Capable of advising on cross-jurisdictional mandates, the hotels and hospitality team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP regularly advises a mix of hotel groups, restaurants, pension funds, and luxury brands on a host of matters. Spearheaded by the ‘hugely talented’ corporate and M&A specialist Felicity Jones, the team advises on construction law, contracts, franchise arrangements, acquisitions, and refinancing. Richard Hughes acts for lenders and investors on hotel financing, while Barry Hembling draws on his construction expertise to work with hotels on the full lifecycle of projects, from initial contract negotiation to dispute avoidance.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

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  • ‘What we really appreciate is the ability to pull in other teams at short notice right across the legal spectrum, and to get the same level of attention and expertise that we receive from our regular hospitality team.'

  • 'This level of 'interoperability' makes our lives significantly easier and allows efficiencies that don't exist when you have to bring in outside expertise.’
  • ‘Our 'go to' partner, Felicity Jones, is quite exceptional in the level of care and attention that she brings to every situation. She is truly a member of our 'home' team, always available and responsive. She fights for our best interests in a manner that never raises the temperature, but is always protective of the objective we are seeking to achieve.’

  • 'Felicity Jones is hugely talented and knowledgeable and is pragmatic in her approach. Very detailed and commercially minded. Always looking for a solution which pleases the client. ’
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Key clients

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  • P.S VAL
  • PM29 Real, Unipessoal Lda
  • RAN Hospitality
  • ASB Development Limited
  • One One Hospitality 1 Limited
  • Jastar Capital
  • The Wolseley Hospitality Group
  • Millennium Hotels and Resorts
  • Grupo Inversor Hesperia SA
  • Cannon Corporate UK Limited
  • Zaha Hadid Architects

Work highlights

  •   Advising Jastar Capital in relation to the operation of its hotel assets, The Elvetham Hotel and The Winchester Hotel & Spa.
  •   Providing construction law and related advice to Millennium Hotels & Resorts for hotels within its UK portfolio.
  •   Advising Cannon Corporate UK Ltd on terminating existing arrangements at The Crowne Plaza London Albert Embankment and its rebranding under the Hyatt Regency portfolio.

Lawyers

Leading partners
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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Felicity Jones