Hospitality and leisure in London

Karen Friebe leads the multidisciplinary hotels, hospitality and leisure team at Bird & Bird LLP, which handles hotel acquisitions, development and disposals and is well-equipped to support businesses throughout their lifecycle. The practice stands out for its expertise in sustainability and wellness as they relate to the leisure sector, and has a particularly strong offering in tech, cyber, data and digital marketing for hotels and hospitality businesses. The food and beverage sector is a key area of focus, with growth in hotel restaurant outsourcings. With a dedicated hotel financing team, the firm stands out for its capability in this area, advising domestic and international banks, debt funds, mezzanine lenders and sponsors on both domestic and cross-border hotel finance transactions.

Dentons fields a leading global hospitality and leisure team that is able to leverage the firm's global reach, with strength across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It frequently advises owners, investors, high net worth individuals and capital sources, including investment funds and private equity firms. Core areas of work for the dedicated practice include sophisticated international acquisitions and dispositions, and day-to-day hotel operational issues such as employment, contract administration, legal risk limitation mitigation and commercial strategy. London partner Simon Masri has extensive experience in hotel investment and mixed-use development projects, for which the group is highly recommended. Masri has been very active guiding hotel clients during the Covid-19 pandemic, advising on restructurings, banking waivers and standstill agreements. Senior associate Laura Gowing is a key name for hotel financing and transactions. Mark Daliere is head of hotels for the UK and the Middle East, while Rick Ross chairs the global hotels group; both are based in Phoenix.

Taylor Wessing LLP is a go-to firm for major M&A deals in the hotels space in the UK and Europe, advising on both single asset and portfolio sales. The firm also has strong links to high net worth investors based across the Middle East. The hospitality and leisure practice is additionally well-known for handling hotel development, hotel management agreements and franchise agreements, advising on hotel development and branded residence projects with a value of £2 billion in 2021. Group lead Richard Bursby has acted on a wide variety of cross-border hotel transactions in the UK, Europe and elsewhere; he is regarded as an authority on hotel management agreements and branded residential developments.

Addleshaw Goddard's strong real estate and construction practices underpin its ability to handle large and complex transactions in the hotel and leisure space. The group advises on the full cycle of work from construction, to ownership, operation, to sales of a hotel or leisure asset, working across the full range of the hotel sector, from budget to luxury and boutique hotels. Restructuring, refinancing and administration of hotels and dining groups are significant areas of growth for the team, which has a well-regarded hotel finance market, acting for institutional lender clients as well as a growing number of hotel developers and investors. Luke Baines and Lucy Sturrock jointly head the team with Zoe Maurer, who is the key contact for hotel finance.

The cross-departmental practice at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP provides full spectrum coverage for a top-end clientele of owners, developers, operators, lenders and investors. The group boasts an excellent track record of market-leading projects and developments, also handling significant acquisitions, disposals and licensing arrangements. It houses a multi-jurisdictional team focused on hotel management, franchising and operational agreements. The team stands out for its capacity to assist international clients and, during the Covid-19 pandemic, has coordinated its international network, notably between the London and Singapore offices, to provide a 24-hour service. Commercial real estate expert Chris de Pury assists domestic and international investors. He jointly chairs the group with Laura Wild, who acts for senior and mezzanine lenders and is highly regarded for her work in investment and development finance for hotels.

Clifford Chance LLP's hospitality and leisure practice focuses on high-end, complex transactions in the hotel industry, including cross-border deals. Its client roster includes investors, owners, operators, developers, lenders and borrowers. The London team can draw on the firm's global specialist hospitality group, which has significant transactional real estate expertise. Alis Pay is a key name here: she specialises in advising international investors on cross-border real estate portfolio transactions and has handled high value and trophy hotel deals. She jointly heads the team with Sarah Thomas, who concentrates on direct and indirect equity investment in real estate, advising owners, occupiers and operators on their investments in hotels.

DLA Piper‘s hospitality and leisure group acts for owners, investors, operators and financial institutions. The firm’s global reach means that the practice is well-equipped to handle complex cross-border transactions in the hotels space, and regularly takes on portfolio deals covering multiple jurisdictions. The team also has broader experience within the sector, advising on work relating to theme parks and attractions, sports grounds and facilities, pub portfolios and golfing resorts. A one-stop-shop, it advises on construction and development, financing, investment and corporate acquisitions and franchising matters. Transactional experts Matt Duncombe and Joanne Owen jointly chair the department. James Davison, lead restructuring partner within the sector, joined from Addleshaw Goddard in July 2020 and has been key to supporting clients throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hogan Lovells International LLP advises on projects ranging from management agreements, to hotel portfolio sales and purchases, to new developments and financings, with its client base including hotel investors, developers, financiers and operators. Jackie Newstead is the firm's global head of real estate; she is highly recommended for commercial real estate and has extensive experience in acquisitions, lettings, hotels and finance. The practice has a well-regarded hotel finance team, acting for borrowers and lenders, such as debt funds and banks. It has a strong record of both domestic and pan-European transactions. Drafting and restructuring of management and operational agreements and hotel-related disputes are other core areas of work.

The multidisciplinary hospitality and leisure group at Norton Rose Fulbright advises hotel owners, operators, developers and private financiers on matters across the sector. It has significant experience in hotel operations, technical services, condominiums and hotel financing, and is bolstered by the firm’s wider strengths in planning, tax, construction and IP within the sector. The team has assisted clients with issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, negotiating relief packages, including business interruption loans, and helping both owners and operators with concessionary packages to avoid defaults. Practice head Wasim Khan works with a number of major investors in the Middle East, including sovereign wealth funds, and has extensive expertise in Islamic finance. London regeneration and redevelopment-focused Sarah Fitzpatrick joined from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Burges Salmon LLP works with a range of clients in the sector including international investors, leading banks, and hotel and leisure funds, as well as hotel owners and operators. The practice has seen a substantial increase in the volume and value of work originating outside the UK. Clients benefit from the full service firm's wider expertise, which includes strengths in M&A, investment and development, property finance, portfolio management and a wide range of commercial arrangements. Rick Read heads the team, while Rupert Weston leads the specialist hotels group.

Fladgate LLP is recommended for owner-operators and developers across the hospitality sector, with clients including casinos, restaurants, cinema chains, pub groups and leisure funds. Museums and galleries are a core focus for the practice, which has advised on the refurbishment of the National Portrait Gallery. The group also advises a number of resorts, sports and private members' clubs, and has a dedicated hotels practice, headed by James Fry, which assists with land and building acquisitions, planning and conversion, development and finance matters. Stephen Lewis leads the wider department, and is known for his work in commercial real estate.

Goodwin's fast-growing leisure and hospitality practice acts for a roster of clients including equity and debt investors, alternative lenders and high-net-worth individuals, as well as major global brands and hotel and resort owners/operators. In addition to the team's well-established financing, management, branding and development expertise, it has expanded into dispute resolution, financial restructuring and technology licensing work for clients in the sector. Real estate partner and sector lead Matthew Pohlman advises on the acquisition, disposition and financing of hospitality assets. With close links to the firm's US practice, the London team offers good global transactional insight.

Howard Kennedy LLP‘s multidisciplinary hotels, hospitality and leisure team is a one-stop shop, advising on M&A transactions and advisory work. A significant portion of work over the last year has involved Covid crisis management, with the practice providing strategic advice on non-payment of rent claims and debt proceedings. Department head Adam Walford focuses on asset management and the acquisition and disposal of commercial property, concentrating particularly on restaurants.

Katten focuses on providing transactional, operational and crisis management support to a wide range of entities within the hospitality sector. Clients include operators, owners, developers, investors and franchisees within restaurant chains, theme parks, casinos and resorts. The team is distinguished by its partners' hands-on experience, with several having worked in-house at hospitality companies. Practice head Peter Sugden concentrates on real estate investment, development, joint ventures and other transactions in the UK and across Europe; the group also has significant experience in international markets, including Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Senior associate Tim Dodd has in-house experience negotiating management and franchise agreements.

Hospitality and leisure is a core sector focus for Lewis Silkin LLP. Work for luxury lifestyle and retail brands is a significant growth area for the team, with its clients including hotel chains, restaurants and travel and leisure operators. In addition to providing real estate and development advice, the firm is highly regarded for the strength of its employment and immigration practice across the hospitality industry. Julia Poulter concentrates her practice on commercial real estate, in particular the high-value central London market; she jointly heads the group with employment specialist Anna Sella.

The hotels and leisure sector group at Shoosmiths LLP focuses on advising institutional investors, providing a full spectrum of support on corporate and real estate acquisitions. The team advises a roster of hotel operators on real estate, construction, commercial, regulatory and disputes work, with a growing practice in helping challenger and new hotel operators penetrate the UK market. Liam Phillips has significant experience in the sector, having led on large ‘trophy’ hotels and hotel portfolio purchases. He jointly heads the team with Catherine Williams, who specialises in hotel transactions.

Felicity Jones heads both the real estate and hotel and hospitality groups at Watson Farley & Williams LLP. The practice combines cross-practice experience in planning, real estate, construction and finance with sector-focused knowledge to advise a broad range of clients, including investors, developers, brands and franchisees. The team is notable for the geographical reach of its work across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Hotel financing-focused Richard Hughes joined from Pinsent Masons LLP and has experience in UK and European portfolios and loan portfolios secured on hotels.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP works with a wide range of hospitality and leisure clients, including many household names. Recent work has focused on advising clients on the implications of the pandemic, as well as real estate, finance and employment matters. The lead UK partners are corporate employment lawyer Michael Powner and real estate head Lee Medlock. Jason Saiban works with some of the team's best-known clients on commercial matters, while senior associate Caroline Swain leads the firm's food and beverage team; she is also a commercial contracts specialist. Sarah Morley, who co-heads the office occupiers group, is another key name. The team caters to international clients by working in tandem with real estate specialist Simon Green in Hong Kong; he heads up the hotels and hospitality practice across Asia and the Middle East.

Fieldfisher's group of specialist hotel and leisure lawyers advise clients including hotels, serviced apartments, casinos, restaurants and holiday travel companies. Practice head and real estate partner Paul Houston is particularly well-known for managing the roll-out of branded leisure concepts and for large-scale portfolio sales and purchases. The team is highly recommended for international franchising work, as well as for sector-specific commercial advice.

Andrew Parker, who has considerable experience in hotel sector construction, heads Forsters LLP' hotel and leisure team. The group provides a broad range of contentious and non-contentious advice to hotel owners, operators, developers and financiers on developments in London and the UK. The practice also boasts extensive expertise in luxury and boutique hotels. Key areas of work include hotel acquisitions, lease agreements, financing and planning.

Boutique property law practice Glovers Solicitors LLP has an outstanding record advising restaurant clients, as well as pub companies, cinema groups and grab-and-go operators. Key areas of work include supporting clients on day-to-day operational matters and on growth through acquisitions. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the practice has been advising on rent concession agreements, property work following on from corporate restructuring, and providing litigation support. Practice head Philip Shotter acts for a wide roster of restaurant clients, ranging from large operators to independents and developing independent chains.

Hamlins LLP stands out for its expertise in brand and site development work. The practice has significant experience in rolling out high street brands through the acquisition of sites and negotiation of new leases for new restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. The group also has a strong offering for hotels, holiday and travel businesses, assisting both boutique operators and global brands. Key areas of work here include acquisitions, disputes, developments and day-to-day operational issues. Team head Nigel Mason has a good record advising on large and complex development projects.

The hotels team at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP has capacity to handle international work, with desks in Istanbul, Iran and Russia, and growing connections in East Asia. In addition to operators, the group has a diverse clientbase including financial institutions, high net worth individuals and substantial corporate investors, especially those based overseas. Sarah Hung, who heads the City segment of the London office, has a strong record in investment and development transactions and licensing. John O’Callaghan heads the West End office, handling real estate work in the hotel and leisure sectors.

The hospitality sector group at Guildford's Stevens & Bolton LLP is led by commercial partner Nicola Broadhurst, who has particular expertise in franchising. Clients include well-known casual dining and quick service restaurants, which turn to to the firm for advice on finance, disputes and restructuring matters, with notable recent work including advising Pizza Hut Restaurants on its company voluntary arrangement with landlords and creditors. Employment partner Kerry Garcia works with key clients in the sector, while transactional and finance matters are handled by Keith Syson and banking and finance head Jonathan Porteous. David Steinberg and Tim Carter are the key names for restructuring and insolvency.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP is recommended for hotel-related projects, advising across the scale of luxury hotels to hostels and pubs. Clients include large-scale investors and owners as well as niche businesses and individual investors. The practice particularly stands out for work in the Middle and Far East: Ayda Habboush specialises in advising high net worth investors and family offices from those regions on UK hotel acquisitions. She jointly heads the team with Julien Allen, who focuses on the high-end leisure sector, particularly restaurants and clubs.