Shoosmiths LLP's corporate restructuring and advisory team continually advises clients on a range of matters throughout the market, and regularly acts for leading banks, financial institutions, major insolvency practitioners, as well as distressed lenders and private equity firms from a wide range of sectors, including the retail, engineering, technology, and financial services spaces. Demonstrating exceptional knowledge of administration matters, restructuring plans, company voluntary arrangements, and liquidation matters, the practice is well-suited to assist clients with a range of issues. James Keates leads the team, with a particular focus on distressed lending, corporate recoveries, and restructuring plans. Key support is provided by Charlotte Duce.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Excellent strength in depth and local presence, trusted on profile regional jobs as well as larger national cases.'
  • 'James Keates - excellent client service, relationship led approach and strong commercial nous.'
  • 'Charlotte Duce - always trusted to deliver on difficult situations, technically excellent.'
  • 'Good people to work with, balancing legal and commercial aspects of the work.'
  • 'All members of the team are approachable to discuss matters as extended members of your own team and without there being any noticeable divide between organisations. That allows open, honest and productive conversations to take place.'
  • 'Highly experienced team with excellent skillset.'

Key clients

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Interpath Limited
  • Kroll Advisory Limited
  • Teneo Financial Advisory Limited
  • Grant Thornton UK LLP
  • Royal Bank of Scotland plc
  • Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP
  • FRP Trading Advisory LLP
  • Leonard Curtis (UK) Ltd
  • BDO LLP

Work highlights

Advised PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as administrators of Wilko Limited, Wilkinson Hardware Stores Limited and Wilko.com Limited.
Advised Grant Thornton UK LLP on all matters arising in the administration of Crazy Bear Group Limited, the owner of two hotels located in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Advising the secured lender in relation to the ongoing restructuring plan of Superdry Limited.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

James Keates

Other key lawyers

Charlotte Duce