Well-regarded for its expertise in the living sector, Shoosmiths is also involved in the retail, leisure, development, and energy spaces. Practice head Janette Speed brings significant experience acting for national housebuilders and commercial developers, while Barry McKeown focuses on the housebuilding and build-to-rent sectors. Robin Mitchell acts for occupiers in the retail and logistics sector, as well as landlords, and Sheelagh Cooley leads the real estate finance practice. Active in the residential development area, Rachel Munro is another key member of the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team at Shoosmiths are standout in terms of their service delivery but more importantly Janette and her team excel in the living sector. Gillian Ralph gets the legal and commercial aspects right.'
- 'I would highly recommend the Commercial Property team at Shoosmiths. Their expertise and understanding of our business are invaluable.’
- ‘The team in Shoosmiths is diligent, very responsive, and also willing to take on challenging transactions. The very friendly nature of the staff provides confidence to me as a client.’
- ‘I cannot praise Barry McKeown and Megan McDonald highly enough. They were always coming up with solutions to complex problems and also kept a cool head when the transaction went off track and ensured that it reached a satisfactory conclusion.’
- ‘Lyndsey O'Connor always looks for the best solution. She makes sure she knows the specifics.’
- ‘Sheelagh Cooley is extremely competent and navigates complex situations with veritable ease due to a positive manner and a wealth of experience.’
- ‘Shoosmiths is a modern practice that is forwarding thinking and innovative but still values traditional methods of building, maintaining and developing personal business relationships, which is the cornerstone of understanding a client and their business well.’
- ‘Barry McKeown is excellent at dealing with complex transactions and provides strong leadership to the Glasgow team. Lauren Miller drives matters forward and identifies key issues from the outset. Rachel Munro is a rising star and someone we trust to progress all aspects of the transactions we deal with.’
Key clients
- Davidson Kemper
- The PRS REIT plc
- Housing Growth Partnership
- Stewart Melrose Pension Scheme
- Sigma Capital Group
- City Property Glasgow
- Gatehouse Investment Management
- Screwfix
- Sigma Capital Group
- Morrison Community Care Group
- Carmichael Homes
Work highlights
- Advised Sigma on the on the forward purchase of 306 single family houses across 8 residential estates from Avant Homes with a total deal value of £59.5m
- Acted for Housing Growth Partnership in their investment and funding of a 790 bed PBSA development with a gross development value of £120m.
- Advised City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP on the grant of a 150 year lease of the Tontine Building, Glasgow, which is to undergo significant redevelopment works to create a multipurpose building.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Janette Speed