Shoosmiths LLP acts for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients including FTSE 100 companies and clients within the financial services industry; the team has niche expertise in handling complex fraud and corporate disputes. The practice is headed up by Alex Bishop, who routinely supports clients within the retail, leisure, IT, and manufacturing industries on a wide range of commercial disputes and injunctive proceedings, such as freezing orders and search and seizure orders. Jonathan Smart is a notable team member for his ‘combination of intelligence, practical advice and charm’. In November 2023, Roger Potgieter and Mark Elder departed to TLT and Andrew Whalley joined from DWF. Hannah Field also joined the team from Goodwin in May 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Alex Bishop: She’s marvellous! She’s built the Shoosmiths litigation department into a first-rate litigation team, more than capable of playing in the ‘big league’. She is hugely impressive: she’s hugely hard-working; she leaves no stone unturned; she’s extremely bright, and a very good lawyer; and she knows how best to run a substantial piece of litigation. Absolutely top quality.'

  • 'Jonathan Smart: He’s very clever, an excellent lawyer, and utterly delightful. Clients trust him implicitly because of his combination of intelligence, practical advice and charm.’
  • ‘Alex Bishop is hugely experienced and has infectious enthusiasm.'

  • ‘Solid, hardworking and very approachable.’

  • ‘Alex Bishop leads the team with style and panache.’

Key clients

  • Ecolab Limited
  • Next plc
  • W M Morrison Supermarkets Limited
  • Travelodge Plc
  • Electrolux Plc
  • Simply Asset Finance
  • The Student Energy Group

Work highlights

  • Successfully settled a multi-million-pound breach of contract/negligence claim against Ecolab on favourable terms.
  • Obtained an injunction and full costs recovery for The Student Energy company in a fraud action.
  • Advising a major retailer in relation to an alleged multi-million-pound wrongful termination claim by its logistics supplier following suspected systematic over-charging.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alex Bishop

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Smart, Andrew Whalley, Hannah Field