The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Birmingham, Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

The ‘strong’ team at Shoosmiths is ‘commercial and pragmatic’. It advised GBR and Phoenix Beard on their merger, while other clients include Iron Mountain, Informa and Octopus Investments. The team also has considerable experience in the automotive sector. Alastair Peet and Martin Letza are recommended.

Within EU and competition, Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

At Shoosmiths, practice head Peter Andrews divides his time between Birmingham and Nottingham. Significant clients include Amazon and Saint-Gobain. Public procurement and state aid law remain a key part of the practice.

Within Licensing, Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

Ron Reid’s team at Shoosmiths continues to advise McDonald’s on its portfolio of over 700 licensed premises, including acting for a number of the restaurants on applications for variations that have prompted reviews of existing premises licences by other interested parties. Other clients include Wine Cellar.

Within Commercial litigation: Birmingham, Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘first-class team at all levels’, and reports a growing volume of instructions in international litigation and arbitration. It advised Russian property developer Synergy in relation to its $90m investment in AIM-listed company RGI International, while other clients include BA and National Grid. Andrew Manning Cox is ‘very measured and statesman like’; Eddie Breen is singled out for his abilities on ‘difficult matters’. Sian Llewellyn retired, and Richard Ellison joined Shoosmiths. Peter Flint joined the firm in London as head of international arbitration.

Within Debt recovery , Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

Joanne Davis leads a ‘very strong team’ at Shoosmiths, and is ‘very thorough and organised’. Key areas of expertise include advising regulated and non-regulated lenders in the credit, motor finance and leasing industry on consumer credit compliance and dispute resolution.

Within Banking and finance , Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

Shoosmiths has recently been advising clients such as HSBC, Derwent Housing Association and Toyota Financial Services (UK). Helen Wilson is ‘efficient and committed’.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery , tier 4

Shoosmiths provides a ‘great service’ under the leadership of the ‘commercial’ James Keates. The team regularly advises funders to the automotive industry on distressed lending matters. High-profile deals included acting for MCR on the administration of Vergo Retail. Clients include Anglo Irish Asset Finance, Nationwide Building Society, and RBS Group.

Within Employment, tier 4

Richard Santy took over as head of employment at Shoosmiths following the departure of Rebecca Sawbridge to Freeth Cartwright LLP. The firm advised Accord Housing on changing the terms and conditions for all its employees. Rebecca McGuirk ‘understands company issues and is not too risk averse’.

Within Health and safety, Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

Shoosmiths’ clients are pleased with the ‘professional support and knowledge the team brings to the table’. Clients include Calor Gas and Interfiora. The firm sits on the London, Midlands and South East HSE prosecution panels.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

Shoosmiths secured a £1.25m settlement for a retirement-aged man who suffered from MRSA abscesses that led to spinal cord compression. The team, led by Richard Follis, handles publicly funded work.

Within Regional review, Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

Shoosmiths maintains a key position in Birmingham, with a leading practice in social housing and strength in areas such as dispute resolution and insolvency. It also has a growing international practice.

Within Commercial property: Birmingham, Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

Shoosmiths is the exclusive property adviser to One Stop Stores (part of Tesco), while other leisure and retail clients include Marston’s and Poundland. The team has also been busy advising social housing clients, and has seen an increase in property financing work. Simon Boss heads the six-partner practice, and is praised for his ‘can-do attitude’. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Joel Kordan is recommended for residential and commercial development work.

Within Construction, tier 4

Shoosmiths is advising Citygrove Securities on the construction aspects of a major town-centre mixed-use development, and Boots (UK) on the contract for the construction and installation of a mechanical warehouse system for Boots.com. Simon Wain (now a partner) heads the team.

Within Planning, Shoosmiths is a second tier firm,

At Shoosmiths, Southampton-based Kirsten Hewson is the national head of planning, and Tim Willis is a ‘very capable associate’. Active clients include Ballymore Properties and First Base. Iain Gilbey is now at Pinsent Masons LLP.

Within Property litigation, Shoosmiths is a third tier firm,

Shoosmiths’ key clients include Jessop Group, Crown Paints and British Waterways. Nick Shepherd moved from Milton Keynes to Birmingham and now heads the team, while Darren Clegg has left the firm.

Within Social housing, Shoosmiths is a first tier firm,

Rebecca McGuirk now heads the team at Shoosmiths, and has particular expertise in employment and pensions matters for housing providers and public authorities. Clients include Accord Housing Group, Wolverhampton Homes and Midland Heart. Andy Ballard is ‘proactive’, and the ‘experienced’ Ranjit Bassey is recommended on the property side.