at Cranfield University undertaking a study on Contractor Management.

Heather Chandler

Heather is an experienced pensions partner advising employers, trustees, actuaries, accountants and other legal specialists and firms on all aspects of pensions matters relating to occupational and personal pension arrangements, both contract and trust based. Her style is proactive, focusing on a thorough understanding of all the issues whilst developing pragmatic solutions to reach manageable and long term outcomes. She has a strong understanding of the issues and obligations of both employers and trustees when dealing with pension matters. Recent work undertaken by Heather includes: • advising association on investment powers and responsibilities and assisting with assessment of investment strategy; • advising clients on corporate transactions involving reorganisations on cross border sales and acquisitions; • advising an employer on its auto-enrolment duties and communicating with its members and employees effectively and in accordance with the auto-enrolment regime; • providing independent advice to employers on employment issues relating to pensions, including executive terminations and also advising on contractual issues relating to pensions and interpretation; • advising the trustees of a pension plan on the buy-out of their scheme involving contract drafting, confirmation as to benefit entitlements, advice on GMP equalisation and other data issues, member communications and trustee indemnity protections; • attending regular trustee meetings and advising on an ongoing basis on scheme management for trustees; • on not-for-profit schemes and company schemes providing advice to trustees on issues of interpretation, drafting errors and proposals put forward by sponsoring employers to make changes to the scheme and the resolution of disagreements around interpretation; • bespoke pensions training for trustees, associations. authorities and corporate clients; • drafting and negotiating documents for trustees on scheme merger relating to a multi section scheme with multiple rules; • notifiable events risk assessment, advice for employers as to whether a course of action require notification; • provision of guidance to trustees on their obligation in respect of data protection, preparing of privacy notices; • bespoke trustee secretarial service and governance advice. Heather is herself a pension scheme trustee and works closely with other advisers in that capacity to manage an occupational scheme and is also on the governance committee of a contract based scheme.. She has experience with not-for profit clients including unions, trade associations and charities and is a trustee of a mental health charity based in Milton Keynes. Heather also oversees the team’s transactional practice utilising her 20+ years of experience in managing cross border and multi-jurisdictional as well as multi firm transactions. She heads up the teams offering to other law firms who need to buy in pensions transactional and advisor experience. Heather also managed the team's data protection response and supports advice for scheme trustees, involving the specialist data protection team at Shoosmiths as necessary. Heather also works closely with the employment teams working on employee and employer pension issues on termination of contract and relating to compliance with Auto Enrolment.

Heather Midwinter

Heather is a Principal Associate real estate lawyer who qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and has experience in a broad range of real estate transactions advising investors, developers, landlords, tenants and banks. Sectors Heather is passionate about include residential and commercial development and energy and infrastructure projects. Her recent project experience includes advising: - landowners on an energy from waste, onshore wind and a bioenergy (anaerobic digestion) projects in East Yorkshire; - both buyers and funders in respect of forward funding development projects; - an investor by way of general real estate support on a £2 billion property investment portfolio; - a promoter in respect of both residential and commercial development projects; - a buyer on a £104,000,000 acquisition; and - a range of leading UK Banks on refinancing various high value sites both locally and nationally.

Helen Poulter

Helen is an principal associate in the real estate team. Helen advises on all aspects of commercial property including acquisitions, disposals, lettings, developments, strategic land and financings. Helen acts for developers, investors, landlords and tenants principally in the student, residential and leisure sectors. Helen is a lead transaction lawyer for Select Property Group and advises on the acquisition and funding of complex sites for development as student and residential accommodation. Helen advises on all aspects of a transaction from the acquisition and funding to restructures, disposals, ground rent sales and commercial lettings. Helen's clients include Urban Splash, Muse, James Hall, Hallam Land and HSBC. Helen is known to clients for being “friendly, tenacious, calm under pressure and a pleasure to deal with”.

Helen Parrott

Helen is a Legal Director real estate lawyer with experience of a wide range of property work including investment acquisitions and disposals, portfolio management, leasehold transactions (acting for both landlords and tenants) development and project work. Her main clients include investment funds, retailers and leisure operators. Her recent experience includes: the disposal of a portfolio of multi million pound investment properties for a large investment fund client; assisting in advising a household name retailer in relation to a long running planning and development dispute in Birmingham, achieving exchange of the related disposal within two weeks; the acquisition of a multi-million pound portfolio of six investment properties for a household name retailer; and advising a national retailer on the development and subsequent leasehold acquisition of new build pharmacy premises in various locations around the country.

Helen Bridgman

Helen is a Legal Director real estate lawyer with wide experience in all aspects of commercial property law in particular development work and Landlord and Tenant work (experience working for both). Helen has experience acting for developers (in particular care home developers), investor clients and corporate occupier clients and currently specialises in strategic site acquisitions for development.

Helen Westwood

Helen is a principal associate experienced in acting for commercial and residential developers, investors, end-users and lending institutions. Helen also acts for many landlord and tenant clients on estate management portfolio matters. Helen regularly acquires and disposes of investments including retail, office, industrial and leisure properties. Her recent project experience includes advising: a national UK investor on the management and sale of part of an existing multi-let residential and retail site; a number of high street lenders overseeing the property aspects of high-value property-based commercial lending transactions to ensure that the lender receives adequate security for its loan; on the refinancing of a portfolio of properties for an international investment fund transacted within a limited timescale. Helen has been an associate in Shoosmiths’ real estate practice since September 2014, having completed her training contract with the firm and qualified as a solicitor in September 2010.

Hollie Weller

Hollie is a Senior Associate specialising in Clinical Negligence. Hollie is passionate about the work which she undertakes, in particular she feels a great empathy with clients, empowering them to improve their circumstances having suffered from negligence, which can often be life altering. More recently, Hollie assists Lead Partner, Denise Stephens, on complex Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Injury claims, which are extremely high value requiring dedication, enthusiasm and attention to detail. Hollie has represented individuals suffering from: the loss of a loved one as a result of clinical negligence; psychiatric injury as a result of still birth; complex biliary injuries as a result of gall bladder removal; a brain injury as a result of spinal anaesthesia contamination; and cerebral palsy and brain injuries as a result of mismanagement of labour. Hollie feels she has found a vocation in representing clients who have experienced the trauma of clinical negligence, building strong relationships with those instructing her. She is committed to providing clients with the best service possible and ensuring the best possible outcome

Holly Hirst

Holly is a Partner, corporate lawyer with a particular focus on private equity and private M&A transactions. Holly works with private equity houses, corporate entities, individual shareholders and management on both acquisitions and disposals of their investments in private companies, as well as providing general on-going corporate advice. Holly also has experience in advising on cross-border transactions in a number of different industry sectors. Recent experience includes advising: Datix on its acquisition of RL Solutions; Kelso Place and management on the sale of RED Driving School; Five Arrows Principal Investments on their acquisition of the Karnov Group; and Downing LLP on their investment into the Magnus Care Home Group.

Holly Gerard

Holly joined Shoosmiths’ real estate team in March 2017, having qualified in 2016 at Irwin Mitchell. Holly, a senior associate, advises and assists with a wide range of commercial property matters, with particular emphasis on strategic land deals, initially dealing with the due diligence involved in site assembly and then on all advice to make sites "market ready" through to disposals. Holly also assists with urban regeneration schemes and corporate transactions. Holly has spent time in-house with a leading PLC development client and is well regarded as a lawyer who is a "pleasure to work with".

Hywel Thomas

Hywel is a senior associate in the Commercial department, based in Milton Keynes. Hywel has experience in advising on a variety of commercial matters, including supply agreements for goods and services, IT agreements, sponsorship agreements, prize promotions and confidentiality agreements. Hywel also advises clients in relation to preparing their Modern Slavery Act statements, has experience of advising on routine data protection issues as they relate to commercial contracts and has worked closely with the firm's data protection specialists on more complex matters.

Ian Nobbs

Ian is a part of the Defended Team based in Solent and is a Senior Associate. Ian has experience of dealing with defended Small Claims, Fast Track and Multi Track cases up to trial as well as Application hearings. He also manages a variety of matters involving insolvency, bankruptcy, asset recovery, and enforcement of County Court Judgments. Ian has a wide variety of litigation experience, dealing with a broad range of clients from the building, media, recruitment and financial sectors. His recent work experience includes:- successfully obtaining a County Court Judgment at trial against a large karaoke bar and restaurant who had failed to obtain a copyright music licence. Full costs were also awarded; recovering over £150K for a Recruitment Consultancy client after commencing winding up proceedings; settling a large dispute by way of a Part 36 offer and recovering full costs for the client.

Ian Reid

Ian Reid (Partner) Ian is a highly experienced British construction lawyer, who has worked around the world and advised on projects ranging from major urban redevelopment schemes in London’s docklands, city centre office buildings, one of the world’s largest liquified natural gas projects in Queensland Australia, oil rigs in the North Sea, rail infrastructure projects, mining projects in Australia’s outback, super prime residential and hotel schemes and the development of luxury resorts in the South Pacific. Before becoming a lawyer, Ian trained as an architect in the UK and worked for architectural practices in Canada. Since becoming a lawyer Ian has worked for several of London’s leading law firms and also a leading Australian practice. Ian practices both non-contentious (front end) and contentious (back end) construction law. He typically provides developer clients will a "full life cycle" or "cradle to grave" service, advising on procurement routes at the inception of a project, drafting and negotiating all forms of construction and related contracts, providing legal handholding and legal project management advice throughout the build period and then acting in construction disputes (whether they be in adjudication, arbitration, expert determination or court proceedings) in the event things do not go as planned. Ian was Lawyer Monthly’s UK Construction and Engineering Lawyer of the Year 2019, Acquisition INTL’s Most Outstanding Construction Lawyer 2019, ACQ5’s Construction Lawyer of the Year 2019, Corporate INTL’s Construction Lawyer of the Year in the United Kingdom 2021. He is also featured in the Global Law Experts 2021 handbook.

Ian Lawton

Ian is a Senior Associate in our corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, including venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, shareholders' agreements, investments and general corporate advisory mandates. Ian works with a variety of clients including private companies based in the UK and overseas and venture capital investors. Ian read law at Durham University completing his degree in 2012 and he completed the LPC with distinction at Nottingham Law School in 2013. Ian joined Shoosmiths in September 2021 following 3 years as a corporate solicitor at a national law firm.

Ian Yule

Ian is a construction lawyer with some 25 years’ experience. He has advised on various large projects, with a particular emphasis on power stations and process plants. His wide experience means that he is well-equipped to guide employers, contractors and consultants through the construction phase and beyond. He is experienced in adjudication and all other form of dispute resolution. He has been ranked in the legal directories for many years. Legal 500 says he “has a technical background which is most helpful in analysing and preparing claims and witnesses, which he does exceptionally well”. His recent experience includes: acting for a substantial contractor on a time and money claim, in which a multi-million pound sum was awarded in adjudication; guiding a university through a lengthy dispute with its FM contractor; advising a project management company on a complex High Court claim; acting for a health sector developer in an extension of time adjudication; and defending a sub-contractor in an arbitration that was then resolved by mediation..

Ian Hardman

Ian is a Partner specialising in construction and engineering. Ian has extensive experience advising on projects across a range of sectors including power/process, nuclear decommissioning, residential, retail, office and education. Ian regularly advises on large and complex infrastructure projects and commercial developments. He is experienced in all the standard forms of contract including JCT, NEC, ICC, IChemE, MF/1 and FIDIC. Ian is rated as one of the leading construction lawyers in the North-West by Chambers. Ian’s relevant experience includes: Advising the client on the procurement of a waste for energy plant. Contract value circa £250m. Advising a national retailer on the procurement of a new distribution centre including the automation and picking system. Contract value circa £250m. Advising on the procurement of new cranes for a sea container terminal. Contract value circa £100m. Advising a developer on various apartment PRS developments. Each project having a value of circa £40m. Advising in connection with and preparing contract documentation for a new €166m chlorine facility at Runcorn, Cheshire. Advising a local authority in connection with claims by a contractor for an extension of time and disruption arising out of the construction of a new by-pass. Claim value was circa £5m.

Isaac Bordon

Isaac is a Partner based in the London office and has experience in all aspects of real estate, with particular emphasis on investment, development and occupier work. He advises a wide range of clients on their real estate transactions and strategy and often leads multi-practice teams of lawyers on complex deals. Isaac acts for landlords and tenants, institutional UK funds, local authorities and private equity houses, family offices and overseas investors. He works with clients specialising across all asset classes, and his work has incorporated the office, retail, leisure, educational, industrial, logistics, data centre, residential, hotel, and student accommodation sectors. Isaac has a special interest in environmental matters and sustainability in the built environment. He also has extensive experience of the London office market and the trends which have influenced and affected the way that office space is being occupied.

Iyanu Onalaja

Iyanu is a senior associate in the real estate team with over five years’ experience. She has a great wealth of knowledge in general commercial property matters and is continually developing her experience of development work (both commercially and residentially). Her experience includes: •developing and growing client relations including responsibility for them on a daily basis including assisting the client partner for a major French motor manufacturer with a UK HQ in Coventry which involves undertaking freehold and leasehold acquisitions of retail showrooms and other premises. Most recent major instruction was undertaking freehold disposal for site in Manchester worth over £12 million; •acting for housebuilders, manufacturers, automotive clients, investment clients, lenders and SMEs; •leasehold and portfolio management; and •dealing with refinancing and land development loans.

Jade Souch

Jade is a senior associate in the RSG team based in Solent. Jade specialises in defended commercial litigation. She acts for a number of clients within the credit insurance, recruitment, utilities and trade creditor industries. Jade has particular expertise in advising clients on a wide range of contractual disputes and commercial debt recovery claims. She also has experience in alternative dispute resolution including mediation and insolvency related work, including bankruptcy and winding-up proceedings.

James Wright

Dr James Wright is a Principal Associate in the medical negligence team of the Personal Advisory Division of Shoosmiths. James acts solely for patients and their families and has experience of dealing with all aspects of medical claims ranging from anaesthetic awareness cases to child birth trauma. James has settled a number of very high value claims which involve protected parties which cannot be reported due to those matters being the subject of anonymity orders. James was also the lawyer instructed by the claimant in the much publicised Court of Appeal case of Harrison v University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust which provided clarity and guidance on costs budgeting issues. James is an experienced public speaker and has lectured to both scientific and legal audiences. James has also published articles on topics of general medico-legal interest and has had some of his successfully concluded medical negligence cases reported in publications such as Clinical Risk and PI Focus.

James Benedick

James is a real estate lawyer with wide experience of acting for, landlords, tenants, pension funds, property companies and financial institutions. He has extensive experience of all aspects of commercial property and, in particular, investment transactions. James’ experience includes sales, purchases and asset management of multi-let offices, retail parks and industrial estates. James also advises on real estate aspects of corporate and finance transactions. His recent project experience includes advising: a real estate investment company on the acquisition of prime London office and residential premises for £10.25 million with a view to converting to extending and converting to sole residential use; a multinational corporation on all matters connected with the management of their UK real estate portfolio, including a mixture of new lease acquisitions in retail parks and outlets as well as new concept stores in a range of high profile locations; a high profile British retail and commercial bank on the property aspects of a £15.9 million loan in respect of a shopping centre purchase; a pension fund on the sale of West End offices premises to an international investment company for £15.75 million; and on the property aspects of a disposal by a human resource consulting firm of a wholly owned subsidiary to a national logistics company for £5 million.

James Cullingworth

James is a Principal Associate in the London real estate team and advises on all aspects of commercial property, including, acquisitions, disposals, lettings and development. James acts for landlords, tenants and developers in a variety of sectors and his recent experience includes: acting for major institutional landlords in relation to industrial, office and retail properties across the UK; acting for a healthcare client on acquisitions, sale and leasebacks and the development of medical centres; and acting on a joint venture for a 160k square metre development in Cheshire.

James Frost

James is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Development & Investment team, acting for mixed use developers, property companies, investment funds and institutional landlords. He advises on all aspects of commercial property, including conditional sale and purchase agreements, the grant and exercise of options, agreements for lease and pre-lets, acquisition and disposal work, as well as having extensive experience in landlord and tenant and portfolio management work. Recent experience includes: acted for property investment and development company on the acquisition of an east-midlands multi-let industrial and logistics estate. acted for property investment and development company on the acquisition of an eight-storey office building in Birmingham. acted for various property investment companies on the acquisition of multi-let shopping centres and retail parks across England. acted for property fund on the assembly, funding, development and letting of multiple logistics and distribution developments. acted for institutional landlords on the leasing and portfolio asset management of various major retail and commercial assets across England.

James Haikney

James is a commercial and projects lawyer, working in the green energy sector for almost 10 years across technologies including wind, solar, and green hydrogen. James spent three years in-house before returning to practice with Shoosmiths, and provides clear, to-the-point advice focussed on his clients’ objectives and commercial “big picture”. James advises widely on all commercial matters, including B2B and B2C commercial contract terms, and has experience delivering critical commercial contracts for green energy clients at critical stages of the realisation of new capital projects, including: manufacturing (including TSAs, EPCs, and electrolyser supply contracts) maintenance (both long and short term, whether or not supported by performance guarantees) energy offtake (including on- and off-site PPAs and hydrogen fuel offtake agreements) strategic partnerships (including commercial partnership agreements, framework contracts, joint ventures, and transitional services) James also advises on legal compliance and matters of energy regulation related to businesses in the green energy space. James joined Shoosmiths after working for three years as senior legal counsel at ITM Power, the Sheffield-based AIM-listed manufacturer of green hydrogen electrolysers. Over three years in-house James advised the business on key sale, maintenance, and supply contracts, and provided legal support on key strategic projects, including the establishment of a hydrogen mobility joint venture as well as three complex equity investment rounds totalling almost £500m.

James Bryce

James is a Senior Associate within the Real Estate practice group with over 4 years' experience acting for clients in respect of their real estate transactions. James represents a number of household name national clients, assisting them on a variety of real estate matters including landlord and tenant transactions (acting for both landlords and occupiers), acquisitions and disposals and offers other, miscellaneous real estate management support. Specifically, this includes: assisting on a number of huge, team-wide projects, most recently a £40million portfolio acquisition for a property investment client and a nationwide renewal of over 300 leases for a national retail client; acting for numerous investment landlords in respect of their asset management portfolios; acting for a variety of retail clients in relation to their leasehold management portfolio, including lease renewals and various licences and miscellaneous deeds for a number of household names; advising on and negotiating the terms of advertisement agreements for a national storage company; the preparation of a wide variety of transactional documents for both disposals and acquisitions; and investigating and subsequently reporting to clients on a wide variety of title issues and document terms.

James Speed

Jim is a partner in Shoosmiths’ real estate team with over 20 years’ experience specialising in investment and development work with a particular focus on industrial and logistics schemes. His recent experience includes: • Acting for a main market listed REIT on their c£500m investment UK portfolio in respect of acquisitions, disposals, financing arrangement and ongoing asset management; • Advising a regional developer on the strategic site assembly and realisation of a 1.5m sq ft logistics scheme in West Yorkshire and a c1m sq ft logistics scheme within South Yorkshire; • Acting on the forward funding and sale of two 500,000+ sq ft distribution warehouses within the M62 West Yorkshire corridor for a regional developer; • Acting for two different developers on the sale of 2 big box warehouse development sites in Yorkshire and the North East to a well known internet retailer; • Acting on the forward funding, development, letting and sale of a landmark office building within Leeds city centre; • Acting for a global property adviser on the disposal of its London office HQ.

James Needham

James is a partner in the real estate team specialising in commercial development, funding and strategic land. James has particular experience acting for developers in forward funded pre-let developments and on the preparation, servicing and phased disposal of strategic mixed use and residential sites. His recent experience includes advising: a national developer on the acquisition, pre-let and forward funding of a £38 million logistics hub in the West Midlands; an international logistics company taking a lease of a purpose-built automated warehousing and office facility at a major new logistics park in the East Midlands; a private investment company on securing a long-term option and promotion agreement for a 400 acre strategic development site in Staffordshire; a major UK lending institution on an £18 million development and investment facility secured against a portfolio of 34 commercial properties; and a West Midlands based property investment vehicle on the £70 million refinancing and redevelopment of a flagship office building in central Birmingham.

James Keates

James is the national head of Shoosmiths’ Corporate Restructuring and Advisory department. James specialises in acting for corporates, company directors, insolvency practitioners, private equity holders, banks and asset based lenders on all matters in relation to business restructuring, distressed lending and corporate insolvency. James has extensive experience and is particularly well regarded in relation to business restructurings and insolvencies within the retail sector. James is known as one of the industry’s leading lawyers when it comes to securing CVAs and advising in respect of administrations for a wide range of high profile retail businesses. In the last few years, James has been involved in over 20 high profile retail CVAs and administrations. These include, Monsoon Accessorize (administration), Cath Kidston (administration), Harveys and Bensons for Beds (administration), Poundstretcher (CVA), UK Window Group Limited (administration), Select Fashion (CVA and subsequent administration and a further CVA) and Regis UK (trading as Supercuts) (CVA). In addition, James’ notable experience includes the following: advising the purchaser of the brand and intellectual property of Oasis/Warehouse; advising the administrators of T.M Lewin & Sons Limited; advising the administrators of Office Outlet (formerly the business known as Staples); advising the administrators of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, a company of significant strategic importance within the aviation industry with circa 800 employees, carrying out the maintenance, repair and overhaul of commercial airplanes primarily out of Birmingham and Luton airports; and advising in connection with the acquisition by Karen Millen of part of the business and assets of Coast from its administrators, including advising in connection with the structuring of the transaction to minimize risk, securing the ongoing employment for over 600 employees. James also has significant experience in challenges brought to the validity of retail CVAs, having taken a leading role in both defending and bringing such actions in respect of the most recent leading cases on retail CVAs. James Keates was the winner of Corporate Restructuring Lawyer of the year at the National Turnaround and Insolvency Awards in 2018 and is recognised in the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” for “receiving constant praise” from his clients “for continued excellence” and for being “at the pinnacle of his profession”.

James Wood-Robertson

James is a specialist Energy & Infrastructure lawyer with over 15 years’ experience of advising sponsors, developers, funders, principal contractors and procuring authorities on renewable energy and energy from waste projects in the UK. He has acted for developers and funders on the acquisition, disposal, financing and re-financing of numerous onshore wind, solar PV, hydro and energy from waste projects. James has specialist experience in advising on power purchase agreements, having advised developers, funders and offtakers on a large number of renewable energy projects, including numerous corporate PPAs (physical and virtual) and private wire arrangements. In addition to this transactional experience, James has provided bespoke advice to renewable energy businesses and investors on PPAs, energy subsidy schemes (e.g. ROCs, Feed In Tariff, Contracts for Difference) and electricity industry agreements. James regularly presents to client groups on renewable energy matters.

James Foster

James leads Shoosmiths’ Corporate North teams (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester and Leeds) and heads our Northern Private Equity practice and is nationally recognised for his private equity expertise. James specialises in corporate finance, with particular emphasis on M&A and private equity transactions, including acquisitions and divestments, venture capital, growth equity, private equity investments and joint ventures. He is recognised by clients for his hands-on and responsive approach, technical skills and commercial pragmatism. James’ client base includes acquisitive international corporates, US and European sponsors, private equity backed investee companies and UK private equity and venture capital investors. Recent experience includes advising: LDC on its sale and subsequent co-investment with Francisco Partners in ByBox; WM Morrison Supermarkets plc on the acquisition of three superstores from the Co-operative Group; Capiton AG (via its investee company the Dec Group) on the acquisition of Extract Technology from Wabash National Corporation; August Equity on its divestment of the Aspirations Group to Elysian Capital, by way of secondary buy-out; shareholders of Coppergreen Leisure Resorts on their exit to Away Resorts (backed by CVC Capital Partners Fund VII); shareholders of NSS Group on their exit to PTSG Group (backed by both Warburg Pincus and Macquirie Capital); Ellis Recruitment Group on its investment from Mobeus Equity Partners; Capfun on the acquisition of Lakeshore Leisure Group from Kings Park Capital and Management; Azets (backed by PAI Partners and Hg Capital) on numerous bolt on acquisitions in England and Ireland; Latus Health on its acquisition of ELAS Occupational Health and Industrial Diagnostics Group from Citation; Management of Building Costs Information Service Limited, a carve out from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, on its investment by LDC; shareholders of Taskmaster Resources on their sale to IPE Ventures; shareholders of BYM-Digival to Nurtur Group (backed by Tosca Fund); YFM Equity Partners in respect of their investment alongside Comhar Capital in Panintelligence; investment into Force 24; their co-investment alongside Maven Capital Partners into Summize Group; and Yorkshire Wildlife Group on its debt and equity raise from Lloyds Bank plc and BGF.

James Spencer

James is a partner in the banking and finance group of Shoosmiths’ London office with over 20 years experience and expertise in a wide spectrum of finance and structured finance transactions. James is primarily focused on the following areas of practice: advising banks, debt funds and other alternative lenders on the structuring and origination of a wide variety of syndicated and bilateral commercial real estate loans, including whole loans, senior loans , mezzanine loans and A/B loans, for both investment and development transactions across a range of asset types, including office, retail, logistics, student accommodation, hotels and BTR; advising lenders, loan servicers and borrowers on the work out and restructuring of stressed and distressed commercial real estate loans; and representing loan agents and servicers on their appointments to a variety of finance, structured finance and securitisation transactions, including CRE, CMBS, shipping, leverage, aviation, NPLs portfolios, loan on loan and warehouse lines. James has been recommended for property finance by Legal 500 since 2016.

Jamie Woods

Jamie is a Principal Associate Solicitor in the Serious Injuries Court of Protection team. Alongside the commitment and support he provides his clients, Jamie also leads the Serious Injuries Court of Protection team in Reading, responsible for its strategic development and ensuring clients are provided with the best possible advice, support and guidance. Jamie specialises in the day-to-day oversight and management of high value Deputyships. This sees him working on behalf of vulnerable clients, who lack mental capacity following a catastrophic brain injury, in managing all aspects of their finances and affairs. Jamie’s approach is centred around kindness and compassion and works with his clients, and their families, in a collaborative and down to earth way. He goes out of his way to ensure the needs of his clients are met and is constantly focused on ensuring that everything is done to facilitate decisions and outcomes that result in a positive difference to their lives, both now and into the future. Jamie genuinely cares for his clients and has previously been described by one client’s family as “not just our solicitor, but an extension of our family”. In addition to his professional deputyship experience, Jamie can provide advice to Lay Deputies on how to fulfil their legal obligations, can assist them with annual deputy report preparation, or can draft all types of applications to the Court of Protection on their behalf. More broadly, where someone has received compensation from a personal injury award and still has mental capacity to manage their financial affairs, Jamie can also provide advice and solutions in relation to safeguarding the compensation by way of a Personal Injury Trust. If needed, he can act as a professional Trustee or can help Lay Trustees set up and manage a Personal Injury Trust themselves.

Janet Dalton

Janet is the Head of Financial Services in the Manchester office. She specialises in all aspects of asset finance and financial services regulatory work - the latter encompassing the regulatory regimes for all of consumer credit, mortgage lending and introducing, and insurance mediation. Recent work has included: advising an equipment leasing company on the launch of a product for mobile phone handset leasing with a major high street retailer including all of drafting the point of sale documentation, drafting and negotiating the contract between the leasing company and the retailer, and acting on the funding arrangements relating to the project; assisting a new entrant to the motor finance sector to launch, including drafting and advising on the regulated credit agreement and ancillary documentation and drafting funder/car retailer agreements; assisting a funder in the divorce lending sector to launch a consumer credit "Regulated" product and a Regulated Mortgage Contract product, including drafting and advising on both credit agreements and ancillary documentation for both products, and drafting funder/solicitor agreements; advising lenders regarding FCA rule breaches and appropriate actions to take; and assisting a leasing company to re-negotiate its funding position with a major lender.

Janine Sutherland

Janine is a Senior Associate in the Conveyancing New Business Team and has worked at Shoosmiths in this role for 20 years. Under her management the team focus on servicing all the initial needs of new customers preparing them for the legal aspects of the home move process. The team also look after and maintain relationships with Estate Agents, Mortgage Brokers and Mortgage Lenders and their clients.

Jason Jackson

With a focus on commercial real estate development and funding, Jason has a strong track record advising on UK regeneration projects, mixed use office and commercial development, logistics and warehousing. He advises clients on site acquisitions, pre-lets and forward funding arrangements with pension funds and investors, together with joint venture arrangements between developers and property-led corporate transactions. Recent projects where Jason has advised include: advising one of the developer parties involved in the first-phase preparations for a 175 acre regeneration project for a logistics park in the West Midlands advising on the acquisition pre-let and forward funding of the largest (2020) automated parcel delivery in Europe based in the North of England Advising on acquisition development sale on the a 2.2m Amazon facility in the UK Advising on the site assembly and development of a 2m square foot logistics park in the UK the £98 million investment sale of 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham, following a back-to-frame £32 million re-development completed just eight months earlier. Jason leads the Midlands region with teams in Birmingham and Nottingham

Jennifer Clarke

Jennifer is a Legal Director in the Commercial team, who has over 15 years of experience in advising clients in both the public and private sectors on major commercial, infrastructure and technology projects. Jennifer leads the non-contentious public procurement and subsidy control advisory team at Shoosmiths, providing pragmatic, commercial advice to clients (including charities) on mitigating procurement risk and compliance with the subsidy control regime in the UK. Jennifer has specialist experience in advising procuring authorities, developers, funders, suppliers and contractors on projects in the Energy & Infrastructure and Transport sectors. Jennifer also frequently advises procuring authorities and contractors in Real Estate development and Technology projects.

Jess Ready

Jess acts for developers, institutional landlords, corporate investors and occupiers on disposals, acquisitions and lettings, as well as providing property assistance in corporate transactions. Jess’s recent experience includes advising: • an air navigation service provider in relation to its day to day occupational requirements including acquisitions and leases of radar and navigation sites and disposals of non-operational sites, with specialist input in relation to its requirements as a Code Operator; • the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company on its acquisition of the freehold interest in the largest specialist rolling stock storage site in the country; • on the acquisition of warehouse/logistics premises for a multinational electronics client with a deal value of £23m; • on the asset management of a London based investor with a large national property portfolio as well as its acquisition and disposal programmes; • a property investment company on the £220m property refinance, redevelopment and letting of restaurants and retail units at a landmark asset in Central London; and • landowner and developer clients on the grant of wayleave agreements relating to back haul provision as well as rooftop and greenfield sites.

Jessika Thumpston

Corporate

Jill Briggs

Jill is a Partner in real estate with extensive experience of working in the property sector. She specialises in acting for national housebuilders in all aspects of the acquisition process, in relation to both strategic and immediate land. She regularly deals with a variety of transaction types including conditional contracts, strategic options, promotion agreements, regeneration schemes, multi-party collaboration agreements and overages. Jill advises her clients as to deal structures and assists with heads of terms to ensure the deals progress as smoothly as possible from the outset. She has a collaborative and proactive approach and is known for driving deals forwards and effectively managing difficult situations. Jill’s experience includes: · Advising a consortium of national housebuilders in relation to a development of over 1,100 houses in Oxfordshire including partitioning of the site, day to day development advice, deeds of grant, sales required as a result of planning obligations etc; · Acting for a PLC housebuilder in relation to a large-scale inner-city regeneration project alongside a local authority; · Advising on the acquisition of a site of over 1000 units in West Sussex for a PLC housebuilder and subsequently dealing with ancillary agreements, deeds, overage payments etc to facilitate the on-going development; · Dealing with a 4-phase scheme in the midlands for a national housebuilder in collaboration with a local authority; · Working for a national housebuilder in relation to the acquisition of a 3-phase scheme via a conditional contract with deferred payment, collaboration agreement and complicated planning structure; · Acting for a PLC housebuilder on the acquisition of a 500 unit site on the south coast providing much needed new homes, affordable housing, improvements to infrastructure and local facilities.

Jo Tunnicliff

Jo is a senior associate based in our Birmingham Office, she assists and advises on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of employment law. Jo has experience in disciplinary, dismissal, grievance and redundancy processes as well as acting for Respondents in tribunal proceedings. Jo’s recent work includes: responding to unfair dismissal tribunal claims on behalf of an international consultancy business, including defending claims for disability and gender discrimination; advising on and drafting contracts of employment, executive service agreements, consultancy agreements and internal policies for a range of organisations; negotiating settlement disputes for an employer which included additional complications surrounding payments of statutory maternity and redundancy pay disputed by the employee. Advising on a range of immigration matters including sponsorship reporting obligations and right to work checks.

Joanne McGuinness

Joanne has considerable experience in advising on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions and the property aspects of corporate based matters. Her practice encompasses development work in the Rail, Industrial, Retail and Leisure sectors as well the large scale portfolio management, disposals and acquisitions in the retail, leisure and corporate occupier sectors and complex strategic acquisitions. Joanne acts for a number of well know developers, retailers, insurers, manufactures and corporate occupiers. Joanne heads up the Real Estate Team in the Solent office.

Joanne Sear

Joanne is a Principal Associate (Barrister) in regulatory and criminal lawyer, with significant experience of investigations and prosecutions by various regulatory agencies including the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authorities and OFSTED. She previously worked for the Environment Agency, where she advised on enforcement and dealt with all aspects of prosecutions and civil sanctions. She has a particularly specialised knowledge of environmental law. Joanne has recent experience acting for businesses following significant pollution incidents, including assisting clients with internal investigations, and helping them to submit high-value Enforcement Undertakings (which offer an alternative to prosecution). She also advises clients on compliance with environmental regulation. Since joining Shoosmiths in 2017, Joanne has advised clients following fatal and serious accidents involving employees and customers, businesses facing nuisance complaints, retailers facing prosecution for trading standards offences, and companies who are the subject of allegations of breach of planning control. Joanne qualified as a barrister in 2005 and spent the early part of her career in independent practice. She defended and prosecuted criminal cases in the Magistrates, Crown and appeal courts. She is an accomplished advocate who understands how the criminal justice system operates. Her previous experience prosecuting for the Environment Agency and defending in criminal cases has given her a thorough understanding of regulatory enforcement in practice.

Joanne McGuiness

Jody Kite

Jody is a partner in Shoosmiths' national construction and engineering team. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007, Jody has specialised in adjudication, arbitration, litigation and the mediation of construction, engineering, infrastructure, energy and related professional negligence disputes. In addition to specialising in the resolution of disputes, Jody also provides strategic and risk management advice throughout the life cycle of projects and transactions, guides clients through difficult contracts and distressed projects and helps clients with avoiding disputes in the first place. From payment, delay/disruption, defect/design liability, termination and insolvency-related issues, to projects involving the construction of buildings, roads, rail, ports, gas/oil pipelines, energy plants and water treatment facilities, Jody has advised and represented all components of the construction and engineering industries’ supply chains across a broad range of sectors. In addition to advising a wide range of employer, developer, contractor and specialist sub-contractor clients from national and international law firm bases during the first 11 years of his career, Jody also spent nearly 8 years in-house acting as a ‘business protector’ at director and head of legal level for the Dandara Group. As well as playing an integral role in helping Dandara develop the private rented sector and offering on-going risk management and dispute resolution advice and representation, Jody also led and managed Dandara's non-contentious construction function (which serviced close to 60 live projects at any one time) and represented the housebuilder and build-to-rent specialist in some of the UK's largest forward-funded real estate transactions. Since 2017 (and whilst at Dandara), Jody has advised extensively in relation to cladding, fire-safety and other building safety-related matters and have guided clients through their dealings with interested third parties, including the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Jody works closely with boards of directors and project teams alike to ensure that changes are successfully managed, risks are minimised, entitlements are maximised and disputes are resolved effectively and efficiently to help clients deliver on their wider objectives. Jody’s unique experience and understanding of helping develop and protect a national real estate developer and contractor during a key period of its growth enables incisive thinking, strategic planning and a deep commercial understanding that extends beyond providing a pure legal service or just ‘doing the job’.

Joe Stephenson

Joe is a Partner and the Head of Shoosmiths' IT & Technology team (IT & technology | Commercial services | Shoosmiths lawyers). Joe is also the Head of Shoosmiths' Technology Sector group (Technology | Sectors | Shoosmiths Lawyers). Joe has helped establish Shoosmiths’ IT and Technology team as one of the leading practices in the UK; winning TMT Team of the Year at the 2023 Legal Business Awards and ranked Band 1 by Legal 500 and Chambers UK Guide. The team is described as a “[t]hriving team that draws on a wealth of expertise to handle the complete range of IT matters and represents a fine choice for clients." (Chambers UK Guide). Joe is consistently ranked as a leading individual in IT and technology by UK legal directories, being described as having “the perfect balance of deep legal expertise, extensive subject area knowledge and strong negotiation and relationship-building skills” (Chambers UK Guide). Joe has extensive experience of advising on all forms of IT and technology transactions across a range of sectors, but has particular expertise in advising on large-scale transformational outsourcings and projects in the automotive, retail and financial services sector. He is also a leading advisor on transactions involving Web3 and the Metaverse. Joe’s major recent transactions include advising: a major telecommunication provider on its £200million+ procurement of a state-of-the art, greenfield IT system; a global automotive manufacturer on various business critical IT projects, including its £50m+ next generation IT services contract and tech-enabled customer contact centre involving a full transformation program for the introduction of AI and chat bots; advising various global brands on the launch of Web3 and Metaverse projects; one of the world's largest banks on the procurement of critical IT systems and infrastructure for the operation of its new motor lending business; a global mass media company on the first generation outsourcing of its technology operations centre based in India to provide IT support and services across its entire global business; one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products on its global procurement of its customer engagement platform with one of the world’s leading providers, as well as other cutting edge technology projects involving AR and social retail; a FTSE 100 company on its multi-million pound global procurement and roll-out of a new CRM system involving various Tier 1 suppliers; one of the world's largest multinational brewing companies on various IT projects, including the design, development and deployment of a pan-European e-commerce platform and a multi-million pound supply chain and demand management system for its UK business.

Joel Murphie

Joel is a senior associate who supports clients on a range of commercial contracts matters, including in connection with the supply and purchase of goods and services, distribution agreements and various sector specific contractual arrangements. As part of his role in the national Consumer team, Joel also provides in-depth advice on consumer contracts and consumer protection law, including supporting various household names in the retail and hospitality sectors. He also advises on public procurement matters as part of the national Public Procurement team. Recent work highlights include: Advising a global hospitality business on an extended consumer compliance project, including their launch of a new e-commerce offering; Supporting a high street retailer with an updated e-commerce approach and advising on cross-border cancellation rights; Advising a high street retailer on key contracts to facilitate the launch of an online marketplace offering; Working with two of the largest pension trustees in the UK to develop a consolidated approach to contracting following their merger Providing ongoing support to a boutique life sciences research business across their key contractual matters, including development of a suite of bespoke template contracts Advising a national funeral director on a number of contracts with funeral plan providers under which the client will be appointed to provide funeral services to all customers purchasing funeral plans Advising a leading automotive business on a complex transitional services agreement as part of a strategic acquisition Providing detailed commercial advice on key contractual relationships with customers and suppliers as part of the acquisition of a premium catering business for a global food service and facilities brand. Joel spent the first half of 2022 on secondment with a leading telecoms business, supporting their business and wholesale division. During this secondment, Joel provided advice to the business in relation to the full contractual lifecycle from initial negotiation through to termination or renewal, with a particular focus on fibre optic infrastructure deals and large-scale contract amendments affecting the client's whole customer base. Praise from members of the client team included reference to Joel's "ego-free and collaborative approach to negotiations" and for providing practical, commercial advice on key contractual decisions.

Jon Bew

Jon is a Partner and co-heads our Financial Services Sector working with a broad team of solicitors across all divisions of the firm. Jon is an experienced finance lawyer specialising in acting for both borrowers and lenders on asset based lending transactions, both domestic and cross border. The majority of Jon’s clients are the funders, including the main high street banks that are active in asset based lending as well as a great many non-high street bank or independent funders (including Shawbrook, Arbuthnot Latham, Investec, Close Brothers and Hitchai Capital). A typical transaction would include a combination of receivables finance alongside one or more of plant and machinery, inventory, property and/or cashflow facilities. The purpose of such facilities can range from a straightforward re-finance to a family cash out, PE investment, trade sale/purchase or a more distressed situation. Recent examples of transactions include: acting for Shawbrook Bank in the $70,000,000 syndicated facility alongside Wells Fargo, providing funding to Project Piper to assist with working capital and growth plans; advised Close Brothers on the acquisition finance aspects of Trust Tech Inc's acquisition of GAP Personnel and assisted with the £20m funding facility; represented Shawbrook on an asset based lending package to Webster & Horsfall; advising Arbuthnot on a £5m asset based lending facility to Morris Angel & Son; advising ABN on a £16m receivables finance facility with Affinity Workforce; advising Arbuthnot on a £6.5m ABL facility being made available to the Fluorocarbon group. In the directories, Jon is ranked as a tier 1 “Leading Individual – Hall of Fame” finance lawyer in the West Midlands by Legal 500 - one of only three lawyers with that ranking – and is regularly ranked in tier 1. The team was also ranked tier 1 nationally in asset based lending alongside Mayer Brown.

Jonathan Mills

Jonathan specialises in Finance Litigation and primarily acts on behalf of a wide range of asset finance clients on recoveries and litigation work. His work involves progressing return of goods claims, breach of contract claims, breach of guarantee claims, breach of warranty claims and claims in conversion / the wrongful interference with goods. Jonathan has a particular specialism in obtaining 'interim delivery up orders' which are a form of injunction used to recover goods quickly. Additionally, Jonathan assists clients with the enforcement of money judgments in England and abroad.

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan is a Principal Associate acting for a variety of clients from including property investment companies, institutional landlords and developers, and has experience in a wide range of commercial property work including individual and portfolio sales and purchases, the assembly, acquisition and financing of development sites, retail and office units, landlord and tenant transactions and assisting on the property aspect of corporate restructure and re-financing. Recent experience includes: advising private sector companies in relation to purchases and sales of high value multi-let properties; assisting in the re-organisation of a large company dealing with the transfer, leasing and options for leases for multiple sites; experience on the property aspects of corporate restructuring and refinancing, and on the refinancing of a large healthcare client; experience acting for a residential property developer in the acquiring of the plots of land for the development and the entering into of option agreements for the future acquisition of expansion land; assisting with the property elements of the application and examination process for a Development Consent Order including advising on land assembly and the acquisition of the different plots of land required for the development; advising on the asset management work for large shopping centres and retail developments, including the drafting and negotiation of leases and agreement for leases and the day-to-day management; and general asset management work acting for both landlord and tenant including pre-lets, reversionary and supplemental leases and re-organisations.

Jonathan Naylor

With 25 years’ experience advising on employment law, Jonathan is seen as a go-to contact for HR directors on complex matters such as equality and discrimination law; transfers of undertakings; trade union recognition and industrial action; restructuring and contractual changes; and post-termination restrictions. Having practised as a barrister before also qualifying as a solicitor, Jonathan is a skilled tribunal advocate, appearing regularly in employment tribunals and the EAT. On a number of occasions, he has obtained costs awards for various clients against Claimants following the successful defence of tribunal claims (such awards being extremely rare in tribunal proceedings). Jonathan also has detailed experience of handling large-scale strategic projects, such as significant corporate restructures; complex TUPE transactions; wide-ranging employment contract reviews and variations; senior leadership changes; and developing good relationships with workplace unions and representative bodies. A further aspect of Jonathan's role is to develop, tailor and present training for clients, which he does on a regular basis. Recent topics have included TUPE; handling restructuring processes; defending employment tribunals; equality and diversity; and employee use of email, internet and social media.

Jonathan Smart

Jon is the head of Shoosmiths’ mobility sector, overseeing the firm’s growth across automotive, rail, logistics and the future of transport. He also leads the firm's commercial litigation practice advising on complex, high value commercial disputes and is recommended in the 2024 Legal 500 Guide and Chambers and Partners 2024. His practice has a particular emphasis in: IT and outsourcing disputes; contract and supply chain litigation; and corporate and shareholder disputes. Jon has a particularly strong reputation in the automotive and technology sectors and works with a number of leading automotive manufacturers and global IT companies including Volkswagen Group, Mercedes Benz and Honda. Jon is also a member of the Society for Computers and Law. Recent work includes: acting for a global automotive manufacturer in a £35 million breach of contract claim in the High Court; pursuing claims for a US technology company in respect of a multi-million pound dispute arising from a global IT outsourcing agreement; advising a leading FTSE 100 company in respect of a £40 million supply chain dispute involving a leading retail chain; defending a leading IT company from claims exceeding £20milllion arising from an complex software development project; defending one of the world's leading automotive brands from a $19 million multi-jurisdictional contractual claim; and acting in the matter of HHH v GGG in defending a £40 million claim arising from the payment of bribes to a foreign public official, which are the subject of a parallel criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Jon is regularly asked to contribute to leading publications and is the author of the Lexis Nexis chapter on “Termination of Distribution Agreements” and co-author of the first edition of the Artificial Intelligence Country Comparative Guide for Legal 500. Testimonials “Jon Smart is an exceptional partner who fights hard to secure the best outcome for … his clients and has led the team on a number of impressive cases.” - Legal 500 ‘‘Jonathan Smart is a standout partner. He is bright, likeable, efficient and an excellent legal strategist.’’- Legal 500 "Jonathan Smart is exceptionally bright and provides sound advice. He is able to look beyond the legal elements of a case and advise with his clients’ business needs and commercial interests in mind” - Legal 500 “Jonathan Smart is a very hands-on partner. He can parachute into cases at short notice and lead counsel as necessary in the absence of his associates.” - Legal 500 “Jonathan is commercially astute, with the client's interests at his core.” - Chambers UK

Jonathon Crook

Jonathon has specialist expertise in handling a wide range of disputes within the banking, finance and financial services sector and regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings by the FCA and other bodies. He advises on associated issues, including internal investigations, compliance and past business reviews. In addition, Jonathon advises on complex commercial disputes mainly within but also outside the banking and financial services sector and has market leading experience in defending public interest winding up proceedings by the Secretary of State both at first instance and on appeal.

Joseph Mazzucca

Joseph is head of the real estate division at Shoosmiths, responsible for driving forward the strategy and vision of one of the largest real estate practices in the UK. He has significant expertise in real estate law including real estate investment, acquisitions and disposals, development, landlord and tenant work and real estate management. He acts for developers, property companies, institutions, private equity houses, corporates and end users. Joseph regularly advises inward investors to the UK on the identification and acquisition of real estate, both in London and UK-wide, and has particular expertise in complex real estate acquisitions and sales.

Judy Fawcett

Judy is a real estate lawyer with wide experience of acting for investors, developers, landlords, banks and funding institutions. She has extensive experience of investment, development and asset management work and also leads our Real Estate Finance team in the north working closely with the Banking and Finance team. She regularly advises institutional and other business client by getting involved with them from initial appraisal through to completion and offers proactive solution driven advice to them and their wider teams. Sectors that Judy is passionate about include real estate finance, living sector, PRS, PBSA, student accommodation, hotel and leisure, residential development, BTR, sustainable finance, ESG, social housing, further education, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and logistics. Her recent project experience includes advising: Allied London on all property aspects of the portfolio of properties at Spinningfields and St Johns in Manchester and Leeds Dock with notable recent deals including the sale of No.1 Spinningfields, the deal with Aviva at St Johns and the sale of high profile trophy assets at Spinningfields Estate; on a £42 million student development disposal in Leicester; on a 290 bedroom student build to rent scheme in Birmingham; a range of leading UK Banks on development funding and refinancing of various high value sites across the Yorkshire region and nationally; and on a range of acquisitions, disposals and property management deals for a national investor client. Accreditations: Recommended lawyer 2019 Legal 500 Top ranked firm 2017

Julia Ishak

Julia heads the commercial team in Solent. She specialises in commercial contracts and is experienced in a wide variety of commercial arrangements including supply chain and risk management, procurement, framework agreements, outsourcing, agency, distribution, partnering and collaboration. Julia has significant experience advising clients on strategic, complex and business critical projects both nationally and internationally across a wide range of industries. She has particular expertise in facilities management, manufacturing, waste, logistics and retail. Her recent experience includes: drafting and negotiating global framework procurement arrangements worth in excess of £1.2 billion for business critical direct materials for a top-ten FTSE FMCG business; assisting a leading supplier of LPG with the restructuring of its entire cylinder wholesale and retail distribution network including arrangements with each tier of its partner network; drafting a template agency agreement for one of the largest consumer electrical buying groups in Europe partnering across its 600 plus agency network; advising on a potential £375 million total facilities management outsourcing as main contractor at MOD sovereign base areas in British Overseas Territories; advising on structuring and drafting template global framework goods and services procurement agreements for multiple group buyers / suppliers for a top-ten FTSE FMCG business; negotiating national warehousing and logistics arrangements for one of the largest consumer electrical buying groups in Europe; and drafting a suite of template procurement agreements for a household-name international print and digital media business.

Julian Menzies

Julian is a Senior Associate working in the Northampton Plot Sales Team. Working with major developers, he specialises in the set up of new home development sites and the conveyancing of new build plots.

Julie Scott

Julie Scott is a Senior Associate working in the Conveyancing department. She joined Shoosmiths as an Assistant Case Handler in the Conveyancing department. Julie works on a wide range of diverse cases within Conveyancing, including freehold, leasehold, unregistered, shared ownership and new build properties. Julie has a particular interest in helping clients move as quickly as possible causing minimum stress. Work highlights: helping clients move successfully; providing good customer service; and ensuring the work is completed to a good technical standard.

Karen Mortenson

Karen is a Principal Associate and has over 12 years’ experience advising clients on all aspects of employment law. She provides friendly, responsive and commercial advice, helping make her clients’ lives easier whether she is managing senior hires and exits, advising on employee relations or drafting employment contracts and other documents to protect the business. In addition to helping clients operate their “business as usual”, Karen has considerable experience advising buyers, sellers and investors on the people side of corporate transactions. She also regularly designs and implements TUPE and collective redundancy consultation programmes and where necessary will robustly defend or prosecute claims in the High Court or Employment Tribunal. Karen’s recent experience includes advising: a hotel group on the people aspects of the sale of four high-end luxury hotels for circa £1 billion; a leading global relocation and moving service provider on the employment aspects of a complex multi-jurisdictional acquisition; US in-house counsel on the successful closure of a high profile UK business; the majority shareholders in relation to an unfair prejudice claim; and a number of senior executives in relation to their employment and its termination. .

Kashmir Uppal

Kashmir won the accolade of “Partner of the Year” at the Birmingham Law Society Awards 2018, beating off competition from several big name firms, in part in recognition of her work on behalf of patients injured by rogue breast surgeon Mr Ian Paterson. She also won “Clinical Negligence Lawyer of the Year” at the national Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards in November 2018. Again, along with other considerations, her campaign to expose Ian Paterson’s criminal behaviour and deliver justice to those he injured impressed the judges who unanimously agreed to award her this prestigious title. She has been a member of the Law Society’s specialist clinical panel since 2004, having specialised in clinical negligence since 1996. Most of her clients have suffered significant and serious injuries and her extensive experience results in multi million pound settlements. These cases include children and young adults who have suffered brain injury at the time of or shortly after birth. In addition, she has worked on a range of complex cases including amputations, spinal cord, head injuries and fatalities, securing significant compensation. Her particular expertise is in multi-party actions, having been the lead solicitor in the complex litigation arising from the surgical procedures performed by the disgraced breast surgeon, Mr Ian Paterson. She was involved in the criminal and regulatory proceedings that led to his conviction and being struck off the GMC register and pivotal to raising the profile of the issue including campaigning to secure a change in the law to protect patients treated in private hospitals. Kashmir is the lead Solicitor in a number of claims relating to surgery performed by Mr El - Maghraby, a Consultant Neuro surgeon both in the NHS, at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and also a number of private Midlands hospitals.

Kat Hornsby

Kat is a principal associate in the corporate team based in the London office. Kat advises on a wide range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, investments, venture capital, corporate governance and shareholder arrangements. Kat acts regularly for investors, entrepreneurs and management teams in a wide range of sectors.

Kat Raanan

Kat is a Banking and Finance Senior Associate based in the Leeds office, with a range of debt finance experience including leveraged finance, acquisition and real estate finance, venture debt and general corporate lending. She acts for banks and private equity and debt funds as well as borrowers and sponsors on a variety of transactions. Recent transactions include: advising a bank client on their corporate lending to an established European PE house to support the MBO of a Hull-based timber processor and distributor; advising on the finance aspects of a major investment from a private equity investor to leading video game industry company; advising UK Real Estate Fund manager on its £600m partnership with a renowned proptech residential investment platform; advising large investment bank on EUR400m financing of acquisition of pan-European logistics portfolio; and assisting with advice to corporate entities on the effect of Covid-19, particularly in the context of access to the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) supported by the Bank of England.

Kat Ranaan

Kat is a Banking and Finance solicitor based in the Leeds office, with a range of debt finance experience including leveraged finance, acquisition and real estate finance, venture debt and general corporate lending. She acts for banks and private equity and debt funds as well as borrowers and sponsors on a variety of transactions. Recent transactions include: advising a bank client on their corporate lending to an established European PE house to support the MBO of a Hull-based timber processor and distributor; advising on the finance aspects of a major investment from a private equity investor to leading video game industry company; advising UK Real Estate Fund manager on its £600m partnership with a renowned proptech residential investment platform; advising large investment bank on EUR400m financing of acquisition of pan-European logistics portfolio; and assisting with advice to corporate entities on the effect of Covid-19, particularly in the context of access to the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) supported by the Bank of England.

Kate Draper

Senior Associate

Kate Price-Marson

Kate is a Senior Associate who specialises in dealing with serious personal injury claims, including workplace illnesses, industrial disease, asbestos related claims, and catastrophic injuries. In particular, she has expertise in dealing with multiple defendant claims and those where the former employer is no longer trading. She also has experience in working with a diverse range of personal injury cases, including complex accidents at work or in public places, serious road traffic accidents and uninsured driver claims (MIB). Kate will work closely with clients to obtain as much information as possible to successfully resolve their claim, as well as carrying out complex investigations into the corporate history of the defendant employers. In addition, Kate spent a number of years working within the Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) Breast Implant Group Litigation, dealing with a varying range of over 600 clients and settling claims involving the complex injuries and losses sustained as a result of the faulty breast implants. Kate is quoted in the Legal 500 and was previously the President of the North Staffordshire Junior Lawyers Division. Clients have remarked that Kate was a ' breath of fresh air,' and 'given us the knowledge to enable us to make the correct decisions and demonstrated the professionalism that has made our difficult journey easier to manage.’

Kate Garcia

Kate is a Partner in the Tax team, based in the Solent Office. She advises on all aspects of corporate and business taxation, with a particular focus on real estate transactions and property taxes. Kate also enjoys handling contentious tax matters, including disputes with HMRC and tax appeals. She obtained Higher Rights of Audience (All Higher Courts) in 2007 and became the youngest solicitor advocate to appear in the Court of Appeal in the successful case of Revenue and Customs Commissioners v Smallwood [2007] BTC 347. She is also a proponent of alternative dispute resolution and is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. Kate is a Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Stamp Taxes Practitioners Group.

Kate McCall

Kate is a partner in our real estate disputes team. She deals with all types of property litigation work from the provision of pre-emptive advice and risk analysis through to complex proceedings in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Kate acts for institutional landlords, developers, investors and corporate occupiers across the entire property sector. Kate has been practising for over 16 years. She is recognized for her reasoned and proactive approach to dispute resolution. Her core areas of expertise include lease renewals (contested and uncontested), rent and service charge disputes, rent reviews, dilapidations, contested break options and property insolvency, as well as the provision of strategic land assembly and tenant re-engineering advice. Recent projects include: advising an AIM listed retailer on the contentious elements of the £250m acquisition of a competitor's leasehold portfolio; dealing with the restructure of a property portfolio on behalf of a FTSE listed retailer. Advising on all aspects of the transition of 600 properties from the old franchise business model to a new bespoke model; acting for a plc investor/developer on all elements of site assembly and clearance, including the release of rights to light and other easements in the context of a £4.3bn extension and redevelopment project.

Kate Connolly

Kate is a Principal Associate in the Commercial Litigation team. She advises both national and international commercial clients on a wide variety of commercial disputes, including contractual disputes and termination, enforcement of restrictive covenants and complex debt recovery. Kate is well versed in forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediation. One of her more recent highlights was being a part of the team representing an international telecommunications company in arbitration proceedings in Dubai, in relation to a multi-million dollar claim against an equipment supplier. Kate also has experience working on a variety of contentious insolvency matters and has been instructed on various cases involving antecedent transactions, misfeasance and wrongful trading claims, and claims in respect of outstanding directors’ loan accounts. In 2018, she successfully completed the Insolvency Practitioners Association’s CPI exam and obtained The Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency.

Kathryn Jump

Kathryn is a partner and joint-head of Shoosmiths’ Planning and Environment team, driving the team’s growth forward across the UK. An experienced planning lawyer, she acts on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious planning matters, including highways matters and compulsory purchase work, drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 agreements, judicial review, footpath/highway closures, infrastructure agreements and village green issues. Kathryn has advised on projects spanning the length and breadth of the UK, for clients including Peel Holdings, United Utilities, Tesco and the Co-operative Group. Sample experience includes advising: Peel Holdings on a number of large housebuilding sites in the north west and Salford, including advising on the strategy for renewal of unimplemented parts of existing consents, securing new consents and renegotiating Section106 requirements, and project managing planning appeals through the inquiry process; Vastint (IKEA's Pension Fund) in relation to the creation of a residential -led new “urban village” in Stratford, London; Story Homes in relation to over 20 Section 106 agreements; Canterbury City Council in relation to the regeneration of a city centre site for a mixed use development; and the London Borough of Hackney in relation to the compulsory purchase and redevelopment of three large estate renewal schemes. Kathryn is again identified as a Leading Individual for Planning legal work in the 2019 editions of Legal 500 and Chambers UK and her glowing client feedback states that clients appreciate that “she is very organised, energetic and responsive to client needs”, as well as “a pleasure to work with”.

Katie Yorke

Katie is a Legal Director in the corporate team, based in the London office. Katie advises national and international clients on a diverse scope of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions (domestic and cross-border), private equity investments and disposals, fundraisings, corporate governance, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements. Katie has particular expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters and helps manage Shoosmiths’ international relationships in the World Services Group (WSG) and the International Bar Association (IBA). Katie also has experience in acting for AIM and Main Market listed companies, nominated advisers and brokers on reverse takeovers, initial public offerings, secondary fundraisings and regulatory compliance. In 2018, Katie co-authored Thomson Reuters’ annual regulatory overview of UK Equity Capital Markets. Key recent and historic transactions include: advising FPE Capital and management on the sale of TNP to Node4 (backed by Providence Equity Partners); acting for Universally Speaking, a leading localisation and quality assurance provider in the gaming sector, on its strategic investment from Phoenix Equity Partners; advising management on the sale of global prototyping and specialised manufacturing group, Goodfellow, to Battery Ventures, with subsequent reinvestment; acting on the share sale of a UK-headquartered international innovation group, with simultaneous Dutch and US group divestments; acting for a Cayman-based entity and its shareholders on a US$160million disposal of its joint venture interests in Cyprus, Dubai, Turkey and Africa to its German co-shareholder under English law; working with the UK arm of a US-headquartered group on a US$120million acquisition of an international technology and IP group based in Australia, Asia and the UK; advising a Saudi Arabian group of companies on a new joint venture and related arrangements with its German partner under English law; and advising the selling shareholders of Indigo Planning on its sale to Canadian-listed global services firm, WSP.

Kellie Hatton

Kellie is a Real Estate partner with over 18 years' experience in all aspects of Real Estate law. She specialises in large development projects, acting for both private and public sector clients. She has considerable experience acting on the site assembly, funding, construction and disposal of a broad range of assets, including residential, industrial and mixed-use schemes. Kellie has recently led the following projects: a residential development site in London (approximately £180 million GDV); an 840 bed student scheme in Sheffield (approximately £100 million GDV); a 30 acre business park in Kettering, including several forward funding deals, pre-lets and investment sales; a supermarket and care home development in Buckinghamshire; a hotel and PRS scheme in Milton Keynes; a new residential led scheme in Kettering (460 homes and care home); and two large industrial developments in Barnsley.

Kevin McCavish

Kevin is the head of Shoosmiths' London and Thames Valley Employment Team and leads its International Employment Group. Kevin has over 20 years of experience in providing legal support on employment related matters to in-house legal departments and HR teams. Kevin has an additional advantage of having trained, qualified and practised as a barrister. Kevin’s practice focuses on resolving employee relations issues, litigation disputes (often complex or with reputational repercussions), providing transactional support and assisting with senior executive hires/exits. He regularly supports international clients on establishing UK operations, managing employee relations, global restructurings and establishing global advice helplines. Kevin’s clients are diverse including start-ups, banks/hedge funds, manufacturers and construction firms. Kevin likes to thoroughly understand his clients’ businesses to effectively manage their employment issues, consistent with their culture. Recent relevant work handled by Kevin includes advising: • a wealth management company in navigating an allegation of serious sexual misconduct brought by one employee against another. • a foreign owned utilities company on a national redundancy exercise including collective consultation obligations. • an international marketing group on the termination of employment of a senior executive with a contract of employment governed by English and Welsh law whilst on secondment to a subsidiary company in California and who also benefitted from Californian legal protection. • a third sector employer on successfully responding to industrial action (including strike action). • on the termination of a partner from an LLP following underperformance and failure to attend the office on a sufficient basis following the ending of Covid-19 restrictions. • a large UK charity in an unfair dismissal and automatic unfair dismissal claim arising out of alleged breaches and whistleblowing concerns related to Covid-19 and health & Safety regulations. • a financial services company (US subsidiary) facing claims for disability discrimination by an employee’s line manager (head of legal) and responding to internal grievance and whistleblowing allegations. • defending a US owned IT company from allegations of race discrimination and unfair dismissal where the employee was claiming in excess of £2m in compensation. • a large employer in a claim before the Central Arbitration Committee for alleged failure to disclose information for collective bargaining purposes. • a US construction company on the employee implications and process of a pre-pack purchase of an IT company from an administrator. • in respect of allegations of sexual harassment and unequal pay brought by a senior member of staff based in the UK against her line manager who was based in the US in a Japanese owned company. • a private equity company concerning alleged inappropriate interactions between a senior member of staff exercising undue influence over a junior employee. • a bank in respect of allegations of A-Class drug taking on office premises by senior members of the HR team. • a train operator on secondment of staff for training purposes to a third party involving contractual variations, TUPE and trade union related issues. Negotiating the terms and conditions with the third party including general and TUPE related indemnities. • a US owned multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company against claims of sex discrimination by a mid-level manager against senior members of the management team. • conducting an investigation on behalf of a FCA regulated firm (US subsidiary) and reporting to its conduct committee in connection with a whistleblowing allegation made by an overseas employee against a non-executive director of its UK entity. • a BBC production company on its relocation from London to Media City, Salford, including transferring services/production teams between companies. Kevin advised on changing terms and conditions, redundancies and TUPE implications of various proposals. • one of the world's largest communication/publishing and media group company (employing over 60,000 professionals) on the high profile and controversial partial closure of one of its group companies and intra group transfer of client relationships/employees. • a firm regulated by the SRA and a senior member of staff in respect of allegations of, amongst other things, racial harassment. • a firm regulated by the FCA concerning a senior member of staff (with SMF functions) who admitted to use of an A-class drug. • an asset management company on a high profile team hire, the TUPE implications of that hire and restraint of trade issues. • a utilities subsidiary of a Dutch parent company on a sensitive sexual harassment and assault claim lodged against its CEO. • on recognition and collective agreements including negotiating with trade unions and their lawyers. • coordinating an international asset acquisition of an oil exploration company in a number of jurisdictions. • members of a political party in a claim brought by a member of staff for, amongst other things, alleged bullying. Kevin also represented Elaine Day in her claim against HRH the Prince of Wales’s Household (now King Charles III). Kevin regularly provides in-house training on employment law/practices/procedures (including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) to senior management and In-house Legal/HR. Kevin is ranked as a "Recommended Lawyer" and is in the “Hall of fame" in the Legal 500 and "Band 1" in Chambers, a ranking he has held for 17 years. He has also been recognised by Acritas as a leading HR lawyer and is a Recommended Lawyer in Who's Who Legal: Labour, Employment & Benefits 2023.

Khan Kassam

Khan has experience drafting and negotiating building contracts, consultant appointments, development agreements, facility agreements, sub-contracts, bonds, guarantees and collateral warranties. Khan has advised and continues to advise a broad range of clients including banks, UK and overseas funds, developers, housing associations and local authorities in respect of the design and construction of commercial property, residential property and education sector developments.

Kieran Cummins

Kieran is an Associate in the Banking and Finance team, specialising in asset based lending. Kieran advises banks, financial institutions and corporate borrowers in relation to their transactions, both international and domestic, including receivables finance, plant & machinery loans, revolving inventory loans, property loans and cashflow term loans. Kieran also has experience advising banks and financial institutions on real estate finance transactions.

Kiran Desai

Kiran is a Partner and Head of Brussels office with extensive experience advising on competition law, both UK and EU, as well as EU compliance law generally. He has worked on matters covering many sectors and in the past few years has been particularly active in relation to the TDT sectors and technology aspects of other sectors, such as automotive. In recent years he has focused on competition and EU regulatory law issues concerning local markets mergers, technology and data. He has advised clients in relation to the UK/EU interface as a result of Brexit and in relation to broader UK trade law matters, including sanctions advice. Kiran is a member of the firm's India Business Group and regularly advises Indian corporations. Kiran is qualified to practice in England & Wales as well as Brussels, the latter allowing his advice to benefit from legal privilege when advising clients on sensitive EU competition law issues. Kiran is a recognised author and speaker on competition law, in particular the technology sector. He is the standing contributor to the UK competition chapter of Competition & Regulatory Law Review, published by Lexxion. He also writes regularly on topical subjects, typically with a business angle rather than a purely descriptive account of the legal development. Examples of Kiran’s experience include: advice to a client subject to a cartel allegation by the UK's FCA that was using its concurrent competition powers in an esoteric activity in the financial sector. advice to a client subject to the double cartel investigation by the UK and EU competition authorities into the the recycling of cars and vans. multi-jurisdictional merger control advice for an Indian HQ'd client in relation to the acquisition of a Scandinavian based target business, advice and support for client in relation to a voluntary NSI Act application that was subject to an in-depth investigation, production of a report for a leading Chinese technology producer proposing a methodology to examine the government effects of removing its products from the market as regards competition law and cybersecurity law, a second phase merger investigation with divestments in Germany for a leading European cinema exhibitor, a study in relation to tobacco price rules for a global tobacco company, litigation before the European Court of Justice on behalf of the several leading UK companies appealing the European Commission’s CFC State aid decision, a study for the European Commission, where he was the lawyer addressing the competition and regulatory aspects, including liability and insurance of changes to the structure of air transport navigation, in particular the data aspects of such changes, competition compliance and strategic advice for an ad hoc group of suppliers concerning certain downstream issues, sanctions advice to a sports business in relation to its broadcasting agreement with a national broadcaster, advice to a sport association about a possible competition complaint to the European Commission re the conduct of a sport organising body. Examples of Kiran’s articles include: The CMA's report into AI foundation models, European Competition and Regulatory Review, Volume 7 (2024), Issue 4 Competition, Big Tech and Retail Financial Services - A Regulator's Discussion Paper, European Competition and Regulatory Review, Volume 6(2023), Issue 1 Follow-on Damages Actions: An Example of When They Might Not Occur?, European Competition and Regulatory Review, Volume 6 (2022), Issue 4 National Security and Investment Act 2021: Eight Months Review, European Competition and Regulatory Review, Volume 6 (2022), Issue 3 Facebook / GIPHY merger - The end of BigTech's spending spree? European Competition and Regulatory Review, Volume 6 (2022), Issue 1 Changing Competition Law for the Digital Sector, European Competition and Regulatory Review, 1/2021 (Vol. 5) https://core.lexxion.eu/article/CORE/2021/1/0 UK State Aid Rules Post-Brexit, European State Aid Law Quarterly, (2020, No.4). The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s report, Online platforms and digital advertising, in context, European Competition and Regulatory Review, 3/2020 (Vol. 4) https://core.lexxion.eu/article/CORE/2020/3/9 Antitrust M&A: 4 to 3 mergers might be back on the strategic table, EY Law, June 2020 The sharing economy: legal fragmentation might lead to harmonization of the law, EY Law, June 2020 EU State Aid – An overlooked element of transaction strategy, EY Law, May 2020 COVID-19: State Aid as Part of Your Financial Solution – The Questions to Ask, EY Law, May 2020 EU Competition Rules: Covid-19 Crisis Response EY Law, April 2020 Chemicals Industry: Competition Rules and State aid: Key Developments, EY Law, March 2020 A Major Strategy Initiative – EU Data – Competition & Industrial Policy, EY Law, February 2020 Data ownership and monetization are core issues of a recent competition complaint, EY Law, September 2019 Examples of Kiran’s speaking engagements include: 2023 August 8, Competition and employment laws overlap, podcast 2023 April 28, ESG practical points for business, episode 1, Five actions for the coming months, podcast 2022 November 22, UK-India commerce: Competition and bilateral investment, podcast with Khaitan & Co 2022 November 1, NSI Act - nine months review, Shoosmiths webinar with DRD Partners 2020 October 9, Forum Europe, Cyber-Security Salons, Global Outlook 2020 May 2, EY Forensics and Vaish Associates Advocates, Competition in India and Abroad 2019 September 20-21, Prague EU Law Days, Competition Law and the 4th Industrial Revolution 2019 June 17, EY Law, M&A client seminar, Competition Law 2019 May 23, EY global M&A partners meeting, London, EU & Competition Law Hot Topics for M&A lawyers 2018 IBC Advanced EU Competition Law, Brussels, Blockchain: Competition Law Challenges 2018 September 25, EY global webcast, Navigating tomorrow’s automotive industry legal challenges 2018 July, EY global tax conference, New York, Legal Aspects of Brexit 2018 June 7-8, Prague EU Law Days, Competition Law and Innovation 2018 February 14, EY global webcast, Navigating routes to market in an era of change

Kiran Dhesi

Kiran leads Shoosmiths’ private equity offering in the London office, advising PE sponsors, investee companies and management teams. Kiran also acts as lead counsel on a variety of M&A cross-border transactions across a breath of sectors. Recent experience includes advising: • Five Arrows Growth Capital on its investment into Biophorum • the sellers of White Clarke Group (including its sponsors Five Arrows Principal Investments) to IDS, backed by Thoma Bravo • RLDatix (and its sponsors Five Arrows Principal Investments and TA Associates) on its acquisition of Allocate Software from Hg Capital and Vista Partners • the management team of the Nav 365 People, including its sponsor FPE Capital LLP on their investment into a platform supported by Providence Equity • the sellers of Ixaris (including its sponsors, the Foresight Group) on its sale to Nium • Livingbridge on its investment into Quorum Cyber • the management team of Talking Talent on the investment by Bridges Fund Management Kiran was shortlisted for Young Dealmaker of the Year at the Thames Valley Deal Awards 2019.

Kirsten Hewson

Kirsten Hewson is head of the real estate division at Shoosmiths, responsible for driving forward the strategy and vision of one of the largest real estate practices in the UK. As divisional head, Kirsten manages more than 270 legal advisers, including UK-wide teams in core real estate, construction, planning and real estate litigation. The teams are integrated across offices and managed nationally, so that well-leveraged teams (including relevant specialisms) can be selected to meet precisely the needs of project. This client-centred approach, which encourages both collaboration and flexibility, is frequently cited as a benefit by Shoosmiths’ real estate clients who include developers (residential and commercial), investors, occupiers and institutional lenders. A key focus for the real estate division is the continuing development of integrated solutions to clients, including the innovations and efficiencies (including AI) that clients expect in a changing – and potentially challenging – market. Before being appointed divisional head in 2018, Kirsten led Shoosmiths’ planning, environment and CPO team, doubling its size and gaining a top ten ranking in the prestigious Planning Law survey 2018. She is described in the current edition of Chambers UK as “a seasoned planning lawyer who is commercially-minded." A refreshingly ‘outside-in’ thinker who is not afraid to challenge law firm norms, she is valued by clients - and by Shoosmiths’ leadership team - for her strategic insights.

Kirsty Chalkley

Kirsty advises on a broad range of real estate matters with a particular focus on commercial development work including pre-lets and forward funding transactions. She has extensive experience managing property portfolios for major plc clients and household names and deals with all aspects of Landlord and Tenant work. Kirsty acts for a wide variety of clients including developers, investors, landlords and occupational tenants principally in the Later Living sector and in the retail, licensed and leisure sectors. Kirsty's experience includes: • managing acquisitions for Revolution Bars Group PLC on its ambitious bar restaurant roll out programmes, and managing all aspects of its property portfolio; • acting for private commercial development companies on conditional acquisitions, sub-sales, disposals, pre-lets and forward funding arrangements; • advising Mercedes-Benz on all aspects of its property portfolio, including acquisitions and disposals, development of new dealerships and real estate asset management matters; and • dealing with conditional turn-key development agreements for a well-known national hotel chain.

Kirsty Day

Kirsty is a Principal Associate manages a team of conveyancers and conveyancing assistants from the Northampton office whilst also carrying out various commercial and residential development disposal work and being allocated various client relationship responsibilities. As well as working as part of a wider team to draft template documentation, produce sales packs and scope out development site set ups, Kirsty also negotiates sales of affordable housing to Registered Providers, deals with management agreements and reports on infrastructure agreements for the provisions of services to developments. Kirsty also deals with small commercial freehold and leasehold disposals and also coordinates disposals of reversionary interests in leasehold developments (large scale developments or apartment blocks). Kirsty has also been a key adviser on several major student accommodation schemes and, as a solicitor, is jointly responsible for training and knowledge-share for Shoosmiths' plot sales teams across all offices.

Kirsty Hughes

Kirsty is a Senior Associate in the Regulation, Business Crime and Compliance team. She advises companies, directors and individuals on regulatory compliance across a range of areas including health and safety, food safety, weights and measures, underage sales, trading standards, product safety and fire safety. She has experience of large scale inquiries and inquests. Kirsty is also an experienced licensing lawyer and provides expert advice on alcohol, late night refreshment, entertainment and gaming licensing. Taking a break from the law, Kirsty gained practical compliance experience as the Technical Manager for a producer of cooked and smoked poultry where she was responsible for all compliance matters for the company including HACCP, audits, health and safety, food labelling and fire safety. Kirsty then worked as a Compliance Officer in a school, as well as a Clerk to the Governing Body, extending her knowledge base to the education sector. Kirsty has also been a School Governor, sat on the Scrutiny Board for Education at Solihull MBC and clerked a charity which supported local good causes.

Kirsty Black

Kirsty is a partner in our real estates disputes team. She specialises in all aspects of contentious property advice including business lease renewals, rent reviews, restrictive covenant issues, rights of occupation, landlord’s consents, dilapidations and service charge disputes. Kirsty is recognised nationally for advising national retailers on their property portfolios. Her advice has been described by clients as "invaluable". She also advises a number of the firms development clients and has particular expertise in restrictive covenant issues. Her recent experience includes: advising high street names on their response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including advising board members on the strategy to be adopted and updating on the numerous changes of legislation, and dealing with in excess of 200 sets of proceedings for rent arrears including the case of AEW UK Reit Plc v Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited [2021] EWCH 1013 (QCB) which included defences of rent suspension, implied term and frustration; advising a landlord on a multi-million pound dilapidations strategy, including service of a notice to repair, to achieve a settlement which was not curtailed by the section 18 cap as a terminal claim would be; providing strategic advice on a portfolio renewal of circa 280 properties, half of which are proceeding via formal lease renewal claims with the result of them having to be batched and case managed innovatively. The initial case resulted in the tenant successfully securing a 5 year term with a 3 year break and large discounts on quantum and frontage to depth; acting for a strategic land client to advise on a restrictive covenant threatening a large development scheme having previously been successful at Tribunal in obtaining a modification to a covenant limiting use of land to a public house to allow a development; and acting for a large house builder on the interpretation of a sale agreement threatening the purchase of an important strategic site. She frequently presents at industry events and is recognised in both Chambers and Legal 500.

Laura Board

Laura is a partner in the tax department and heads up the firm’s corporate tax practice. Laura has a wealth of experience advising a broad range of clients on corporate tax matters including M&A transactions, reorganisations, demergers and multi-jurisdictional tax planning. In addition, Laura advises on real estate tax, EIS and VCT qualifying fundraisings and has a particular expertise in advising on the taxation of image rights.

Laura Wright

Laura is a Senior Associate and supports the work of the employment team in providing meaningful legal assistance to companies and individuals. She has previous experience in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, which includes the following: preparing for and attending an 18 day hearing concerning a complex whistleblowing and sexual orientation discrimination claim. In particular, Laura co-ordinated the respondent's response to an application for further disclosure made by the claimant three days before the final hearing; completing corporate due diligence, including reviewing employment contracts, policies and litigation and producing a detailed due diligence report which highlighted key risks for the client; producing external briefing notes for clients, covering topics including termination, grievance handling and general HR queries; and drafting and advising in relation to settlement agreements.

Laura Clarke

Laura is an Associate within the Dispute Resolution and Litigation department. Laura works on a wide range of dispute matters including supply of goods and services, data privacy, professional negligence, consumer rights and protections and general contractual disputes. Laura’s recent work includes: advising international manufacturers, national retailers and regional distributors in matters relating to consumer rights and protection successfully obtaining urgent injunctive relief for a leading vehicle recovery firm representing a global education provider throughout a variety of complex and cross-border contractual and contested insolvency proceedings. defending a leading car manufacturer against a £17 million multijurisdictional breach of contract claim. Laura joined Shoosmiths as a trainee in 2019, having studied Geography at the University of Southampton before completing her Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course.

Lauren Bhole

Lauren is a Senior Associate and joined Shoosmiths in May 2021 as an Associate within the Manchester employment team. Lauren previously worked at Pinsent Masons LLP. Lauren advises on a full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters. Lauren works with local and national clients across a variety of sectors. Although Lauren primarily acts for employers, she also has experience of supporting individuals through settlement negotiations and tribunal litigation. Lauren's recent experience includes: defending employment tribunal proceedings, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, TUPE and unlawful deductions from wages; advising organisations on day to day employee relations matters; reviewing and drafting contracts of employment, handbooks and internal employee policies; advising organisations on managing and negotiating exits including settlement agreement proposals and terms; providing support to corporate teams advising on the employment law aspects of acquisitions and investments; and supporting organisations with any employment law training needs.

Lauren Midgley

Lauren is a Principal Associate in the Commercial team at Shoosmiths. Lauren has experience working on a range of technology and commercial contract matters, both in the private sector and in the public sector. Lauren has excellent transaction and organisation skills as well as the technical ability to understand and report on the more complex aspects of commercial agreements, such as payment mechanisms and compensation on termination provisions. Lauren also has a specialism in information and privacy law and has advised a number of clients on compliance with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Lauren regularly reviews commercial contracts from a data protection perspective and advises on privacy policies and compliance, as well as advising on other information law matters such as freedom of information. Recent experience includes: advising a leading global mobile telecommunications company in relation to a major technology transition programme; assisting with reviewing and agreeing a broad range of commercial and technology contracts as part of a wider corporate transition project; advising an investment company on the acquisition of a large portfolio of rooftop solar PV systems located In Northern Ireland, including assisting with project due diligence, drafting the operation and maintenance contract, and dealing with the assignment of various agreements; advising a mortgage software provider on a range of commercial and data protection matters concerning its proprietary mortgage application solutions, including drafting its standard terms of use, negotiating customer contracts, and advising on its website privacy and cookie policy; assisting the team with a project refinancing of an onshore wind farm in Scotland for a large finance house, including undertaking due diligence on the main project documentation and reporting to the client; providing data protection support to a large aviation services company across its UK and Ireland businesses, including advising on approach to contract negotiations and negotiating a complex data sharing and processing agreement in relation to occupational health services; secondment with the in-house legal team at a large supermarket chain, which included a broad range of commercial contracts in relation to apprenticeship training, pharmacy services, and staff benefit plans; advising a leading UK automotive services and breakdown company on a number of commercial and technology contracts, including a software licence agreement for vehicle recovery management software and a framework IT services agreement for a rostering resource system; advising a large UK retailer on a framework agreement relating to systems integration and other IT services; advising a large provider of home care services on a transitional services agreement as part of a business and assets sale; advising a careers and training provider in relation to the hosting and distribution of training content on an online platform operated by an Indian multinational company; advising a licensed energy supplier on a bespoke incubator energy supply agreement, under which new entrants into the energy supply market can set up and develop their businesses under the client’s supply licence; and advising a broadband and internet

Lauren Conroy

Lauren is a principal associate banking and finance solicitor, undertaking a wide range of debt finance work, including real estate finance and acquisition finance, acting for borrowers, banks and financial institutions. Having studied law at the University of Leicester, Lauren joined Shoosmiths in 2012 as a legal assistant in the Wealth Protection team. Lauren completed the LPC with distinction in 2013 at the University of Law, Birmingham. Lauren qualified in September 2016 having completed her training contract with Shoosmiths, during which time she undertook a secondment to the Commercial and Private Banking Legal team at The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Laurence Matthews

Litigation

Lawrence Renny

Lawrence is a senior associate in the Corporate Practice Group based in our London and Thames Valley office. Lawrence focusses on private equity and M&A transactions advising private equity houses, corporate entities and management teams. Recent transactions include advising: LDC and management on the sale of CIPHR to ECI LDC on its investment into Foundation SP Five Arrows Growth Capital on its investment into Biophorum RLDatix (and its sponsors Five Arrows Principal Investments and TA Associates) on its acquisition of Allocate Software from Hg Capital and Vista Partners Mobeus Equity Partners and management on the sale of Blaze Signs to Elaghmore LLP The management team of Talking Talent on the investment by Bridges Fund Management The founders and management team of Churchill Contract Services on the minority investment by ESO Capital FPE Capital LLP and the management team on the sale of Nav 365 People to Node 4 supported by Providence Equity Partners and subsequent reinvestment by management into Node 4

Leah Cariney

Leah is a commercially minded lawyer with great people skills who joined the corporate team at Shoosmiths’ Manchester office in July 2019 from the London office of international law firm Bird & Bird. Leah has over 12 years’ experience of advising on corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions, with a particular focus on high value cross-border transactions, primarily within the technology sector. Recent transaction experience includes acting for: Berkeley De Veer on is investment from Elliot Advisers and acquisition of Avant Homes; Jensten Group in its acquisition of Tasker Insurance Group; Octopus Investments on its acquisition of Hatch Financial Planning; A UK based leader in the Edutainment sector on a complex cross-border acquisition; Matillion in respect of its recent venture debt financing; Harbr Group Limited in its $38m Series A venture capital financing; Leah also has strong experience in drafting highly complex and bespoke joint venture agreements and has been developing her special expertise in respect of real estate development transactions.

Leah Cairney

Lee Sennett

Lee is a Partner in the corporate department's restructuring and insolvency team. Lee’s practice covers a broad range of formal and informal corporate restructuring and insolvency matters. He regularly acts for lenders, creditors, insolvency practitioners, corporates and directors. He advises on all types of restructuring situations, accelerated M&A and formal corporate insolvency procedures (administration, liquidation and receivership). Lee has particular expertise in the retail sector having advised in connection with the administrations of Monsoon Accessorize Limited, Harveys and Bensons for Beds, Cath Kidston, TM Lewin and Bounty. In addition, Lee also has expertise in the peer to peer lending market having been part of the wider team advising the administrators of Lendy Limited (and its associated company Saving Stream Security Holdings Limited) and on the CVA of Wellesley Finance Plc. Lee has also advised in relation to the following: • the administration and disposal of the business and assets of Laundrapp Limited; • the administration and disposal of the business and assets of Honestjohn.co.uk Limited; • the administration and disposal of the business and assets of UK Window Group Limited; • the administration of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited; • the purchase of the business and assets of the Potting Shed Bar and Restaurant Group; • the impact of the insolvency of entities such as Wrightbus, Drayton Manor, Nuconnect on certain clients. Prior to joining Shoosmiths in 2019, Lee was a Partner at Ince & Co where he advised on a number of cross border shipping and energy restructurings including: • advising a Middle-Eastern client on a multi-billion-dollar reorganisation of its shipping, marine services and logistics group; • advising an international oil and gas client on a complex multi-layered agreement comprising a US$400m debt liability, the transfer of over 30 vessels, refinancing of existing facilities, a debt for equity swap and renegotiation of existing trading documents; • advising a group of ship owners on the impact of the CVA of Plexus Cotton Limited.

Leonie Byrne

Real Estate North

Liam Phillips

Liam advises on all aspects of commercial real estate including data centre (acquisition/disposal, development and management), real estate investment acquisitions and disposals, development, hotel and leisure, retail, real estate finance and management of investment portfolios. He has particular expertise in advising on all aspects relating to data centres including acting for operators, developers and occupiers and has acted as interim in-house general counsel for the leading large-scale, carrier neutral data centre provider in Europe and Asia-Pacific. His clients include a number of data centre providers and investors, hotel chains, mixed use developers, property investors, high end retailers and restaurant groups. Liam is named as a Next Generation Partner in Legal 500 and is described as having "a very good understanding of the commercial challenges facing the property market, and his advice is tailored to resolving the commercial issues" as well as being “a valued business partner." He regularly contributes to trade and legal press having articles published in Data Center Dynamics, Data Europe and Data Center Solutions, as well as contributing to industry reports such at the BroadGroup.

Linda Williams

Linda is a legal director and advises on corporate lending, leveraged finance, real estate finance and asset based lending transactions. She has over 20 years' experience advising financial institutions, borrowers, investors and other stakeholders on debt financing structures, key finance documents (including security, guarantee and intercreditor arrangements) and the respective negotiating positions of the parties. Linda has recently advised on the following transactions: advising a major bank on the £30 million financing of a group which invests in joint venture practices with individual practitioners and associated intercreditor arrangements and co-existent bilateral facilities from other lenders; advising a major bank on a £12 million refinancing for a commercial laundry business with the senior facilities secured on the property portfolio; advising a listed plc on its £15 million revolving credit and term loan facilities made available by a bank for acquisition finance purposes; advising on the restructuring of £20 million facilities for a major high street retail chain; acting for equity investment house on a portfolio of acquisitions; and advising an equity house on the £100 million invoice financing facility being made available to fund the investment vehicle for a major joint venture.

Lisa Gibbs

Lisa joined Shoosmiths in May 2017 in order to lead the new conveyancing team at our Manchester office. Lisa deals with a wide range of conveyancing transactions, including equity release, new-build, bridging finance and high net worth transactions. Her experience includes working with national estate agencies, mortgage brokers and lenders (including remortgages and equity release).

Lisa Sigalet

Lisa is a Partner within the Corporate department, based in the Solent office. Lisa advises on a wide range of corporate matters and her experience includes advising on acquisitions, disposals, reorganisations and corporate governance. Recent transactions include: acting for Benefex Limited in relation to the initial investment by Business Growth Fund, the first BGF investment in the UK, as well as various corporate matters including acquisitions, disposals and restructuring, and on the subsequent exit of BGF as investors following a purchase from Bain Capital Private Equity; acting for Meridian Growth Capital Limited on a number of investments, including advising on the initial investment into the start up loveholidays Limited in 2012 and the eventual £190 million sale to Livingbridge Private Equity; acting for the Matchtech plc group on the acquisition of Application Services Limited and the subsequent placing of shares on AIM; and advising Portchester Equity on a number of investments and disposals, including Chevron, Hi Technology Group and St Francis Veterinary Services.

Lisa Tye

Lisa is a partner and joint-head of Shoosmiths’ planning and CPO team, driving the team’s growth forward across the UK. An experienced planning lawyer, she acts on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious planning matters, including highways matters and compulsory purchase work, drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 agreements, judicial review, footpath/highway closures, infrastructure agreements and village green issues. She has acted for a mix of public and private clients, including North West Development Agency, Ainscough Strategic Land, Ask Developments, United Utilities, Tesco and the Co-operative Group. Lisa’s recent project experience includes advising: • Ainscough Strategic Land on a planning appeal and public inquiry for a 2,300 dwelling scheme in Swindon as part of the New Eastern Villages allocation; • Vastint on planning and CPO issues in relation to their major mixed use schemes in London, Leeds and Cardiff; • Story Homes on numerous residential development schemes across the north west; and • Kingston Council on the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate, a major scheme to provide over 2000 new dwellings for the Borough’s residents. She is identified as a Leading Individual for Planning legal work in the 2018 editions of Legal 500 and Chambers UK, the latter stating interviewees laud her as “a really hard-working and clever lawyer who finds her way around complex problems”. Impressed clients add “She is great to work with – she breaks things down into plain English and doesn’t baffle with detail. She is also very personable and pleasant, and very good at what she does.”.

Lisa Faragher

Lisa is a Senior Associate in our corporate department based in the London Office. Lisa advises on a wide range of corporate matters, including share and asset acquisitions and disposals, private equity investments and venture capital investments. Lisa also provides general advisory and transactional services to corporate businesses in relation to shares, corporate restructures as well as bespoke shareholder, partnership and joint venture agreements. Lisa provides commercially focused legal support to a variety of clients including large corporates, high tech companies and owner-managed businesses.

Lisa Williams

Lisa is a real estate lawyer specialising in development, acting principally for land owners. Lisa is a Partner in Shoosmiths’ Real Estate department based in Milton Keynes. She has a broad range of experience in all aspects of commercial property but in recent years she has specialised in the sale and purchase of land for strategic and immediate development. She has extensive experience in acting for land owners on the negotiation of complex overage deeds, collaboration agreements, planning promotion agreements, option agreements and hybrids. Lisa’s specialist knowledge of agricultural law is key to ensuring the land owners can manage and use their land during the promotion and/or planning process but still deliver vacant possession when required. Lisa also specialises in the purchase and sale of and development of land as mobile home parks, holiday parks, the acquisition of inland marinas as well as acting for landowners on the development of land for renewable energy sources. She is also a member of the Shoosmiths Private Wealth team. Lisa’s clients value her for her honest, no nonsense approach. She takes a practical and commercial view and is very quick to respond. She can make the most complicated deal accessible. Examples of work undertaken: acting for London and Continental Railways on the sale of the land to a joint venture company set up by Oxford City Council and Oxford University’s Nuffield College. The land in the Oxpen's area of Oxford is to be developed as part of a new neighbourhood with up to 500 homes plus offices, academic buildings and commercial space in a £200 million revamp of Oxford’s west end; acting for a farming partnership of six individuals on the sale of a 100 acres site in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The Wellingborough North Development is set to have up to 3,000 new homes along with community facilities and commercial space and will be developed over three phases. The transaction involved deferred consideration secured by a first legal charge and complex overage provisions for which Lisa’s penchant for arithmetic was invaluable; in 2013 Lisa led the Shoosmiths team who acted on behalf of Park Holidays UK Limited in the £172 million sale of its entire issued share capital by independent private equity investor Graphite Capital to Caledonia Investments Limited a self-managed fund; and since 2003 Lisa has acted on behalf of the Tingdene group of companies, a leader in the park home sector, on the purchase, sale, development and management of mobile home parks, holiday parks and inland marinas.

Liz Sweeney

Liz is a banking and finance partner with over 20 years’ experience. She is head of the Manchester banking team and the wider banking north (which consists of teams in Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh). She is a well known and respected banking partner in Manchester and is recognised as one of the leading real estate finance lawyers outside of the City. Liz works on a wide range of high profile real estate finance matters (often with complex capital structures) as well as advising on acquisition finance, funds finance, social housing finance, sustainable finance, leveraged finance and general corporate lending matters (both domestic and cross border). She is known for being highly experienced and having a constructive approach to deals. She is experienced in acting both for the lenders and borrowers, bringing a balanced view to transactions. Clients include most of the major UK clearing banks as well as other financial institutions, alternative lenders, institutional investors, public bodies and corporates. Sectors that Liz is passionate about include financial services, funds finance, real estate finance, living sector, PRS, PBSA, student accommodation, hotel and leisure, residential development, BTR, sustainable finance, ESG, social housing finance, further education, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Recent transactions include: acting for a major North West student accommodation developer on senior and mezzanine investment facilities relating to PBSA of over £80,000,000; acting for a leading South African retailer (Truworths plc) on £100,000,000 facilities relating to the operation of the Office shoe retail chain; acting for a major high street bank on £30,000,000 senior and mezzanine facilities, including a complex intercreditor agreement and hedging, relating to the acquisition of a retail park; acting for a leading developer on residential development funding of £75,000,000; advising Select Property Group on a £54,000,000 senior funding from Lloyds Bank plc and Wells Fargo Bank, and a £30,000,000 mezzanine funding from Pramerica Real Estate Capital to finance the acquisition and development of two luxury student accommodation schemes; acting for Crown Street (Manchester) Limited - a Renaker company on aggregate funding of £128,000,000 loan in relation to two high-rise residential developments in Manchester; advising luxury hotel developer and operator Hotel la Tour on £22,000,000 development financing from Coutts & Co of a new landmark hotel in Milton Keynes; advising a care home developer and operator on £12,000,000 development facilities for a new care home; acting for the GMCA and GMHF on various projects including real estate finance loans and grant funding agreements in the further education sector.

Louise Snipe

Louise is a senior associate in the Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team in the Shoosmiths' Birmingham office. Louise advises on all aspects of insolvency and restructuring and her clients include insolvency practitioners, banks, companies and creditors. Louise's experience includes advising on company voluntary arrangements, acting both buyer and seller side in business sales out of administration and advising banks in connection with their security documentation. Louise has advised on a number of retail CVAs including Mucho Mas Ltd T/A Chilango, Elvetham Limited T/A Abokado, Thomas Sabo UK Limited and Polpo Limited. Louise has also assisted with a number of high profile administrations including Oddbins, and ASA Resource Group PLC. In addition to non-contentious work, Louise also advises on contentious matters. Her most recent notable success includes successfully defending an appeal against an order for the repayment of sums held to be preference payments pursuant to Section 239 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Lucy Sanderson

Lucy is a senior associate working with a variety of clients including insolvency practitioners, banks, asset based lenders, private companies and company directors, providing advice in all aspects of restructuring and insolvency. Lucy advises insolvency practitioners in connection with all transactional and contentious matters arising from their appointment. Lucy assists on complex corporate restructurings including the implementation of Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) and has experience acting both for buyers and sellers of distressed business including pre-pack administration sales. Lucy also has experience preparing and advising on various insolvency related court applications. As regards creditor advisory work, Lucy advises lenders in connection with the validity of their security and their enforcement options. Lucy's notable experience includes: acting for office-holders in relation to varied matters arising from their appointment to Digme Fitness Limited, Bounty Joy Limited, Axminster Carpets Limited, Keyair Limited, Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited and Elite Sports Group Limited, including advice in relation to asset sales and transactions, collections, property, employment and regulatory matters and claims against former directors and/or officers; acting for the purchasers of assets from insolvent estates, including for the purchaser of the business and assets of boutique fitness outfit Frame, and in an accelerated sale and purchase transaction of the Oasis and Warehouse group and the onward sale of the retail brands to Boohoo; managing the complex and contentious cross-border administration of, a freight forwarder, Allseas Global Project Logistics Limited on behalf of its administrators. Assisting in connection with the administration of an international mining group, including advising on (i) cross-border asset sales, (ii) a distribution to unsecured creditors and returning the Company to solvency, and (ii) the successful response to an unfair harm application brought by a director of the company seeking to exercise management powers in preparation for the end of the successful administration; advising directors including the board of a group of online gift retailers in relation to the group’s liquidity challenges and their duties in this regard; advising the former directors of a company in relation to the defence of a £4 million transfer at an undervalue claim; and assisting in connection with the implementation of a number of retail CVAs (Monsoon Accessorize Limited, Accessorize Limited, Abokado), acting in connection with the high-profile legal challenge of the CVA of a well-known high street retail chain and acting for a number of creditors in a High Court trial, successfully appealing the rejection of their claims in a CVA,

Luke Stubbs

Luke is a Partner in our Commercial team. He specialises in commercial, contracting, IT, and technology matters (including strategic outsourcing, procurement, and supply deals). He has wide experience acting for clients in the industrial and manufacturing, retail and consumer, and technology sectors. This includes time in-house as part of the legal teams of Sainsbury's, Astra Zeneca, the Co-operative Group and Bupa. Luke also has specialist experience in the Financial Services, FinTech and Payments sectors. This includes advising on contracts and arrangements which are subject to regulatory controls – such as material outsourcings and use of cloud

Luke Coleborn

Luke is a principal associate commercial litigation solicitor with Shoosmiths’ risk and litigation services department, based in Solent, Hampshire. Luke deals with contractual and tortious disputes - mostly in the automotive, construction, insurance or technology sectors - advising clients such as Volkswagen, Honda, IKEA and GAME, amongst others. He also advises companies and former shareholders in disputes regarding the sale and purchase of shares and undertakings, and retailers and other blue-chip companies in commercial disputes relating to contractual interpretation and breach, negligence, misrepresentation etc. Recent work includes: advising international manufacturers and insurers, national retailers and regional distributors in matters relating to consumer rights and protections, including product liability claims and product recall campaigns; advising sellers of a national waste management and disposal company in High Court proceedings brought by the buyers, seeking multi-million pound damages for breach of SPA warranties relating to land and legal and financial liabilities, breach of covenants relating to tax and for indemnities covering costs and expenses; and advising an international motor racing team on breach of a sponsorship agreement in a well-known motor racing tournament.

Lyndsay Crowder-Barton

Director

Lynette Lewis

Lynette is an experienced pensions lawyer who advises both employers and trustees. Having also gained considerable experience as a transactional corporate lawyer, she has a particular expertise in dealing with pensions related issues on transactions and in stressed and distressed situations. Her experience gives her the ability to put pensions issues into the context of the event in question. Lynette is also experienced in drafting scheme documents as well as providing ongoing advice on the day to day running of pension schemes, including having acted as the chair of trustees of a defined benefit pension scheme for a number of years. She is also well known for her expertise in relation to the employer debt legislation, negotiating bulk annuity (buy in/buy out) policies and the rules relating to Pension Protection Fund contingent assets. Lynette is recognised for her pragmatic and practical approach to matters and her ability to distil complex legal issues to clients. A client recently complimented her proactive approach stating that he wished all of his advisers were like her. She has also been described as "very clear and very commercial." Lynette is a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers (APL) and is Secretary to the East Midlands Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).

Mandip Riar

Mandip is a Senior Associate in our corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, including venture capital, infrastructure investments, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, shareholders' agreements, investments and general corporate advisory mandates.

Marcus Devanny

Marcus is a Senior Associate in our Southern Real Estate team. He is a specialist with a wealth of expertise and experience in investment portfolio sales and acquisitions and landlord and tenant lease and asset management. Marcus’ experience includes: Acting for some of the UK’s largest property investment funds including Scottish Widows, Aberdeen Asset Management and AEW; Advising on large scale portfolio acquisitions and disposals and all aspects of corporate support transactions; Advising a high-end retailer in relation to its retail and restaurant occupational portfolio throughout the UK; including advising in relation to a complex Agreement for Lease; Advising U.S. based global engineering company in relation to all aspects of its commercial property portfolio; Acting for an anchor status letting in Birmingham, renewal of existing Leases in Knightsbridge and Bristol and advising in relation to its Head Office relocation; Advising one of the country’s leading corporate travel agencies in relation to its relocation programme and occupational lease portfolio in England and Wales; Advising on all aspects of asset management for investment fund McKay Securities PLC; Advising RBS, Natwest, Coutts and Direct Line in relation to the RBS Group’s property portfolio of in excess of 800 properties in relation to all aspects of freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals and day to day asset management of its property portfolio; Advising a global fashion retailer on all aspects of its occupational property portfolio in England and Wales; Advising one of the world’s largest technical, professional, and construction services companies in all aspects of its occupational leasehold portfolio in England and Wales; and Advising a global technology company in relation to its property portfolio and assisting with the property aspects of its global restricting programme. His most recent highlights include: Complex lease restructuring and relocation programme involving anchor and other key tenants of a leading UK shopping centre; Acting for local authority in relation to its £68m acquisition of multi let office building as part of its commercial real estate acquisition programme; Sale of large disused industrial factory in south wales to the Welsh Government for regeneration as a technical college. Transaction involved drafting negotiating and advising on complex overage and environmental provisions; Acting for US Global Engineering company in relation to its sub letting of a flagship London property to a US Flexible Working company, involving multiple consents, high value capital contribution, escrow arrangements including complex payment and repayment mechanisms and alterations to the whole property; Complex agreement for lease (involving the grant 11 leases and multiple variations to the existing patchwork lease structure), including development obligations to convert a large atrium area into lettable space on behalf of a global fashion retailer in respect of its central London landmark listed building; and Sale of a large, single let, investment property in Hampshire

Marcus-Adam Tuck

Marcus-Adam is a Principal Associate in the corporate division, advising on mergers and acquisitions, group reorganisations, shareholders’ agreements and share capital reductions. Marcus-Adam works with a variety of clients including companies based in the UK and overseas.

Marie Mann

Marie is a senior associate in the Tax team based in Nottingham. Marie advises on all areas provided by Shoosmiths' national Tax team, namely employee share schemes, real estate tax, corporate tax, employment tax and EIS/VCT relief. Marie has recently been involved in: various due diligence tasks, involving the review of a large number of share options to ensure compliance with the relevant share scheme legislation; analysing and assessing the availability of stamp duty group relief for corporate clients; dealing with complex SDLT, LTT and LBTT queries; and advising on the tax elements of termination payments, specifically in regard to PILONs and PENP, and recently advised a PLC of the tax implications of a settlement involving shares provided under a US share scheme. Marie joined Shoosmiths in 2007 and, prior to commencing her training contract in 2018, worked as a Post Completion Clerk dealing with post completion real estate requirements for major retail and investment clients.

Mark Shepherd

Mark is a corporate partner, specialising in advising both public and private companies in corporate transactions, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, listings/de-listings, demergers, capital fund raisings and reductions, joint ventures, compliance and corporate governance. Project experience includes advising: PPF Group NV on numerous cross border M&A transactions including its acquisition of a 50% stake in the Eldorado Group, Russia's largest consumer electronics retailer for $300 million; Croma Security Solutions Group plc on numerous corporate acquisitions and corporate governance and related matters; Hitachi Rail Europe Limited in connection with its participation in a £4.5 billion government contract to build and service a new fleet of high speed intercity trains to be operated on the Great West Main Line and East Coast Main Line; Numerous owner/managers on the sale of their businesses; and A variety of corporate groups on buy and build programmes.

Martin Wright

Martin is a Senior Associate Costs Lawyer within the Costs Team with over 20 years’ experience. He specialises in complex high value claims including claims in clinical negligence, catastrophic personal injury, construction, property and commercial litigation. He has considerable experience in all aspects of costs with an extensive understanding of the wide ranging and complex area of costs law. He is able to prepare Costs Budgets, Bills of Costs, Points of Dispute and Replies as well as to be able to advise upon technical queries and assist in any negotiations. Martin also has considerable advocacy experience and regularly attends both CCMCs and Detailed Assessments in the Royal Courts of Justice and regional Courts across the country.

Matt Douglas

Matt is a Senior Associate advising on a wide range of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, venture capital, shareholders' agreements, corporate advisory and restructuring. Matt has experience acting for large private companies, institutional investors (PE and VC), management teams and owner managers in a variety of sectors including technology, healthcare, education, transport and infrastructure, media, and finance. Matt’s recent deal experience includes advising: · private equity firm LDC on a multi-million-pound investment into Foundation SP limited; · Chevron Traffic Management on multiple M&A deals, including the acquisitions of Camps Highways Limited and Highway Barrier Solutions Limited; · Compass Community, a leading national children’s care and education provider, on various M&A transactions; · the shareholders of FWD Training Limited on the sale of the company to professional services and technology firm, Davies Group; and · the management team of digital forensics business, Forensic Analytics Limited, on its growth capital funding from Mercia Asset Management. External quote

Matt Ward

Matt is a senior associate in the Commercial department, based in Milton Keynes. Matt has experience in advising clients on a variety of commercial matters, including supply agreements for goods and services, IT agreements, confidentiality agreements, advertising and marketing agreements, and consumer terms and conditions. Matt also has a particular interest in data protection, having advised and supported some of the largest companies in the UK on GDPR-compliance.

Matt Green

Matt, Senior Associate, is the Blockchain Litigation Lead at Shoosmiths and is a lawyer specialising in Crypto, Technology, Blockchain and Intellectual Property. His practice is designed to service businesses utilising blockchain technology, recovering crypto assets and advising on copyright, trade marks and data. Having set the precedent in common law jurisdictions worldwide that crypto assets are property in 2019 following payment of a ransom in Bitcoin (see AA v Persons Unknown Re. Bitcoin), Matt has developed proven best practices in tracing and recovering stolen or misappropriated crypto assets across multiple jurisdictions for businesses and individuals. He has built a catalogue of successful High Court decisions, freezing crypto assets via interim injunctions and securing their return. Matt’s background is in intellectual property and technology and he has advised on creation of NFTs considering copyright/ trade mark issues, for record labels to members clubs and beyond. He has also advised on trade mark disputes including against Amazon in the Court of Appeal and for Sky in the High Court, and works with clients in the technology, fast moving consumer goods, fashion, entertainment and music sectors, on commercial, intellectual property and litigation matters. Advising on regulation, Matt has worked with Premier League football clubs, leaders in the world of boxing, and from fintech firm to start ups, on adoption of tokenisation, FSMA and FCA issues and implementation of stable coins. He is featured advisor on THE CAKE, a directory for trusted Blockchain, De-Fi and NFT experts, and is a contributor to several publishers, writing on digital asset recovery, including for Bitcoin Magazine and Blockchain Industry Review. He has also co-written an academic paper entitled “Decentralised Autonomous Organisations: The Future of Corporate Governance or an Illusion”

Matt Nixon

Matt is a Legal Director in the Planning Team, based in London. Matt is an experienced planning lawyer and advises on all aspects of planning, highways and compulsory purchase law. He has experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including complex section 106 agreements, highway agreements and stopping-up, compulsory purchase, environmental impact assessments. Matt has gained significant experience in both making and defending judicial reviews and statutory challenges. Matt's recent experience includes: advising the applicant on all aspects of a proposed development for a significant film studio located in the greenbelt, including application review (EIA development); advising on a comprehensive mixed use redevelopment comprising up to 1,524 residential units at the former Westferry Printworks site on the Isle of Dogs, London. Including a three week public inquiry, subsequent legal challenge and redetermination process, including negotiating a number of complex section 106 unilateral undertakings; advising the developer on the negotiation and agreement of a section 106 agreement of a phased outline scheme for up to 1,152 residential units and commercial space in central London; advising on all aspects of a comprehensive town centre redevelopment to provide up to 1,867 residential units and retail/commercial floorspace; acting for a land promoter in successfully defending the adoption of the Guildford Local Plan and Wycombe Local Plan by way of statutory challenge following a challenge to greenbelt release; lead advisor acting for a developer as part of a consortium challenging the decision of a local authority to proceed with the adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan, including claim for Interim Relief; advising on the planning aspects of numerous portfolio disposals and due diligence exercises, including purpose built student accommodation, industrial sites and development opportunities for a range of sites across the country.

Matthew Brown

Matt is an experienced commercial litigator with a proven track record conducting heavyweight litigation with a particular emphasis in the following core areas: insurance litigation and policy disputes; product liability and property damage disputes; and building disputes and professional negligence claims. Matt has a particularly strong reputation in the insurance, retail and technology sectors and works with a number of leading white goods manufacturers and insurance companies including Hoover Candy Group and MD Insurance Services. Matt regularly handles complex and high value technical cases, often involving multiple parties and the need for expert evidence, in the High Court. He combines an analytical approach with an ability to understand his clients’ key objectives and commercial drivers to develop strategies that achieve the best possible results for his clients. In some cases this requires recourse to court action including, where relevant, urgent injunctive relief. In many cases, however, the focus is on facilitating an early commercial resolution, utilising ADR processes such as negotiation and mediation. Recent work handled by Matt includes: successfully extracting a global healthcare company from a multiparty, multi-million pound High Court product liability claim arising out of fire damage; securing a significant payout from a supplier for a household name client in respect of a multi-million pound claim in respect of defective toy products; successfully defending a multi-million pound High Court professional negligence claim relating to an allegedly defective lift; successfully resisting an application to bring an additional claim in a multimillion pound reported Commercial Court case (Gaia River SA v (1) Behike Ltd (2) Alpha Sky Ltd (2020)); securing a significant payout for a developer in connection with an insurance policy coverage dispute concerning a right to light claim. Matt has spent three months working on secondment with a leading global leisure travel PLC. Matt is a contributing author to the Insurance and Reinsurance section of LexisNexis' online practical guide for legal practitioners, Lexis PSL.

Matthew Lonergan

Matt is a real estate lawyer specialising in property litigation. He has a wide experience of acting for landlords, developers and tenants, in particular corporate occupiers in the retail (including supermarket), financial services, transport, distribution, airline, leisure and hotel sectors. Matt has considerable project management expertise and also manages a number of clients’ property portfolio management requirements, managing all their real estate work including transactional, property litigation, construction and planning work. Matt has dealt recently with a number of high profile and high value disputes for a variety of clients, obtaining successful and well-received outcomes, whether through a negotiated settlement, court proceedings, arbitration or mediation

Matthew MacLachlan

Matthew is a commercial litigator, primarily advising multinationals. He is dual-ranked by Legal 500 as a Key Lawyer for Commercial Litigation (London Dispute Resolution) and for Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity (London Risk Advisory) in 2024. Matthew also leads Shoosmiths' cyber and contentious privacy practice. He acts on major data incidents, often on a global scale. He has published industry-leading guidance in this area, including Privilege in Cyber Investigations (PLC Practice Note (Maintained)) and in the Privacy & Data Protection Journal. Recent experience includes: Acting on an emergency basis for a major property management company in the wake of a ransomware incident resulting in system compromise and major data loss. Advising on regulatory liabilities, litigation risk, liability to counterparties and securing coverage from insurers. Advising two defendant multinationals facing $70 million Commercial Court claims from selling shareholders following the sale of an underlying target. The claims involve complex share issuance mechanisms and loss modelling. Acting for a major motor services company on an emergency basis following a national data incident. Coordinating regulatory response, liaising with counterparties, advising on mass notifications to data subjects, and defending ongoing class action litigation. Advising two major insurers in Commercial Court proceedings concerning a $140 million tower of insurance. Insurers faced $70 million claims concerning class actions and regulatory fines arising from US cyber claims. Essex County Council v UBB Waste (Essex) Limited [2020] EWHC 1581 (TCC): acting for the claimant in its successful £1 billion High Court claim for breach of a PFI contract against the operator of a major waste treatment facility. Advising an ultra-high net worth individual in his defence of £600 million High Court proceedings for breach of warranty and misrepresentation as part of a sale of his business interests.

Matthew Kenwood

Matthew is a real estate lawyer with experience in advising on a wide variety of commercial real estate transactions. He acts for prominent occupiers and investors and is particularly experienced in matters relating to the retail and leisure industries (including retail units in travel locations). Matthew’s commercial approach to complex documentation and transactions is focused on ensuring that his clients’ aims and deadlines are achieved. His recent experience includes advising: The Safestore Group in relation to their property portfolio including acquisitions of development and trading sites; Various national UK retailers on acquisitions of and matters relating to properties within UK and non-UK airports; A major UK and European investor acquiring and managing a portfolio of high value commercial and residential properties across southern England. A major independent Co-op on matters relating to their programme of acquisitions including new build and trading convenience stores and funeral homes;

Matthew Kemp

Matthew is a Partner who specialises in real estate. He advises funds, lenders, landlords, and corporates on a variety of real estate transactions across all sectors, with a particular focus on investment. Matthew's experience includes acquisitions and disposals, funding work, asset management and occupier leasehold matters, large scale projects and as real estate lead on cross-discipline/jurisdiction transactions. Recent transactions include: funding, refinancing and disposal projects; investment acquisitions and disposals across all sectors; asset management for UK and offshore fund managers and investors; advising corporate occupiers and retailers on leasehold matters; and non-core asset transactions eg marinas, football stadiums.

Meera Judge

Meera is a Senior Associate within the Milton Keynes Real Estate Team at Shoosmiths. Meera advises a diverse range of clients, including property investors, landowners, institutional landlords, developers and corporate occupiers. Meera also supports the corporate team on the real estate aspects of business sales and acquisitions. Meera's recent projects include: assisting on the management on the acquisitions for Revolution Bars Group PLC on its ambitious bar restaurant roll out programmes, and managing aspects of its property portfolio; acting for private commercial development companies on conditional acquisitions, sub-sales and disposals; and acting on behalf of the Tingdene group of companies, a leader in the park home sector, on the purchase, sale, development and management of mobile home parks, holiday parks and inland marinas.

Mehar Patel

Mehar Patel is a Partner in Shoosmiths’ Real Estate team, specialising in property finance, development, landlord and tenant work, and portfolio management. He has a wide experience of dealing with large-scale property financing across multiple property portfolios acting for banks, non-bank lenders, mezzanine lenders, funds, and borrowers. Mehar also has a range of experience across a broad spectrum of property types, acting for developers, local authorities, landlords and tenants, and investment acquisitions and disposals of real estate assets for funds. In addition, he is well versed in providing corporate support in company and business acquisitions, equity injections/withdrawals and sales.

Melanie Chell

Mel is the Director of Client Experience and Culture at Equivo and also represents Shoosmiths interests on the board of this subsidiary. Mel provides advice to the finance industry in relation to recovery of assets and monies and is also responsible for Equivo’s "end to end" motor and asset finance recoveries service. Mel is well known within the Finance and Leasing Association and other trade bodies and supports with training course and conferences. Mel is also a fellow of the Leasing Foundation sitting on its diversity and inclusion committee. Mel has more than 20 years experience in the finance industry and is known for being robust and commercial. Mel regularly advises clients in relation to best practice in collections and recoveries as well as assisting clients with technical asset finance disputes and complaints. Mel has particular expertise in dealing with fraud and injunctive relief in relation to motor vehicles and other high-value assets to include cross border and out of jurisdiction recoveries. Melanie also specialises in title disputes, innocent purchaser claims, satisfactory quality disputes, liens and consumer credit issues.

Melissa Gulcimen

Melissa is a Senior Associate in our Commercial team, based primarily in our Manchester office. After qualifying with Shoosmiths in 2017, she worked as in-house Legal Counsel within the retail industry for several years. Melissa has extensive experience advising a leading fast-fashion retailer and advising clients in the retail, beauty and nutrition industry on their promotional terms, marketing and social media strategies, influencer and ambassador collaborations, e-commerce and IT projects, website compliance, ASA investigations, logistical operations and wholesale partnerships. Melissa returned to Shoosmiths in July 2022, bringing a wealth of in-house experience and having a genuine appreciation of the challenges faced by business stakeholders and in-house legal teams. She is driven by the need to offer clients creative and practical solutions, and is experienced in implementing processes and procedures in order to maximise efficiency for in-house legal teams (including the implementation of Legal Tech for contract management and template creation, the development of training manuals and the delivery of technical training workshops).

Melissa Barker

Partner and Head of Plot Sales

Michael Winter

Michael is a Principal Associate in the corporate team and based in the London office. Michael has experience advising on a wide range of corporate matters including venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and corporate restructures. Michael provides commercially focussed legal advice to a variety of clients including investors, management teams, large corporates and owner-managed businesses. Michael's recent experience includes: advising XYZ Reality on its Series Seed and Series A financings; acting for JamJar Investments on its Series A investment in Believe in Science (Urban Legend); acting for a data intelligence company on its equity financing and subsequently advising the management team on its sale; acting for Pi Labs, a leading proptech VC, on various equity investment rounds; advising a medtech company on its various equity financings and subsequently advising the management team on its sale; acting for real estate group, Impact Capital Group, in relation to its corporate restructures, general advisory and transactional services; and acting for an award winning house builder on its corporate acquisitions of various development sites.

Michael Earnshaw Beattie

Michael is a Senior Associate working in the Real Estate team in Leeds. Michael qualified in March 2020 having previously been a paralegal with Shoosmiths and completing his training contract with the firm and has a wide experience in varying aspects of property law with a particular focus on development, strategic land and real estate finance. His recent project experience includes advising on: investment sales of PBSA schemes in Birmingham and Salford; a range of leading UK Banks on development and acquisition funding of various high value sites nationally; a forward funding deal of a BTR development in Manchester; strategic options and onward sales of development land where the end use is a mix of residential and residential care; and a £35 million acquisition of land on the outskirts of Leeds for a residential development scheme

Michael Lam

Michael is a senior associate commercial lawyer advising clients on a wide range of commercial matters including supply and purchase terms, franchise agreements, IT software agreements, agency agreements and manufacturing agreements. He works with a variety of clients, ranging from start-up businesses to multinational companies across a broad range of sectors including automotive, retail, manufacturing and technology. Recent experience includes advising: a telecommunications provider on its IT infrastructure framework agreements; an automotive manufacturer on IT software agreements for its ongoing projects; a supermarket chain on an agreement with a rapid grocery delivery service; an international retail and intellectual property group on its international supply and licensing arrangements; a supermarket chain in relation to a pilot supply of goods and services arrangement; an international retailer in relation to its framework retail concession agreement with a UK airport; a start-up company on its mobile delivery app service and various legal requirements; a national food manufacturer on a licensing and reselling agreement; an international appliance manufacturer on its vehicle leasing agreements; and a property technology company on a suite of agreements for its new digital platforms. Since joining Shoosmiths, Michael has completed a secondment with an international Fortune 500 logistics company assisting the in-house legal team with its daily commercial contracting arrangements, gaining valuable insights into the type of legal assistance required by in-house legal teams and the necessity to provide pragmatic and focused legal advice. Michael studied Law at the University of Manchester before completing his Legal Practice Course with Distinction at the University of Law Birmingham. Before joining Shoosmiths in January 2022, he trained and qualified at a leading Legal 500-ranked firm and was a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer in 2020.

Michael Bennett

Michael is a construction lawyer who has acted for employers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants. He has significant experience of adjudication, arbitration and litigation. His approach is typified by focusing early on the most likely outcomes of any dispute and advising on how to achieve the best result for the client, including via early settlement. His recent experience includes advising: A large international engineering consultancy on an arbitration and appeal in relation to a marine engineering project. A contractor on a valuations dispute relating to a power station in the north of England. A university in the north-west of England during a number of adjudications, relating to a new science teaching laboratory. A contractor in relation to a dispute with an insolvent sub-contractor over the valuation of works. A local authority on 3 adjudications relating to an underbridge on the west coast mainline. A large contractor on a building contract relating to a residential development in the South-West of England.

Michael Briggs

Michael is an experienced, emotionally intelligent and strategic Partner. He provides pragmatic, commercial and results-driven advice to a wide range of local and national clients on the whole spectrum of human resources and employment law. At all times Michael works in absolute partnership with his HR and senior management client teams. He is a 'go-to' trusted adviser and gets the job done. He has significant experience in respect of complex and sensitive senior and/or group exits, redundancies and restructures; difficult absence and performance issues; whistleblowing matters; the gig economy, and also in relation to HR related data protection (including extensive data subject access requests). He also sites with the National Employment Team's IR35, Data Protection and Financial Services sub-groups. Michael also has a particular interest in defending Employment Tribunal claims of all types and managing client relationships for varying size employers. He has received continued instruction from a client within the tyre and vehicle service industry for in excess of 15 years. Work of note includes: • the successful defence in the Employment Tribunal to a complaint of unfair dismissal brought against a client in the service industry (Michael conducts his own advocacy in the Employment Tribunal and has successfully represented a number of clients at Preliminary Hearings and full Tribunal Hearings); • the beneficial conclusion to lengthy settlement negotiations on behalf of a client who was defending claims of automatic unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and breach of contract; • the successful conclusion and defence to claims of race discrimination and breaches of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 following a multi-day hearing; and • dealing with litigation within both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court in response to claims of constructive unfair dismissal and breaches of post termination restrictions.

Michelle Craven-Faulkner

Michelle is a well-respected commercial contracts lawyer with a strong background having worked in-house for many years prior to joining private practice. Michelle has a real ability to understand her Clients’ requirements in order to document them in a way that is clear, concise and user friendly. With a particular expertise in cross border arrangements and often for Clients who are highly innovative both in terms of products (goods and or services) and contracting structure, Michelle works closely with Clients in all sectors to achieve solutions which work for them rather than attempting to mould Clients into. Providing advice on all aspects of the supply and purchase of assets, goods and services with a particular interest in engineering and major projects. Her background in industry brings a strong connection to the rail sector which is a particular specialism as is her work with renewable energy companies. Michelle joined the rail industry in 1999 working in-house for Alstom Transport and in her time there worked on projects across the world including spending time as the contract manager for the Northern and Jubilee lines. With a wealth of contracting experience in the rail industry whilst acting for OEMs and various members of the industry supply chain Michelle continues to focus on both rolling stock and infrastructure. Experience covers all aspects of contract work relating to rolling stock, light rail projects and underground projects within the UK, ranging from manufacturing and renovation, freight, service and parts supply functions. She also provides advice on regulatory matters including management of Depot Licenses, Track Access Agreements, Depot Access Agreements, Depot Leases, Connection Agreements, Depot Access Conditions and Annexes and general liaison with the ORR and DFT. Michelle has been the Vice-Chair of Rail Forum Midlands for a number of years now having joined the Board in 1999. She also sits on the East Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, the HS2 Business Advisory Board and the Steering Group in relation to the Midlands Pilot of the Rail Sector deal. A regular speaker at rail industry events, in particular on regulatory matters and points affecting SMEs in the supply chain, Michelle also supports the rail industry in regular liaison with members of BEIS and DFT, something which has been most welcome since the commencement of the pandemic. In addition to rail, Michelle has also significant experience in a wide range of renewable energy projects having worked on district heating schemes, projects involving coal mine methane extraction, heat source pumps, drain water heat recovery solutions, large scale and rooftop solar, battery storage, wind and hydrogen fuel powered vehicles. Michelle holds a position as the Vice-Chair of Governors at the UTC Derby Pride Park, a school specially designed for 14-19 year olds who have a real interest in science, technology and maths with a focus on encouraging more young people into roles in engineering.

Michelle Clarke

Michelle is a Senior Associate in the Employment team, providing advice on contentious and non-contentious matters to a range of clients including national retailers, logistics companies and individuals. Michelle's recent experience includes: defending employment tribunal proceedings, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims; delivering client-specific and national training sessions; negotiating settlement of disputes on behalf of employers and individuals; and advising on business immigration matters, including right to work and sponsorship queries.

Michelle Morgan

Michelle is a Principal Associate and has over 14 years' experience as an employment lawyer in large practices in the Thames Valley, most notably Freeths. She qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Michelle acts for a wide range of corporate and individual clients, across a number of sectors; she has particular expertise in the education sector, regularly advising independent schools and academies on employment-related matters, as well as the transport and food sectors. Michelle advises on all aspects of employment law, and she has considerable experience of a broad range of employment issues, including: drafting and advising on contracts of employment and directors' service agreements, drafting and negotiating settlement agreements, advising on restrictive covenants, guiding employees and employers through redundancy processes, as well as the usual day to day ‘HR’ type issues that arise for both employers and employees, such as disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, maternity and discrimination. She also advises on bringing and defending employment proceedings in the Employment Tribunal, as well as the steps that can be taken to avoid litigation. Michelle also has considerable experience in corporate support work; assisting the corporate team with the employment elements of transactional matters. Michelle often trains Human Resources professionals and client managers on employment law issues. She delivers seminars both in house and externally. With her training hat on, Michelle writes articles for the local and national press as well as industry publications. Michelle is named in the Legal 500 as a Recommended Lawyer.

Mike Lockton

Mike is a Principal Associate who specialises in Asset-Based Lending based in our London office. Following qualification into Hammonds' (now Squire Patton Boggs) ABL Litigation team in 2009, Mike has been advising clients across the invoice finance and alternative lending sectors ever since, most recently having headed up Francis Wilks and Jones' Banking and Finance offering, before joining Shoosmiths' expanding team in March 2023. The instructions Mike receives vary broadly from standard commercial debt recoveries to guarantor actions to fraud-based claims in both the civil and insolvency courts. Although Mike works mainly on contentious issues, he also advises his client base on various operational aspects of their facilities where they seek to mitigate risk, including but not limited to carrying out supply contract reviews and assisting with the variation of facility and security documentation. In addition, as a lot of his instructions are linked to insolvency events, Mike is well-known amongst a number of the key insolvency practitioner contacts in the ABL industry. Mike's expertise includes: advising financiers on enforcement action against clients or former clients and any associated guarantors, warrantors and / or indemnifiers. undertaking large scale collect-outs of sales ledgers on behalf of either financiers or insolvent businesses. advising on and dealing with complex commercial debt recovery claims pursuant to supply contracts - either B2B or on behalf of invoice financiers. advising on and preparing bespoke facility and security documentation to assist with the management of risk in relation to ongoing facilities, including supply contract reviews and facility variations, including, where necessary advising upon any managed "exit plan" for distressed or defaulting businesses. Specialist areas include: asset based lending, invoice finance, fraud, commercial litigation, trade finance, supply chain finance, insolvency and restructuring and debt recovery.

Natalia Tombs

Natalia is a Legal Director in our corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, including national and international mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, joint ventures, shareholders' agreements, investments and general corporate advisory mandates. Natalia spent six years practicing in the Middle East. She has experience in corporate transactions in that region, as well as advising clients on foreign direct investment in the United Arab Emirates. Recent experience includes advising: - Havenvest Private Equity, RIMCO Investments and management sellers on their sale of Help AG, a cybersecurity company operating in the Middle East, to Etisalat*; - Australian online travel business Webjet Limited on its USD 173 million purchase of UAE based Destinations of the World*; - GFH Financial Group BSC, a Bahrain-based investment group, on its acquisition of 85% of The Entertainer group, a leading mobile e-commerce platform*; - Kerzner International, a leading international developer and operator of ultra-luxury resorts and residences on its joint venture with private equity firm, Dolphin Capital Investors, for the development and management of a luxury tourism project in Greece*; peat;">- a Middle East government entity on amendments to its country's Companies Law with a view to improving governance and its World Bank doing business ranking*; - on the acquisition of a healthcare company in Dubai and Abu Dhabi*; and - a leading global corporation on a pre-sale internal review and re-organisation of a large division of the company in the Middle East*. *Denotes experience at a previous firm.

Natalie Barnes

Natalie is an experienced finance lawyer specialising in acting for both borrowers and lenders on asset based lending transactions, both domestic and cross border. Natalie typically acts for financial institutions and corporates on asset finance transactions including receivables finance, plant & machinery loans, inventory loans, property loans and cashflow facilities. Recent examples of work include: acting for HSBC Bank Plc and HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited in connection with a full asset based lending facility and term loan to support the management buyout of Parweld (manufacturer and wholesaler of welding equipment) and provide ongoing working capital; acting for IGF Business Credit Limited in connection with a £3.9m invoice discounting and plant & machinery package to support Thames Card Limited (developer, manufacturer and distributor of payment, gift, loyalty and commercial cards); acting for Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited in connection with a £10.7m all asset finance package to support Anglian Windows (one of the UK’s leading end-to-end retailers, manufacturers and installers of home improvement products); acting for Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited in connection with a flexible £8m receivables finance facility to support the refinancing of MAN Commercial Protection Limited (a national high-end security services provider). Natalie joined Shoosmiths as a partner in 2019 following six years at Irwin Mitchell and prior to that six years at Squire Patton Boggs.

Natalie Aldread

Principal Associate Natalie is a property litigation lawyer who deals with a wide range of contentious property issues including; lease renewals acting for both landlord and tenant, break notices, dilapidations disputes, arrears of rent and forfeiture proceedings; actions against trespassers, service charge disputes, rent reviews and enforcement of lease covenants. Natalie acts for a range of clients with a particular focus on the retail sector. Her recent experience includes: successfully defeating a landlord’s opposition to the granting of a new lease on redevelopment grounds resulting in the grant of a new lease for a large national retailer; managing a substantial case load of unopposed lease renewals for a number of national retailers; and recovering possession of land from trespassers on multiple sites for an investment client.

Natalie Maye

Natalie is a specialist non-contentious construction lawyer with over 13 years’ experience working in the construction industry advising a range of clients including contractors, employers and developers across a wide variety of sectors including infrastructure, energy, commercial development and PFI/PPP. Recent project experience includes: advising one of the UK’s largest contractors on its bids for the £6.6 billion High Speed 2 Civils Package tenders. Natalie was the lead lawyer for this bid which involved her negotiating and agreeing complex terms of a joint venture agreement with JV partners and advising the board on the terms of the construction contract with HS2, leading to the successful award of two civils works packages worth approximately £1 billion each; advising the contractor on the £5 billion bid to run the next Wales and Borders Rail Franchise and to build the next phase of the Metro where she negotiated terms of a JV agreement with proposed JV partners and advised on the terms of a complex franchise agreement with Transport for Wales; advising the Employer in its Ofgem-regulated sale of offshore transmission construction assets on one of the UK’s largest offshore wind farms to a third party purchaser as part of Ofgem’s OFTO regime; advising an international renewable energy client on its procurement contracts with key contractors for its offshore wind farm projects; advising leading UK developer clients on the building contract, collateral warranties and consultant appointments for various projects including the expansion of a holiday accommodation business at various UK sites and for a new hotel to form part of its UK hotel chain; advising the Authority on the construction contract and ancillary documents relating to the design, build, operation and management of a £125 million Energy from Waste Facility; and advising employers, developers, contractors and consultants on standard form and non-standard form construction contracts (including JCT, NEC, ICE, GC Works, Alliance contracts, PPC2000 and TPC2000), consultants' appointments, collateral warranties, letters of intent and agreements for lease.

Natalie Lai

Associate (Hong Kong Qualified)

Natalie Redfern

Natalie is a Principal Associate in our Corporate group based in Leeds. Natalie has significant experience on a wide range of corporate transactions including, private equity and venture capital transactions, private company mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, joint ventures and general corporate advisory. Natalie specialises in private equity transactions (acting for both institutions and management teams) across a variety of sectors. Recent experience includes: advising real estate fund, Moorfield Group, on its £125 million joint venture and investment with Allegra Care; advising LDC on its £221 million sale and subsequent co-investment with Francisco Partners in ByBox; acting for August Equity on its divestment of the Aspirations Group to Elysian Capital, by way of secondary buy-out; advising Moorfield Group on its £100 million joint venture with Stor-Age Property REIT, a real estate investment trust that operates self-storage sites in South Africa and the UK; advising Yorkshire Wildlife Group on its £38 million debt and equity raise from Lloyds Bank plc and BGF; and advising WM Morrison Supermarkets plc on the acquisition of three superstores from Co-operative Gro

Natasha Read

Natasha is a Principal Associate Solicitor in the Medical Negligence department at Shoosmiths. She qualified as a solicitor in 2009 after already working in clinical negligence for one year during her training contract. Natasha has been ranked in the Legal 500 as rising star and described in the same directory as 'exceptionally well prepared, very bright and focussed. Natasha never misses a point and always gets the very best for clients. Natasha has a very caring way with clients and gives them sensible practical advice.' Similarly, Natasha is ranked in Chambers and Partners, and described as 'phenomenally bright, extremely hard working and very determined', and as 'an exceptionally able solicitor who never gives the opposition an inch. Tireless, tenacious and fierce.' Natasha has a varied caseload of serious injury claims against NHS trusts, private hospitals/practitioners and General Practitioners. She has particular experience in cases relating to spinal injury, often caused by cauda equina syndrome, abscess/discitis, myelopathy and haematoma. Natasha also specialises in brain injury, and in particular stroke, Wernicke's encephalopathy, and birth/hypoxic injury. She also has experience in a wide range of cases such as surgical error, gynaecological injury, sepsis/infection, and ophthalmic injuries. She represents adults and children and acts on behalf of claimants only. She also has experience of assisting clients during the inquest process and representing families in the Coroners' Courts throughout the country. Natasha has a reputation for achieving positive outcomes where cases are particularly difficult, novel or have complex loss of earnings arguments. Work highlights include: • acting on behalf of an aspiring barrister who was required to change her career plans due to the severe and permanent long term effects of a delay in diagnosis of appendicitis; • acting on behalf of a successful international racehorse vet who was unable to return to her previous employment or follow her intended career path due to alleged negligent anterior cruciate ligament (knee) surgery; • acting on behalf of a widow during a four day long inquest at Birmingham Coroners court. This was a very tragic case where a vulnerable man was allowed to escape from a psychiatric ward and died from his injuries after falling from the hospital roof. A jury found that the hospital's neglect had contributed to his death. Following this, Natasha brought a civil claim on behalf of the widow who received a substantial sum in compensation; • assisting in bringing a claim in clinical negligence on behalf of a 28 year old former professional photographer and mother of three. The Claimant suffered a cauda equina (spinal) injury resulting in significant disability and inability to return to her professional photography work. The Claimant was awarded a seven figure sum in compensation at trial. • Natasha assisted in bringing a claim in clinical negligence on behalf of a 35 year old lower limb amputee which ultimately settled for a seven figure sum.

Natasha Sladen

Natasha is a senior associate in the real estate team in Nottingham. She has experience across multiple areas of non-contentious property work including freehold and leasehold acquistions and disposals asset management work and refinancing. Natasha works on transactions across a range of sectors including retail and hospitality, investment and petroleum. Her work includes: - acting on a multi million portfolio swap project for a large petroleum client; - working with a household national health and beauty retailer in respect of its retail portfolio; - assisting in the acquisition of a multi let retail and leisure park; and - acting for a lender in relation to the funding of the development of student accommodation across multiple sites. Natasha joined the firm in 2021 after having previously worked at Freeths LLP and Geldards LLP.

Nathan Rees

Nathan has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate work, with a focus in recent years on large scale investment, development, and leasing transactions. He has acted for a number of listed property companies and investment funds, as well as public sector bodies and other public and private companies on a wide range of major real estate projects. His experience includes the acquisition and disposal of retail and office schemes, development agreements (including overage agreements), and site assembly. Nathan has acted for some of the largest landlords in the UK on matters including pre-lets and conditional agreements for lease, with a particular focus on retail properties. He also acts for major corporate occupiers and other companies with significant property holdings, in relation to all landlord and tenant matters, from HQ developments and relocations, to day to day asset management of property portfolios. His recent experience includes advising: a global private equity house on all aspects of a UK-wide property portfolio in excess of £700 million; an international motor manufacturing group in connection with the redevelopment and new leases of its UK headquarters; a major international manufacturing company in relation to the sale, demolition, redevelopment and lease back of its headquarters including the form of forward funding agreement entered into by its development partner; two global investment funds in respect of the acquisition, disposal, and ongoing management of a major shopping centre in the south east of England; an international retailer on the conditional purchase of a development site, including overage agreements and the acquisition of options to acquire further land; and a global technology company in relation to all aspects of its UK property portfolio.

Navi Atwal

Navi is a Senior Associate based in our Milton Keynes office and provides strategic and commercial advice on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. Navi advises a wide range of national clients, including a number of commercial household brands, in a range of sectors including, logistics, retail, higher education and energy. Whilst Navi primarily advises employers, she has supported individual employees in successfully negotiating settlements and advising on post-termination restrictions. Navi manages a number of complex employment tribunal claims for employers, which includes defending allegations of unfair and constructive unfair dismissal, holiday pay and discrimination claims. Navi has a particular interest in employee data protection matters and is a member of employment data protection team. Navi prides herself in knowing her clients’ businesses and building strong relationships with HR teams. This provides her with valuable insight into the business, enabling an understanding of a client’s preferred outcomes and for Navi to provide pragmatic, tailored advice. Navi’s recent experience includes: successfully negotiating a complex, multi-claim disability discrimination claim which had been running for over three years for a logistics client, avoiding a 12 day Final Hearing. This involved working as an extension to the Legal and HR Team in providing strategic advice in relation to a claimant who had raised over 15 grievances, and five separate claim forms; advising a global finance software technology platform in the management of a TUPE-related, business merger and subsequent redundancy process; robustly defending disability discrimination claims for a higher education institution, with a valuation by the claimant close to £1 million; providing strategic day-to-day advice on a number of employee relation issues, including, long-term absence issues, disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies; working to protect clients' business interests in connection with the exits of senior employees and team moves, including successfully negotiating exits for key employees; regularly carrying out advocacy in the Employment Tribunal, successfully representing clients at case management and substantive preliminary hearings in relation to jurisdictional issues; supporting and working closely with corporate colleagues in relation to the employment aspects of national and global sales, acquisitions and investments, including advising on contracts/service agreements, restrictive covenants and settlement agreements; drafting employment agreements and policies and ensuring compliance with all aspects of employment legislation; and advising businesses on a range of employee data protection issues, including managing complex data subject access requests. Navi regularly writes and delivers training to clients on a range of employment law issues and is a regular speaker at Shoosmiths’ national employment seminars, and contributor to articles published by the firm. Navi has been elected as the Milton Keynes Employee Representative and regularly advises and supervises on a pro bono basis through the Milton Keynes’s Citizens Advice Bureau and the Midlands Employment Law Clinic. Navi is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Neil Bradley

Neil is a Principal Associate in the Manchester Real Estate Team. Neil joined Shoosmiths in 2008 in our Birmingham office following a number of years working with another major national firm in their landlord and tenant and property finance teams working for both leisure and retail clients. Neil has experience in all aspects of commercial property transactions, including landlord and tenant work, development (with funding) and convenience store developments. Real Estate finance with major high street lenders as well as private lenders also forms part of his practice. Neil has worked alongside our Restructuring and Insolvency Team, working on deals ranging from major property administrations to lower value disposals for nationwide receivers. Neil also works with a number of clients in the residential and student tower developments for both private occupation and private rented sector through schemes across the north of England.

Nichola Jenkins

Nichola has spent significant time working in industry, including with OEM and Tier 1 automotive suppliers; and with a leading global supplier of innovative software solutions. She is able to apply her technical knowledge, combined with over 15 years legal experience, to provide expert advice to her clients in the exploitation of their ideas, inventions, designs and technology. Nichola is passionate about new technology and innovation. She works closely with companies across the whole innovation ecosystem, including FTSE 100 and global technology companies, SMEs with market leading technology and research intensive universities. She advises clients in relation to: research and development agreements; funding arrangements; through licensing, joint ventures, revenue sharing agreements or spin outs; and supply and manufacturing agreements. Nichola also advises clients in relation to branding and marketing, including the protection and licensing of trade marks, trade dress, get up and social media.Recent examples of Nichola’s work include: working closely with the Commercialisation and IP department of the a Russell Group University, acting as an extension of their legal team in the drafting and negotiation of a number of IP commercialisation agreements; advising DataLase Ltd in relation to a variety of development, licensing, and supply agreements concerning innovative printing technology; advising a producer of specialist cycling equipment in respect of a number of development and collaboration agreements, including projects funded through Innovate UK.

Nicholas Tubb

I am a partner in the medical negligence team based in our Birmingham office. I specialise in serious injury cases on behalf of patients and focus particularly on problems caused by spinal and brain injuries. I have acted only on behalf of claimants in medical negligence claims for over 20 years and have completed many successful claims involving serious and, often, life-changing injuries. The patient charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) choose a panel of medical negligence specialist solicitors which I have been on for the past 15 years. I am recognised by the UK legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers. I enjoy working closely with people to understand their lives and plans for the future. This is essential before then working out, with advice from experts in medical and other fields, what compensation they need to give the best chance to recover as much as possible and to get the most out of their lives in the future. I assisted my former client, Heather, with her claim following misdiagnosed cauda equina syndrome which she refers to in her video interview with the charity AvMA. I negotiated a settlement of £2.5 million in 2018 for a client who suffered an above knee amputation. In 2019 achieved an unusually good outcome in the contested costs hearing, this enabled the client to retain 100% of her damages.

Nicholas Dalgleish

Nick is a Principal Associate in the Thames Valley Real Estate Team, and has experience in all aspects of real estate work. His experience includes the acquisition and disposal of retail and office schemes, and acting for corporate occupiers and institutional landlords with significant property holdings (including property investment trusts, major PLC clients and private companies). Nick acts on all landlord and tenant matters, ranging from retail, office and industrial space lettings to relocations and day to day asset management of property portfolios. Nick was seconded to a key client in 2015 and acted in the role of property director managing the client’s property portfolio, managing all aspects of property strategy, asset management, sales and liaison with external advisers. Nick also has experience in the Telecommunications letting market (both on the landlord and tenant side) and has worked for a number of institutional landlords whose business focus is on providing sites to Telecomms operators. Nick also advises institutional landlords on a varied spectrum of telecoms related matters particularly in light of the changing market landscape following the new Code coming in at the end of 2017. His recent experience includes advising: a large investment trust on the sale of a retail shopping centre for £285 million; on the relocation of a toy maker’s main UK distribution hub with a deal value of £20 million; on the relocation a key southern distribution depot for a plant hire company on a complex site being CPO’d for use by HS2; a property trust on multiple new lettings and re-gears and subsequent sale of one of its key modern and recently refurbished office letting premises in Maidstone with a deal value in excess of £8 million; a large investment trust on multiple significant strategic lettings, tenant relocations, complex development agreements and documenting various tenant incentives / capital contributions and considerations of Construction Industry Scheme and tax consequences at a retail shopping centre with a deal value in excess of £12 million; a significant developer on a retail tenant offering for a mixed use development project in Harlseden; and a construction client on the real estate aspects for a complicated site being sold in Gloucestershire as part of a business and asset sale.

Nicholas Shepherd

Nick is a Partner and Head of Shoosmiths’ Property Litigation practice. Having joined Shoosmiths as its only property litigator in 1999, Nick has been at the forefront of the development of the team into the heavyweight national practice that it is today. With 22 Legal Advisors specialising in all areas of property litigation, and with an unrivalled reputation, his team is the team of choice for numerous real estate clients including household names in the retail and leisure sectors, property developers, and investors. In addition to our wide ranging commercial real estate practice, we also have specialists who advise our clients on leasehold enfranchisement and housing management issues. Nick is an incisive property litigator with a proven track record of achieving and exceeding his clients’ aims. In addition to an excellent win rate in Court, Nick is equally effective in generating results in an advisory capacity, pre-empting, avoiding and resolving conflict wherever possible. Nick is ranked by Chambers as a leader in the property litigation field, with recent editions of the directory saying that “he understands his clients’ needs, as well as understanding the technical and practical realities of the law” and that “you might not always get the advice that you want, but you certainly will get the advice that you need”. Feedback from clients includes that “I am confident in Nick’s immediate grasp of any situation”. Nick’s recent experience includes: Advising a landlord client through to trial on a hotly contested claim for possession of light industrial premises, the claim having been met with a counterclaim alleging wrongful forfeiture and seeking substantial damages. Acting for a retail client on a significant seven figure terminal dilapidations damages claim, advising on a number of fronts including in relation to the landlord’s loss of rent claim; supersession; and the tenant’s Section 18 defence. Advising a developer client on a strategy for the clearance of a site for residential redevelopment, the site being occupied by multiple commercial tenants with a mixture of leases within and outside of the protection of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954. Acting as a legal assessor for a rent review arbitrator, providing advice on the determination of a preliminary legal issue in relation to the interpretation of rent review assumptions and the arbitrator’s ability to take into account anticipated plant repair costs during the remainder of the terms of the lease. Advising a landlowner in relation to the enforceability of a restrictive covenant seeking to prevent residential development on the land, including on the merits of an application to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) for the modification or discharge of the covenant; recommending a strategy leading to the release of the covenant by agreement thereby unlocking the land's substantion value.

Nick Vernon

Nick is a Partner in the employment team, based in the Birmingham office. His approach is to provide commercial, solution-focused advice and during his career has worked with a wide range of different clients, including many household names. Nick is experienced in advising clients on all aspects of employment law, including the termination of employment, disciplinary and grievance issues, discrimination, settlement agreements and redundancies and restructures. In addition, Nick has experience of conducting Employment Tribunal claims throughout the full lifecycle of Tribunal proceedings, starting with managing any pre-claim aspects and dealing with the initial claim/response all the way through to representation at the final hearing. Nick also has extensive experience in advising on the employment aspects of corporate acquisitions and on TUPE issues in outsourcing and insourcing situations.

Nick Holland

Nick is an international technology and data privacy lawyer, specialising in global outsourcing transactions and assisting multinationals in global privacy compliance. Formerly an in house counsel, Nick is one of very few lawyers in the world specialising in undertaking Binding Corporate Rules and CBPR procedures and assists companies on complying not only with GDPR but also other privacy laws around the world, as well as dealing with DSAR's and data breaches globally. Nick is also a DPO for some of his clients.

Nick Little

Nick is a principal associate and has considerable experience in all aspects of corporate transactions, but particularly mergers and acquisitions, company restructuring, joint ventures and private equity led transactions. Recent highlights include acting for a property investment company on its £50m acquisition of a limited company which comprised of a mix of properties, including nine health & leisure clubs.

Nick McCarthy

Nick is a partner in the corporate team at Shoosmiths London specialising in advising public and private companies on capital investments, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. He is ranked by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading individual. Nick regularly guides companies on public M&A, acts for private equity houses and nominated advisers and brokers in the ECM market he is noted for adept handling of AIM transactions.

Nina Smith

Nina is joint head of office for Thames Valley and a partner in Shoosmiths’ corporate department, advising a wide variety of clients, including professional equity investors (both PE and VCs), PLCs, large private companies, management teams and owner managers on a range of corporate transactions including acquisitions and disposals of companies and businesses, management buy-outs and buy-ins and company reorganisations. Nina is also a member of the Shoosmiths Private Wealth team. Nina’s recent experience includes: advising LDC on the sale of ByBox to US PE house Francisco Partners for £221 million; advising the shareholders of Ikon Science Limited on the sale to US PE house Great Hill Partners; advising the shareholders of Phabrix Limited on the sale to Leader Europe Limited; advising nGage Specialist Recruitment on the acquisition of Henlow Recruitment Limited; advising large US clients on various largescale internal UK reorganisations; advising the shareholders of Chevron Traffic Management Limited on the exit by Portchester Equity Limited and incoming investment by Triton Partners; advising GAME Digital Holdings Limited (subsidiary of GAME Digital plc) on the £20 million acquisition of Multiplay Limited; and advising numerous private equity backed businesses on their buy and build acquisitions.

Noelle Petty

Noelle is a Principal Associate in the corporate department’s Restructuring and Advisory team in the Manchester office. Noelle specialises in both contentious and non-contentious aspects of restructuring and insolvency matters, including advising on administrations, receiverships, liquidations and CVA's. Noelle acts on behalf of insolvency practitioners, banks and other financial institutions. Noelle's contentious experience includes advising on ROT issues, supply chain risks, formal insolvency appointments, directors' duties, debt collection and challenging antecedent transactions. Noelle's non-contentious/transactional experience includes advising on business and asset sales (acting for buyer and seller) and property disposals, advising insolvency practitioners on day to day issues that arise in respect of trading an insolvent company and undertaking reviews of lender's security. Noelle has worked on a number of high profile retail insolvencies including: BHS, Toys R Us, Bargain Booze and Wine Rack and Direct Golf.

Oliver Pilkington

Oliver is a partner in the corporate team in the London office. He specialises in equity capital markets transactions, advising public companies and other market participants on a variety of matters including IPOs and secondary fundraisings. Oliver also has broad experience advising on private company fundraisings, domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other corporate transactions

Pam Westwood

Pam is a medical negligence senior associate with over 18 years' experience in advising people who have suffered injury due to medical errors. Pam has experience in dealing with a wide range of cases, including orthopaedic injuries, gynaecological procedures resulting in fertility and urological issues, stillbirths, delays in diagnosis and claims involving babies and children. Pam has a passion for improving patient care and in the management of their needs after life changing injuries. She has a sibling with cerebral palsy and has first hand experience of the impact on the individual and their families, as well as a real understanding of what their needs are. Pam joined Shoosmiths in 2013 from Challinors Solicitors, having previously spent over 8 years as a solicitor in the Clinical Negligence team at Davies and Partners. Outside of work, Pam enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, walking and weight training. Much to people's surprise, she also has a motorbike licence.

Patrick Garner

Patrick is a construction lawyer who has advised development clients on a broad range of non-contentious construction matters for over 15 years. His recent project experience includes advising:- a major national developer on the acquisition and then the £1 billion remediation and redevelopment of a 1000 acre former oil refinery to create an urban village; on many town centre redevelopment projects including procurement advice and advice on the major infrastructure energy and utilities contracts and liaising with the public bodies, funding and acquiring assets at the relevant site; an international energy company on procurement of on-shore and off-shore wind farm projects and associated infrastructure contracts; on construction and environmental elements of a deal for the UK’s leading regeneration developer in its negotiations for the acquisition and development of 3500 acres of land in 3 counties; on the Turbine Supply Agreement for one of the world’s largest off shore wind farms; St. Modwen Properties Plc Group Companies on substantially all of its national development portfolios including distribution warehouses, head offices for international and national companies, major infrastructure projects and remediation projects.

Patrick Duffy

Patrick is a partner in Shoosmiths’ real estate team, with over 30 years’ experience in advising on large-scale high profile town and city centre regeneration schemes, including residential and commercial development matters, as well as real estate funding and investment. Patrick has advised on numerous portfolio investment acquisitions, especially of shopping centre and leisure schemes, and has a particular expertise in offshore tax driven investment acquisitions. In particular, Patrick’s experience includes: Supporting Bruntwood with its public/private joint venture with Bury Council and the subsequent acquisition of a shopping centre in Bury town centre. Advising on the acquisition funding and development agreements for the Birmingham Innovation Centre at Birmingham University. Advising on the real estate aspects of a refinancing deal for the development of No. 1 Old Trafford. Advising on the St Michael’s development in Manchester City Centre. Advising on the multimillion

Paul Carney

Paul is an experienced pensions lawyer. He advises employers, trustees and public bodies on the legal aspects of all matters relating to pensions. He has a particular expertise in dealing with public sector pensions and has written practice notes in national publications addressing the issues involved in participating in, for instance, the Local Government Pension Scheme and the NHS Pension Scheme. Paul is experienced in drafting scheme-related documentation as well as providing ongoing advice on the day-to-day running of pension schemes and on questions of automatic enrolment. Paul regularly provides support to both companies and trustees in relation to pensions aspects of corporate transactions. Paul has a reputation for his ability clearly to explain (often) complex legal points. He does this in a way which helps clients to focus on their commercial issues rather than getting bogged down in the technical, legal minutiae. Clients and colleagues find his approach is practical and user-friendly. Paul’s recent work includes: advising a (multi-national) employer in relation to the rationalisation of its pension provision. Phase 1 completed early in 2018 and involved the merger of three of its occupational pension schemes; advising a national company on the pensions aspects of its corporate re-structuring and, in particular, on the implications of that re-structuring on its obligation automatically to enrol employees into an appropriate pension scheme; advising the trustees of a North West based occupational pension scheme in relation to ongoing matters and, in particular in relation to a multi-layered parent company guarantee provided to that scheme by the scheme principal employer’s group; advising a well established higher education body in relation to its ongoing participation in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, the Local Government Pension Scheme and the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme; advising a central Government department in relation to the establishment of a free-standing joint venture company which was then able to participate, in its own right, in the relevant public sector pension scheme; advising the trustees of an occupational pension scheme further to a challenge from the Pensions Regulator which questioned their approach in agreeing to a corporate restructuring some three years previously; reviewing historical occupational pension scheme documentation in the light of equalisation requirements and in the light of age discrimination legislation; and advising the trustees of a number of UK pension schemes in relation to putting into place contingent assets and guarantees (including guarantees from non-UK guarantors) for the purposes of the PPF Levy. Paul is a contributor to PLC magazine and LexisNexis PSL.

Paul Nightingale

Paul is a principal associate in the Firm's Commercial group in Birmingham. Paul advises clients on a range of commercial matters, with a focus on IT & technology transactions. Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Paul trained and qualified with White & Case LLP, working in London, Tokyo and Singapore, and subsequently worked in-house with Guinness World Records in Beijing and London. Paul is qualified in England & Wales and California and speaks Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.

Paul Caddy

Paul Caddy is Head of Insight at Shoosmiths, having previously practised as a commercial and data protection lawyer, with a particular focus on new technologies. Qualifying in 2000, he has worked in private practice in major law firms, in business and with leading legal publishers, such as LexisNexis (LexisPSL) and Thomson Reuters. Paul joined Shoosmiths in 2019. Paul is a prolific writer and, through thought leadership, is determined to help drive change in the legal sector, not only through the use of legaltech, but by focusing on the human side of legal practice too. Together with colleagues David Jackson and Tony Randle, he has recently published a book on the future of legal practice: Legal Practice in the Digital Age. The book shows how lawyers can embrace technological change through taking a people-centric approach, being creative with technology and innovation, and entrenching forward-thinking new mindsets into their firm’s DNA.

Paul Stokey

Paul leads the Shoosmiths National Employment Team. Paul is known for investing time to understand his clients with a genuine focus on generating demonstrable improvements and savings in his clients' businesses. Paul provides solutions and advice on a range of employment matters including - mitigating equal pay issues, managing trade union relations, consulting on the implications of business acquisitions and disposals, designing restructuring solutions, defending all types of tribunal claims and advising on executive severance (for both companies and individuals). Paul has significant experience working with, and often embedded within, clients' Human Resources teams. Paul quickly understands the issues in hand, their impact on his clients' business, how they affect individual stakeholders and then works with his clients to deliver pragmatic, practical solutions. Paul has over 17 years’ experience as a specialist employment solicitor and is known for his innovative thinking and solutions focused approach. Paul’s experience includes:- Working collaboratively with a leading national supermarket to design and implement a store restructuring programme resulting in the reduction of over 20,000 roles. This included positive trade union engagement, detailed communication and consultation plans. Working as a dedicated part of the HR team of an international and national newspaper – working with the client to ensure smooth implementation of change programmes and senior exits. Working with a passenger transport client which was experiencing absence problems. Paul designed a bespoke training solution, which resulted in substantial absence reduction, saving the client over £1m. Designing and implementing a national manager training programme for a retailer – the focus was on improving manager communication, streamlining disciplinary and grievance processes and improving manager capability. Over 3,500 managers were trained and the results were a significant reward on investment – over 10,000 manager hours were saved and reinvested on the shop floor in the first 6 months alone, the number of appeals reduced by 87%, grievances reduced by 57% and Tribunal claims fell by over 50%. In addition, as the quality of manager decisions and the way in which they were communicated improved, employee engagement benefited. Successfully defending over 2,000 unlawful deduction and breach of contract claims brought on behalf of members by two trade unions. Working with a number of large business’ to protect their equal pay position and delivering gender pay reporting confidence. Paul is a TUPE expert and is currently engaged in a multi-party public/ private commissioning project on behalf of one of the UK’s largest private health care companies

Paul Knight

Paul is a partner and head of the Birmingham property litigation team. Paul acts for developers, investors, corporate occupiers and landlords of property in a whole range of contentious property issues. Paul advises in claims to possession of land, litigation concerning applications for landlord's consents, break notices, rent review and the renewal of business tenancies. Paul also regularly advises on issues effecting property which arise from insolvency and in relation to licensed premises. Paul focuses on advising clients early in a transaction, with the aim of preventing a potential dispute from escalating to court. He has represented many clients at without prejudice meetings and mediations. Paul's approach is to work with a client to identify the issues early on and set a clear course for dealing with those issues. His recent project experience includes: arranging service of over 80 price notices under options which will form a substantial residential development; representing a client in a multi-million pound dilapidations claim; and advising in relation to a landlord’s rights to develop adjoining land of a large tenanted shopping centre.

Paul Eccles

Paul is head of the insurance team at Shoosmiths, which sits within the commercial litigation practice. He specialises in all aspects of insurance-based litigation. He has a particular interest in policy cover disputes between insurers/insured, including breach of warranty, misrepresentation/mistake, non-disclosure and fraudulent claims acting for both the insured and insurers. He has a broad depth of experience in most classes of insurance business to include commercial risk, professional indemnity, employers’ and public liability personal injury claims and product liability for some major household brands. Paul regularly advises on subrogated recoveries for insurers and recoveries for corporate clients including fire claims, product liability, and liability for flooding, pollution and contamination issues, as aspects of ULR, RTA and subsidence actions. Paul has some 27 years litigation experience, 16 of which he has spent specialising in insurance and commercial litigation. In acting for both insurers and commercial clients, his background means that he has great depth of knowledge and understanding from all perspectives. His recent cases include: acting for a major utility contractor in a multi-million pound policy cover/estoppel dispute, following failure by the client’s claims managers to notify the correct insurers, some 5 years earlier, following a serious spinal injury case. The claim also includes a claim for professional negligence; acting for a financial services provider in connection with the refusal by their professional indemnity insurers to cover a claim for alleged negligent financial advice following the collapse of the Icelandic banks; acting for a major international film studio in a serious spinal injury case. Paul is the co-author of “Piercing the corporate veil – Managing Business Risk,” published by Kogan Page in 2012.

Paul Ashurst

Senior Associate

Pav Clair

Pav is a Principal Associate in the Employment team, based in the Birmingham office. Pav has a track record of providing practical and straightforward advice to employer clients within a variety of different sectors. Pav's expertise includes defending Employment Tribunal claims, advising on redundancies & restructures, capability & sickness, and the thorny issue of TUPE. Pav also has extensive experience in advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions and on TUPE issues in relation to service provision changes. He has a keen interest in enforcing restrictive covenants and preventing employees from using confidential information. For the businesses which Pav acts for, he describes himself as being an extension to their workforce rather than an external lawyer.

Peter Marsden

Real Estate - North

Peter Duff

Peter Duff is the chairman of Shoosmiths. His role is to lead the firm’s partnership in the delivery of its strategic vision, to be the UK’s leading law firm, famous for its client experience. In addition, he has overall responsibility for the firm’s quality and compliance standards.Before being elected to the role in 2015, Peter was head of the firm’s commercial division and, prior to that, head of the employment & pensions department. Throughout his career, Peter has dealt with clients at board level and advising directors on the best tactics to achieve their strategic aims. As a result, he has developed a keen insight into, and understanding of, people, business culture and motivation which make him ideally placed to chair Shoosmiths’ partnership.What clients want from their law firms is changing and Peter’s role is to ensure that this is mirrored precisely in the way that the firm’s legal teams are developed and supported, whilst sustaining its strong and distinctive culture, which is an authentic point of difference for Shoosmiths in a competitive legal market.Peter remains a practising employment lawyer, advising predominantly corporate clients where he can use his extensive experience advising on boardroom disputes, large-scale business restructuring, collective issues and other strategic advice.

Phil Crowe

Phil qualified in 2006 and is an employment law partner based in Shoosmiths’ Leeds office. Phil is a specialist in both contentious and non-contentious employment law. An experienced advocate who has appeared in high profile high value Employment Tribunal proceedings in England; Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland. Phil’s contentious practice involves representing clients in all manner of unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract, TUPE and all/any other complaints employees may bring. This includes successfully defending a class Employment Tribunal action involving over 1,000 claimants. Phil provides support on matters ranging from day-to-day employee relations issues to large scale strategic change projects. He offers business planning and strategy advice to clients in respect of issues including executive severance, restructuring/redundancy and TUPE. Phil is also an experienced trainer providing legal and commercial training to clients designed to ensure that they act in a legally compliant way but more over used the law to support and facilitate the achievement of their business’ operational objectives. Recent projects that Phil has worked with clients on include: • the strategic planning and execution of a large scale outsourcing project affecting 500 plus employees to an employer in India; • the management and national delivery of a senior manager training project to over 3,500 employees; • the successful design and implementation of a headcount and structural change project designed to save a client £1.2 million year-on-year; and • the successful defence (with costs) of an eight day race discrimination claim brought against a retail plc business and six of its employees. Phil is known for his straight forward focused advice. Clients comment that his ability to quickly understand the commercial issues behind their problems ensures that the solutions he provides are both legally robust and genuinely add-value to the operational side of their business. Phil is also complemented on his easy to understand and personable style which allows clients to be confident in their understanding and application of the advice he provides.

Phil Barnes

Phil is the National Head of the 50 strong Shoosmiths Medical Negligence team. He has specialised in representing claimants in clinical negligence claims for 19 years. As an experienced litigator he has dealt with a wide range of complex and high value claims throughout his career, including neurological injury, child birth trauma, amputations, group actions involving intraocular lens implants, surgical errors, misdiagnosis and fatal claims. He has a specialist interest in infection and sepsis cases. Phil regularly appears as an advocate before Coroners and has been involved in a number of high profile inquests.

Phil Gregory

Phil is a partner in the real estate team specialising in development work. He has a particular focus on retail, industrial, mixed use and roadside sector development transactions. Key elements of his experience include: - acting for a number of regional developers focused on mixed use retail and roadside developments across the UK; - acting for a Yorkshire based developer in respect of a long term multi phase mixed use regeneration scheme in the heart of a major city centre; - acting for a high net worth family property fund on investment and industrial development opportunities across the region; - historically acting for Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc and subsequently Lidl Great Britain Limited on their new store acquisition and development programmes;

Philip Ryan

Philip is a specialist compliance and criminal defence lawyer advising businesses and individuals on complying with the UK’s increasing regulatory burden. He balances the need for a sensible, calm approach to crisis management against the need to defend clients vigorously in disputes to gain effective outcomes. His experience helps to secure the right solution for clients in short timeframes, minimising cost and negative impact. Philip advises clients during regulatory investigations be that making representations to the Advertising Standards Authority or in an interview under caution with police or the HSE following a fatal accident. He works in the automotive, construction, FMCG, retail & leisure, tobacco, manufacturing, and life sciences sectors. Recent examples of his work include:- advising several global businesses on responses to investigations into bribery, fraud, criminal offences and disclosures to key regulators; securing the acquittal of a senior manager charged with health and safety offences as part of a corporate manslaughter trial following an explosion at a recycling plant; representing several companies in the transport industry on investigations by VOSA and during Public Inquiries before the Traffic Commissioner; successfully defending 4 different white goods manufacturers in a dozen different investigations by the National Measurement Office regarding energy labelling and efficiency of products; advising an international retailer on its response to the horsemeat scandal and dealing with associated contractual issues with suppliers; advising a major tobacco company on changes required under plain packaging legislation and the development of e-cigarettes; advising companies on compliance with export controls and international trade sanctions; advising a number of household brands on product recalls regarding tools, cereals, lamps, plugs and other domestic items; also advising on related product quality frauds in the supply chain; and advising a large travel organisation on compliance with Package Holiday, ATOL and ABTA regulations. Philip is described as a "standout name" in Legal 500 and he heads the ‘excellent team’ in the South East.

Prakash Kerai

Prakash supports organisations on their technology and FinTech arrangements. He advises on the legal & contractual aspects of buying, selling, using, and exploiting all types of technology – software, hardware, data, and related services – e.g. software licensing, data licensing, SaaS and hosting arrangements, development projects, implementation projects, outsourcing deals. He has been advising on FinTech arrangements since he started his legal career - and has deep sector knowledge and experience. In addition to supporting financial services businesses on procuring FinTech (including BankTech, InsurTech, and RegTech) solutions, he works closely with new entrants in the FinTech space, helping them to navigate FinTech issues and successfully launch their offerings. He has held in-house legal roles including more recently as the interim General Counsel of a digital challenger bank. Prakash works closely with Shoosmiths' highly regarded financial services and data protection teams.

Prakesh Kerai

Priti Bansei-Branch

Priti is a Senior Associate within Shoosmiths' Band 1 Technology, Media and Commercial practice. Advising on a range of technology and general commercial matters across a wide range of industry sectors, Priti has a particular focus on IT and sourcing projects. Priti has been heavily involved in high value and highly publicised outsourcing and commercial matters. Priti has worked with national and international clients dealing with complex IT-centric and business process outsourcing, payment facilitator models, cross-border IT terms and conditions, software design, development, implementation and support, ‘Big Data’, cloud hosting and SaaS and IaaS arrangements, 'bring your own device' and virtual desktop projects. Priti's experience includes advising: a major regulatory body in relation to its single largest business and ICT transformation programme involving the multi-million pound replacement of its entire IT environment; a global FTSE 100 company to support its global IT service desk, extending this to support Office365 and rolling-out to over 40,000 users; a global FTSE 100 company on an e-commerce development, application and support solution to be rolled out internationally across the company and its international supply chain; a leading FinTech automation provider on its partnership with a next generation cloud system integrator and managed services provider; a leading UK commercial bank on the £225m outsourcing of its transactional print and outbound mail service and £120m+ outsourcing of its imaging and incoming mail processing services for all of its UK operations; a leading FM services provider on a subcontract for the provision of catering services within various hospital sites in the UK: a leading credit card provider on the launch of its payment processing services in taxis - one of the first of its kind; and a global telecoms player on a joint bid as an unincorporated JV for the provision of mobile network data for Transport for London. Priti also has niche experience within the research and development sphere having advised on a number of multi-party collaboration agreements both within the UK, Europe and internationally, as well as addressing conferences on this topic. Priti’s recent R&D work includes advising a global automotive manufacturer on a multi-million pound autonomous vehicle research programme and a multi-million dollar global research alliance with Harvard University. Priti has gained invaluable in-house experience having carried out secondments at Google, Jaguar Land Rover, Capital One, NCR Limited, Barclaycard and Morgan Advanced Materials. Passionate about equality in the workplace, Priti sits on the Shoosmiths’ 'Lean In' Steering Committee and Gender Equality Working Group.

Rachel Harvey

During this time, Rachel has advised global organisations and SMEs on all aspects of corporate immigration and work force planning. She has assisted organisations in obtaining and maintaining sponsor licences to enable them to recruit employees from outside of the EEA. More recently, Rachel’s focus has been on assisting organisations who employ large numbers of EEA nationals with packages to support their employees through the Brexit process - retaining valuable talent. She also advises on the relocation of non-EEA family members of UK nationals who may be returning to the UK after years working abroad. Rachel regularly conducts immigration audits for businesses and advises on employer’s liability in relation to right-to-work checks and UKVI compliance. She has significant experience in objecting to civil penalties received for employing illegal workers. Rachel also represents high net worth individuals from outside of the EEA who wish to invest money in or start businesses in the UK under the tier 1 entrepreneur and investor routes. Rachel also advises individuals on applications for spouse visas, indefinite leave to remain applications, EEA applications, applications for British citizenship and British passports.

Rachel Dean

Rachel is a Senior Associate within our core Real Estate team, based in our Manchester office. She provides strategic and commercial advice on a wide range of real estate law issues, growing in specific expertise as a development lawyer. Rachel advises a broad spectrum of national clients, including a number of well-known national housebuilders and developers as well as retail clients across a range of sectors including commercial development, residential development, retail and student living. Rachel has experience in acquisitions and disposals, conditional contracts and asset management work as well as gaining more exposure to larger site assembly and title reporting matters. Rachel prides herself on knowing her client's businesses and building strong relationships with development managers, property teams and the agents that support them.

Rebecca Cross

Rebecca joined us in 2001 and has progressed from Assistant Case Handler to Senior Associate during her time here.Rebecca works on a wide range of Sale and Purchase Conveyancing transactions including freehold, leasehold, new build and shared ownerhsip properties. She has helped thousands of clients move home taking responsibility for the progression of transactions on behalf of our clients through to completion. Rebecca is assisted by Adam Mayer, Connor O'Dell and Hannah Drage.

Rebecca Holden

Rebecca is a Legal Director in the Corporate team based in Leeds. Rebecca has over 13 years' experience working on a broad range of Corporate law transactions including M&A, private equity (advising both investors and management), VC transactions, solvent corporate restructurings and reorganisations, pre-pack acquisitions and general corporate law advisory. Rebecca's specialism lies in large-scale international deals and corporate reorganisations and she has been fortunate to have advised clients on the ground in jurisdictions including Italy, India, Latvia and the Middle East. Rebecca is well-known for her dedication to client service and is particularly adept at project-managing complex transactions with multiple stakeholders.

Rebecca Mauleverer

Rebecca heads up Shoosmiths' national banking and finance team. She specialises in a range of debt finance work, including secured and unsecured, bilateral and syndicated lending both on a national and international level. She acts on behalf of either lenders (be they banks, private equity, venture capital or other funds) or corporate borrowers. Rebecca's experience includes acquisition and leveraged finance, property finance, invoice finance and marine finance. She has worked on a wide variety of transactions. Recent examples include: advising a bank in relation to a financing in connection with the £70 million acquisition of an offshore cross jurisdictional trust and fund business; advising a private equity backed company (a national training and educational specialist) in relation to its £45.5 million unitranche and super senior financing; advising a leading bank in relation to its £80 million syndicated asset based lending facility (plus a £20 million accordion option) providing back to back financing for an invoice discount provider; advising a property investment fund in relation to its financing arrangements, including a £12.5 million facility to finance a London office block and an approximate £8 million facility to finance a number of national commercial and retail assets; and advising CDC Group plc in relation to a number of financings, most recently the USD15 million financing for PEG Africa, an off grid solar panel business.

Rhodri Glyn

Rhodri has extensive experience across a breadth of real estate work - investment, finance, development and energy / infrastructure - advising various stakeholders across the life cycle of property assets, including acquisition, lettings, funding and disposals. Examples of the types of work Rhodri has undertaken include: delivering the first strategic land acquisitions by a developer for substantial logistics developments, acting on their acquisition and pre-letting of a distribution hub development set to be the largest of its kind in Europe; project managing the re-finance of a thirteen site, £160 million warehousing portfolio, with 70+ occupational leases; advising a property investment / development company in securing a 229 acre site for the promotion and potential acquisition of land for c.8 million square feet of employment development, via a hybrid promotion / option agreement acting for the UK's largest service area operator on the acquisition of substantial motorway service station site off the M25 managing the due diligence review of 100+ service station sites for a 'supermajor' oil & gas company on projects for potential re-development; leading the property support on corporate acquisitions of windfarm portfolios for a global investment manager advising lenders on an investment finance of £320 million UK wide portfolio acquisition, and a £43 million finance restructuring of a landmark resort/sporting venue pursuant to a Canadian corporate amalgamation; disposals of substantial property portfolios for administrators and LPA Receivers, including shopping centres, hotels, marinas, retail and residential/mixed use developments;

Richard Bannister

Richard has acted successfully in a variety of clinical negligence claims, drawing on his wealth of experience. Since 1992, he has undertaken claimant clinical negligence claims exclusively. He is highly admired for being “very focused and experienced”, “practical and pragmatic” and “a very reliable and effective practitioner”, in addition to establishing “good practical solutions to difficult problems”. His standing in the field is well-known and respected, especially in complex issues which include obstetrics, oncology, orthopaedics, brain injury, general surgery, fatal accidents and representation at inquests. Richard has been accredited to the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) Specialist Solicitor’s Referral Panel since 1997. He is routinely top ranked in the Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession as a leading Clinical Negligence Lawyer who is a “people person” and “popular with clients”, “highly regarded” and “very pragmatic, direct and sensible”. In 2019, the Chambers Guide recognised him as an Eminent Practitioner in this field.

Richard Millington

Richard is an experienced lawyer who provides counsel on strategic projects across the technology, media and sports sectors. He is listed in The Lawyer Hot 100 2019 for his ground breaking work setting up the practice. As well advising on some of the sporting world’s biggest deals his experience includes negotiating cross border joint ventures, developing and executing litigation strategies in multiple jurisdictions and working on key outsourcing, telecoms projects, IP exploitation (including content/broadcast rights), sponsorship, distribution and agency arrangements.

Richard Symonds

Since joining Richard has established a key property litigation and risk management offering supporting the rapidly growing property team in Leeds. Richard deals with issues relating to all aspects of the real estate market but with a particular focus on developers and, separately, on the hotel and leisure sector. In relation to the developer work, Richard is known for his proactive approach towards resolution of development constraints particularly focusing on easements and rights of light matters (in relation to which Richard gives regular external talks and seminars). He also deals with wider development dispute and insolvency issues. Recent highlights include (i) the commencement of substantial proceedings against a firm of solicitors in relation to the form of a rent review clause in a long lease, (ii) advising a large developer of residential and student accommodation in relation to claims arising out of delayed completion including insolvency and restructuring advice, and (iii) advising a large residential developer in relation to a dispute as to the drainage easement benefitting the site. Overall, Richard is known for his succinct, focused and commercial advice and as an efficient and effective problem solver.

Richard Marshall

Richard joined Shoosmiths in March 2014 and has over ten years' of insurance advisory experience. He leads the firm's insurance practice in Manchester and is named as a recommended lawyer in the 2017 edition of Legal 500 in three categories: commercial litigation (Northwest), product liability (London), professional negligence (Northwest).Richard is experienced in a diverse range of insurance policy cover and liability matters encompassing non-disclosure, misrepresentation, breach of warranty and late notification. He acts for both policyholders and insurers alike in addition to regularly advising on the corporate side of policy cover in conjunction with Shoosmiths corporate, commercial contract and real estate teams. Richard has extensive experience in prosecuting and defending a diverse range of civil claims including property, fire, flood and professional negligence disputes. His practice has particular emphasis on product liability both for insurance and corporate clients and he is regularly instructed to handle complex matters in the High Court and Commercial Court. Richard offers practical, hands on advice against the backdrop of non-civil considerations such as regulatory issues and alternative forms of redress. He regularly authors and delivers training for the firm's clients.

Richard Baker

I am a construction and engineering lawyer with wide ranging experience of contract drafting and dispute resolution. I have previously worked in-house at the contractor, Taylor Woodrow (now part of Vinci) and at US consultant, AECOM, where I gained an insider’s perspective on the industry. I have acted for developers, contractors, consultants and public bodies on a wide range of projects undertaken in the UK and abroad. This has involved giving strategic advice at the start of a project (procurement, risk analysis, drafting of contracts, framework agreements, bonds warranties and other ancillary documents), providing ad hoc commercial guidance as the project progresses, through to resolving, where required, complex disputes via negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. Examples of contract drafting include: Strategic review of a developer’s approach to procurement, including drafting a suite of bespoke contracts and amendments; All aspects of the construction procurement for a multi-phase, award-winning residential scheme including a bespoke contract “call-down” agreement; Coordinated procurement of contractor and large consultant team for a major hotel/ residential development; Risk appraisal of consultant appointments and frameworks for domestic and international projects in oil & gas, urban master-planning, aerotropolis and hotel developments. Examples of dispute experience include: Successful defence of three concurrent adjudication claims, including defeating one on the ground of the adjudicator’s lack of jurisdiction; Successful defence (following mediation) at a TCC trial of a claim by the production architect on a flagship regeneration project, arising from a letter of intent; Concurrent arbitrations up and down the contract chain against an employer and a subcontractor, arising from complex concrete defects in the diaphragm walling of the A406; Obtaining trial judgment in client’s favour in relation to claims arising from his oral contract for hotel renovation works.

Richard Willcox

Richard is a Legal Director commercial property litigator, with a particular specialism in disputes arising under telecoms property law, acting predominantly for landowners and infrastructure providers. Aside from telecoms, his practice consists of a mix of residential and commercial property development disputes and undertaking complex landlord and tenant asset management work for major high street retailers. Recent work highlights include: successfully removing telecoms operators from site earmarked for £400 million campus redevelopment by higher education institution; advising on the strategy and the steps required to exercise a conditional break option on a £1.4 million pa central London retail unit; obtaining a direction from Ofcom granting Code Powers to a provider of critical national infrastructure; undertaking High Court proceedings, involving the complex interplay between mines and minerals and Inclosure Acts, in relation to a west London development site; and acting for a charitable trust in a hostile 1954 Act dispute, seeking to recover vacant possession of a World War II heritage building for use as museum space.

Richard Blatchly

Richard is a Principal Associate within Shoosmiths' Commercial Team, based in the Birmingham office. Richard advises on a wide range of commercial matters, with a particular interest in technology, innovation and digital media. Richard works with a variety of clients across a wide range of industry sectors, ranging from start-up businesses through to multinational companies and his recent work experience includes: a long-term secondment to a global OEM: (i) advising on its R&D activities and academic engagements; and (ii) providing advice and support to its motorsport function; negotiating numerous collaboration agreements for multi-party, government funded automotive research projects; and negotiating a technology and title partnership agreement for a team in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

Richard Follis

Richard Follis was appointed Shoosmiths first General Counsel on 1 May 2021. Reporting to the CEO, he has particular responsibility for compliance, quality and risk. He is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and Money Laundering Compliance Officer. He is also tasked with scoping the firm's GC function and establishing a team to oversee governance and enterprise risk management in support of the firm's ambitious growth plans. Richard joined Shoosmiths in 2006 as a Partner and head of clinical negligence. He became a board member in 2013 on appointment as Practice Group Head of the firm's Access Legal consumer offering. Latterly Richard became head of our Personal Advisory Division. For very many years a noted practitioner in the field of clinical negligence, he was ranked as 'Senior Statesperson' in the 2020 edition of Chambers UK. Richard served as President of the Birmingham Law Society in 2006 and, having been an AvMA panel member since 1991, was appointed an Honorary Panel Member in 2021.

Richard Bellamy

Richard is a real estate lawyer with wide experience of acting for banks, building societies and secondary lenders. It is in the area of enforcement, restructuring and recovery that he has gained a national reputation, providing project management expertise on large scale disposal projects and high value/complex real estate. His approach is typified by assisting lenders early on with reviews of security and title to understand their available solutions and, where necessary, the enforcement options available. His experience means that he naturally considers the wider aspects, for example commercial or reputational impact. Richard provides a full property service for lenders which includes refinance and security work. He has for many years provided a 24/48hr turnaround service for relationship managers on property queries and document checking (lease reviews, planning documents, sale contracts, etc). He acts for insolvency practitioners and fixed charge receivers in both disposal transactions and asset management. He has successfully worked with stakeholders, IP’s and agents to provide considerable improvements on anticipated realisations and has also worked with many borrowers and their advisors on consensual work-outs and refinances. Richard joined Shoosmiths' real estate practice in October 2016, joining the firm from Addleshaw Goddard Leeds. He is based in Leeds and works with clients across the UK. His recent experience includes advising on high value projects, local and national: acting for Deloitte as administrators of the Angelic Portfolio, consisting 342 residential buy-to-let and a variety of commercial properties; advising RBS on a consensual work-out and plot sales of a large rural farm in the East Midlands which included residential and commercial buildings, telephone masts, large woodlands and arable land. Working alongside the finance litigation team to deliver specialist real estate advice; leading the property advice for KPMG (London) as administrators on a large commercial investment portfolio. Management and disposal involving a number of commercial retail properties and shopping centres. Involved detailed seller due diligence and presentation of documents via an online dataroom to improve transparency and ultimately realisation. sale of a number of former Southern Cross Care Homes, acting initially for Bank of Ireland and then CBRE as receivers, including lease variations, corporate support/business sales and development agreements; acting for Endless on a new lease, tenant option and pre-emption in relation to a large high tech distribution centre, office and retail space in Peterborough following the acquisition of the Kiddicare business from Morrisons. The early part of deal also dealt with the surrender of the leases on all of the retail outlets; and acting for Bank of Ireland and then O’Hara & Co as receivers on the club leases and disposal of Belle Vue Stadium, Wakefield over a period of six years.

Rick Atha

Rick is a specialist non-contentious construction lawyer and is dual qualified, having been formerly a Chartered Civil Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers prior to qualifying as a solicitor in 2003. He has worked across a wide variety of sectors from PFI/PPP (where he lead the construction input into +£1BN of construction work), conventional development and investment work and infrastructure and energy and is experienced in drafting and advising on building and engineering contracts, as well as guarantees, bonds, professional appointments and related agreements. Recent project experience includes: Advising developers and institutional funds on development funding agreements and the construction documents for major student accommodation projects Acting for an owner and developer of motorway service areas on new developments, such as the £70M Leeds Skelton Lake MSA, as well as routine portfolio improvements The FIDIC based civils and system contracts for the £150M mass passenger transport project atLondon Luton Airport The IChemE based EPC contract for a £160M waste to energy project in Hull and FIDIC based EPC contracts for miscellaneous biomass projects Universities int Lancaster, Brighton and Leeds on a variety of faculty developments and framework agreements. A national residential developer in relation to several apartment building projects of varying complexity (some with commercial space) NHS and Care Sector projects, including a £70M Emergency Care Centre in Northumbria, Extra Care projects for the public and private sector and care home projects for developers and funds

Robert Nieri

Robert is a Legal Director charity lawyer guiding trustees on charity law, governance and regulatory issues, supporting charities in their work and at all stages of their journey: establishing new charities, incorporating existing organisations, advising on collaboration or merger issues and, where necessary, on dissolution. He advises on the engagement of charities with the Charity Commission e.g. seeking necessary approvals and dealing with serious incident reporting and on charities' dealings with non-charities e.g trading subsidiaries, corporate partners, sponsors and commissioning bodies. He works closely with colleagues in Shoosmiths’ charities team – in particular with employment, commercial, corporate and real estate lawyers - to provide clients with integrated and responsive solutions to help them to manage their legal risk. He also advises business clients and philanthropists on setting up their own foundations and on their dealings with charities, in the context of the increasing prominence of “ESG.” Recent experience includes: advising a national charity on governance and regulatory matters as part of multi-faceted legal support provided by Shoosmiths’ charities team; advising a national conservation charity on constitutional and regulatory issues; registering a charity to support those in need following the invasion of Ukraine; creating corporate foundations for businesses looking to increase their charitable engagement;advising on various charity mergers; andtraining trustees and senior executive teams on charity law and governance issues. Robert is a member of the Charity Law Association and of The Chartered Institute of Fundraising and chairs the charity committee of Shoosmiths’ Manchester office.

Robin Webb

Robin is head of the firm's commercial group. He is a highly experienced commercial lawyer, advising clients on major projects and outsourcings including business process and technology outsourcings, business critical systems procurements and integration, telecoms network roll-outs, software development and licensing, e-commerce and other technology related projects. His depth of experience and insight, particularly in the automotive, financial and retail markets, means he is valued by clients for his strategic input on their issues, and is often viewed as an extension to clients’ in-house legal teams. Robin is head of Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes office and responsible for the firm’s contribution to, and profile within, the local business community. Additionally, he leads the firm’s mobility sector group.

Rosie Hendon

Rosie is currently a Principal Associate in our corporate department and has more than 10 years of extensive mergers and acquisitions experience, acting principally for major corporate clients on domestic, international and cross border acquisitions and disposals. Rosie has experience advising on joint ventures, private equity transactions (including exits), debt/equity reorganisations and international group restructurings. Rosie also advises clients on general corporate governance matters. Recent experience includes advising: the shareholders of Datapath Group Limited, a market leader in the design and development of video wall, multiscreen displays and control room solutions, on their (£ confidential) disposal of the same; the shareholders of Skycon Ltd, a company specialising in display advertising and paid advertising on channels that include sports media, on their £45m disposal to Better Collective A/S; the shareholders of Findauniversity Ltd, a digital post-graduate recruitment business, on the (£ confidential) sale of its parent company to a Norwegian listed company, Keystone Academics Solutions AS; the shareholders of ALE Holdings Limited, a global business operating in over 45 jurisdictions, on their (€ confidential) disposal of the same to Mammoet; CRH on its (£ confidential) disposal of Anchor Bay Construction Products Limited, FCA Wholesalers Limited and Plaka Ireland Limited; Amber REI Holdings Limited on its (£ confidential) acquisition of Elan Homes Holdings Limited the shareholders of United Living Group Limited on their (£ confidential) disposal of the same to Fastflow Group, creating a group with a combined turnover of approximately £400 million; Anglian Water on its joint venture with Northumbrian Water to create Wave, a new retailer of water and wastewater services to non-household customers; Legal & General on its recent £49 million business and asset acquisition of Hampton by Hilton, Stansted Airport; Tarmac Building Products Limited on its (£ confidential) disposal of 75% of the share capital in Tilcon-Huttenes Albertus Limited to Huttenes Albertus UK Limited; the selling shareholders of R. Griggs Group Limited (the licensee of the Dr Martens brand) in relation to their disposal of the same to Permira for £300 million; the selling shareholders on the £50 million sale of Your Cash Europe Limited to Euronet Worldwide, Inc; James Finlay Limited on its disposal of Finlays Horticulture Investments Limited and Finlays Horticulture Holdings Limited for £95 million; and Dignity Funeral services, RPS Group plc and Edif Group Limited on multiple acquisitions.

Ross Bird

Ross is a Senior Associate working in the Residential Conveyancing department. Ross runs a large case-load of matters, dealing with a wide range of diverse Conveyancing cases, including freehold and leasehold matters, new-build properties, deeds of variation, lease extensions, right to buy and shared-ownership. Ross is responsible for the overall management of transactions from inception through to successful completion, focusing on the technical requirements of the matter.Ross joined Shoosmiths in May 2002 after graduating from the University of Leicester and has since helped thousands of clients move home. Ross became a Conveyancer for the firm in 2006 and a Senior Conveyancer in 2010. Ross has been accredited to the Conveyancing Quality Scheme as part of the firm’s wider accreditation to this industry-standard scheme.Outside of work, Ross takes a keen interest in travel, reading, sport and the cinema. He is husband to Karen and Daddy to Ethan

Rubina Zaidi

Rubina is a Senior Associate in the regulatory team within the dispute resolution and compliance team, mainly handling the defence of primarily Health and Safety related prosecutions involving allegations of breaches of Health and Safety legislation. With a background of experience in dealing with both employers and public liability claims on behalf of Defendants, Rubina previously represented the Health and Safety Executive in prosecutions and trained HSE Inspectors on health and safety law. She regularly deals with cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal and acted in a landmark case in the House of Lords on the PUWER Regulations in 2009 on behalf of a Local Authority. Rubina currently advises clients in relation to a wide range of regulatory matters ranging from providing advice on discrete areas of regulatory law to dealing with all stages of prosecutions from commencement to trial/sentencing. Rubina has experience in defending prosecutions arising in a variety of sectors, particularly transport and retail including prosecutions arising from incidents causing injuries of maximum severity and fatalities. Rubina qualified in 1985 and became an Associate in 1992.

Ruth Clare

Ruth is a partner in the real estate team and advises on a wide range of issues facing occupier, investor and corporate clients across the range of their property interests. Ruth provides bespoke advice with regard to the circumstances and the business drivers of her client in each transaction. She specialises in advising retail and other clients in respect of the expansion, disposal and management of their property portfolios. She also provides real estate input to corporate and financing transactions. She aims to be an extension of her clients, understanding and working alongside her clients to achieve their goals. Her recent project experience includes: advising a retail client and leading the cross-border team in respect of the acquisition of a 140+ store portfolio of properties from administrators and then re-gearing numerous leases to help deliver the new business’ strategy; the acquisition of 45+ properties and financing of a corporate client’s full portfolio of 170+ properties; advising a retail client across an 12 year period from its first to its sixtieth store opening.

Ryan Fordham

Ryan is a partner in the construction and engineering team at Shoosmiths. He specialises in drafting and negotiating construction and engineering contracts based on industry standard forms such as FIDIC, ICC, IChemE, JCT, MF/1, NEC3/4 and PPC2000 and bespoke forms including EPC, EPCM (offshore and onshore) and FEED contracts, as well as framework agreements, pre-construction services agreements, professional appointments, security and other ancillary construction and engineering documents. Ryan's expertise includes providing construction procurement and project and transaction advice to developer, contractor, sub-contractor, consultant, landlord, tenant, investor and funder clients across a broad range of sectors including office, hotels, prime residential, retail, mixed use, healthcare, utilities, energy and infrastructure. His recent project experience includes advising: the developer of a of 12,000 sq ft development of commercial and retail space, as well as 111 apartments arranged over 1 to 8 storeys, in Bermondsey, London; a fund manager in their head office relocation to a new landmark office building in central London; the developer of a block of 130 residential flats in Birmingham; a JV developer in relation to various sets of works at two business parks in the Home Counties; the operator on the construction aspects of its adoption and operation of the utilities infrastructure for Google’s new £1bn London headquarters in King’s Cross; and a sub-contractor in its tender negotiations for multiple sub-contract packages on Phase One of HS2. Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Ryan was the head of construction and engineering at Travers Smith.

Ryan Steed

Ryan qualified as a solicitor in September 2017 and was promoted to Legal Director in May 2023. He works within the Real Estate practice group based in the London Office. Ryan has experience acting for landlords, tenants and portfolio holders in the acquisition and disposal of both freehold and leasehold properties. Ryan has gained experience in a wide range of real estate matters, including: assisting on the due diligence of a portfolio acquisition of over £100 million for a property investment client; subsequently acting in aspects of portfolio management for the above mentioned client including acquisitions, disposals and lease renewals as we retained this work following the acquisition; acting for a range local pension scheme providers and their clients in the acquisition/sale and lease-back of numerous properties; and acting for a number of significant occupiers in the United Kingdom in respect of its property portfolio, including lease renewals.

Sam Tyfield

I am a corporate M&A lawyer with significant experience in the financial services sector. I have been Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of a high frequency trading firm. My practice involves advising clients in the trading industry (exchange-listed and over-the-counter), particularly those which trade algorithmically, in all aspects of their businesses. I have considerable experience in financial services regulation. I assisted the EU legislature in drafting parts of the current EU-wide financial services rules and regulations as well as responding to numerous consultations on other aspects of those rules and regulations with non-legal industry working groups and associations.

Sam Jadhav

Sam is a Banking and Finance PrincipalAssociate based in the Manchester office, with experience in a range of debt finance work including real estate finance, acquisition finance and general corporate lending. He acts for borrowers, banks and financial institutions. Sam’s recent work includes: acting for a major North West property developer on development facilities of £128 million to fund the construction of residential skyscrapers in Manchester; acting for a major North West student accommodation developer on senior and mezzanine investment facilities of over £30,000,000; acting for a major high street bank on £24,000,000 senior and mezzanine facilities relating to the acquisition of a retail park; acting for a property developer on the £40,000,000 refinance of around 80 properties; acting for a North West property developer on the £17,500,000 refinance of its mezzanine debt; and acting for a major high street bank on a £5,000,000 revolving credit facility to a PLC borrower.

Samantha Truckle

Samantha is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team at Shoosmiths. Samantha has experience of advising on IT and technology transactions across a range of sectors but has particular experience in acting for clients in (i) the retail and consumer; and (ii) the technology and telecoms sectors. Samantha has completed several client secondments, including to the in-house legal departments of three leading telecoms businesses (two direct and one wholesale) and a big six supermarket. These secondments have enabled Samantha to obtain a greater understanding of the key concerns and issues faced by the relevant businesses and the sectors they operate in. As a result, Samantha is able to take a commercial view and work seamlessly as an extension of a client’s in-house legal team. Samantha’s most recent experience includes: advising a global specialist provider of life insurance products on its partnership with a leading UK insurance aggregator, including the drafting and negotiation of a white-label website agreement and API development agreement; advising a leading UK sports retail company on a SaaS agreement for the provision and implementation of HR solutions; repapering a leading telecoms company’s wholesale agreements for the provision of mobile and fibre broadband services post-joint venture; advising a big six supermarket on the outsourcing of its cleaning services across their manufacturing, retail and logistics operations; advising the UK’s largest distributor of fuel and lubricants on its distribution arrangements; and advising a next-generation property search engine scale-up on a number of contracts for the provision of estate agency, lettings and other property services.

Samantha Grange

Sam is a member of Shoosmiths’ Planning and CPO Team – recognised as Planning Law Firm of the Year at the Planning Awards 2022 and a Top 5 Team in the Planning Law Survey 2022. Sam advises both public and private sector clients on the legal aspects of the planning approval process, as well as the constraint/risk and land acquisition strategies required to unlock the delivery of major regeneration, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. She also provides planning due diligence and transactional advice, with a particular focus on ensuring a project’s compliance with statutory planning and policy related requirements. Sam has been an integral part of the multi-disciplinary teams charged with both consenting and securing the implementation of prominent schemes within the house building, build-to-rent, student living, leisure, mixed use, rail & road infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. She can advise on the legal and regulatory aspects of the environmental impact assessment process and how to ‘de-risk’ a project and planning application from this perspective. Where required, she can also provide advice on land assembly and the formulation of an acquisition strategy which supports and aligns with a project’s funding strategy and delivery programme. Sam has experience of acting for clients with a planning application at appeal, as well as on a number of planning focused judicial review and statutory High Court challenges. She has also worked on a number of complex compensation claims, representing both the scheme promoter and objectors, which she has prepared for hearing in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Sam is recognised as a “Next Generation Partner” by Legal 500, Planning and Environment (2024). Sam’s recent experience includes: Advising Brenntag, a global chemical storage & distribution company, in connection with the implementation of the development consent order (DCO) secured by Transport for London (TfL) in order to authorise the construction of Silvertown Tunnel, a twin bore road (1.4km long) tunnel providing a new connection between the A102 Blackwall Tunnel Approach on Greenwich Peninsula and the Tidal Basin roundabout junction on the A1020 Lower Lea Crossing/Silvertown Way. Development consent for the Silvertown Tunnel was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in May 2018. Main construction activities commenced in 2020 and the new tunnel is currently planned to open in 2025. Acting on multiple CPO compensation claims at the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) arising as a result of the construction of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road which was promoted by Stockport Council. Advising landowners who have and continue to be affected by the project and whose positions have had to be preserved noting the limitation period associated with the compulsory acquisition of their interests in land subject of the CPO. Pursuant to instructions received from the site developer/seller, undertaking planning due diligence and inputting into the transactional documents prepared in connection with the sale of two onshore wind farms located on constrained sites in the Scottish Highlands. Acting for Historic England, development partner to Shropshire Council, on the compulsory purchase orders required to assemble land and to secure the timely delivery of the final phases of the redevelopment of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings – a project intended to revive and restore the site’s complex of historic buildings, including the internationally significant Grade I listed Main Mall which dates back to 1797. It is anticipated that upon completion of the project, the Flaxmill and neighbouring complex of listed buildings will attract in the order of 20,750 visitors per annum. Further, the project will create c.1,000 jobs across the construction and operational phases of the redevelopment, as well as make a contribution of approx. £5.5 million GVA to the local economy.

Sanjeev Sharma

Sanjeev heads up the Corporate team in Shoosmiths’ Thames Valley and Milton Keynes offices. With over 18 years experience in corporate finance, Sanjeev advises on all aspects of corporate law including mergers and acquisitions, exits, restructurings, reorganisations, shareholders’ agreements, corporate governance, equity investments and buy-outs. Sanjeev’s clients include multi-national PLCs, large privately owned companies, PE houses, VCs, management teams and high net worth individuals. Sanjeev acts for clients across a wide range of sectors and has significant experience dealing with international transactions that have a cross border element. Sanjeev’s recent experience includes advising: • Truworths International on the £256m acquisition of an 88.9% stake in the high street footwear chain Office Retail Group • LDC and other sellers on the £221m sale of Bybox, a smart locker technology and field service solutions business, to Francisco Partners • The shareholders on the sale of outdoor retail brand Rohan Group Limited to H.Young Holdings PLC • The management team of Babington Group on their MBO, backed by RJD Partners • Intelligent Maintenance Systems Limited on a strategic transaction with E.ON Connecting Energies Limited • Downing Capital on numerous investments • NVM on numerous investments • BGF on numerous investments • Compucredit LLC on general corporate advice in connection with its UK entities

Sara Hampson

Sara specialises in residential and mixed use development, dealing with both immediate and strategic land. Sara acts for a number of local and national residential developers, housebuilders, retirement living developers, PLC developers and land promoters. Sara has extensive experience in negotiating conditional on planning contracts for land purchase, option agreements, land promotion agreements and hybrid agreements, as well as land sales, subsales, and affordable housing land sale and development agreements. Sara's recent experience includes: acting for well known developers in the housebuilder and residential sector in connection with site acquisition and disposal, including conditional on planning agreements, option agreements, strategic site assembly, and often advising upon and resolving complex title and practical issues arising; acting for the land promoter in the negotiation of a hybrid agreement for promotion and development of a large swathe of land currently in several different titles and ownerships; acting for a landowner in the negotiation of an option agreement with a major housebuilder and an associated collaboration with other landowners, including liaising closely with tax advisers; acting as project solicitor for a consortium of plc housebuilders on a major new town development. This work included advising on a wide variety of issues including partition of title into smaller phases/land parcels for residential, retail and town centre development, acting in the disposal of land for retail, hotel/pub, retirement living, public sector and commercial development, advising upon planning obligations, actioning the disposal of areas required for transfer pursuant to such planning obligations, and advising upon legal aspects of road and infrastructure adoption. Throughout, having oversight to title and contractual issues affecting the wider site; acting for developers in the negotiation of affordable housing land disposals with associated development agreement for the delivery of the affordable housing; and assisting in the diversion of public rights of way and creation of new public paths, regularising boundary, infrastructure and access issues, negotiating third party and adoption agreements to facilitate development, and facilitating planning agreements and variations in close collaboration with planning colleagues.

Sarah Cunliffe

Sarah qualified in September 2001 and joined Shoosmiths in 2003. Sarah is a Senior Associate serious injury lawyer who deals with a variety of Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence claims. Sarah specialises in cases involving elder abuse/neglect and is passionate about achieving justice for vulnerable victims in these cases. More often than not, Sarah acts for the families of those elderly or vulnerable people who have been abused/neglected as they themselves may suffer from conditions such as dementia and thus are considered to lack capacity under the Mental Health Act 2005. Some of the individuals she helps get to the truth about what happened to their loved ones are widows or other family members who wish to bring claims on behalf of their relatives for the sub-standard treatment they received whilst in a care/nursing home (https://seriousinjury.shoosmiths.co.uk/vulnerable-adults/care-nursing-homes). These claims can be very emotionally charged, protracted and upsetting for Sarah's clients and she offers support at all stages including representation at an inquest. Sarah strives to make the litigation process as simple and stress free as possible for her clients. It is important to Sarah that they feel they can contact her with any queries they may have and that they feel Sarah is there to support them even at the most difficult times.

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah has been practising pensions law since 2007 and has extensive experience on a wide range of pension scheme issues. She regularly drafts pension scheme documentation and provides advice to trustees and employers on complex scheme issues, such as equalisation and the interpretation of pension scheme provisions. She also has a number of years’ experience as a professional pension scheme trustee, and is able to apply the lessons she has learnt from this role to much of her advisory work. Sarah is an approachable and conscientious lawyer who puts the needs of her clients at the heart of the advice she provides. Her logical and organised approach to pensions law enables her to guide pension schemes effectively through sometimes complex pensions projects. Recent work undertaken by Sarah includes: negotiation and agreement of a benefit specification and buy-in contract on behalf of a professional trustee, including advice on the terms of and risks associated with the contract, and on the treatment of overpayments and underpayments resulting from data cleansing work; advice on adjustments to a scheme's forfeiture provisions to reflect recent case law, including consideration of the impact of the adjustments on existing forfeiture cases; advice to a trustee board on two separate scheme mergers - one being an internal transfer between two segregated sections of the scheme, and the other involving the transfer in of a scheme into a newly created section, including follow up advice on data and benefit issues identified within the transferring scheme; advising the trustees of a scheme in relation to the implications of a complex corporate restructuring proposal on the Scheme (including master trust and employer-related investment issues; employer covenant and employer debt implications; and the impact of the proposal on a PPF guarantee); drafting and negotiating a Type A PPF guarantee to remove a non-exclusive jurisdiction clause which had created some post-Brexit enforceability concerns; detailed advice on GMP equalisation and conversion, including the amendment of the scheme to allow for conversion for pensioner and deferred members and consideration of associated tax concerns, as well as the rectification of historic benefit payments; advising the trustees of a scheme about a proposal to close a scheme to the future accrual of benefits, including the consideration of complex amendments required to the rules of the scheme as a result of the closure; drafting a consolidation and update of a pension scheme’s definitive trust deed and rules for a scheme, including negotiation with employer advisers; providing pension scheme secretarial services to a number of trustee boards, including assistance with maintenance and updating of scheme records, the production and maintenance of scheme governance documents, and preparing trustee meeting packs and minutes.

Sarah Teal

Sarah Teal is a partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team. Sarah represents banks, asset based lenders and other financiers, restructuring and turnaround professionals, directors and management teams, and advises on all issues arising in financially stressed situations. Sarah regularly advises boards on directors' duties in the context of doubtful solvency and has been involved in a number of large scale confidential restructurings (particularly in the retail and healthcare sectors). Sarah also has substantial contentious experience including antecedents transactions, wrongful trading and misfeasance actions which have resulted in a number of reported cases. Sarah has worked on a number of high profile assignments, including - The Debenhams CVA challenge, Rococo chocolates, Oddbins, Burdens, Monarch Aircraft Engineering, Manchester House, Artisan, American Golf, Mark Wilkinson Furniture, Smallbone, Fresh to Store, Lotus F1 and Barratts. In addition, Sarah has assisted a number of retailers with CVA's, including Poundstretcher, Jigsaw and Moss Bros. Sarah is joint head of Shoosmiths’ Manchester office alongside Debra Cooper, and is responsible for the firm’s contribution to, and profile within, the local business community.

Sarah Buxton

Sarah is a legal director in the tax team. She advises domestic and multinational clients on a wide range of transactional and advisory tax matters. She has extensive experience providing tax advice in relation to domestic and international corporate and real estate transactions. She advises corporate and individual clients on the tax implications of share and asset disposals and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings and cross-border tax structuring. Her recent experience includes: advising BT Group plc on the carve out from BT and sale of non-core division, BT Fleet Solutions, and a long-term outsourcing arrangement to continue management of BT’s own fleet with Aurelius Group, a pan-European investment group. Advising Energizer Holdings, the St. Louis-based maker of batteries and portable lighting products on its $938.7 million acquisition of Spectrum Brands Holdings´ global auto care business, which includes the Armor All, STP and A/C Pro brands. Advising RGL Forensics, a leading global financial investigations firm, on its merger with Baker Tilly, creating one of the largest single firms focused on financial investigations. Providing tax advice to Wireless Telecom Group, Inc., (a leader in advanced wireless communications solutions) in connection with the acquisition of CommAgility Ltd (a developer of embedded signal processing and RF modules for 4G and 5G mobile network. Acted for eClinicalWorks, LLC (a leader in healthcare IT solutions) assisting in respect of its expansion into the EU and contractual arrangements with Specsavers (who utilise eClinicalWorks’ international private cloud). Acted for Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK on the simultaneous acquisition of CAPS Consortium Ltd, which promotes data standardisation throughout the car industry and provides connectivity to the CAPS Service, a secure information connection for the repair industry and Bodyshop Management Solutions Ltd, which designs, develops and maintains software products and hosts the CAPS Service.

Sarah Fenn

Sarah is an experienced and pragmatic commercial litigation lawyer, who has over 15 years' experience in dealing with all aspects of negligence claims such as employers liability, public liability, road traffic accidents, occupiers liability, noise induced hearing loss, hand arm vibration syndrome claims and has particular experience in defending upper limb disorder claims. She also advises clients on claims pursued via the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and Consumer Rights Act 2015 and has advised on core insurance issues such as potential broker negligence claims. Her case load has also included complicated debt recovery work on behalf of a major utility provider in addition to subsidence claims. Sarah embraces cases from the start, taking an early and practical view to achieve the best result for the client. She has successfully pursued and defended many claims recovering costs and maintaining the on-going reputation of clients. Recent experience includes: Representing the film industry by defending catastrophic injury claims (circa £1 million) and reducing payments substantially; Success at Trial, and on Appeal, defending a Manual Handling Claim for a beauty manufacturing client by successfully arguing against there being a foreseeable risk of injury (circa 500k); tactical applications striking out a claim pleaded at £185,000 based on pure economic loss which had no merit in law; obtaining full indemnities for high profile clients on behalf of major insurers; and successfully persuading claimants to discontinue claims against manufacturing and motor industry clients.

Sarah Maddock

Sarah is a Senior Associate based in the Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes office. She has experience working on private equity investments and private M&A transactions. Sarah works with equity investors, corporate entities, shareholders and management teams advising on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, restructuring and general corporate governance. Recent project experience includes advising an online estate agent on its merger, creating the UK’s second-largest digital estate agency.

Sarah Rigby

Senior Associate

Sarah Moss

Sarah is a Senior Associate in the Privacy and Data team at Shoosmiths. Sarah advises clients across different sectors on all aspects of UK and EU data protection law including international transfers, data breaches, data sharing agreements, marketing and cookies, policies and procedures and data subject rights. She is a practical lawyer, who enjoys assisting clients navigate the complex world of data protection. She has undertaken a number of client secondments over the years which enables her to see issues from a client's perspective and provide pragmatic legal solutions. Additionally, Sarah holds a CIPP/E certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, evidence of her comprehensive understanding of European data protection law and the ability to practically apply it. Before joining Shoosmiths, she spent several years advising clients based in the UK’s ‘Silicon Valley’ on data protection matters.

Sarah Harper

Sarah is a a Legal Director (FCILEx), working in the Medical Negligence department at The Lakes, Northampton. Sarah joined Shoosmiths in 1995, initially specialising in personal injury and then solely in medical negligence since 2006, acting for patients and their families. Sarah is committed to providing a bespoke service to her clients, responding to their needs and requirements with a flexible approach to achieve the best outcomes. Sarah supports and advises clients on a wide variety of medical negligence matters and has been successful in obtaining excellent settlements in the following areas: still birth; stroke mismanagement; surgical injury; oncology mismanagement; orthopaedic errors; and amputations.

Sarah Evans

Sarah is a Legal Director in the Real Estate Team in Milton Keynes. Sarah has over 15 years experience advising on commercial property transactions with a particular focus on landlord and tenant, acquisitions and disposals, providing corporate support on the sales and purchases of businesses and taking security over all types of commercial property. Sarah's advises landlord and tenant clients on leases, assignments, sub-lettings, licences, variations and surrenders. Sarah's recent instructions include: acting for a national lender in taking security over two garden centres acting for an automotive client in the grant of leases for the use of sites as a vehicle maintenance facility acting for a hotel operator in the grant of a lease to a serviced office provider acting for a lender taking security over an educational establishment

Sarah Poynter

Sarah is a Senior Associate working within the Costs Team at Shoosmiths. Sarah deals mainly with the recovery of client's damages and costs once a case has settled on behalf of the firm. Her role is to ensure the efficient and professional running of the files ensuring that settlement monies are received quickly. Sarah qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in October 2002 and as a Solicitor in October 2005. She started at Shoosmiths in March 2003 as a case handler in one of the PI Motor Units and then moved to become a Legal Trainer with the Learning and Development team in May 2004. Sarah moved to the costs team in 2008. Sarah also has a small case load dealing with a number of personal injury matters. Sarah will deal with numerous litigation matters and represents clients at a variety of court hearings, including cost recovery matters, Infant Approval hearings and Applications.

Sean Adams

Sean has extensive experience of managing recoveries, volume based, predominately associated with mortgage, consumer debt and property portfolios; Sean's experience in such matters extends to 26 years.The following areas form part of Sean’s remit within Shoosmiths:- Debtor tracing and asset search- Pre-legal collections- Litigation and enforcementDebtor tracing & asset search – Utilising cutting edge technology and with a team of experienced operatives this in-house facility naturally compliments the collections’ process. This minimises any potential delay between instruction and actual customer contact resulting in payment being secured at the earliest possible time. For the last 15 years Sean has been extensively involved with the recovery of mortgage shortfall debt - overseeing the collections process, from pre-legal recovery action through to litigation and enforcement. The work relates directly to residential mortgages and insurance (MIG) – and includes both prime & sub prime lending.In addition Sean has significant experience in the recovery of ground rent and service charge arrears for property management companies, landlords and developers. Sean provides a cost efficient, fixed fee recovery service using a bespoke case management system which also provides view access to clients to track the up-to-date position on an individual matter.

Sean Wright

Sean heads up the National Private Equity practice and leads the South Corporate team covering its Solent, Thames Valley and Milton Keynes offices. A top-class corporate partner, he is identified by Chambers and Partners as ""a leader in his fields"" and in Legal 500, he is ""considered to be the best corporate lawyer on the South coast."" Since joining Shoosmiths in 2004, Sean has built the private equity team into the first-class national practice it is today. Acting for equity providers, management teams and financial sponsors. the team have a unique national footprint, with a top-class equity offering across the UK from Edinburgh to Solent. Major deals where Sean has recently acted include: • acting for LDC on the sale of CIPHR to ECI Partners and its investment in FSP; • acting for Management on the buyout of Ascenti Health by bd-capital partners; • acting for the Sellers on the acquisition of and management on the buyout of Phoenix Datacom by an LDC backed Newco; • acting for the shareholders of Solent Group on its £117m sale to quoted Swedish corporate Humble Group AB (publ); • acting for the shareholders of Spectrum Corporate Finance on its sale to FRP for c £12.4m; • acting for Dukes Education Group on various acquisitions including Northwood Schools, Hampton Court House and The Kindergartens Group of nurseries; • acting for Castik Capital backed TBAuctions on its acquisition of British Medical Auctions; and • acting for management on the sale of eCogra to Hanover Investments. Sean Wright has been ranked in The Chambers 100 – a prestigious list of the best 100 business lawyers in the UK. Sean has been ranked on the list for his ‘commercial awareness and negotiation skills’, and ability to ‘maintain goodwill but win the key points’. Sean ‘provides hands-on personal service and has loads of experience and the ability to negotiate in a friendly way.’ The Chambers 100. Sean qualified in London in 1990, gaining practical experience with a year’s secondment to Shell International Plc. He joined Shoosmiths in 2004 as an Equity Partner.

Sean Burke

Sean is an experienced real estate lawyer with wide knowledge of development, leasing and portfolio transactional work, as well as substantial project management expertise, spanning both private and public sectors. His approach is typified by focusing early on the practical outputs of what a client is aiming to achieve and then instilling a pro-active approach to the advice given by him and his team. Recent project experience includes advising: an international investment company and leading the cross-discipline team in relation to the first strategic acquisition of a shopping centre and car park in west London for this client; a national UK retailer on all matters connected with the management of their English/Welsh real estate portfolio, including a mixture of new lease acquisitions, both high street and edge of town, lease renewals and regears; on a portfolio disposal involving eight properties, transacted within a four week timetable; and the JV partners in a major UK Enterprise Zone project. He also serves on the Board of The Renewal Trust, a charitable trust which aims to stimulate enterprise and develop communities to relieve poverty in economically and socially deprived inner city areas of Nottingham.

Sebastian Price

Sebastian advises on the full range of commercial arrangements, covering every aspect of clients' purchasing, production, marketing, selling, infrastructure, outsourcing, technology and e-commerce requirements. He has particular experience of tailoring support for in-house legal teams, working closely with them. He has worked on secondment with clients, including time at a major retail bank. He has particular legal specialism in IT outsourcing, software licensing and development, IT systems acquisition, facilities management, electronic trading and other IT related matters; and he is identified as a leader in the field of Information Technology by Chambers and Partners. His focus is on helping clients meet their commercial objectives by using his legal knowledge and expertise and acting as part of the client team.Sebastian’s experience includes advising: the leading supplier to the health sector of safety related software on its licencing and distributorship arrangements worldwide; retailers on online sales, distance selling and other e-commerce issues; a Police Force on its procurement of a new ERP system; universities on research and teaching collaborations, and on a range of other arrangements for making use of university know-how and IP; a leading residential mortgage providers on mortgage sales and procurement of a new IT system; a US credit card company and personal finance lender on its operations in the UK; credit card issuers on affinity arrangements, merchant acquiring and card schemes; a top 4 UK housebuilder on the contracts to set up an arrangement to assist first time buyers obtain mortgage finance; the UK’s leading travel company on a range of outsourcings and business critical contracts; and the world’s leading car hire company on its UK rental and fleet management arrangem

Selina Cullen

Selina is a Senior Associate and manages the Client Services Department based in Thames Valley. The team are responsible for dealing with all new enquiries for the Private Advisory Division, from signposting leads to the relevant departments, to undertaking client and matter inception, and compliance checks. Having joined in 2001, Selina has over 15 years’ experience leading teams in a customer service environment.

Sharine Burgess

Sharine is an award-winning lawyer in the serious injury department, acting on behalf of claimants and their families through a wide range of cases including stress at work, workplace accidents, illness and disease claims, asbestos related claims, psychiatric illness/PTSD, military claims and clinical negligence. Undertaking pro bono work through good working relationships with many organisations and charities, Sharine co-ordinated the award winning Northampton and District Citizens Advice Bureau Pro Bono Clinic from its inception in 2011. This achievement was recognised when Shoosmiths won the category for Best Contribution by a Regional Firm at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards in 2012. Sharine continues to support the clinic as a supervisor. Sharine won Solicitor of the Year at the Northamptonshire Law Society Awards in 2017 and is ranked by both Chambers and Legal 500. Sharine was promoted to Partner in 2020 and was appointed joint Head of Office in 2021.

Shelley White

Shelley is a Prinicipal Associate within the Solent Office's Dispute Resolution and Compliance team. She specialises in complex, high-value commercial disputes and contentious insolvency and is recommended within the Legal 500 2018 and 2019. Shelley has particular specialisms in advising asset finance based lenders and automotive clients on complex litigation and recoveries along with advising on liquidations, administrations, bankruptcy and antecedent transactions from a contentious aspect. Shelley is also a member of R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals. Recent work includes: Pursuing recoveries of shortfalls for asset finance lenders pursuant to guarantees and repossession actions; Acting for platform lender in relation to recission of a Winding-Up Order and subsequent re-listed Petition; and Advising automotive client in relation to title dispute with third party and liquidator over vehicles.

Sherif Malak

Sherif is the Head of Privacy & Data at Shoosmiths, where he leads over 20 dedicated privacy advisers. His legal career began as a member of the legal team that gave Harry Potter a digital home, and since then he has supported businesses to bring their digital and data driven projects to life. He has over a decade of experience assisting clients to manage privacy, compliance and other data risks in all areas relating to the use and exploitation of data, including through the use of emerging online technologies and business models. Sherif delivers privacy compliance programmes and manages or supports data protection functions for a range of organisations. His practice has a strong focus on the technology, automotive, retail/FMCG and market research sectors, with a particular emphasis on the use of new technologies, including adtech, AI and blockchain. His recent collaboration with key contacts in the adtech industry was recently referenced in the UK ICO’s paper on adtech and shortlisted for Best Innovative Privacy Project at the inaugural PICCASO Privacy Awards. He is recommended in the Chambers UK legal directory and the UK Legal 500 specifically in the field of data protection and privacy. Sherif’s strengths lie in providing clear and commercially-astute advice, informed by exceptional experience in an area where there is often a shortage of pragmatism. He sits on the Research Advisory Board of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and is a founder of the.JPA.club, a programme that brings together aspiring privacy professionals.

Shruti Goel

Shruti is a Senior Associate in the Privacy and Data team with 10 years’ data protection experience in private practice and in-house. She advises on all aspects of international data protection compliance for clients in a multitude of sectors with a focus on artificial intelligence, ad tech, health data and international transfers. During a two year secondment as Senior Privacy Counsel at a FTSE 5 company she advised the product and development teams on a wide range of goods and services.

Sian Hoare

Sian is an employment and corporate immigration principal associate in the Solent Employment Team. She provides strategic and commercial advice to a wide range of clients and always ensures that she always invests the time into understanding her clients’ business needs and provides advice in a format which is ‘on point’ and easy to digest. Sian provides day-to-day employment advice to her clients on grievances, disciplinary issues, discrimination issues, collective redundancies, enforceability of restrictive covenants and TUPE transfers. Sian represents clients at Tribunal where she has an enviable success rate. She also provides support to the corporate team with M&A work and advises individuals/senior executives on their exit from a business and their settlement agreements. Sian regularly advises on all aspects of corporate immigration from right to work checks to obtaining and maintaining sponsor licences. Her recent work includes: successfully representing a manufacturer of contact lenses in defending a claim of constructive unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal. Sian adopted a particularly robust approach, made an application for strike out and conducted the advocacy at Tribunal where she was successful. Her approach has saved the client significant time and future legal fees; advising on a complex and sensitive investigation of a group of employees who had set up a WhatsApp group on their company phone and had made sexist and racist remarks. All but one employee resigned as a result before the disciplinary hearing. One employee was dismissed for gross misconduct. There were no resulting claims; supporting a client in the hospitality sector in the harmonisation and implementation of new contracts involving significant changes to employee remuneration including all aspects of the consultation process to over 400 employees; supporting a large retailer in reporting a change in ownership of the wider group and applying for a new licence. Sian has supported generally in the operation of its sponsorship licence including obtaining Tier 2 general visas, any change of circumstance and reporting of migrant activity; and supporting Shoosmiths’ corporate team with numerous due diligence reports, advising on indemnities and warranties in various Share purchase agreements. Sian regularly speaks at seminars, runs training sessions and interactive ‘bite size briefings' on various topics for clients. Sian trained with Shoosmiths and qualified in 2007. She was promoted to Senior Associate in 2017.

Simon Procter

Simon is a Partner in the Corporate team based in Leeds. He has over 13 years' experience of corporate transactions, advising both public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganisation and simplification projects and general corporate advisory. Simon has significant experience of acting on cross-border transactions, having acted for a number of North American clients on such matters. He also specialises in insolvent debt portfolio acquisitions and disposals, having acted for a US investment bank in this sector for a number of years.

Simon McArdle

Simon is a Partner in the commercial team who specialises in large scale outsourcing arrangements including logistics and warehousing, property and asset management, facilities management and soft services. His practice also encompasses agency and distribution arrangements (he is published on PLC in this area) and a range of other B2B contracting models. Simon leads the Commercial team's Logistics and Warehousing Team as well as leading Shoosmiths' Resource Solutions service which offers a range of outsourced managed legal services for in house legal teams together with market leading legal tech offerings such as Cia (the firm's AI powered contract review service) and Live Working (bespoke online hubs for clients). Simon advises clients in a range of sectors including the retail, logistics, food, health and automotive sectors. Recent work includes: • Advising Aramark, the Fortune 500 global professional services company, in relation to its £nine figure deal with Merlin group in respect of the first generation outsourcing of all of the food and beverage services at its UK and US theme parks. • Advising a major supermarket chain in relation to its £nine figure ground-breaking joint venture arrangements with a leading logistics provider relating to its UK warehousing. • Advising a high-end retailer in respect of its £eight figure first generation outsourcing of its central distribution centre to a major logistics provider. • Advising one of the UK’s largest logistics providers in relation to a renegotiation of its £eight figure deal with a major retailer. • Advising a leading manufacturer of high end sports and leisure footwear in relation to the renegotiation of its central distribution centre arrangements with a major logistics provider. • Advising a major food manufacturer in relation to its bespoke £multimillion cold storage facility agreement with a leading provider of cold storage facilities. • Advising a Global cosmetics manufacturer in relation to the consolidation of its UK wide distribution network into a major new UK distribution hub. Simon has extensive experience of working closely with in house legal teams, having spent time on secondment with Aramark the Fortune 500 global professional services company, Informa the FTSE 100 publishing giant, Iron Mountain the global records company, and Cambridge University Press and having been seconded as acting head of legal for a major electronics company. Simon spent the early part of his legal career specialising in Commercial Litigation and as such has extensive experience of commercial disputes including contractual arrangements that have been subject to inter-party and judicial scrutiny.

Simon Barnes

Simon leads the firm's competition law practice. He has extensive experience advising on competition law compliance, merger control, competition investigations and litigation. Simon regularly works with businesses to develop and implement effective compliance training programmes for their staff. He also advises on the competition law considerations arising from clients' day-to-day commercial arrangements. Simon represents clients in investigations before the Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission. He has also advised in relation to cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg, as well as on competition investigations in a number of other jurisdictions, in Europe and elsewhere. Examples of Simon's experience include: advising Micronclean Limited, a main party in the CMA's infringement investigation into cleanroom laundries; acting for a party in the CMA's infringement investigation into the use of most-favoured-nations clauses by a price comparison website; advising in relation to the CMA's market investigation into funeral care; advising Ageas Insurance in the CMA's market investigation into private motor insurance; advising Fenland Laundries in the CMA's merger control investigation of its proposed acquisition of Fishers Cleanroom; acting for Skoosh International in support of Skyscanner's successful appeal before the CAT against the CMA's settlement decision in the hotel bookings case; acting for Thorntons plc in the EU Merger Regulation clearance of its acquisition by Ferrero; advising numerous businesses on competition compliance, including providing face-to-face training and working with clients to develop competition e-learning.

Simon Foster

Simon is a Solicitor, Partner and Head of the Real Estate Litigation (Southern) team. He is also the Head of the National Residential Litigation team. His clients include household name and local housebuilders, charities, retailers, social landlords, commercial landlords and tenants and private individuals regarding contentious property matters. He routinely deals with matters before the property chambers of the First Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, and before the High Court. His reported cases include: Bethell v St John's College, Oxford (1) and Hiorns (2) Frazer v Brown [2009] EWHC 2692 (Ch) Lotus Cars Limited v Marcassus Sport SARL [2019] EWHC 3128 (Comm)

Simon Towler

Simon, a Senior Associate, has been dealing with personal injury and clinical negligence claims since 1992, and qualified as a Legal Executive in 1997. Since 2008 Simon has concentrated on clinical negligence claims. Simon joined Shoosmiths in May 2014 and has a wide ranging practice with a special interest in fatal claims, claims involving laparoscopic surgery, orthopaedic claims and delays in diagnosing cancer. Currently, Simon is also dealing with claims involving failures in diagnosing metabolic disorders, wrongful birth claims and medical products liability claims. He knows that bringing a claim for clinical negligence can be a stressful experience not just for the injured person, but also their families and how important it is to ensure his clients understand the process of attempting to rebuild lives. Cases that Simon has dealt with include: Mr O - against a background of incurable cancer, negligent treatment leading to a below knee amputation and the urgent need to obtain an interim payment for a custom fitted prosthetic; Mrs H - delay in diagnosis of lung cancer losing the chance for curable treatment. The claim involved helping the claimant and her young family move to suitable accommodation in time to build memories in the new family home; Mrs F - a delay in diagnosis leading to the inability to have children, and exploring the costs of surrogacy; and Miss T - a claim on behalf of her family to investigate her death after several months in hospital following a bowel perforation.

Simon Boss

Simon Boss is Shoosmiths' former CEO. In this role, Simon combined leadership and management of the firm’s core divisions (real estate, corporate, business advisory and personal advisory) and support directorates, and focused on providing the unifying drive to take Shoosmiths into three years of exceptional financial growth for the firm. During his leadership, Simon also balanced business with purpose, and championed Shoosmiths’ commitment to ESG with a focus on key issues such as social mobility, diversity and climate action. Examples of action during his tenure include the launch of grant-making body, The Shoosmiths Foundation; joining Justine Greening’s Levelling Up Goals; and establishing regular roundtables with clients on these topics to share best practice. Simon has also discussed the firm’s involvement in the UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Programme at their annual Business and Human Rights summit, and remains a committed member of the Business in the Community’s West Midlands Leadership Board. Previous to his role as CEO, Simon was national head of the firm’s real estate division, which over six years saw a 120% increase in income and 130% increase in profit.

Simon Fennell

Simon is a Partner in the Employment team based in Milton Keynes. Simon is an experienced employment specialist who provides advice to a number of large commercial clients, many of whom are household names, on all aspects of employment law. Simon has many years of experience working with private and public sector clients and is the main contact for employment work with a local university and many well established organisations in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Simon is the lead employment contact for a number of our automotive clients and is frequently referred to by these clients as the "go to" individual when drafting and negotiating their contractual TUPE provisions. Simon is renowned for delivering advice in a straightforward and easy to understand manner and his down to earth approach puts clients and witnesses at ease. His recent work includes: • acting as independent appeal chair with delegated responsibility to a disciplinary process which had seen a director/shareholder and manager dismissed from the business. Simon conducted interviews with all relevant witnesses and considered a significant volume of evidence before preparing a detailed outcome report. In the successful judgment, the Employment Judge stated that the original process was flawed but those defects were corrected on appeal by the ‘excellent, thorough, thought and balanced rehearing by Mr Fennell’ • assisting a number of private sector organisations with multi-level redundancy and restructuring processes; • pre-contract negotiations to TUPE (transfer of undertakings) clauses; and • support to the corporate team with M&A work. Simon writes and provides training sessions for clients on a range of subjects and is a regular speaker at Shoosmiths' national employment webinars. Simon is a member of the Employment Lawyer's Association and in 2023 contributed to the ELA's response to government changes to whistleblowing legislation.

Simon Meek

Simon is a real estate lawyer with wide experience of acting for investors and developers. His areas of expertise and recent project experience are as follows: • residential/student investment. Clients include Moorfield Group for whom he’s acted on a number of forward funded development schemes including developments at Newcastle, Manchester and Runnymede; • commercial investment. Clients include Evergreen/Extra (an M3 Capital Platform). • care homes/retirement living. Simon’s clients in this sector include Cinnamon Group for whom he has acted on numerous schemes throughout the UK; and • strategic Land. Simon acts on behalf of Highwood Group, one of the south coast’s fastest growing property companies, on various sites, bringing forward several thousand residential units in the last two years.

Siobhan Atkin

Siobhan is an experienced employment lawyer advising HR professionals and senior executive staff on a wide range of employment law issues including; unfair dismissal, sex, race, religion, disability and age discrimination claims, restrictive covenants, collective redundancy processes and disciplinary and grievance matters. As well as acting for the private sector and high net worth individuals, Siobhan also advises public sector clients such as a Police Authority, educational establishments and charities. Siobhan recognises the importance of providing clients with commercial solutions to employment law issues and she takes the time to understand their businesses and how they operate. Recent work handled by Siobhan includes advising: a software company on enforcing restrictive covenants through injunctive proceedings in the High Court; a university in respect of defending tribunal claims of discrimination and trade union issues; a police force in respect of a sensitive discrimination case in the tribunal; a training board on defending a substantial levy appeal from an employer in the off-shore sector and, in respect of a further levy appeal case, successfully defending an appeal against a tribunal decision in the Administrative Court; high net worth individuals in relation to negotiating settlement packages including advice on bonus entitlements. Siobhan trains HR professionals and managers in employment law and she is a regular speaker at Shoosmiths' national employment seminars.

Soma Fattah

Soma is a Senior Associate real estate lawyer based in Milton Keynes. She works with a wide range of clients, including property investors, landowners, developers and corporate occupiers. Soma also supports the corporate team on the real estate aspects of business sales and acquisitions. Soma’s experience includes sales and acquisitions together with the negotiation of agreements for lease, leases and leasehold management documentation. She also assists in the sale, purchase and letting of agricultural land and has acted for charities on the purchase and sale of land. Soma's recent projects include: assisting as part of a team in connection with the sale of agricultural land for the sum of £10.1 million; acting for a developer in the acquisition of land for mixed use development; negotiating licences for alterations to permit corporate identity works for an international car manufacturer; and processing the assignments of a portfolio of 40 leases for a national care home provider. Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Soma read law with International Relations at Keele University (including spending a semester abroad in Canada), before completing her Legal Practice course in London.

Sophie Davies

Sophie is a Principal Associate in the Corporate team with significant experience in a broad range of corporate transactions including M&A, private equity, venture capital and corporate reorganisations. Sophie has a particular focus on private equity and venture capital transactions, regularly acting for both institutions and companies/management teams across a variety of sectors. Sophie’s recent experience includes: advising YFM Private Equity on the £4.8 million investment into award winning marketing automation platform, Force24 Limited, which was shortlisted for Deal of the Year (up to £5m) at the Insider Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards advising LDC on its exit from ByBox in a £221 million sale to private equity backer Francisco Partners and the subsequent £30 million re-investment by LDC advising management on the investment by LDC in BCIS (a carve out from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), which was shortlisted for National / International Deal of the Year at the Insider Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards advising on BGF’s exit from Coppergreen Leisure Resorts, a luxury holiday park business, to Away Resorts, backed by CVC Capital Partners advising German private equity firm Capiton AG on the acquisition of Principle Healthcare Group, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and distributors of vitamins, minerals and supplements advising a deep-tech startup on its £5 million venture capital financing round led by a San Francisco based VC firm and multiple subsequent follow-on funding rounds

Sophie Tyler

Sophie is a Principal Associate in the banking and finance team based in the Thames Valley. Sophie undertakes a range of debt finance work, including general corporate lending and leverage and property finance, acting for both borrowers and lenders. Sophie has experience advising on regional, national and cross border transactions (with a particular emphasis on Africa).

Sophie Tracey

Sophie is a Principal Associate real estate litigation lawyer with experience of acting for landlords, tenants and portfolio holders. She has substantial estate management expertise, spanning both private and public sectors, as well as experience of dealing with a broad range of property disputes whether negotiating a settlement or resorting to court proceedings. Sophie’s approach is typified by providing clear and concise legal advice with a focus on achieving clients’ commercial objectives. Her recent experience includes advising: Two of the country’s leading shopping centres in relation to all aspects of estate management including debt recovery, insolvency, dilapidations, service charge and forfeiture; A major investment fund in respect of its large portfolio of office, retail and industrial properties, notably with regards to tenant management and default; A global telecommunications company in relation to its telecoms mast sites, including strategic advice in relation to the Telecommunications Code and the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954; Private and public sector commercial landlords and tenants in relation to the operation of lease break options and lease renewals in the context of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954; A national institution in relation to a rates dispute with the valuation office agency. Sophie takes a keen interest in pro bono activities, most recently supervising Manchester University students in giving legal advice to the general public.

Steph Pye

Steph is a senior associate in the employment team who offers legal advice with a commercial and practical approach. She advises on both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters to a range of clients including national retailers, engineering, and logistics companies. Steph’s previous experience includes: bringing and defending employment tribunal proceedings, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims; conducting the advocacy in the employment tribunal in relation to those claims, including at preliminary and final hearings; advising on a range of HR topics including disciplinary and grievance procedures, policies and employment terms and conditions; drafting and advising in relation to settlement agreements on behalf of employers and individuals; delivering client-specific and national training sessions; advising on business immigration matters, including right to work checks and the EU settlement scheme. Steph started as a paralegal with Shoosmiths in 2016 and has since completed her period of training with the firm, qualifying as a solicitor in March 2020.

Stephanie Kosaka

Stephanie works in our Construction Team, based in Leeds, specialising in non-contentious construction matters. Stephanie has over 13 years of experience drafting and negotiating building contracts, professional appointments, warranties and security documents, acting for a variety of clients including developers, public bodies, contractors, consultants, tenants, PFI consortia and financial institutions. Stephanie's recent experience includes: Acting on behalf of Moorfield Group in connection with a circa £24m new build PBSA scheme with a total of 293 units involving debt funding; Acting for a funder of PBSA in key UK University cities advising on building safety aspects and overall security package; Acting for an institutional investor/developer client partnership in relation to single family housing; Advising a large land and property regeneration company on the construction documents for the various phases of its regeneration of a 350-acre site into a mixed-use development comprising circa 1,000 new homes, commercial and community uses. Acting for a logistics developer in relation to developments for logistics property solutions on several UK sites up to 136 acres, involving the construction of multiple warehouse / manufacturing units, utilities works and infrastructure works. Acting for a local authority on the development / regeneration of their town centre buildings to create educational facilities and commercial office space.

Stephanie MacPherson

Stephanie specialises in both contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering law. She has experience acting for a broad range of public and private sector clients including employers, financial institutions, NHS Trusts, social housing associations, Universities and Higher Eduction suppliers, developers, contractors, specialist sub-contractors and professionals. She has experience in adjudication, litigation and arbitration as well as less formal methods of dispute resolution, mediation and negotiation. Stephanie has also advised upon construction insolvency, renewable energy and party walls.

Stephen Johnstone

Stephen is a specialist regulatory criminal defence lawyer and advises companies, directors and individuals on regulatory compliance across a range of sectors including advertising and marketing compliance (including sales promotions, prize promotions and Gambling Act compliance), anti-bribery legislation (including customer and third party incentive schemes), food and drink; tobacco law, inquests, health and safety, fire safety and product safety. Stephen’s experience includes: regularly advising retail, food and drink and automotive clients on advertising and marketing compliance; regularly advising an international tobacco product manufacturer on tobacco laws, hybrid products and e-cigarettes; advising retail and automotive clients on customer and third party incentive schemes; advising a major building and plumbing merchant on sales promotions and prize promotions; representing and advising corporate and individual clients at various Inquests; advising retail, telecommunications and automotive clients on product labelling, CE Marking and EU conformity; and assisting in corporate transactions by carrying out regulatory due diligence on target companies. Stephen is a member of the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association and the Food Law Group.

Stephen Eastley

Stephen is a Senior Associate commercial litigation lawyer. He specialises in advising clients on a wide range of contractual disputes, debt and asset recovery claims. Stephen has experience in both High Court and County Court litigation and alternative dispute resolution including mediation. Stephen advises national and international clients on a range of instructions as part of a team of lawyers based in the firm’s Solent office. Stephen’s advice centres on achieving commercially productive results for clients and clients have praised both his proactive attitude and business orientated advice. Recent work undertaken by Stephen includes: representing a high-street bank’s commercial brand in recovery of secured lending against a property worth £1.3 million; acting for national building materials group in relation to a director’s guarantee of company credit; and advising a worldwide recruitment agency on a tri-party recovery and indemnity claim.

Stephen Porter

Steve Porter is head of the corporate division at Shoosmiths, responsible for the management and direction of the range of services Shoosmiths provides for the owners, directors, investors, funders and shareholders of companies. As divisional head, Steve manages more than 130 legal advisers, who between them provide a full range of corporate transaction advisory services, together with specialist teams in banking & finance, venture and growth capital, private equity, corporate restructuring and advisory, company secretarial and tax (including EIS work). Steve has more than 20 years’ experience advising on corporate transactions, specifically mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital fundraising and reductions, compliance and corporate governance. He is equally at home providing strategic advice to the board of a PLC client or to the management team on a buy out or exit. He is described in the current edition of Chambers UK as “an excellent lawyer who is very pragmatic at doing deals." As divisional head, Steve is driving a clear-sighted strategy for Shoosmiths to be the natural choice for any UK organisation seeking the benefit of trusted and continuous strategic legal advice throughout the business lifecycle, whether advising on successive funding rounds, buy-and-build expansion, or the consolidation and re-shaping of larger group structures in line with a rapidly changing global economy.

Steve Reading

Steve is a Principal Associate in the Solent Residential Conveyancing Team and has over 20 years of experience in residential conveyancing. His teams deals with all types of residential matters including the sale and purchase of house, flats, new build properties, shared ownership property, Transfers of Equity, Help To Buy and unregistered land.

Steve Powell

Real Estate North

Steve Barnett

Steve is a partner in the corporate team at Shoosmiths specialising in advising companies and investors on venture and growth capital investments, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions, mainly in the technology sector. Prior to joining Shoosmiths in March 2017 Steve was a member of the Technology Companies Group in the London office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where he regularly completed 20 - 30 investment and other transactions per annum. Examples include: Acting for a money transfer service provider on its series A and series B investment rounds which raised around $140m in aggregate. Acting for a machine learning company on its significant series A investment round. Acting for a company in the online advertising sector on its series seed and series A investment rounds. Acting for a US-headquartered fintech impact investor on various investment rounds. Acting for a UK-focussed institutional seed investor on various investment rounds. Acting on numerous angel investment rounds. Acting for a cloud services provider on its sale to private equity.

Steven Richardson

Steven is a Legal Director and has experience of dealing with a wide variety of real estate transactions, but with a particular emphasis on strategic land and acting for housebuilders. He has regularly advised on the drafting and negotiation of Option Agreements and Planning Promotion Agreements and the subsequent disposal of sites once planning permission has been obtained. He has also advised on the acquisition of a wide variety of residential development sites and disposals of land or completed dwellings to affordable housing providers. Recent highlights include:- 1. Acting for a national land promoter in the promotion and subsequent disposal of a site for development of 2,500 homes in Haverhill, Suffolk. 2. Acting for a national housebuilder on the construction of a £26M bypass to serve the development of a site in Peterborough for construction of over 1,200 new homes and dealing with subsequent disposals of affordable housing. 3. Acting for regional housebuilders on a variety of site acquisitions, including by way of Conditional Contracts, Option Agreements and Promotion Agreements.

Stuart Angus

Principal Associate Stuart Angus is a Principal Associate Solicitor in the Private Property team with over 20 years experience within the residential property market. Stuart enjoys the technical aspects of residential property and has particular skills in the drafting or complex conveyancing documentation including transfers of part, overage agreements, options agreements and deeds of easement As part of the Private Property Team Stuart looks after the property needs of some of the firms most valued clients, as well as high net worth individuals recommended to the firm, working closely alongside colleagues in the Wealth Protection, Family and Tax teams to ensure a tailored approach is provided to best meet client needs.

Stuart Little

Stuart Little is head of the advisory services division at Shoosmiths, responsible for the management and direction of one of the firm’s largest groupings. As divisional head, Stuart is responsible for leading almost 400 legal advisers, including 70+ partners, working across a portfolio of the firms core commercial disciplines including commercial, IP, employment, pensions, regulatory, and commercial litigation. Within this broad commercial frame work the division is also able to offer support across specialist service lines including privacy & data, cyber, competition compliance, international arbitration and insurance. Complementing its specialist technical expertise, the division is focussed on delivering a solutions-based approach to clients drawing on technology and the use of AI to enhance the overall client experience. He works closely with general counsel (GCs) and in-house legal teams and is a regular panel speaker at in-house lawyer events (most recently the GC Summit in London in 2019). In conjunction with the GC of a leading US technology company, Stuart pioneered a risk and reward pricing model which was a winner of one of the first FT Innovative Lawyers Awards, for innovation in billing and fees. He maintains a hands-on role as the client partner for one of the firm’s major technology clients and is a member of the Society for Computers and Law. A skilled negotiator, he has utilised ADR processes to achieve early commercial resolution, frequently preserving what are important commercial relationships between the parties.

Stuart Lawrenson

Stuart is head of Shoosmiths' Solent Employment Team and has nearly 20 years of experience in providing employment law support to HR teams and senior executives. Stuart advises a broad range of clients, local and national, on all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious. He is an experienced and successful Tribunal advocate where he has successfully defended claims, including the obtaining of costs awards, brought against employers. He has also successfully brought claims on behalf of employees. Stuart has a particular interest and expertise advising clients in the retail sector and has a wealth of experience advising and supporting clients with HMRC national minimum wage investigations. He prides himself in giving commercial, practical and “no-nonsense” advice. Stuart regularly deals with knotty disciplinary and grievance issues often involving senior employees and claims of discrimination. On a more strategic level he has much experience advising on restructures, senior executive terminations, large scale redundancies and the employment aspects arising out of corporate transactions including TUPE. Recent advice has included: advising in relation to a complex outsourcing scenario involving multiple contractors. The project involved advising on the application of TUPE and the drafting of bespoke employee provision for the commercial contract; advising on the employment issues arising when a client went into a property led CVA; providing strategic advice ahead of a complicated national restructure of a key client which included advising on the need to collectively consult; advising and dealing with a particularly complex data subject access request brought by an in-house lawyer involving over 280,000 documents. The project required the documents to be reviewed for both the purposes of the DSAR but also for the purposes of disclosure relating to satellite litigation; successfully pursing a claim for unfair dismissal on behalf of a senior manager against a city council, the claim being worth circa £300,000 to the individual as a result of the pension element; advising on a complex Tribunal claim brought by a Head of HR. The claim included claims of unfair dismissal, sex discrimination and equal pay. Stuart advised throughout and represented the client at Judicial Mediation where the claim was settled; and advising three clients in the retail sector in relation to HMRC national minimum wage investigations. In addition to his advice work, Stuart is a keen and passionate trainer in employment law and best business practice. He has designed and delivered bespoke courses for both managers and HR professionals on topics ranging from practical investigation training, employee representative training (collective consultation) to various courses on GDPR (including how to deal with data subject requests). Stuart speaks regularly at internal and external seminars and conferences on employment law and best business practice. Stuart is ranked as a "Leading Lawyer" in the Legal 500.

Su Kemp

Susan is a partner in the real estate team. She has broad experience across all areas of non contentious property work including complex sale agreements, refinancing, and landlord and tenant work. Susan has a particular speciality in advising tenants in the retail sector. Clients appreciate her straight forward and commercial approach to transactions. Her most recent experience includes: acting as a key client contact for a national health and beauty retailer in respect of its real estate portfolio, including acquisitions, disposals, a high volume of lease renewals and the property aspects of franchising arrangements; managing the day to day relationship for a national outdoor pursuits and clothing retailer as it grows its presence in the UK and international markets; acting for a national petroleum retailer in respect of all aspects of its property portfolio, including financing, site disposals and acquisitions of multiple sites; and assisting in the refinance of a national property portfolio.

Suman Dally

Partner

Sumit Morjaria

Sumit is Senior Associate working in the medical negligence department. He specialises in pursuing claims for patients who have suffered as a result of medical negligence by hospitals, GPs and other healthcare professionals. Sumit has successfully represented claimants in an extensive range of cases. He has particular experience with claims involving below-knee leg amputations, complex orthopaedic injuries, urological injuries, cardiac conditions, bowel injuries and cancer. He has also represented bereaved families in fatal cases arising from medical negligence. Some of Sumit’s recent/notable cases include: a six-figure award of damages for an elderly gentleman who had to undergo a leg amputation following negligent treatment; a six-figure award for a young man who suffered a serious wrist injury following a delay in diagnosing a scaphoid fracture; recovering a substantial sum for the family of a lady who died as a result of severe Grade 4 pressure sores in a privately owned care home. Also assisting the bereaved family at the inquest; a substantial award of damages for a young man who had to undergo surgery to remove a damaged kidney due to a delayed diagnosis of pelvic ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction; multiple successful claims on behalf of children and adults involving a delayed diagnosis of testicular torsion and other urological injuries and conditions; a substantial award of damages in a claim concerning negligently performed subtalar joint fusion (ankle) surgery; a successful claim against three GP-Defendants for joint failures in identifying a patient in cardiac failure. The claim settled shortly before trial; and assisting claimants in maximum severity claims, including birth injury claims.

Susan Prior

Sue is a Clinical Negligence Partner and leads a team in the Clinical Negligence department in the Thames Valley Office. Sue joined Shoosmiths in November 2009 as a Senior Solicitor in the Serious Injuries Unit and moved into the Clinical Negligence Department in July 2012, bringing with her a wealth of litigation experience. She acts for and supports clients with a diverse range of claims across clinical negligence, including brain injury and spinal cases, birth injury cases, cases arising from sub-standard surgery, failure to diagnose/treat cancer, sepsis and fatalities. Sue strives to provide the highest level of support, legal advice and compensation for her clients. She appreciates the need to deal with matters both efficiently and compassionately for clients who are struggling to come to terms with the effect their injuries, or the injuries that their loved ones have suffered, have had on their lives. She is highly regarded by her clients, who describer her as caring, patient and understanding, She is known for her ability to listen carefully and provide reassurance throughout the legal process. Sue holds Senior Litigator status with the Association of Personal Injury Solicitors (APIL) and is ranked as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500. What clients say: It is difficult to describe how thankful we are for all of your hard work and support throughout these past few years. In fact, no email will be able to accurately show the true extent of our gratitude for your effort. Nonetheless, my mum and I would like to let you know it means the world to us … with the result being unquestionably success. I cannot thank Susan Prior and her team enough for all their care, patience and understanding taking my claim forward and bringing this to closure. Sue was always there to answer any questions and explaining every step of the way which was very reassuring to me. Sue listened carefully to everything about my husband and getting to know who he was and the kind of person he was. Which not only to me but also my family showed how caring and professional Susan is.

Susan Harris

Sue is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Team specialising in the corporate occupiers sector and has extensive experience in acquisitions and disposals of both freehold and leasehold properties acting for both Landlords and Tenants. Sue heads the asset management team, acting for a national convenience store operator dealing with their portfolio management including TOGC disposals, underlettings, lease renewals and licences. Her recent experience includes advising: acting for high street retailers in respect of acquisitions, disposals and management of their portfolios; a national convenience store operator on the acquisition of a portfolio of more than 30 properties; the assignment of 300 properties due to group company restructure; Sue has been an Associate in Shoosmiths’ real estate practice since 2009, having joined the firm from Eversheds in 2005. Sue previously worked at Wragge & Co where she qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Susie Wakefield

Susie Wakefield is head of commercial insurance and specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration and (re)insurance. She also advises clients in the energy and commodities sectors and has represented clients in complex, multimillion-dollar disputes with multijurisdictional aspects. Susie has practised in New York, Bermuda and London and has advised clients in litigation in federal and state courts in NY, the Supreme Court of Bermuda, and the High Court. Susie has also handled disputes under the Arbitration Act 1996, the Federal Arbitration Act, the Bermuda International Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1993 and the UNCITRAL Model Law as well as ad hoc arbitrations and under various institutional rules in the UK, Europe, and the US. Susie advises on a broad array of claims and coverage disputes, including issues arising in connection with Bermuda Form policies and reinsurance arrangements involving captives and segregated account companies. She has advised on complex policy wording reviews; significant P&C losses; claims involving allegations of fraud, misrepresentation and nondisclosure; breach of warranty claims; claims for contribution from co-insurers; and insolvency-related matters. Her work spans many lines of risk including: CGL, property, business interruption, construction, energy, space, marine cargo, financial lines including D&O, E&O/PI, financial institutions PI, pensions trustees liability, POSI and liability including product liability, product recall, public liability, employers’ liability, IT, media, IP, and cyber. Susie qualified in the UK in 1997, New York (2003) and Bermuda (2008). Susie co-authored the ‘Lloyd’s and London Market’ chapter of volume seven of the New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition, 2012. Susie is ranked in both Chambers UK and Chambers Global 2021 where she is described as “very responsive, detailed and picks up on issues quickly" and "really enjoyable to work with-clients are better for having her involved". Susie is listed in the International Who’s Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers and Women in Business Law. .

Suzanne Taylor

Suzanne is a Partner within the Financial Services team at Shoosmiths based in our Manchester office. Suzanne specialises in regulated and unregulated asset finance (with a particular focus on motor and equipment finance), consumer finance and financial services regulation. Over the past five years, Suzanne has assisted clients with a range of transactional asset finance deals and also provided clients with practical advice in relation to being authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Suzanne has developed a particular specialism advising mobile phone networks on the financing of mobile phone handsets in light of increasing handset prices and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Suzanne has assisted with designing customer journeys, drafting regulated loan documents and advising mobile phone networks on being FCA regulated businesses including providing training to senior management. In addition, Suzanne plays a leading role in Shoosmiths debt buying and selling work acting for both sellers and purchasers of portfolios of regulated consumer debt providing advice on both the contractual aspects of the sale and issues of regulatory compliance. Examples of Suzanne’s experience includes: assisting a mobile phone network with its preparations for the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime; advising a mobile phone network on the design of a regulated mobile phone proposition including drafting regulated documents, advising on the sales journey and drafting FCA compliant policies and procedures; acting for a leading provider of consumer retail finance in the sale of a £170 million book of regulated consumer credit agreements; advising a variety of financial services companies (both lenders and brokers) on their applications for FCA authorisation including advising on their ongoing compliance with the FCA rules; and advising an equipment leasing company on the launch of a regulated consumer leasing product with a major high-street retailer (including advising on the regulatory issues arising out of the structure of the product, drafting regulated hire agreements and advising on contractual arrangements with the retailer and funder).

Suzanne Love

Suzanne is a banking and finance principal associate, undertaking a wide range of debt finance work, including acquisition finance, invoice and receivables finance and property finance on a bilateral, club or syndicated basis. Suzanne acts for borrowers, banks and financial institutions at both senior and mezzanine level. She has experience of advising on regional, national and international transactions. Suzanne works with a range of documentation including facility agreements, security documents, intercreditor agreements and legal opinions. Her experience includes working with bilateral bank standard documentation as well as Loan Market Association and bespoke finance documents. Suzanne's recent experience includes: acting for a corporate owner and operator of hotels in relation to a £30.4m development finance facility from a major UK clearing bank; acting for an education provider group (backed by a private investment business) in relation to a £10.5m term and £8.5m revolving credit facility from a major UK clearing bank, together with the acquisition of two education targets; advising a global B2B agency network in relation to a £8.5m term loan facility with a specialist fund manager to finance, amongst other things, the acquisition of two companies; acting for the invoice finance arm of a major UK clearing bank in relation to a £4m receivables facility and £7.5m inventory facility to a supplier of toys; advising a major UK clearing bank in relation to a £35m facilities agreement to finance, amongst other things, an onlend to an Indian subsidiary for the manufacture of flatbreads; advising a co-educational independent and boarding schools group in relation to a £37.5m term loan facility from two major UK clearing banks to finance, amongst other things, an acquisition by the group of a triple newco structure and the refinance of existing facilities; advising an asset finance provider in relation to a £6.3m loan to finance four wind farms; advising an invoice finance provider in relation to a £8 million invoice discounting agreement and £2 million asset based lending agreement to a manufacturer and retailer of soft toys; advising a UK bank, invoice finance provider and asset finance provider in relation to the £13 million term loan facility, £7.5 million lease purchase facility and £6 million receivables finance facility to a high end UK meal preparation provider; advising an invoice finance provider in relation to a back to back invoice discounting facility to a UK company to finance receivables finance facilities provided by the borrower to its customers; and advising a UK bank, invoice finance provider and asset finance provider in relation to a £13 million receivables finance facility, a £5 million revolving credit facility and a £30 million lease purchase agreement for the funding of UK based imaging equipment, scanners and truck mounted mobile scanning units. Suzanne has been recognised as an "Associate to Watch" in Chambers 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition, Suzanne is recognised in Chambers 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 as a "Notable Practitioner".

Suzanne Burrell

Suzanne is an experienced pensions lawyer advising both trustees and employees on a wide range of pensions issues. Suzanne has experience advising on both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes of all sizes ranging from under £10m to schemes in excess of £1bn. Suzanne has particular experience advising clients in the co-operative sector and is familiar with the typical pension scheme structure in that sector. Additionally, she advises schemes run by charity sector employers and is well versed in the pensions issues facing charity employers. Suzanne’s recent experience includes: advice to employers on the implementation of auto-enrolment including amendments to a pension scheme rules for a defined contribution scheme to ensure compliance with the automatic enrolment legislation; advice on redesign of pension benefits including capping pensionable salary and introduction of career average benefits and draft scheme documents to implement the changes; advice in relation to the closure of a pension scheme to future accrual including the setting up of an escrow account and security over the scheme sponsor’s assets in exchange for a decision to defer winding up of the pension scheme; pensions aspects of corporate transactions including advice on a flexible apportionment arrangement and review of a clearance application to the Pensions Regulator where the target company was to be de-linked from the group pension scheme; negotiations between trustees and scheme sponsors on employer covenant issues around, and pension scheme funding including the drafting and negotiation of contingent asset documents including parent company guarantees (including pension protection fund compliant guarantees); advice on interpretation of scheme rules including advice on whether historic changes have been properly implemented; review and advice on agreements with third party providers including agreements on employer covenant review, administration agreements and investment management agreements; internal dispute resolution procedure and ombudsman cases on a wide range of disputes including a challenge by a member on the way his pension is increased. Suzanne also advises clients on public sector pensions issues. This includes advice on steps to be taken by private sector employers on the transfer of employees with public sector benefits, whether on the setting up of a broadly comparable scheme or the review and negotiation of admission agreements.

Teri Guage-Klein

Teri is a Senior Associate advising in complex clinical negligence claims. She specialises in acting for individuals who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of poor treatment by NHS Trusts, GPs and private doctors. She is approachable, knowledgeable and compassionate. Teri has been acting for clients in medical negligence claims since 2013 and joined Shoosmiths in 2023 as a Senior Associate. Teri has a passion for women’s health issues and particularly for acting for women following mismanaged labours. Teri has achieved successful outcomes for client’s in claims for third and fourth degree tears, urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, prolapses and psychiatric injury. Working alongside clients, witnesses and medical experts, Teri builds a claim with care and dedication. Another of Teri’s specialisms is acting for families following bereavement. The families that Teri has acted for have lost loved ones due to misdiagnosis, negligently performed operations and failures in post-operative care amongst other causes. The loss of a parent, spouse, sibling or child is devastating for a family and Teri handles these cases with sensitivity and resolve. Inquest work is also something Teri is passionate about. She has acted for families in inquests including liaising with the Coroner, advising on Inquest procedures, preparing statements for Inquests and advocating at Inquests, including in court and at Inquests held remotely. Teri says "I act for people when they have been let down. They come to me in some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives, struggling, despondent, angry and sometimes bereaved. My role is to help them find their voice, tell their story and pull together a medico-legal team to get to the bottom of their complaints."

Thomas Hall

Partner

Thomas Morrison

Thomas is a retail financial services and regulatory lawyer with over 22 years of experience gained in Edinburgh and London, both in private practice and inhouse at a major UK bank and an international private bank. Thomas advises on all areas of retail and SME financial services law, including: payment services; current and savings accounts; cash management solutions and client money; personal loans and overdrafts; mortgage lending; credit cards, charge cards and store cards; fairness of consumer contract terms and plain English; telephone, online and mobile banking and digital journeys; commercial contracts with financial services elements; outsourcing in financial services; and retail regulatory compliance.

Tim Flight

Tim is a real estate lawyer advising on all aspects of commercial real estate for investors, commercial developers, funders and end users. In addition, Tim works closely with the corporate, insolvency and restructuring teams at Shoosmiths providing real estate expertise. His recent experience includes: Disposal of multi-let office and retail development for £95m. Acquisition of a multi-let office block in Birmingham city centre. Acquisition funding for 30 petrol stations for circa £100m. Advising a funder on the financing of a £35m business park acquisition. Acting for a national plc on the acquisition of a portfolio of properties. Site acquisition, negotiation of pre-let agreements and disposal of a 21 unit mixed use retail and leisure development.

Tim Willis

Tim has over 20 years of experience in both the private and public sector. He provides both strategic and site specific planning and compulsory purchase advice to clients in the commercial property, residential and retail/leisure sectors. Tim has handled many planning inquiries, appeals and High Court challenges and is known for his ability to work within tight deadlines and provide clear, cogent and timely advice. His experience includes drafting and negotiating complex Section 106/infrastructure agreements delivering large urban and mixed use regeneration developments. Client project experience includes advising: Acting For Fulford Parish Council in relation to a legal "test case" determining the lawful scope for the use of non-material amendments at reserved matters stage; Acting for Robert Hitchins Ltd in connection with Tewkesbury District Council's judicial review of "part" of a Section 78 decision letter concerning calculation of 5 year housing land supply figure; Advising IM Properties in relation to various High Court and Court of Appeal challenges concerning the Lichfield Local Plan; Acting for IM Properties in connection with the first (and successful), Section 78 Appeal to be determined by the Secretary of State following the issue of the Governments White Paper "Fixing Our Broken Housing Market" Petitioning against HS2 proposals in Stafford and attendance at HS2 Parliamentary Select Committee. Subsequently negotiating an Agreement with HS2 in order to secure the release of HS2's Holding Direction relating to a strategic housing allocation; Acting for Gallagher Estates Ltd in connection with a legal challenge to the Leeds Local Plan; Drafting Section 106 Agreement for Next in relation to new retail premises; Acting for Cher Varya Group Ltd in connection with a successful Section 78 appeal for new leisure facilities (118 lodges), in Lichfield; Acting for Worcestershire County Council on various Section 106 Agreements; Retained by Tendring District Council on a suite of Section 106 Agreements. Tim joined Shoosmiths in 2007 and has been a partner since 2012. Tim is a Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a Member of the Law Society's Planning Panel. He contributes legal articles to various publications including the Planner and Planning Magazine. and has appeared as a panel member at various Estate Gazette events.

Tim White-Robinson

Tim is a Principal Associate in the Real Estate practice group with wide experience of acting for some of the UK’s largest housebuilders in connection with their new housing developments and also advising smaller housebuilders on more bespoke development sites. His key skills are: preparing plot sale contracts, leases, transfers and supporting documents; handling the sale of plots and the acquisition and sale of part-exchange properties; reviewing, amending and advising clients on the contents of section 38, 278 and 104 agreements; His recent project experience includes advising a national developer on the disposal of apartments on a prestigious site in Canary Wharf Tim is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and has worked in real estate since 1991. He joined Shoosmiths in 2006 having previously worked in a number of smaller regional firms.

Tom Swain

Tom is a legal director in the Corporate Restructuring and Advisory team. Tom has previous experience working within a global legal practice as well as working within the legal arm of the one of the ‘Big Four’ professional services firms. Tom acts for lenders, insolvency practitioners, distressed investors, corporates and directors in relation to all aspects of transactional restructuring, insolvency law and financial restructurings. Tom has worked on a number of high-profile insolvencies locally and nationally in sectors such as retail, manufacturing and automotive, ranging from early options and contingency planning through to administration pre-packaged sales/purchases and trading administrations. Tom looks to lean on his experience of managing both solvent and insolvent re-organisation projects, nationally and internationally, to provide solutions across the full corporate lifecycle.

Tom Wilde

Tom is a partner in and head of the tax department at Shoosmiths. He heads up the firm’s enterprise investment scheme (EIS) and venture capital trusts (VCT) tax practice. Tom is one of the UK’s leading experts in this field and has extensive experience advising a wide range of investors and investee companies on structuring and implementing tax efficient investments, reorganisations and exits in compliance with the EIS and VCT regimes. Tom acts on over 150 VCT and EIS investments a year for the likes of Octopus Investments, Downing LLP, Gresham House Asset Management, Hambro Perks Ltd, Triple Point Investment Management LLP, MMC Ventures, Beringea LLP, Calculus Capital Limited, Seneca Investment Partners and Maven Capital Partners LLP. Shoosmiths has been a finalist in the ‘Best EIS/SEIS Tax Adviser of the year’ category at the EISA Awards every year since 2017 and won ‘highly commended’ in 2022 and 2023 for its expertise in this area and its work in promoting the industry through speaking at key investor events, thought leadership and active involvement in technical aspects of EIS/SEIS advice. In addition, Tom has substantial experience of providing tax advice to companies and individuals on both one-off business transactions and on-going compliance. Tom regularly implements share option schemes including EMI options and other company share option plans, as well as negotiating with HMRC on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Tom is also a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser, a member of the EIS Association’s Tax and Technical Committee, a member of the AIC’s VCT Technical Committee, and part of the VCTA Advisers working group working with HMRC Policy.

Tony Nutting

Tony Nutting is a Principal Associate in the Real Estate Department at Shoosmiths and heads the newly created Plot Sales Team at their Manchester office. Tony and his team work to ensure that Developers achieve sales of new homes to purchasers as smoothly as possible (whether being bought for a new home or as an investment). This involves working with the Developer at an early stage after acquisition to create a comprehensive “sales pack” made available online to purchaser’s solicitors to assist with the sales process, whether the Development is a city centre tower of apartments or the provision of new homes in the suburbs. Tony and his team also have experience in acting for Developers where Developers are looking to use the Government’s Help to Buy scheme or agree to buy purchasers’ existing properties as part exchange for the new property. Tony will also negotiate sales of affordable houses to Registered Providers and Shared Equity sale documents to enable Developers to satisfy planning obligations, management agreements where open space is required within the estate and infrastructure agreements for the provisions of services to developments. Tony also has a number of years’ experience acting in the disposal of the reversionary interest in leasehold developments (large scale developments or apartment blocks) down to individual reversionary sales to home owners. Extensions to existing leases under the current enfranchisement laws are also handled.

Tony Randle

As Partner, Client Technology & Service Improvement, Tony's role is to ensure that we are continuously innovating to meet our clients' changing needs: leveraging new technology as it emerges and always looking where the puck is moving. This applies both to finding smarter, faster and better ways of providing legal services to clients, as well as working with our Director of Shoosmiths EIGHT Connected Services to offer innovative ancillary non-legal solutions to meet our client's needs. Tony is a nationally recognized thought leader and conference speaker on how technology and innovation is impacting positively to improve the outcomes and experience that law firms can give their clients. His team won the Legal Business Legal Tech Team of the Year Award in 2021 and he was listed in The Lawyer Hot100 in 2022. In 2023, he co-wrote the book ‘Legal Practice in the Digital Age’, in which he and his fellow authors explore how the legal profession can adapt and thrive in the years to come. He was also listed in the Financial Time 2023 Innovative Lawyers report.

Tracey Russell

Tracey Russell is a Senior Associate (CILEX) working in the Conveyancing department. Tracey joined Shoosmiths in October 2005 as a Assistant Casehandler in the Conveyancing department. Tracey specialises in dealing with all types of residential conveyancing matters including the sale and purchase of houses, leaseholds, new build homes, shared ownership property, transfers of equity and remortgages. Tracey also specialises in company purchases. Tracey studied with the Institute of Legal Executives through distance learning, and qualified as a Legal Executive in 2012.

Tracey Hemingway

Tracey is a Partner in our pensions team. She has 24 years experience of advising trustees and employers in relation to their work-based pension schemes. Tracey’s key areas of expertise include: drafting scheme trust deeds and rules and complex deeds of amendment; advising on scheme rules interpretation; scheme design and benefit changes; scheme mergers and projects; corporate guarantees; employer debts to pension schemes under section 75 Pensions Act 1995, including corporate restructuring, debt triggers and ways of managing the debt, such as flexible apportionment arrangements; and pensions litigation including Court applications and Pensions Ombudsman cases.

Vanessa Rickard

Vanessa is an extremely experienced real estate practitioner with over 20 years' experience in the sector. She specialises in commercial real estate with an emphasis on investment, asset management and development. She regularly acts for landowners, developers and occupiers. Recent experience includes: Advising a national charity in connection with its property investment and asset management portfolio and in connection with the disposal of land for third party development and in connection with collaboration agreements with a number of local authorities for the promotion of land for development. Advising a cinema operator on various aspects of its Real Estate interests including refinancing, and the acquisitions. Advising a hotel operator in connection with the acquisition under development agreement and lease of a site at Heathrow terminal 3 for the development of two budget hotels. Advising in connection with the disposal of brownfield sites including options and overage provisions. Advising a variety of lenders in connection with the funding and refinancing of a range of real estate projects including residential development schemes, mixed use and retail investment acquisitions. Advising in connection with the acquisition, asset management and ultimately the disposal of prime shopping centres in Manchester and Liverpool, including the pre-letting of the Liverpool shopping centre. Advising a developer client in connection with Estate management aspects of its residential and mixed use development schemes. Advising a major sports retailer in connection with the acquisition of new stores. Advising in connection with the disposal of a portfolio of garden centres. Advising in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio of residential development sites at various stages of development Advising in connection with the whole life of student accommodation developments from site acquisition to disposal.

Victoria Madsen

Dispute resolution and litigation

Victoria Bentley

Expert in relation to issues facing clients moving into ‘smart’ or digital industry, Victoria is praised by clients for her pragmatic and strategic thinking. With over 17 years' experience, she has a strong specialism in patent litigation. Clients benefit from Victoria’s technical background in software development, enabling her to advise on high tech patents and other IP issues in complex technology sectors. Her skill in quickly grasping diverse subject matter is highlighted and she has particular expertise in patent and FRAND issues within wireless communications and other standards-based industries. Unusually, Victoria also has considerable experience in life sciences patent litigation and a specialism in medtech and digital health. Experienced in providing FTO analysis and opinions, Victoria helps pharma and medtech clients bring products to market including through co-ordinating complex, cross-border patent and SPC cases. Speaking fluent German, Victoria provides a seamless service on matters with a German aspect. For clients outside Europe, she adds strategic value in leading multi-jurisdictional patent matters across Europe. Experience includes: acting for a major US wireless communications company in one of the largest patent actions before the UK courts, involving 35 patents declared 'essential' to 3GPP standards relating to wireless technology; acting in a major patent and FRAND case in relation to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology and patents declared essential to IEEE standards, including a trial of two patents in January 2019; advising a client moving into digital health on issues relating to connected devices from R&D and technical standards through to FRAND licensing and strategies for enforcement; acting for a generic pharmaceutical company in its successful revocation of a Supplementary Protection Certificate for a dual-combination drug used for the treatment of HIV; supporting a client in patent licence negotiations including a review of a patent portfolio; and acting for clients in disputes relating to copyright in software, where an ability to understand the source code has been important; acting in successful defence of an action to revoke a pharmaceutical client’s patent for its blockbuster drug, achieving settlement on the first morning of a 13-day trial.

Wayne Gibbard

Wayne leads the automotive finance practice for Shoosmiths. Prior to joining Shoosmiths, Wayne spent 25 years working in-house in senior and executive roles at international, blue chip financial services and automotive businesses including: Volkswagen Financial Services; GMAC; NatWest (including Lombard and Invoice Finance), Cisco and Santander Consumer UK. Wayne has extensive experience of scoping, leading and implementing domestic and international projects, particularly focused on strategically important restructuring and regulatory change. He specialises in regulated and unregulated asset finance, consumer credit and retail finance, with a depth of experience in motor finance. Wayne is also recognised for his experience in regulatory compliance and oversight activity. Competences Motor Finance (including wholesale funding), Consumer Credit, Leasing, Financial Services regulation and compliance, joint venture agreements and white label partnerships (motor). Selected Projects Drafting and review of consumer credit agreements. FCA applications and variations to permissions. Implementation of online motor finance distribution models. (various manufacturers and finance providers). Establishment and set-up of joint venture arrangements and companies.

Will Thomas

Will is a Principal Associate and has experience acting for a variety of clients in the private and public sector. He provides general strategic and site specific planning advice. Will has also handled a number of planning appeals and High Court challenges and is known for his calm, considered and client-centric approach. Recent experience includes: Drafting and negotiating complex Section 106/infrastructure agreements, including a recent agreement in respect of a large urban extension scheme comprising of over 4000 dwellings. Acting for a landowner appealing a planning enforcement notice in respect of a site used for temporary stadium parking. Defending a judicial review challenge brought against a local planning authority which alleged, amongst other things, that the authority had failed to take into account information required by the environmental impact assessment regulations. Advising a landowner in respect of an appeal against a s.215 Notice. Advising applicants and local authorities in respect of applications for certificates of lawful use and development. Advising a community group in relation to the listing of a building as an asset of community value (ACV). Advising developers and landowners in relation to permitted development rights. Advising developers and landowners in relation to the application of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) regulations on new development. Drafting and negotiating Section 38/278 Agreements, Section 104 Agreements and Section 111 Agreements. Will is the secretary of the East Midlands group of the UK Environmental Lawyers Association and is a regular attendee at local planning and environmental sector events. Will also contributes legal articles to various publications.

William Seymour

Will is a Partner in real estate with wide experience of all transactional real estate matters, including extensive experience advising on: investment sales and acquisitions for institutional investors; residential, commercial and mixed-use developments for developers; all aspects of portfolio management for commercial landlords and occupiers; and the real estate aspects of corporate and finance transactions. His recent project experience includes advising: on the £600m sale of two major designer retail outlets in Cheshire Oaks and Swindon; an institutional investor on a £90m multi-let retail sector disposal and a distressed shopping centre sale for £80m; a major house builder and commercial developer joint venture on a landmark city centre regeneration scheme; a listed residential developer on an agreement for a substantial rural housing scheme and construction of new secondary school; on the acquisition, ongoing asset management and potential mixed-use development of a regional shopping centre; and head office acquisitions and lease regears for several major corporate occupiers.

William Sanderson

Will is a Legal Director and advises on a wide range of commercial property matters including investment sales and acquisitions, landlord and tenant and with a particular emphasis on retail and office development. His recent work includes: acting for a leading UK pub retailer in connection with its new build development program; the investment purchase of multi-let office buildings in Greater Manchester; advising a plc commercial developer in connection with the freehold and leasehold disposals of industrial and office units on its estates; advising a national charity in connection with its £13 million redevelopment project of town centre premises to provide a museum and other facilities.

Anastasia Fowle

Andrew Brennan

Beth McArdle

Bob Pritchard

Bradley Roberts

Charlotte Staples

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