Shoosmiths LLP — England

Aaron Harlow

Aaron is a Partner in the corporate department's restructuring and advisory team. Aaron’s practice includes advising include banks, asset based lenders, insolvency practitioners and company directors in connection with in all aspects of corporate insolvency. Aaron has particular expertise in the retail and financial services sectors, having advised in connection with the administrations and company voluntary arrangements of a number of well-known retailers (Monsoon Accessorise Limited, Cath Kidston, Coast, Modelzone, Supercuts, Select Fashion and Store Twenty One). In addition, Aaron is leading the team advising the administrators of Lendy Limited, and its associated company, Saving Stream Security Holdings Limited, a major insolvency in the sphere of peer to peer lending and advised the directors of Wellesley Finance Limited, an alternative financier providing listed bond investment products to retail customers, in connection with its successful CVA. Aaron also advised the administrators of ASA Resource Group Plc a company with gold, nickel copper and diamond mining interests in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, culminating with the negotiation of a number of transactions to realise the Company’s overseas interests with an aggregate value of in excess of £27m. Aaron has also advised in relation to the following: • The administrations of Monsoon Accessorize Limited and Accessorize Limited and the sale of the business and assets of these companies; • The administration of Cath Kidston Limited and the sale of its online business and brand; • The purchase of certain of the business and assets of Coast from its administrators; • The CVAs of Thomas Sabo, Fuel Juice Bars and Forever 21; • The administration and subsequent sale of the business of T.M. Lewin & Sons Limited; • The administration of Jaeger Retail Limited and the subsequent sale of its assets to Marks & Spencer; • The CVAs of the restaurant chains Chilango, Polpo and Thai Leisure Group; and • The CVA and subsequent administration of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, a company with specific strategic importance in the aviation industry. · Restructuring & Insolvency

Abi Falshaw

Abi is a Senior Associate working in the Real Estate team in Leeds. She has a wide experience in varying aspects of property law with a particular focus on development and landlord and tenant matters. Her recent project experience includes advising on: • agreements for lease and occupational leases of convenience stores for a leading UK supermarket chain; • the ongoing management of the portfolio of properties owned by a leading motorway service stations operator in the UK; • the acquisition of development land by leading institutional investors acquiring and developing buy to rent and single family housing schemes; • strategic options and onward sales of development land where the end use is a mix of residential and residential care; and • a range of leading UK Banks on development and acquisition funding of various high value sites nationally. · Real Estate

Abigail Gisbourne

Abigail is a Senior Associate real estate lawyer dealing with all aspects of commercial property transactions. Abigail acts for regional and national clients including landlords, tenants, developers and investors. Her recent experience includes: acting for a multinational tech company with a presence in 130 countries in their lease agreement for new premises in the UK along with assisting on an agreement to surrender existing premises; assisting with the due diligence for a global tenant on a new lease at a purpose built logistics unit with an annual rent of £1.715 million; acting for a national haulage operation in their sale and purchase of strategic sites, including a portfolio purchase; acting for various corporate occupiers in all real estate matters/interests; acting for a REIT with its general landlord and tenant matters including the grant of leases and occupational licences; and assisting with the due diligence for a Government Body in relation to their lease regears. Abigail joined Shoosmiths in September 2017 after having qualified as a solicitor into Hogan Lovells LLP following a number of years as a Legal Executive. · Real Estate

Adam Barrett

Adam is a real estate lawyer with over 10 years' experience. He acts on a wide range of property transactions, with particular expertise in acting on development projects and investment acquisitions involving delivery of offices, health care, leisure and education facilities, shopping centres and residential and commercial mixed-use schemes. His recent experience includes: advising public/private joint ventures between Bruntwood and local authorities on the acquisition for redevelopment of shopping centres including the Millgate Centre in Bury, Stretford Mall and the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham acting for large pension funds, local authorities and institutional investors in relation to forward funding of development projects and acquisition of key investment assets leading the £25m acquisition and re-development of the former Kelloggs headquarters in Old Trafford as the campus for UA92 - an education joint venture between Lancaster University and Manchester United 'Class of 92' alumni acting on the forward funding of a £130m residential-led development project in Manchester City Centre representing a large national infrastructure operator on a number of high-value disposals of surplus land for delivery of housing and leisure schemes in key strategic locations throughout the country including North London, Central Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne · Real Estate

Adam Fox

Adam is a Principal Associate working in the commercial team in London. Adam advises clients on a wide range of commercial matters, with a particular focus on digital technologies and emerging business models, global privacy and data protection, and marketing laws and regulations. Adam’s experience includes: acting (on secondment for 2.5 years) as sole Privacy Counsel for WeWork's EMEA region, leading privacy and data protection compliance in the region; conducting GDPR audits for various multinational organisations, including a Japanese car manufacturer, an artificial intelligence business in the pharmaceuticals industry and a television production and distribution company; providing strategic international data transfers advice and support (both from a UK GDPR and EU GDPR perspective) for global clients, including a well-known international IT company, a leading international hotel chain, a SaaS-based web, desktop and mobile analytics platform and a leading manufacturer and marketer of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair products; advising on large data subject access requests (DSAR), including supporting a bank on a highly contentious DSAR by project managing and co-ordinating a review team to ensure regulatory deadlines were met; assisting multinational businesses with data breaches, preparing breach notifications for supervisory authorities across the globe and conducting post-breach investigations and audits; supporting an on-demand online grocery delivery business by negotiating agreements with partners in its AdTech network; advising an online takeaway delivery company on their negotiation of a Google Marketing/Ads Platform reseller agreement; acting for an internationally recognised digital brand: co-ordinating large global e-compliance projects, implementing end-to-end GDPR, Data Protection 2018 and ePrivacy compliance, responding to DSRs, advising on direct marketing and online advertising strategies, competitions and promotions, social media marketing and the use of children’s data, advising on high-value commercial distribution agreements and technology-related procurement contracts; drafting software development agreements for a major telecommunications and internet service provider in relation to a new SIM-only mobile network trading platform for retailers; and acting for J.K. Rowling’s agency protecting J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter brand from an IP and reputational perspective, drafting and advising on agency and publishing deals and managing J.K. Rowling’s domain portfolio. · Commercial

Adam Frost

Adam is a Senior Associate based in the Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes corporate team, having qualified into the team in April 2019. Adam has a wide range of expertise in corporate transactions, working with private equity houses, corporate entities and management teams on M&A transactions, disposals, investments, shareholder arrangements and general corporate governance. Adam’s recent deal experience includes advising on: Five Arrows Principal Investment’s sale of Umbria Topco Limited, the holding company of Opus 2, which is a provider of legal software; Ipsos’s acquisition of Karian and Box, a leading specialist in employee research and experience; the acquisition of Wizkids (five multi-jurisdictional entities) by the TextHelp group, who specialise in education accessibility tools and data synchronisation; the acquisition of Allocate Software by RL Datix, investee company of Five Arrows Principal Investments, TA Associates and Nordic Capital; US based Beeline group’s acquisition of JoinedUp group, a workforce management software provider, backed by the group’s investee company, New Mountain Capital; the purchase of the business and assets of Keysoe and the College Equestrian Centre; and the acquisition of Mintec Global, provider of food commodity price data and market intelligence, by Five Arrows Principal Investments. Adam has also gained significant experience on secondment, working within the legal functions of Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Travelodge Hotels Ltd and Volkswagen Financial Services. · Corporate / M&A

Adam Leszczynski

Adam is a corporate senior associate based in the Thames Valley office. Adam has experience in a range of transactions including acquisitions, disposals, venture and growth capital investment, private equity investment, reorganisations, shareholder investments, private to public re-registrations of companies, share buy backs, conducting legal due diligence as well as general corporate governance. Adam has experience working with investors, management teams and companies, particularly in the manufacturing, tech, media and communications sectors. Adam’s recent experience includes: assisting with the £221 million sale of smart locker technology and field service solutions company Bybox to private equity backer Francisco Partners; assisting with the acquisition of Wax Digital, an independent Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business by a private equity house; advising LDC on its £16 million investment into national hair salon operator, Rush Hair; advising Downing Ventures and Gresham House Ventures on its combined £8 million investment into Funding Xchange, a FinTech company offering its customers instant access to personalised quotes for business funding; advising Downing Ventures and Foresight Group on its investment into Masters of Pie, a virtual reality and augmented reality software company; advising NVM Private Equity on its £3.1 million investment into Clarilis Limited, a provider of automated solutions software for the legal industry; advising NVM Private Equity on its £2.2 million investment into Mo, a recognition, employee reward and ideas platform; advising NVM Private Equity on its £2 million investment into Duke & Dexter, an award-winning footwear manufacturer; advising Treetops Nurseries on its expansion through a number of acquisitions of other nursery sites; advising the shareholders of Xtrac, a world leader in the design and manufacturer of high performance transmissions for the motorsport and automotive industry, in a buyout deal with Inflexion Private Equity; advising the shareholders of Phabrix Limited, a manufacturer of video and audio broadcast test and measurement instruments, in their exit and sale of shares to Leader Electronics; advising on a company re-registration from private to public limited status, including the UK’s first re-registration of a private Community Interest Company to a Community Interest Public Limited Company; advising company directors in relation to a proposed public offer of investment; and principal advisor on the acquisition of a specialist case management company providing rehabilitation services to clients with severe and complex injuries. · Corporate / M&A

Aimee Cook

Aimee is a Principal Associate in Shoosmiths' Dispute Resolution team, based in the Thames Valley. Aimee advises clients on complex, high value commercial disputes, acting for clients primarily in the Energy, Technology, Logistics and Automotive sectors. Aimee acts on cases in the English High Court and has experience of commercial and investor-state arbitration, and mediation. Aimee's experience is particularly focused on: outsourcing disputes; corporate and shareholder disputes; procurement challenges; and restrictive covenant disputes. Recent work includes: acting for a major communications company to successfully negotiate a pre-action settlement of a multi-million pound outsourcing dispute; acting for the defendant company in a substantial High Court claim regarding alleged breaches of a shareholder agreement (successfully settled pre-trial); successfully protecting the interests of various pharmaceutical clients in respect of procurement challenges; and successfully avoiding a potential injunction in respect of alleged breaches by the clients of restrictive covenants in an employment contract. · Dispute Resolution

Alan Corcoran

Alan Corcoran is a real estate lawyer in Shoosmiths' national real estate team. Alan advises on a range of commercial property related matters including investment and development work, site assembly, conditional sale and purchase agreements and options, together with broad asset management and property finance experience. His recent project experience includes advising long standing client, McKay Securities PLC, on the development and pre-let to St James Wealth of its 60,000 sq ft office development in Lombard Street, London, and the subject to planning disposal of a 1.1 acre site in Woking to Watkin Jones who plan to construct 350 build to rent apartments on the site. Alan also led the team which advised McKay on the real estate aspects of its recent £180 million revolving credit facility. Alan is recognised as a leader in his field of real estate by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. He has recently been noted in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame which highlights individuals who have received consistent praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession as one of the elite leading lawyers for six consecutive years. · Real Estate

Alastair Peet

Alastair chairs our International Committee, responsible for directing Shoosmiths international strategy. He also leads our venture capital practice group and is nationally recognized for his venture capital expertise. Alastair’s focus is on venture and growth capital, advising both institutions and companies/founders on start-up through funding rounds, M&A, and ultimately exit. He is passionate about helping clients with both day-to-day and strategic issues through their life-cycle. Key clients include Octopus Ventures, Triple Point, Gresham House, DIF Capital, MML Capital Partners, BGF, and numerous other institutional investors in the UK and elsewhere. He also advises start-up, scaling, and expanding companies, typically technology enabled. Alastair and his team have market leading expertise in advising on investments involving Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) tax complexities. Recent experience includes advising: Octopus Ventures on multiple investments, including investments into Secret Escapes, Digital Shadows, Depop, Big Health and others. Alastair also advised Octopus on exits of Swiftkey to Microsoft, Evi to Amazon, Tails.com to Nestle, and Magic Pony to Twitter (X); Ai language processing company Speechmatics on its $62m Series B led by Susquehanna Growth Equity; Ai as a service company Faculty on its $42.5m Series B led by Apax Digital Fund; Oxford Capital Partners on investments including into savings platform Moneybox and insurance disrupter Wrisk; Harbr on its $38.5m investment round led by Dawn Capital and Tiger Global; Burda Principal on the Series D investment in florist Bloom and Wild; Triple Point on multiple disposals of solar and other energy generation assets; Los Angeles headquartered Global Critical Logistics on acquisitions of multiple companies outside the USA; MML Capital and management of Learning Curve Group on their exit to Agilitas; BGF and management of CAD reseller Solid Solutions Management on investment by LDC; US investment bank Cowen on its leading a $61m late stage investment into biotech firm F2G; Amber Infrastructure, manager of the National Digital Infrastructure Fund, Equitix, and DIF Capital on investments into fibre broadband providers; and Oxford Nanoimaging on its Series C investment from Oxford Sciences Innovation (OSI) and others. · Venture Capital

Albi Bell

Albi is a Senior Associate construction lawyer with experience in acting for funders, developers, contractors, consultants and end-users across a wide range of sectors including retail, office, manufacturing, residential, energy and infrastructure. His work includes negotiating and advising on building contracts, bonds, guarantees, appointments, collateral warranties and construction aspects of funding agreements, development agreements and agreements for lease. His recent project experience includes: acting for a developer in relation to the development of a mixed office, residential and hotel scheme with a development value of £200 million; advising a distribution company on the construction aspects of its leasehold acquisition of a new 300,000 sq ft distribution hub; and acting for a developer in relation to a 350 unit build to rent scheme in Manchester. · Construction

Aleksandr Bosch

Aleks is a Partner in the Milton Keynes corporate team, advising on acquisitions and disposals, private equity investments, shareholders' agreements, joint ventures, group reorganisations, corporate governance and compliance issues. Aleks works with a variety of clients including private companies, PLCs, management teams and high net-worth individuals. Recent project experience includes: acting for Five Arrows Principal Investments (Rothschild) on a number of transactions including its investment into Texthelp, a global leader in education technology and on the sale of White Clarke Group to IDS, backed by Thoma Bravo; acting for the selling shareholders and management on the sale of Metals and Materials to Advanced Scientific Materials Acquico, a newco backed by Battery Ventures; acting for Foundation Investment Partners and the management team of Strictly Education on numerous acquisitions and their subsequent exit to Supporting Education Group Limited; advising BGF on its investment alongside Peter Jones of Dragon’s Den, into e-commerce platform Localised Group and Retail Services Group; and acting for CBD business Cannaray, from start-up and its series A investments through to a number of follow-up investments and bolt-on acquisitions, including the acquisition of Therismos Limited. · Corporate / M&A

Alex Bishop

Alex is National Head of the Dispute Resolution & Litigation practice and Head of the firm's Birmingham office. She advises on a broad range of commercial disputes from shareholder disputes, contract and misrepresentation claims to obtaining freezing orders and search and seizure orders in complex fraud cases. She has a broad range of experience dealing with litigation and international arbitration as well as participation in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediations. Alex has particular experience dealing with reputationally significant matters and internal investigations, navigating the potentially competing interests of different stakeholder groups. Given the costly nature of Court proceedings, Alex will always look to achieve a speedy and cost effective resolution to any dispute. Where Court proceedings are the only option, Alex will pursue them aggressively albeit always focused on the client’s commercial objectives. Her clients include large companies in the IT, retail, automotive and manufacturing sectors such as Electrolux plc, Husqvarna UK Limited and Next Plc. Her recent instructions include: • representing an African telecommunications company in international arbitration proceedings in London and Dubai regarding multi-million dollar claims against a Chinese equipment supplier. • advising a Plc client following allegations of bribery in a civil dispute, conducting an internal investigation and supporting with a self report to the authorities. • advising a major high street name in relation to the termination of a fixed term IT contract carrying an exposure of £35million. A favourable exit was achieved through negotiations without proceedings being issued; • successfully obtaining a permanent injunction and substantial costs recovery for a major petrochemicals company against an unauthorised dealer. The claim also involved executing a search and seizure order; • advising a global financial services company in relation to fraudulent activities conducted by a former employee including unlawful access to the company’s IT systems. Undertakings were obtained together with full financial recovery; and • acting for a UK Plc in relation to a claim against multiple defendants for conspiracy to defraud and civil bribery securing a substantial financial recovery for the client. The claim involved obtaining a Freezing Order over the fraudsters' assets. Alex’s understanding of the issues facing businesses and the pressures on in-house lawyers has been enhanced by a number of secondments, one of which was spent in an in-house legal department of a UK based oil company, another in the Cayman Islands in an in-house legal team for a multi-national investment bank and as acting head of legal at a fleet management company. Alex has also worked in-house assisting the in-house legal team of a UK based mobile phone supplier with substantial US litigation, working with US lawyers and preparing the UK arm of the litigation. Alex has recently been identified as a leader in her field of Dispute Resolution by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in which she is described as "praised for her ingenuity and her commercial vision.". She is also in the Legal 500 'Hall of Fame' for Commercial Litigation and is listed in The Lawyer's 'Hot 100' 2021. · Dispute Resolution

Alex Jones

Alex Jones is a Principal Associate specialising in planning, highways, and environmental matters. Alex’s work comprises a mix of both contentious and non-contentious planning work, including drafting and negotiating complex s106 agreements, providing highways advice, negotiating infrastructure agreements, undertaking planning due diligence on a variety of matters, providing strategic planning advice, undertaking judicial reviews, obtaining footpath and highway closures, and undertaking planning appeals. She acts for a wide range of clients, including public bodies, funders, commercial and residential developers, governmental departments, charities and retail clients. Alex's experience includes: Drafting and negotiating complex Section 106 Agreements, including the negotiation of the various planning agreements associated with the redevelopment of Birkenhead town centre and the Section 106 Agreement relating to the Eden Project in Lancashire; Negotiating sewer and highways agreements and providing support to the Real Estate Division, including inputting into development agreements, sale contracts and leases; Submitting a successful application for a screening direction from the Secretary of State in respect of the Council's decision to determinate that an application for a large development fell within the criteria for an Environmental Impact Assessment; Promoting a Development Consent Order for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in Cheshire; Submitting appeals to the Secretary of State against the refusal or non-determination of planning applications; and Advising developers and landowners in relation to permitted development rights and changes of use. Alex regularly speaks at internal and external seminars aimed at local authority, public sector and private developer clients. She also delivers training for RICS and the Local Government Association. · Planning

Alex Kirkhope

Alex is a Partner in the Commercial team with a particular focus on Technology and outsourcing, advising clients on all aspects of their business-critical IT systems and related business functions, as well as wider technology-based commercial contracts, software licensing and information law. Alex works closely with client commercial and legal teams in delivering transactions and has a detailed understanding of the key commercial drivers behind technology deployments. Over his career, Alex has advised on numerous major public sector IT contracts and procurements for UK Government, in particular in relation to the development, implementation and delivery of nationally significant benefits systems, a £1bn BPO of administrative and payment systems underpinning the NHS in England, and the largest UK police force on its outsourcing of Application Maintenance and Support Services. Recent examples of transactions Alex has advised on include: advising Moorfield Group in relation to its £600m PropTech-based JV with Bricklane; advising a luxury high street retailer on its £multi-million O365 Transition Framework negotiations with IBM; advising a global automotive manufacturer on multiple contracts related to their IT environment and supply contracts, including in relation to their international enterprise-wide licensing arrangements with Microsoft; acting for a high-growth financial services technology provider on the contract terms underpinning the rollout of its mortgage aggregation software platform to corporates, brokers and intermediaries; advising a leading Smart Cities technology provider in relation to a number of significant smart city technology deployment projects; leading a team advising a major UK Building Society in relation to the second generation outsourcing of its savings and mortgage account software platform; advising another leading UK Building Society in relation to contracts covering multiple aspects of its IT systems and infrastructure including the negotiation of terms relating to a high-value cloud service deployment, as well as a range of other business-critical IT agreements; acting for a major UK construction company in relation to its procurement of WAN services to support its UK and international operations; and acting for a global airline group in relation to the negotiation of enterprise-wide software licensing arrangements with Oracle. · Technology & Outsourcing

Alexander Massey

With a background in accountancy, Alexander joined Shoosmiths in 2019 as a Solicitor. As part of the firm’s specialist tax team, Alexander is a Senior Associate providing assistance on: corporate tax issues in mergers and acquisitions; income taxes and reliefs; VAT, SDLT and CGT arising on property transactions; and VCT, EIS and SEIS reliefs as part of the firm’s award winning tax advantaged venture capital reliefs division. · Tax

Alexandra Tiptree

Alexandra (Ali) is a finance and banking lawyer specialising in a range of debt finance work, including secured and unsecured, bilateral and syndicated lending both on a national and international level. She acts on behalf of either banks or borrowers (either corporate or private equity). Ali's experience includes acquisition finance, telecoms finance, project finance, debt restructuring as well as leveraged and investment grade corporate lending transactions. She has worked on a wide variety of transactions including: advising a South African mobile phone operator on its USD275,000,000 facilities from Chinese and South African lending institutions; advising an Indonesian mobile service provider on its USD40,000,000 facilities from an international investment management firm; advising a private equity house on various of its acquisition and unitranche facilities in connection with its separate purchases of a German payment institution, a French business intelligence company and an English insurance brokers; advising HSBC Bank plc in relation to over 20 banking facilities relating to its European Corporate Banking Centre; advising Bankmed SAL on over USD230,000,000 of term, payment and performance bond facilities in connection with the project finance of a powership. · Banking & Finance

Alexandra Triptree

Alexandra (Ali) is a finance and banking lawyer specialising in a range of debt finance work, including secured and unsecured, bilateral and syndicated lending both on a national and international level. She acts on behalf of either banks or borrowers (either corporate or private equity). Ali's experience includes acquisition finance, telecoms finance, project finance, debt restructuring as well as leveraged and investment grade corporate lending transactions. She has worked on a wide variety of transactions including: advising a South African mobile phone operator on its USD275,000,000 facilities from Chinese and South African lending institutions; advising an Indonesian mobile service provider on its USD40,000,000 facilities from an international investment management firm; advising a private equity house on various of its acquisition and unitranche facilities in connection with its separate purchases of a German payment institution, a French business intelligence company and an English insurance brokers; advising HSBC Bank plc in relation to over 20 banking facilities relating to its European Corporate Banking Centre; advising Bankmed SAL on over USD230,000,000 of term, payment and performance bond facilities in connection with the project finance of a powership. · Banking & Finance

Alexandra Ventham

Alexandra has experience of advising employers and trustees of occupational pension and life assurance schemes on all aspects of pensions law, and providing advice in relation to pensions issues on corporate transactions and pensions litigation. Alexandra’s experience includes: Advising both pension scheme trustee and employer clients on scheme mergers, drafting documentation to implement such mergers, and taking on a project management role to ensure completion of mergers in required timescales. The de-risking of occupational pension schemes, recently advising an independent trustee on a buy-in of the scheme's liabilities and plans to achieve a full buy-out and wind-up. Advising on scheme closure exercises, including the implications of scheme amendment powers and case law requiring salary linkage. Advising on the updating and consolidation of pension scheme trust deeds and rules. Drafting scheme contingent assets, such as PPF compliant company guarantees. Advising employers on automatic enrolment obligations. Defending complaints brought under scheme internal dispute resolution procedures and before the Pensions Ombudsman. High court pensions litigation, including acting for an employer and trustees in multi-defendant professional negligence proceedings associated with equalisation issues. Alexandra also has experience of mediation and settlement of high court disputes. Advising on TUPE transfers and share sales, including drafting contractual provisions, advising on obligations during and following such transfers/ sales and whether section 75 employer debts may be triggered and the appropriate steps to mitigate such risks. Advising on the establishment of group life assurance schemes. · Pensions

Alexandria Kittlety

Alex has a breadth of experience in all aspects of real estate, including: • landlord and tenant; • freehold sales and disposals; • strategic portfolio acquisitions and disposals; • investment sales and purchases; • transfers of going concern; • licensed premises; • corporate support; and • working in-house / setting up secondment functions at clients' offices. Alex acts predominantly for tenants, but also landlords, in high street, office, industrial and retail parks and shopping centre locations. Alex's main clients include Whistles, Hobbs, Phase Eight, Sk:n, Waterstones, Mercedes-Benz, Euro Garages, Mountain Warehouse, Iron Mountain, Accident Exchange, Topps Tiles. · Real Estate

Alice Casey

Alice advises banks, financial institutions and corporate borrowers on domestic and cross-border financing. She has particular experience in real estate finance and has spent time on secondment at a major UK clearing bank. Recent transactions include: acting for a 4 bank club providing a £185,000,000 development and investment facility to a commercial property borrower; advising on a Takeover Code governed public to private takeover of a large PLC; acting for a major clearing bank in relation to a £45,000,000 term, revolving and ancillary facility to a privately owned group in connection with the refinance of a portfolio of over 30 properties; acting for a major clearing bank on a £32,000,000 real estate investment facility with a Jersey borrower group in respect of a multi-property logistics portfolio; acting for a developer borrower client on senior and mezzanine facilities in respect of the development numerous properties; acting for a private equity real estate fund manager on a term loan facility with a major clearing bank in connection with financing the acquisition of a portfolio of 77 show homes; and acting for local authorities on various projects including real estate finance loans and grant funding agreements in the further education sector. · Banking & Finance

Alistair Hammerton

Alistair is a Partner in the corporate department advising on all aspects of corporate law, with particular specialty around mergers and acquisitions, growth and venture capital, private equity and joint venture arrangements. Alistair is one of the country’s leading and most active venture capital lawyers - advising on early stage seed investments to series A and later rounds and through to exits. Alistair works with a variety of clients including for prominent investors such as Octopus Ventures, BGF, Triple Point, Hambro Perks, Blackfinch and Mercia on a serial basis, private companies (from start-ups to large corporates), listed plcs, founders and management teams. · Corporate / M&A

Alistair Hayes

Alistair is a Senior Associate in the Banking and Finance team, based in our London office. Alistair specialises in asset based lending transactions, with a particular emphasis on acquisition and sponsor-led ABL financings. Alistair is also experienced in advising banks, financial institutions and large corporates in leveraged finance, asset finance and real estate finance transactions. Alistair's experience includes: advising RBS Invoice Finance and ABN AMRO on the provision of £100m receivables finance facilities to Pertemps Network Group; advising ABN AMRO on the provision of revolving plant and machinery facilities to Van Elle Holdings plc; advising Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending on combined receivables, inventory, plant and machinery, property and cash flow facilities to support Chiltern Capital's acquisition of mechanical contractor Doby Verrolec; acting for HSBC Bank in relation to the provision of £26m ABL facilities to CST Pharma; advising Investec Growth and Leverage Finance in connection with its provision of debt facilities to Southgate Global; acting for Shawbrook Bank Limited in respect of a number of asset based and commercial loan facilities to fund customer acquisitions and MBOs, including Hydromarque, Fargro and Retrac's employee ownership trust transfer; and advising a listed corporation in the utilities sector in connection with it obtaining RCF and CLBILS facilities from a major clearing bank. Alistair joined Shoosmiths in November 2019, moving to the firm together with partners Jon Bew and Natalie Barnes. He originally trained under Jon and Natalie at Irwin Mitchell LLP, qualifying in September 2019. Prior to commencing his training, he studied at King's College London and the University of Law. · Banking & Finance

Amardeep Vangar

Amardeep is a corporate solicitor with broad sector experience covering transactional and non-transactional corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments and general company law matters. She advises a wide range of clients including individual entrepreneurs, corporates, developers, private investors, joint ventures and property funds with considerable experience advising clients on corporate real estate transactions. Amardeep is responsive to her client’s needs and aims to achieve their objectives and goals in the most thorough and practical way possible, whilst adopting a pragmatic approach to complex legal issues. Her recent experience includes advising: the private equity firm LDC on its multi-million pound investment into Foundation SP a leading national children's care and education provider, on its various business acquisitions the shareholders of an online own-brand bike accessories and tools business on the sale of their company to Factory14 the shareholders of Procomm Site Services Ltd (a provider of portable modular accommodation in the UK) on its sale to Modulaire Group the shareholders of a UK insurance broker network on the sale of their company to a US private equity backed purchaser a global moving company, on its acquisition and expansion of a UK relocation business · Corporate / M&A

Ami Bhatt

Ami is a Legal Director with over 10 years' experience of corporate transactions such as acquisitions, disposals, management buy-outs, private equity and angel investments, pre-pack acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures. EOTs, share buy-backs and general corporate governance matters. Ami has experience of working with owner managed businesses, investors, buy & build businesses and management teams in various sectors such as IT, real estate, logistics & packaging, consultancy and childcare. · Corporate / M&A

Amit Nayyar

Recognised as one of the leading Private Equity lawyers in the UK Amit Nayyar helps PE sponsors, investee companies and management teams realise their investment strategies. Amit heads our relationship with leading PE sponsors such as Rothschild (Five Arrows Principal Investments), Foundation Investment Partners, Kelso Place, Norland Capital and Trilantic Capital Partners. With over 15 years' experience in private equity, Amit has acted as lead counsel on a variety of high-profile buy-outs, restructurings and deals in the UK and Europe – with a particular focus on technology, healthcare and education investments · Private Equity

Amy Anderson

Amy is a Principal Associate based in our Manchester office. Amy's particular area of expertise is managing employment tribunal litigation for businesses in the retail, hospitality and logistics sectors. In addition to defending employment tribunal litigation, Amy enjoys working alongside clients to manage people-related risks, whether that is by ensuring that businesses have the right contractual and policy documentation in place, to negotiating settlement agreements, to providing strategic advice during periods of organisational change. Amy prides herself on getting to know her clients' businesses so that she can provide straightforward, pragmatic advice which is in line with their commercial objectives. In recent years Amy has: ◦successfully defended a company in the hospitality sector against multiple claims of race discrimination which were alleged to have taken place over a period of in excess of five years; ◦successfully acted for a real estate business in respect of claims of sexual harassment in circumstances where the perpetrators of the allegations had left employment and were not willing to give evidence at Tribunal; and ◦advised a sports club on the employment aspects of the sale of a number of its golf clubs including on the application of TUPE. · Employment

Amy Barrs

Amy is a Senior Associate working in the Conveyancing Department. Amy joined Shoosmiths in March 2006 as an Assistant Case Handler in the Conveyancing department. Amy works on a wide range of diverse cases across Conveyancing, including sale, purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity transactions which include freehold, leasehold and shared ownership dealings. Amy has helped thousands of clients move home, taking responsibility for the progression of transactions on behalf of our clients through to completion. · Real Estate

Amy Bars

Amy is a Senior Conveyancing Manager working in the Conveyancing Department. Amy joined Shoosmiths in March 2006 as an Assistant Case Handler in the Conveyancing department. Amy works on a wide range of diverse cases across Conveyancing, including sale, purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity transactions which include freehold, leasehold and shared ownership dealings. Amy has helped thousands of clients move home, taking responsibility for the progression of transactions on behalf of our clients through to completion. · Conveyancing

Amy Beaumont

Senior Associate · Litigation

Amy Dyson

Amy is a Senior Associate and part of Shoosmiths' national Construction team, based in Manchester and specialises in both contentious and non-contentious construction law and practice. She has acted on a variety of disputes relating to time, money and defects and for a broad range of clients across the industry, including developers, financial institutions, employers and trusts. She has experience in litigation, adjudication as well as less formal methods of dispute resolution including negotiation and mediation. Amy also acts for developers, contractors, subcontractors and funders alike, negotiating and drafting building contracts, consultant appointments and collateral warranties. She also advises on the construction aspects of Real Estate finance and banking deals for both funders and borrowers. · Construction

Amy Frost

Amy is a Senior Associate within the Milton Keynes employment team. She advises on a full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, including specialist areas such as employee data protection and business immigration. Amy works with local and national clients across a variety of sectors including logistics, retail, leisure and higher education. Although Amy primarily acts for employers, she also supports individuals on settlement negotiations, tribunal litigation and advising individuals on their post-termination restrictions. Amy's recent experience includes: defending employment tribunal proceedings, including constructive unfair dismissal claims, pregnancy and maternity discrimination claims and disability discrimination claims; advising organisations on day-to-day employee relations matters, including flexible working requests, disciplinaries and grievances; assisting organisations with managing redundancies and restructures (including TUPE where relevant); and advising organisations on managing and negotiating exits including settlement agreement proposals and terms. Amy conducts her own advocacy in the Employment Tribunal and has successfully represented various clients at case management and substantive preliminary hearings and at final hearings. She also regularly provides support to the corporate team within Shoosmiths, advising on the employment law aspects of national and international corporate sales, acquisitions and investments. Amy has a particular interest in employee data protection matters and advises on the varied commercial and employment implications in this area. She has extensive experience in assisting organisations with managing data subject access requests and has also advised individuals making such requests. Recent employee data protection work undertaken by Amy includes: assisting multiple clients with large data subject access requests; reviewing and drafting workforce privacy notices and employee data protection policies, including subject right policies; and advising a client in relation to the data protection implications of conducting criminal record checks on its workforce. Amy also has experience in business immigration matters. Work handled by Amy in this area includes: supporting organisations with various right to work check queries and providing bespoke training to clients relating to the same; advising clients in relation to applying for a skilled worker sponsor licence and managing the licence once granted, especially in a post-acquisition context; and reviewing and drafting right to work and business immigration policies. Amy regularly writes articles and comments for the firm and is one of the founding co-hosts of the Shoospeak HR podcast. She is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association. Amy also regularly advises individuals on a pro bono basis through the firm's employment pro bono clinic set up in collaborate with Milton Keynes' Citizens Advice Bureau. Amy is also a current member of the firm's "Balance" network, which aims to champion gender equality and better representation of women in the legal sector. Amy also co-chairs the Milton Keynes office's Social Mobility Working Group. · Employment

Anastasia Fowle

Anastasia is a partner specialising in the motorsport and automotive sector. She has a depth of experience in this multi-faceted sector: from IP, regulatory, litigation, international cross border matters, complex commercial and strategic arrangements and projects, end-to-end supply chain and privacy, together with extensive and sought after expertise in the world of motorsport (most notably F1). Anastasia's experience of private practice and general counsel in house roles, gives her a refreshing "both sides of the fence" perspective that enables her to cut through to commercial realities. Having sat on the Executive Committee Board for an F1 Team, she has an acute understanding of the importance of delivering pragmatic, solution driven and commercially sensible advice. Anastasia enjoys a unique and enviable position having worked with many F1 teams, F1 Drivers, Formula E Team and various motorsport and automotive clients. She currently also maintains legal in-house roles, active in motorsport and related activities. Her deep sector knowledge in this complex sector, means that she has a full hinterland of non-contentious and contentious experience including: intellectual property; complex commercial agreements; corporate transactions; digital media; commercial/corporate strategy (domestic and international); specialist sporting litigation; brand and reputation management; advertising and marketing strategies (often in conjunction with major sporting events); confidential information; licensing; sponsorship; endorsements; driver contracts; management contracts; motorsport regulatory advice; WADA regulatory matters; R&D and collaboration agreements; technical partnerships; complex data protection issues; compliance/audit; and litigation. She initiates and conducts proceedings before the High Court, OHIM, FIA International Court of Appeal, UK Trade Mark Office and Nominet and works with UK Customs authorities with regard seizures of counterfeit goods. She often works on cross border transactions for clients. Anastasia has spent time on secondment at Red Bull F1 race team, which, alongside her General Counsel role at Manor F1 race team and ROKiT Venturi Racing (Formula E Team) (current) has given her a great insight into the dynamics of a team and business operating within a competitive sporting environment. Anastasia is a Director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the first non-driver to become a director of the GPDA since its inception in 1961. She sits on the board alongside Sebastian Vettel, George Russell and Chairman Alex Wurz. Recent highlights include: UK representative and member of the European Automotive Network leading on High Court trade mark infringement dispute on behalf of German automotive manufacturer (acting for both UK national sales centre and German OEM) representing former F1 World Champion driver in all his commercial projects working with leading premier league football team in relation to confidential commercial deal; working with Audi UK and Audi AG with regard ground breaking new project for the car sales market; advising leading global German car manufacturer (VW Group) on its UK IP, branding, technology and digital media, commercial and data protection matters and IP disputes. Providing strategic advice and solutions in relation to technical and legal issues arising as VWG strives to push the boundaries with new technology and enhance the customer journey experience; advising Mercedes UK, Nissan and Renault in relation to Commerical, IP and DP matters; advising on the Jules Bianchi litigation for the Manor F1 team and resultant settlement agreement; advising on the Maria di Villota case for the Manor F1 Team; working on complex High Court and Court of Appeal patent litigation and breach of contract matter on behalf of H&M (Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd v H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd ) [Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltdv H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 516 (22 May 2015)]; advising British Amercian Tobacco in relation to various global commercial projects; providing strategic and commercial advice in relation to various global commercial and multi-supplier projects; acting for and advising various retailers, including H&M, The White Company, Dixons Carphone, Henkel, Nectar (Resident), United Talent Agency, Thorntons, LK Bennett, GAME, IKEA, RIXO, Ann Summers in relation to sponsorship, licensing, advertising, counterfeit matters and general commercial/data protection matters; appeal by Infiniti Red Bull Racing against the decision N°56 dated 16 March 2014 of the FIA Stewards of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix counting towards the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship. Appeal before the International Court of Appeal [2014] (ICA-2014-01) (the “Fuelgate Litigation”); advising Henkel (and its associated brands, including Right Guard and Schwarzkopf) with regard TV rights clearances, music clearance, vlogger/blogger contracts, music licences/permissions for broadcast; acting for Global fast food restaurant chain (McDonald's) with regard UK intellectual property matters, including online and social media issues and reputational strategy; acting for leading global cereal brand in relation to multi billion pound bid to acquire United Biscuits; lead UK Counsel co-ordinating the securitisation of all IP of a borrower's European portfolio in relation to various major re-financing deals (value in excess of $1bn); Red Bull GmbH v Sun Mark Limited et al (High Court) (Red Bull GmBH v Sun Mark Limited and another [2012] EWHC 1929 (Ch), 17 July 2012.); co-ordinated worldwide IP due diligence and strategic advice on behalf of last round bidder regarding its multi billion dollar bid; acting for global motorcycle brand in relation to a serious breach of confidential information, which included an injunction claim against a well known motorcycle publication; obtaining immediate removal of online infringement and achieving successful outcome for client; advising hi-tech engineering company with regard potential large scale commercial dispute. Successful outcome for client; and advising a wide range of international and domestic clients active in the field of automotive, motorsport, manufacturing, retail, food and drink, technology, fashion, and media. Anastasia has an enviable list of clients who regard her as the “go to” person. Anastasia contributed a chapter to the book "Landmark IP Decisions of the European Court of Justice" (2008-2013). · Intellectual Property

Anastasia Fowle

Anastasia is a partner specialising in the motorsport and automotive sector. She has a depth of experience in this multi-faceted sector: from IP, regulatory, litigation, international cross border matters, complex commercial and strategic arrangements and projects, end-to-end supply chain and privacy, together with extensive and sought after expertise in the world of motorsport (most notably F1). Anastasia's experience of private practice and general counsel in house roles, gives her a refreshing "both sides of the fence" perspective that enables her to cut through to commercial realities. Having sat on the Executive Committee Board for an F1 Team, she has an acute understanding of the importance of delivering pragmatic, solution driven and commercially sensible advice. Anastasia enjoys a unique and enviable position having worked with many F1 teams, F1 Drivers, Formula E Team and various motorsport and automotive clients. She currently also maintains legal in-house roles, active in motorsport and related activities. Her deep sector knowledge in this complex sector, means that she has a full hinterland of non-contentious and contentious experience including: intellectual property; complex commercial agreements; corporate transactions; digital media; commercial/corporate strategy (domestic and international); specialist sporting litigation; brand and reputation management; advertising and marketing strategies (often in conjunction with major sporting events); confidential information; licensing; sponsorship; endorsements; driver contracts; management contracts; motorsport regulatory advice; WADA regulatory matters; R&D and collaboration agreements; technical partnerships; complex data protection issues; compliance/audit; and litigation. She initiates and conducts proceedings before the High Court, OHIM, FIA International Court of Appeal, UK Trade Mark Office and Nominet and works with UK Customs authorities with regard seizures of counterfeit goods. She often works on cross border transactions for clients. Anastasia has spent time on secondment at Red Bull F1 race team, which, alongside her General Counsel role at Manor F1 race team and ROKiT Venturi Racing (Formula E Team) (current) has given her a great insight into the dynamics of a team and business operating within a competitive sporting environment. Anastasia is a Director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the first non-driver to become a director of the GPDA since its inception in 1961. She sits on the board alongside Sebastian Vettel, George Russell and Chairman Alex Wurz. Recent highlights include: UK representative and member of the European Automotive Network leading on High Court trade mark infringement dispute on behalf of German automotive manufacturer (acting for both UK national sales centre and German OEM) representing former F1 World Champion driver in all his commercial projects working with leading premier league football team in relation to confidential commercial deal; working with Audi UK and Audi AG with regard ground breaking new project for the car sales market; advising leading global German car manufacturer (VW Group) on its UK IP, branding, technology and digital media, commercial and data protection matters and IP disputes. Providing strategic advice and solutions in relation to technical and legal issues arising as VWG strives to push the boundaries with new technology and enhance the customer journey experience; advising Mercedes UK, Nissan and Renault in relation to Commerical, IP and DP matters; advising on the Jules Bianchi litigation for the Manor F1 team and resultant settlement agreement; advising on the Maria di Villota case for the Manor F1 Team; working on complex High Court and Court of Appeal patent litigation and breach of contract matter on behalf of H&M (Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd v H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd ) [Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltdv H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 516 (22 May 2015)]; advising British Amercian Tobacco in relation to various global commercial projects; providing strategic and commercial advice in relation to various global commercial and multi-supplier projects; acting for and advising various retailers, including H&M, The White Company, Dixons Carphone, Henkel, Nectar (Resident), United Talent Agency, Thorntons, LK Bennett, GAME, IKEA, RIXO, Ann Summers in relation to sponsorship, licensing, advertising, counterfeit matters and general commercial/data protection matters; appeal by Infiniti Red Bull Racing against the decision N°56 dated 16 March 2014 of the FIA Stewards of the 2014 Australian Grand Prix counting towards the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship. Appeal before the International Court of Appeal [2014] (ICA-2014-01) (the “Fuelgate Litigation”); advising Henkel (and its associated brands, including Right Guard and Schwarzkopf) with regard TV rights clearances, music clearance, vlogger/blogger contracts, music licences/permissions for broadcast; acting for Global fast food restaurant chain (McDonald's) with regard UK intellectual property matters, including online and social media issues and reputational strategy; acting for leading global cereal brand in relation to multi billion pound bid to acquire United Biscuits; lead UK Counsel co-ordinating the securitisation of all IP of a borrower's European portfolio in relation to various major re-financing deals (value in excess of $1bn); Red Bull GmbH v Sun Mark Limited et al (High Court) (Red Bull GmBH v Sun Mark Limited and another [2012] EWHC 1929 (Ch), 17 July 2012.); co-ordinated worldwide IP due diligence and strategic advice on behalf of last round bidder regarding its multi billion dollar bid; acting for global motorcycle brand in relation to a serious breach of confidential information, which included an injunction claim against a well known motorcycle publication; obtaining immediate removal of online infringement and achieving successful outcome for client; advising hi-tech engineering company with regard potential large scale commercial dispute. Successful outcome for client; and advising a wide range of international and domestic clients active in the field of automotive, motorsport, manufacturing, retail, food and drink, technology, fashion, and media. Anastasia has an enviable list of clients who regard her as the “go to” person. Anastasia contributed a chapter to the book "Landmark IP Decisions of the European Court of Justice" (2008-2013). · Intellectual Property

Andrew Bowden-Brown

Andrew is a Partner specialising in banking and finance litigation, asset based lending and alternative finance lending, cryptocurrency asset recovery and commercial litigation. Andrew regularly advises banks and other financial institutions on security and enforcement issues arising out of facility and / or security documentation. These issues range from complex multi-jurisdictional fraud claims to simple debt recovery matters, loss mitigation, contentious and non-contentious insolvency and asset recovery and tracing claims. In addition, Andrew has extensive experience of dealing with complex commercial and crypto asset recovery litigation. He works alongside leading asset recovery experts to ensure quick, commercial and pragmatic steps are taken to assist victims recover their misappropriated assets. Andrew is a member of the Shoosmiths' crypto working group. Andrew's expertise includes: advising on actions against clients and former clients of asset based lenders, banks and other financial institutions, including guarantors, warrantors and indemnifiers advising banks and other financial institutions on claims against them by current or former clients and any consequent reports to their respective regulatory bodies. In particular, Andrew has advised banks subject to numerous high-value claims for the alleged mis-selling of various financial products, including invoice finance, asset based lending, secured and unsecured finance, structured collars, swaps, simple collars and cap products advising numerous individuals and institutions on civil and criminal recovery options following theft of their crypto / virtual / NFT assets working alongside insolvency practitioners advising on fraud investigations, administrations, liquidations and provisional liquidations, actions against bankrupts, directors and third parties and obtaining relief under the Insolvency Act, such as wrongful trading, transactions at undervalue, preference and misfeasance advising on bespoke facility and security documentation in connection with prospective clients (including assisting credit committees), reviewing and amending intercreditor documents, undertaking security reviews and re-negotiating / taking new security during the course of a facility and assisting the business to create and maintain an “exit plan” for distressed or defaulting businesses advising on professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants and other professional advisers Specialist areas include: asset based lending, invoice finance, fraud, commercial litigation, trade finance, supply chain finance, construction, insolvency and restructuring, director disqualification, debt recovery, cryptocurrency & digital asset recovery and professional negligence · Banking & Finance

Andrew Brennan

Andrew heads Shoosmiths’ 20 strong national IP team. He is recognised as a leading intellectual property lawyer who "knows his IP” and “provides solid, targeted and fast advice”. Clients find him approachable, pragmatic, agile and very user-friendly. Andrew’s practice covers all areas of intellectual property law, with a particular focus on the technology, engineering and consumer brand sectors. He works for global tech companies and household brands through to pioneering SME’s and disruptive start-ups. Passionate about innovation, Andrew is recognised for his excellence in handling complex disputes with a technical element involving patents, confidential information and software. He also helps technology clients in relation to their strategic R&D programmes and specialised IP commercialisation arrangements. Andrew's experience covers a range of technologies, including oil and gas well perforation, various waste to energy processes, robotics, photonic printing, supercontinuum lasers, friction stir welding, graphene filtration, sealed grafts, stroke detection equipment, autonomous vehicles, software and many more. In the consumer brand space, Andrew has handled countless trade mark and design disputes and licensing deals on behalf of well-known and up and coming brands. Recent work examples include: conducting multi-jurisdictional patent dispute regarding reactive shaped charges on behalf of global designer and manufacturer of gas and oil well perforating equipment; advising on patent and know-how licence dispute between two global engineering companies; handling international patent licensing programme on behalf of global photonic printing company; advising on complex pre-clinical and clinical milestone co-development and patent licensing agreement on behalf of US life sciences company; working as part of an international team to help one of the world’s largest vodka manufacturers enforce and protect a key trade mark; and advising numerous well known cycle brands in relation to brand protection, enforcement and licensing matters. · Intellectual Property

Andrew Brennan

Andrew heads Shoosmiths’ 20 strong national IP team. He is recognised as a leading intellectual property lawyer who "knows his IP” and “provides solid, targeted and fast advice”. Clients find him approachable, pragmatic, agile and very user-friendly. Andrew’s practice covers all areas of intellectual property law, with a particular focus on the technology, engineering and consumer brand sectors. He works for global tech companies and household brands through to pioneering SME’s and disruptive start-ups. Passionate about innovation, Andrew is recognised for his excellence in handling complex disputes with a technical element involving patents, confidential information and software. He also helps technology clients in relation to their strategic R&D programmes and specialised IP commercialisation arrangements. Andrew's experience covers a range of technologies, including oil and gas well perforation, various waste to energy processes, robotics, photonic printing, supercontinuum lasers, friction stir welding, graphene filtration, sealed grafts, stroke detection equipment, autonomous vehicles, software and many more. In the consumer brand space, Andrew has handled countless trade mark and design disputes and licensing deals on behalf of well-known and up and coming brands. Recent work examples include: conducting multi-jurisdictional patent dispute regarding reactive shaped charges on behalf of global designer and manufacturer of gas and oil well perforating equipment; advising on patent and know-how licence dispute between two global engineering companies; handling international patent licensing programme on behalf of global photonic printing company; advising on complex pre-clinical and clinical milestone co-development and patent licensing agreement on behalf of US life sciences company; working as part of an international team to help one of the world’s largest vodka manufacturers enforce and protect a key trade mark; and advising numerous well known cycle brands in relation to brand protection, enforcement and licensing matters. · Intellectual Property

Andrew Millar

Andrew is a corporate partner whose clients include public and private companies, investors and management teams. Andrew has extensive experience of running local and cross border transactions and client relationships. He is experienced in helping his clients to identify, prepare for and resolve their legal issues, whether through the provision of company law advice or in leading companies, from technology start-ups to listed companies, through complex corporate transactions. Andrew’s particular expertise covers company law advice, mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets transactions, takeovers and group reorganisations. Recent transactions include: advising Datix on its acquisition of a business from Health Matrix; advising LDC on sale of ByBox to Francisco Partners; advising Ikon Science Limited on its sale to Great Hill Partners; advising a local authority on its corporate joint venture to regenerate a housing estate which will involve the construction of circa 2,500 new homes; advising AMR Centre Limited on a fund raising; advising Gaist Holdings Limited on its investment from BGF; and advising the sellers of Verpihy Limited on its sale to Davies Group. · Corporate / M&A

Andrew Mills

Andrew is a senior associate and provides clear, strategic and pragmatic advice to businesses areas of data protection, digital marketing, advertising and general commercial law. Andrew has experience working on secondment with a regulator and a global UK-based plc in the top 10 of the FTSE. Before embarking on a legal career, Andrew worked as a Management Consultant at a global IT company and as an Analyst at a global investment bank. Andrew’s experience: successfully delivered the GDPR implementation programme for a global retail and manufacturing business which involved drafting complex third-party contracts, advising on international transfers, managing data subjects rights requests, advising on security/data issues, completion of over 25 DPIAs, creating numerous templates, and rolling out training across the organisation; acted as in-house legal lead for the implementation of a multi-million-pound HR system rolled out across over 100 countries; advised on numerous client website privacy and cookie notices and assisted with development of compliant cookie banners (relating to EU and USA clients); led numerous training sessions for colleagues across Europe on digital marketing and AdTech, including compliance with cookie rules; drafted consumer website terms and conditions and various competition terms and conditions for a Global luxury goods retailer; provided legal support (contractual, due diligence and analysis) for a retailer client in respect of its launch of digital marketing campaigns via social media with an annual spend over £1.5 million; reviewed, advised on and approved over 100 items of marketing collateral within a fast-paced and heavily regulated area to ensure client compliance with data protection laws and CAP/BCAP Codes; and supported the in-house legal team of a major UK client to release their advertising strategy and increase revenues within a challenging landscape, including advising on new entry points (QR codes, social media marketing, movement to online platforms, developing CRM systems and supporting ‘return to work’ initiatives) and drafted numerous supplier contracts. · Data Protection

Andrew Outram

Andrew specialises in providing advice on non-contentious construction related issues to a wide variety of entities, including developers, contractors, public bodies and funders. Andrew has also previously undertaken a six month secondment as a commercial legal adviser at one of the UK’s largest contractors at their head office. During this time he advised on a wide variety of legal issues (including both construction and non-construction issues) and gained a useful first hand perspective on the client’s and an in-house lawyer’s approach. Recent examples of work include: Acting for one of the UK’s largest regeneration specialists on the construction aspects (including strategic advice) on: the agreements relating to the design and construction of a major heavy manufacturing and assembly facility in South Wales. As part of this, Andrew advised on the building agreement with the purchaser as well as the building, infrastructure and remediation contracts, professional appointments, rail asset protection agreements, collateral warranties and performance security; three phases of a major town centre redevelopment in the West Midlands with a construction value of over £70m. These phases included advising on the construction aspects of the relevant development agreements with major retailers and negotiating all of the relevant construction documents with all the parties involved in the redevelopment; various development, infrastructure and remediation works across its various sites in the UK (including advising in relation to the JCT and NEC3/NEC4 forms of contract, the construction aspects of agreements with Highways England, professional appointments and framework appointments, collateral warranties, performance security measures and in relation to insolvencies in its supply chain). Advising a real estate investment trust on the design and construction of a circa £35m office building in the City of London, which involves a confined site, the demolition of a large existing structure and negotiations with one of the UK’s largest contractors. Andrew also advises this real estate investment trust in relation to all of its construction activities across its portfolio; Advising one of the UK’s largest private developers on two of its key strategic sites, including advising on the construction aspects of agreements for lease and sale, the building contracts for site preparation and infrastructure works together with the design and construction of industrial logistic units (including for one of the UK’s largest speculative industrial units together with the works to create a new junction on a strategic highway), professional appointments, utility delivery contracts, collateral warranties and performance security; Drafting bespoke building contracts and framework agreements for two large listed residential developers and subsequently working with the clients to update these forms of contract so that they evolved to meet the each client’s aims as they sought to grow and expand their business. · Construction

Andrew Pattinson

Andrew is joint head of Real Estate North. He has over 25 years experience in the real estate sector. . He has a particular focus on development, investment and heads up the student sector team at Shoosmiths . Andrew is known for his practical approach. His recent experience includes: Andrew is client partner for Select Property Group. The team has acted a number of high profile acquisitions including Circle Square at the former BBC site City Suites in Salford and Embankment West; leading the Derwent Estate team acting in connection with a the redevelopment of the Edge Lane retail park; acting for PRS Reit Sigma; the acquisition on behalf of a national corporate of a 67,540 square foot office and warehouse space at an annual rent of £470,000; acting on behalf of Manchester Airport as developer on the construction and letting of the Raddison Blu Hotel at East Midlands Airport; and leading the team acting for a national retailer in connection its portfolio including acquisitions and disposals and general management. · Real Estate

Andrew Whalley

Partner · Litigation

Andy Oldham

Andy is a Senior Associate Costs Lawyer within the Costs Team based in Birmingham who whilst beginning a costs career acting on behalf of Defendants has over the last 10 years specialised in Claimant costs. Andy initially commenced a career in the costs sector as a Defendant representative in considering claims and costs before moving to deal with Claimant costs. He has considerable experience in complex high value claims including claims in clinical negligence, personal injury and commercial litigation. With a background on both sides he has significant experience in all aspects of costs and has a good working knowledge of procedure and costs law. Andy is able to draft and prepare Bills of Costs and Costs Budgets as well as preparing both Points of Dispute and subsequent Replies whilst also negotiating favourable settlements. He is also able to provide advice on any costs issues. Andy has appeared as an advocate at regional courts across the country. · Costs

Andy Sinclair

Andy is the National Head of the Costs Team and a Legal Director and Costs Lawyer. He has specialised in both Claimant and Defendant costs for 20 years. As an experienced costs draftsman and litigator he has dealt with a wide range of complex and high value claims throughout his career, including claims in clinical negligence, catastrophic injury, construction and property litigation and commercial disputes and is heavily involved in phone-hacking litigation. Andy and his team are able to prepare Costs Budgets, attend CCMCs, prepare Bills of Costs and deal with the entire costs of assessment process through to attendance at detailed assessment hearings or mediation/arbitration. Andy also regularly advises on any technical costs issues that may arise and has provided training to the Legal Advisers in our advisory teams. Andy regularly appears as an advocate in the Royal Courts of Justice and regional Courts across the country and has taken cases to the Court of Appeal. · Costs

Angus Evers

Angus is an experienced environmental and sustainability Partner whose practice covers all aspects of environmental law from contaminated land to waste, climate change, renewables, nuisance, water pollution and asbestos. He also has expertise in related areas such as energy, planning and health & safety. He advises developers and operators of, and investors in, infrastructure, real estate and other businesses on transactional, regulatory and contentious issues, regularly working alongside corporate, real estate, commercial, projects and EU/competition teams. Angus’s recent experience includes advising: • one of the UK's largest service station operators on the environmental aspects of the sale and purchase of approximately 50 service stations; • a chemicals company on an application for Hazardous Substances Consent;• holiday park operators on the environmental, health & safety and other regulatory aspects of acquisitions of holiday parks;• a chemicals company an internal investigation into its compliance with the emissions limits and reporting requirements under its environmental permit; and • an automotive business on trans-frontier shipment of waste requirements for transporting waste catalytic converters for recycling. Angus has led Shoosmiths’ environmental practice since 2016. He is one of the Convenors of the UK Environmental Law Association’s (UKELA) Waste Working Party and a former Co-Chair of UKELA's Governance & Devolution Group. · Environmental Law

Anita Shepherd

Anita has almost 20 years’ experience in all aspects of family law, mainly complex and high value financial matters alongside difficult children cases. As a trained collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution she is committed to promoting alternatives to court proceedings to resolve relationship disputes thereby providing clients with greater choice of procedure to resolve the issues they face. Anita is a resolution accredited specialist with Resolution in Advanced Financial Provision and Domestic Abuse. Anita is passionate about achieving healthy and sustainable outcomes for her clients and is well known for her problem solving skills. She is renowned for her ability to devise solutions to what are often complex family disputes. Areas on which Anita and the team regularly advise include: Divorce – fair financial provision Dissolution of civil partnerships and nullity proceedings Financial provision in all those circumstances and after overseas divorce Variation or set aside of existing financial orders. Cohabitation rights Separation Agreements Pre and post-nuptial agreements Applications for permission to resettle overseas with children Child relocation disputes Adoption, disputes about care or education of children Applications for parental rights Child residence and contact disputes International child abduction. third party rights as interveners in financial remedy proceedings. · Family / Divorce

Anjali Patel

Anjali is a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Litigation team and is recognised as a "key lawyer" in The Legal 500. She specialises in all aspects of commercial property disputes such as contractual disputes, commercial arrears recovery, water ingress disputes, dilapidations and break notices. She acts on behalf of clients at the onset of litigation, thereby providing advice in terms of mitigation, through to negotiated settlements and court proceedings. She aims to provide succinct, strategic advice whilst focusing on clients' commercial objectives. Her recent experience includes: defending hundreds of court proceedings on behalf of major UK retail occupiers in relation to their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the Lillywhites litigation and the High Court case of AEW UK Reit PLC -v- Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited [2021] EWHC 1013 (QB) which involved defences such as frustration, rent suspension and implied terms; acting on behalf of an investor client in relation to a multi-million pound claim issued against them relating to an alleged joint venture agreement; successfully settling a water ingress dispute which resulted in the client being compensated for substantial losses it had suffered; acting on behalf of retail and hospitality clients in relation to all aspects of commercial property disputes across their England and Wales portfolios; and providing strategic advice to a client regarding opposed lease renewals in relation to its development strategy. Anjali's advice is described by clients as "sound and consistent" and she is a "trusted advisor" for many of the firm's clients. · Real Estate

Anna Lowe

Anna is legal director who has a wide range of property experience with particular expertise in acting for retail and investor clients as well as representing various well known occupational and industrial tenants, landlords and portfolio holders since qualification in 2002. She has a pragmatic and commercial focus enhanced by several in-house secondments during the course of her career. Her clients value her committed approach to client care combined with her can-do attitude. Her recent project experience includes: acting on the first phase of a £100 million mixed use retail and leisure scheme which, when completed, will be one of the biggest retail parks in the UK. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, Anna led the client team in relation to this scheme, dealing with the majority of lettings and acting as the main client point of contact. Anna is now instructed on the next phases of the scheme scheduled to PC late 2020; acting for the UK's leading independent energy and multi-utilities service provider and running a bespoke team servicing this growing client; acting for a luxury retailer as part of its ambitious expansion plan onto the UK high street and into shopping centres over the next two years; working with a PRS REIT in relation to the housing developments it has earmarked for purchase this year; and advising a regional airport on all of its property requirements in relation to what is a complex and multi-tenanted site. One of her key client’s has recently commented “Anna is our “go to” person at Shoosmiths … not only is she technically very able, but also diligent, committed, organised, easy to deal with, hard-working and efficient. She always goes the extra mile for us and can be depended upon to get things done when she says she will…”. Anna also considers corporate social responsibility to be a vital part of her work. One of Anna’s pro bono clients (a hospice with a number of retail units) has recently commented “The legal work that you do starts the whole process off by giving us the opportunity to make the shop the success that it has turned out to be, but ultimately it helps to fund the doctors and nurses who provide direct patient care. Whilst it might be another day in the office doing legal work, hopefully you can be heartened that the fruits of that labour is helping to support many patients and their loved ones in the most difficult time of their lives.”. · Real Estate

Anna Richardson

Anna is a Principal Associate in the banking & finance team, based in the Solent Office. Anna undertakes all aspects of banking work with a focus on leveraged acquisition finance and with experience in asset and property finance as well as general corporate lending and portfolio management. Anna works for borrowers and lenders including corporates, individuals, high street and challenger banks and other (corporate and PE) financial institutions. Anna has experience working on bilateral and syndicated transactions, both nationally and internationally and is familiar with the LMA as well as most bank standard form finance documents. As well as corporate lending, Anna works with a number of our clients and their in house teams in preparing and maintaining standard form finance documents. Anna’s recent project experience includes: advising a high street bank in relation to a £20 million lend for the acquisition by a PE funder of a software company; advising a challenger bank in relation to circa £10 million of funding for two acquisitions of financial planning businesses; advising a leading venture capital house in relation to loan documentation, security packages and intercreditor arrangements to facilitate investment into growing businesses, in particular those with a focus on healthcare; advising a borrower on the English law elements of a €100 million loan from a syndicate of banks; and working with a bank client’s in house legal team to prepare and advise on a new standard form loan agreement. · Banking & Finance

Anna Vangrove

Anna leads the Shoosmiths' Belfast banking and finance team. Anna advises clients including corporate borrowers, financial institutions and specialist funders on a range of transactions including energy finance, real estate finance and corporate banking. Anna works closely with our Financial Services and Energy and Infrastructure Sector heads in delivering these transactions. Anna has worked on a wide variety of transactions to include: acting for a national bank on the restructuring of two UK based Shopping Centres; acting for a national bank on the acquisition finance of two UK based wind farms; acting for a Hong Kong based fund restructuring facilities in order to provide on-going mezzanine funding to a corporate borrower; advising an alternative funder (in its capacity as borrower) on a £30mil back to back syndicated facility; and advising various national and alternative funders on the implementation of government backed loan schemes to include bank accreditation, CBILS and CLBILS. Anna is dual qualified and regularly practices in both Northern Ireland and England & Wales jurisdictions. · Banking & Finance

Antonia Blackwell

Antonia is an experienced employment lawyer providing commercially focused advice to businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious, including proactively managing Employment Tribunal claims and providing pragmatic advice on a broad range of HR issues such as disciplinary and grievance procedures, discrimination complaints, business reorganisations, executive severance issues, union related matters and the application and effect of TUPE. Throughout her career, Antonia has advised across a variety of sectors, especially retail, manufacturing and logistics, working with many household names. Her particular specialism is in negotiating indemnities and warranties for business transfer agreements and outsourcing projects in a commercial manner whilst retaining key protection for her clients. Recent work handled by Antonia includes: negotiating indemnities and warranties in various outsourcing agreements between an international service provider and several financial institutions covering up to 88 jurisdictions; advising on a national reorganisation programme including the approach to consultation and providing training to up-skill the HR officers on the process to be followed; successfully representing a major logistics client in defending six separate employment tribunal claims brought against it by a serial litigant, including various discrimination complaints, ensuring that all claims were struck out by the Employment Tribunal at a preliminary stage; advising a major logistics client on various union issues including voluntary recognition agreements, pay disputes and threatened strike action; updating a major retail client’s HR Manual, handbook and employment contracts and advising on the implementation process. Antonia’s understanding of the key challenges facing her clients allows her to write and present both bespoke and general training programmes, in addition to regularly speaking at externally organised events. · Employment

Ayesha Chandegra

Ayesha is a Senior Associate in our Commercial Team, based in the Milton Keynes office and acts for a variety of clients particularly in the retail, automotive and technology sectors. Ayesha advises on a range of commercial matters including supply of services/goods, framework agreements, distribution and agency arrangements, IT (including SaaS) and outsourcing agreements. She also has specialist knowledge of consumer and e-commerce laws and regularly advises numerous large clients on its online sales platforms, including reviewing and drafting terms and conditions, website agreements (terms of use and cookie policies), internal policies and providing pragmatic advice on the client’s e-commerce customer journey to ensure it is compliant with such laws. Ayesha has gained first-hand experience of working in an in-house environment by completing several client secondments including at a global car manufacturer and a leading recruitment and facility services provider. As a result, she understands the importance of providing commercial and practical solutions for her clients that are often faced with complex legal issues. · Commercial Contracts

Barbara McGreal

Barbara is real estate lawyer with experience of acting for a range of property clients from investment funds, retail clients, to industrial landlords, mixed use developers and larger plc clients. She advises on all aspects of commercial property, from the grant and exercise of options, to conditional contracts, agreements for lease and pre-lets, acquisition and disposal work and is experienced in landlord and tenant and portfolio management work. Recent experience includes: acting for a major FTSE 250 brewery company in relation to its property portfolio, including all aspects of a large scale disposal programme and development of new build pub sites; acting for sustainable property investment fund on the sale and purchase of investment and development property; acquisition and disposal of leasehold properties for high street retailers, including new build retail schemes and contracts which are conditional on substantial landlord’s works; acting for an industrial landlord on lettings and/or disposals of large warehouse space, including contracts which are conditional on planning and works; acting for a commercial developers and a national house builder in relation to pre-lets on mixed use development schemes. · Real Estate

Barry Stimpson

Barry heads up Shoosmiths’ Investment Funds practice and is recognised in Chambers & Partners as a notable practitioner, with clients describing him as being "very responsive and highly knowledgeable of the sector", adding that he is "pragmatic and an excellent negotiator." His drafting skills and knowledge of hedge funds are further acknowledged in the Legal 500 directory. Barry’s experience as a funds specialist with City and international law firms extends to more than 30 years in advising clients on establishing real estate, venture capital, private equity and hedge funds and other investment structures, as well as on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and other corporate work. His work includes advising fund managers, investors and professional services firms on limited liability partnerships and partnership agreements and mergers. Barry was previously an investment banker at UBS, gaining experience in the real estate and listed funds sectors to bring an understanding of both the financial and legal drivers behind projects. Barry’s experience includes: • Advising a UK real estate manager on establishing 3 real estate funds • Acting for a UK asset advisor on over 20 real estate club deals • Establishing a private equity fund for a family wealth office • Establishing a credit fund for a UK and EU lending institution • Establishing 2 crypto currency funds in the Cayman Islands • Establishing a series of 3 BVI hedge funds on behalf of a UK fund manager · Investment Funds

Becky Gray

Becky is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team at Shoosmiths, based in the Thames Valley. She advises on a wide range of commercial and privacy matters across different sectors, including: supply agreements for goods and/or services; distribution agreements; contract variations; consultancy agreements; confidentiality agreements and general privacy work and advice. Whilst training, Becky undertook seats in Real Estate, Commercial and Employment. Prior to her training contract, Becky worked as a paralegal for Panasonic Europe Ltd in a small in house legal team, providing practical and timely advice directly to business stakeholders on broad commercial matters. This experience has given her an invaluable insight into the type of legal assistance required by in-house legal teams and business, and the necessity for providing pragmatic and focused legal advice. Becky’s recent experience includes: reviewing various types of IT agreements, including software licensing, software development, support and maintenance, SaaS and systems implementation agreements; drafting a suite of documents for an innovative new car booking app, including both business and consumer terms of use, and a privacy policy for a local start-up company; drafting an agreement for the supply and ongoing support for a revolutionary new 3D printing solution for a UK university; undertaking an in-depth GDPR compliance audit for a known brand retailer business, producing and discussing with the business an onward action plan to enable the company to work towards GDPR compliance; working with an international construction company to review and update its GDPR compliance programme, including drafting and amending numerous policies and procedures and data transfer and sharing agreements; general privacy work including UK breach reporting, compiling cross jurisdictional Article 30 records, conducting DPIAs, drafting and amending data processing agreements and contract clauses, and reviewing and amending general data protection policies to ensure compliance with data and privacy legislation; and drafting a range of agreements facilitating the supply of products for UK brand name on an international basis; advising on a clothing donation, recycling and reuse agreement for large multinational retailer, maintaining direct communication with the business to progress finalising the agreement; and drafting a suite of documents for a start-up nanny agency business, including consumer facing terms and conditions. · Commercial

Ben Churchyard

Ben is a Senior Associate in the Banking and Finance team, based in our London office. Ben specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance transactions, as well as having experience advising banks, financial institutions and corporates in relation to real estate finance and general corporate banking. Ben’s recent deal experience includes: advising Livingbridge Enterprises LLP in relation to the debt and equity restructure of one of its portfolio companies - a leading online energy and services provider to off-grid homes across the UK including Northern Ireland; advising a well-renowned challenger bank in respect of a multi-million pound cross-jurisdictional facilities agreement provided to an online shopping search engine operating in the UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, Cayman Islands, Germany, Turks and Caicos, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Norway; acting for an aerospace group in relation to its debt facilities from a US fund, alongside asset financing from a UK lender, including debt to equity conversion steps; advising a Five Arrows Growth Capital backed borrower in relation to a multi-million pound facilities agreement provided by Goldman Sachs in respect of its acquisition of Symposium Capital Ltd; advising Santander UK plc in relation to its acquisition finance facility to transport software provider Mandata; advising Alpha Group Bidco Limited (and NVM as sponsor) in relation to various loans provided by Thincats as part of the private equity backed MBO of Pareto Facilities Management Ltd; acting for British International Investment plc (the UK’s development finance institution) and Swedfund International plc in relation to their financing of Stichting Medical Credit Fund, a fund financing small and medium-sized healthcare facilities in Africa; advising a mid-market private equity firm in respect of debt funding received from a clearing bank to partly fund the acquisition of a care management technology business, alongside the investment provided by the private equity firm; and acting for Shawbrook Bank Limited in respect of a number of commercial loans to fund various acquisitions. · Banking & Finance

Ben Gardner

Ben is a Commercial partner based in the firm's Birmingham office. Ben supports clients across the full range of commercial law disciplines, including supply of goods and services arrangements, technology contracts, outsourcings, warehousing and logistics, facilities management, joint ventures, routes to market, and consumer/e-commerce law. Ben has a particular focus in the Automotive and Technology sectors, especially where these two worlds collide: working on transformational and award-winning projects in the “Future Mobility” space. Ben’s work and profile in this area has seen him appointed to specialist boards and working groups within the UK Automotive Council and SMMT. His role in the Automotive Council sees him working with Government, OEMs, and other industry stakeholders to ensure that the UK automotive industry remains competitive internationally. Ben has also provided evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee on the regulatory changes needed to facilitate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the UK. He has previously been involved with a range of automotive and mobility research projects and is now working with the DfT and CCAV on the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Bill. Ben is recognised in Legal 500 for the advice he provides to both traditional businesses and disruptive start-ups and is described as having “a wealth of experience handling contractual arrangements in the automotive industry”. · Commercial Contracts

Ben Pariser

Ben is a Partner and has worked extensively for residential, commercial and mixed-use developers throughout his career, as well as a number of local authorities, regional development agencies and registered providers. Ben’s development project work includes the drafting and negotiation of multi-phase, multi-conditional development agreements, collaboration and joint venture agreements (including public/private JVs), remediation conditions, overage provisions, land assembly, asset management, acquisitions and disposals. He regularly advises on the contractual framework and heads of terms at the project outset, then drafts and negotiates the various agreements, incorporating all necessary outputs, milestones, key performance indicators, clawback, security, overage and step-in provisions. He is adept at anticipating, identifying and thereafter mitigating public law and other risk factors such as state aid, vires, best value, procurement and governance issues. Ben's recent projects have included: •Working on behalf of a consortium of PLC residential developer in the strategic acquisition of a 3,000 unit new urban extension; •Working on behalf of a consortium of PLC residential developer in the strategic acquisition of a site for a 1,000 unit new neighbourhood; •Working on behalf of a PLC residential developer and a registered provider in their joint venture acquisition of a complex brownfield regeneration site from the HCA; •Working on behalf of a residential developer on a number of equity and debt funded acquisitions of immediate land. Ben has also advised high-street lenders in development projects and investment transactions, and so, when acting for the borrower or public sector partner, is adept at identifying the bank's likely requirements. Ben's experience includes mixed use regeneration schemes, hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities, offices, warehouses, supermarkets, industrial units, motorway service stations, residential / affordable housing developments and educational establishments. · Real Estate

Ben Traynor

Ben is a Principal Associate in the Financial Services team. Ben specialises in B2B asset finance & leasing and has advised banks, finance providers, lessors, lessees, brokers and trade bodies in connection with a diverse range of matters including: General equipment leasing (operating and finance leases, short term and long term rental arrangements, hire purchase agreements, sale and lease/hire purchase back structures, asset refinancing, staged payment and pre-facility funding, and commercial loans). Contract hire and vehicle fleet funding arrangements. Sale, purchase and financing of receivables. Stocking finance. Block discounting. Introducer and broker arrangements & disclosed/undisclosed agency funding structures. Recent experience includes: Assisting a specialist asset-based lender in streamlining and updating their customer facing HP and lease documentation suite. Assisting multiple automotive financial service providers in establishing contract hire and contract purchase product offerings. Advising an electric vehicle provider in documenting the sale of contract receivables and related vehicles to a UK based specialised asset finance funder. Advising a UK finance provider in connection with its disclosed and undisclosed product offerings relating to vehicle financing. Assisting a finance provider in connection with the restructuring of its wholesale funding stocking facility. · Financial Services

Ben Turner

Ben is a Partner with over 25 years’ experience of corporate transactional and advisory work, specialising in M&A (buy-side and sell-side); PE transactions; restructurings; and fundraisings with a particular focus on Germany, the Nordics and the USA. He is regarded as an excellent contributor at board level and praised by clients for his hands-on approach to delivering complex transactions smoothly and within budget. He has particular expertise in technology, consumer, financial services and national security sectors and advises large corporates (including several PE-backed corporates), high growth businesses and entrepreneurs across these and other sectors. Recent highlights include: advising Heligan Private Equity on the establishment of their funds and on multiple investments in national security, crime prevention and public safety; advising Waterstones on a significant group restructuring of its UK businesses; advising Peloton on a UK strategic acquisition advising a listed US software business on its UK acquisition programme. Ben heads the Corporate department nationally and is responsible for the management and strategy of our venture capital & growth, private equity and M&A teams. Ben joined Shoosmiths as a partner in 2013, having previously been a partner at boutique corporate practice Hill Hofstetter (formerly part of Reed Smith). He is praised by clients as someone who “gets things done” and who builds “strong relationships with clients”. · Corporate / M&A