Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises on pre-packaged administration sales, distressed property transactions, bank-led refinancing, and structured finance mandates. The team is led by the ‘first class addition’, Barney Smedley, who joined the firm in April 2024 from DLA Piper. Smedley advises financial institutions, investors, insolvency practitioners and boards of directors on a wide range of matters related to corporate and financial restructuring or insolvency. He is supported by the ’detail-oriented’ Connor Atkinson.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Barney Smedley is a first class addition to the practice; the Eversheds business is very strong regionally, and Barney has harnessed this to help clients facing financial difficulty.’
‘All team members are extremely approachable, provide clear and coherent advice, and I particularly appreciate the commercial approach that the team takes to support our work in guiding clients to a suitable outcome. The team has always been flexible in managing diaries and in ensuring that often tight deadlines are met comfortably.’
‘I have worked closely with Connor Atkinson recently in the Eversheds Leeds office. Connor is very detail-oriented but able to apply a sensible, commercial lens to all advice provided. I have appreciated being able to pick up the phone, bounce around ideas and potential outcomes, and together formulate a suitable way forward.'
‘The team is approachable, with no task insurmountable. I have appreciated Eversheds' logical approach to legal challenges and problem-solving, delivering their advice succinctly and in a way that is both understandable and implementable.’
‘Barney Smedley is a very strong and experienced lawyer who works hard for his clients to get results.'
'Strong technical knowledge, Significant restructuring experience, International reach and ability to leverage wider relationships within the organisation, Consistent high quality products.'
'Very personable, Understand key issues quickly, Delivery focused, High levels of integrity.'
'The team have a knack for getting to the root of the issue and providing valuable solutions.'
'Highly experienced team with the wider support of an all-services international law firm.'
'Exceptional attention to detail in the delivery of advice.'
Key clients
- Interpath Limited
- Teneo Financial Advisory
- Unipart Group of Companies
- Alvarez & Marsal
- Begbies Traynor
- Knight Frank
- Barclays Bank
Work highlights
Advised Unipart Group of Companies on its acquisition of the business and assets of Formaplex Limited (In Administration), a leading lightweight components manufacturer in the automotive, aerospace, motorsport and healthcare sectors.
Advised Alvarez and Marsal on the pre-packaged administration sale of the business of Retrac Group, a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fibre products, chassis and complex components for the automotive, motorsports and aerospace sectors.
Advised Interpath on their appointment as administrators to the Pressed Steel Products group, a manufacturer and supplier of products to the construction industry, and continue to advise the administrators in relation to realisation of the group’s assets.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Barney Smedley
Other key lawyers
Connor Atkinson; Courtney Lonsdale