Intellectual Property
United Kingdom
10 September 2025
The team at Shoosmiths LLP is praised as ‘reliable, always available, and has the client’s best interests in mind’. Corporate head Claire Checketts has significant M&A expertise and frequently represents major private equity houses. Head of private equity Amit Nayyar is known for his ’great commercial mindset’ and spearheads many of the firm’s relationships with blue-chip PE clients, focusing on mid-market transactions. Robin Webb leads the commercial team, whilst Wayne Gibbard is another key contact for work in the financial services sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great private equity deal experience and knowledge.’
‘The Shoosmiths team is reliable, always available, and has the client's best interests in mind. They work as a team to deliver on deals efficiently, and their hard work and dedication is always appreciated.’
‘Amit Nayyar has a great commercial mindset and knows the client position very well. Holly Hirst is extremely efficient and gives 100% on every transaction; she is on top of every task and workstream. Claire Checketts is able to drive the various workstreams forward. ’
‘Clients wants straightforward advice, pitched to the level of understanding of their client - not confusing, not taking down, together with a sense that the client is important and that the law firm is "in the trenches" with them at busy times. One gets that from Shoosmiths. These qualities are evident in individuals like Claire Checketts and Holly Hirst.’
‘Willing to go the extra mile and always seeking the best solutions to the business issues.’
Key clients
- Rothschild & Co (Five Arrows, private equity arm)
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Business Growth Fund
- Five Arrows Long Term Fund
- Travelodge
- Close Brothers Ltd
- Global Switch
- Facit Data Systems Ltd
- Static Systems Group
- The Third Space Group Limited
- IMS Evolve
- Nissan
Work highlights
Advising Five Arrows Principal Investments and Five Arrows Long Term Fund on its acquisition of a majority stake in n2y LLC; a leading provider of comprehensive, technology powered solutions for students with unique learning challenges.
Advising Five Arrows Growth Capital and TA Associates on their acquisition of a majority stake in Agilio Software Topco Limited.
Negotiated and finalised a contract for Close Brothers Ltd with Zellis UK Limited, their payroll calculation software provider.
Practice head
Amit Nayyar; Robin Webb; Wayne Gibbard; Claire Checketts
Other key lawyers
Sebastian Price; Aleksandr Bosch; Holly Hirst