Kirsty Chalkley > Shoosmiths LLP > Milton Keynes, England > Lawyer Profile

In Milton Keynes, Shoosmiths LLP houses a team of ‘problem solvers‘ that takes a ‘proactive approach‘ when assisting a diverse client base of commercial occupiers, domestic lenders and housebuilders. Practice head Steve Wiltshire has vast expertise in commercial and residential mixed-use developments, and often advises on strategic land developments under option agreements, and the ‘outstanding‘ Lisa Williams regularly acts for park operators on the management and letting of residential and holiday mobile home parks. Promoted to partner in May 2022, Kirsty Chalkley assists retail and leisure occupiers, developers and tenants with later living development land pre-lets, and Chris George is the key name at principal associate level. Catherine Williams left the practice to join Addleshaw Goddard in December 2022.

The cross-departmental offering which covers work in the hospitality and leisure sector at Shoosmiths LLP spans the regulatory, commercial, corporate, banking and real estate teams, and is described as having ‘exceptional’ technical knowledge. The team is strong in advising institutional investors on acquisitions and financing, and has a growing presence in the hotel sector, assisting hotel operators and serviced apartments, as well as hotel developers, owners, and contractors. The practice is also instructed by bars, restaurants and other leisure services and operators. Joint practice head Richard Symonds, who is based in Leeds, is well versed in the living and leisure sector, and has recently increased his focus on insolvency issues, risks arising from the living sector, and fire safety issues. Symonds’ counterpart, Milton Keynes-based Kirsty Chalkley, is highly recommended especially for her commercial real estate work for retail, licensed and leisure clients. Former co-head Catherine Williams left the team to join Addleshaw Goddard in December 2022.