Nick Smee > Browne Jacobson LLP > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Drawing on strong cross-office working relationships, Browne Jacobson LLP handles a mix of MBOs, acquisitions, and divestitures for a diverse range of corporate clients. The wider team is jointly chaired by several partners working across multiple sites: Nottingham-based corporate head Richard Cox; West Midlands corporate lead Mike Jackson, a specialist in tech and VC work; London-based commercial chair Declan Cushley; and Clare Auty, noted for her focus on commercial health matters. PE head Gareth Davies regularly advises on high-value investments, acquisitions, and exits, while commercial partner Richard Nicholas works with various well-known corporates and charitable organisations on a range of contracts and agreements. Other key names to note include the real estate and construction-focused Clare Hanna, and commercial partner Nick Smee, who heads up the firm’s cleantech offering.

Browne Jacobson LLP offers ‘a highly pragmatic, commercial approach’ and a full-service practice in the energy and infrastructure sector, working for a broad array of stakeholders in numerous sub-sectors, notably including the alternative energy space. Certain key areas for the firm include power generation, renewables, and nuclear, to name a few. The ‘exceptional’ Paul Hill helms the practice, with vast experience of numerous areas including project finance, and greenfield and brownfield projects. Zoe Stollard joined the firm from Clarke Willmott LLP in March 2022, bringing with her significant expertise in the field of nuclear and renewable energy, and with a broader focus on non-contentious work. Nick Smee further strengthens the team, with particular experience of the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing arenas.

Recommended for its ‘strength in depth’, Browne Jacobson LLP has particular strength in the beauty, retail and automotive sectors, alongside a notable involvement in heavyweight litigation cases. The practice acts for clients in the influencer and social media sphere, as well as advising on music industry copyright issues, author agreements and merchandise deals, among other areas. ‘Strategic and methodical thinker’ Mark Daniels heads the practice, with a specialism in contentious IP, routinely handling trademark, patent, database right and copyright cases. Nick Smee is vastly experienced in the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing sectors, while Bonita Trimmer bolsters the practice with a focus on brands and design disputes. Jess Zareh is capable in both the contentious and transactional spaces.

The education practice at Browne Jacobson LLP provides construction law advice, acts in contentious matters, and handles regulatory compliance issues for a growing roster of clients, including the likes of the University of Brighton and the London School of Economics. The practice is co-led by Bettina Rigg, an employment and education specialist who has represented universities in judicial reviews and investigations related to student and staff issues, and Dominic Swift, who is highly recommended for his experience advising clients on high-value, strategically important construction projects. Scott Mounfield is a further key contact for procurement and project work, while IP expert Nick Smee has advised higher education on contract agreements and commercialisation initiatives.