Jo Owen
DLA PiperBuoyed by its strong international presence, the ‘exceptional’ hospitality and leisure team at DLA Piper, advises a wide array of famous hotels, sports grounds, gyms, leisure facilities, and boutique luxury hospitality retailers. The team is jointly headed up by Jo Owen and Matt Duncombe. Leeds-based Duncombe is noted by clients for his sedulous transactional and commercial advice in the hospitality sector, covering supply chain arrangements, services and consultancy agreements. 'An inspirational leader with strong market knowledge’, Owen leverages her expertise to advise on capital-related transactions, from corporate acquisitions to individual commercial arrangements. Head of M&A and co-chair of the firm's private equity real estate group, Rob Salter advises clients on all areas of corporate law, with a particular focus on cross-border M&A, joint ventures and co-investments. Toby Barker is noted for his expertise in cross-border hotel financings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We are very pleased with the hospitality team at DLA Piper. Their cross-border capabilities ensure local input when needed, providing tailored advice for each market. They have a strong understanding of the industry and excellent market intelligence.
- 'Potential clients should know about the team's strengths, such as their responsiveness and willingness to help. Their expertise covers multiple jurisdictions, offering a comprehensive global perspective with local relevance.'
- 'Compared to other firms, DLA Piper's seamless integration of local and international expertise is a standout feature. Innovations in diversity, technology, and collaboration enhance their service delivery, making them highly efficient and effective. We fully recommend DLA Piper. ’
‘The individuals we work with at DLA Piper truly stand out due to their exceptional qualities and dedication. What sets them apart from competitors is their deep market knowledge, responsiveness, and the ability to provide innovative solutions to complex problems.'
- 'Jo Owen is an inspirational leader with strong market knowledge. She has consistently offered alternative solutions to satisfy both internal and external stakeholders, showcasing her ability to navigate complex issues effectively.'
- 'Matt Duncombe is remarkable for his availability and dedication. His extensive market knowledge and problem-solving skills have been invaluable in addressing our challenges.'
- 'Sean Cope, an associate, has provided us with extensive local legal input, helping to align our internal stakeholders effectively. His responsiveness and pleasant working manner have made collaborating with him a positive experience.'
- These qualities—leadership, dedication, market expertise, and responsiveness—are what we have valued most in the DLA Piper team. They consistently go above and beyond, making them a preferred choice over competitors.’
Key clients
- Motel One
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
- Marriott International
- Drake & Morgan Group
- DFI/ BCP Capital
- The Resident Edinburgh Limited
- Hyatt International LLC
- Intercontinental Hotels Group
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
- HIG Capital
- Blackstone
- Starwood Capital
- Northwood Investors
- St Modwen Properties
- a&o Hostels
- Katara Hospitality
- Blueground
- Sodexo
Work highlights
- Advising BDPST in relation to the refurbishment and appointment of Mandarin Oriental as the manager of Hotel Gellert in Budapest.
- Advising Hyatt on its franchise arrangements with Lindner Hotels which involved over 30 hotels across 7 European countries.
- Advising a portfolio company of the Starwood Capital Group on the disposal of the Hilton Belfast Hotel, by way of the sale of the entire issued share capital of Dragonglass Belfast Limited.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Matthew Duncombe, Jo Owen.