Praised for its ‘wealth of experience and knowledge’, the team at Shoosmiths LLP is particularly strong in acting for clients in the automotive, IT, and technology sectors. Spearheading the practice, Jonathan Smart is located in Solent; he regularly acts for clients such as Honda and Volkswagen Group. Luke Coleborn is ’an excellent lawyer’ who advises on various shareholder disputes, negligence claims, and breaches of warranties. Shelley White and Laura Clark are also key members of the team; White is recommended for high-value commercial disputes, while Clark has experience with multijurisdictional contractual disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team are extremely dedicated, and they work around the clock to get the best outcomes for their clients.’

  • 'Luke Coleborn is an excellent lawyer who works tirelessly for his clients.'

  • ‘The team's strengths lie in their proven track record of success in handling complex commercial litigation matters. Their strong reputation in the automotive and technology sectors distinguishes them from competitors.’

  • ‘I would recommend Jonathan Smart. He is bright and a good team leader, directing strategy and considering the merits of a case. He makes sure that work is delegated to the appropriate level of his team. He is extremely user-friendly and manages his clients well.’
  • ‘The wealth of experience and knowledge within the team is phenomenal. They are truly able to deal with the full gamut of commercial litigation.’
  • 'Jon Smart is an exceptional lawyer whose knowledge and commercial acumen means that he is a force to be reckoned with.'
  • 'Shelley White is a meticulous and extremely knowledgeable lawyer with a proven track record of getting good results for clients.’
  • ‘Laura Clark is a delight to work with. Instructions are clear, detailed, and helpful. She is responsive to queries.'

Key clients

  • Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Three Mobile
  • Honda Motor Europe
  • Peugeot Citroen Group
  • Mercedes Benz
  • McDonalds
  • Nissan
  • London Electric Vehicle Company
  • RAC
  • Telefonica
  • Tesco Mobile

Work highlights

  • Acting for the claimant in a high-value claim for breach of fiduciary duties arising from a hack of digital cryptocurrency assets worth in excess of £3.5bn.
  • Defending an automotive company from a $19m claim in the High Court.
  • Acting for a multinational home appliance manufacturer in a £10m contract dispute.

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.
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.

Jonathan Smart

Other key lawyers

Luke Coleborn, Laura Clark, Harry Warren, Shelley White