The multidisciplinary team at Bird & Bird LLP leverages its tech, data, IP and brand protection expertise to advise a host of well-known clients, spanning property owners, luxury hotel companies, and asset managers, as well as some of the largest restaurant chains in the domestic market, handling large share acquisitions, franchise agreements, real estate finance and consultancy service agreements, among other mandates. The team is steered by Karen Friebe who advises on real estate transactions, specialising in the acquisition, development and disposal of hotels, ranging from budget to luxury. James Salford advises on real estate and hotel finance, while Graeme Payne works with retail and consumer focused businesses on their domestic and international growth strategies. Matthew Vance is noted for his expertise in franchising, joint venture and management agreements, licensing and outsourcing issues.

Described as the ‘market leading‘ team for hospitality and leisure, the team at CMS works with a host of domestic and international clients, including pension funds and sovereign wealth fund joint ventures. Key workstreams for the group include innovative letting structures, contentious tribunal work as well as more regular restructuring, licence agreements, acquisitions and disposals.Noted for his ‘exceptional market knowledge‘, practice co-chair Thomas Page has a wealth of experience and expertise in hotel management and franchise agreements. Fellow co-chair David Roberts focuses on the team’s wider leisure offering, working with a significant roster of restaurants and chefs. Louise Wallace advises on M&A, hotel management agreements and hotel franchise agreements. James Miller specialises in hotel, management, rent and ground leases. Ian McGarr advises active lenders, investors and owners in respect of acquisition, investment, development and portfolio finance transactions.

‘Excellent, reliable and commercially astute’, the team at Dentons is co-chaired by Simon Masri who is noted for his expertise in structured investment acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals in the hospitality sector.  The wider team boasts significant expertise in multijurisdictional refinancing, acquisitions, disposals, and franchising as well as contentious insolvency work. Fellow co-chair Matthew Tinger  advises on corporate real estate in the hotels and leisure sector. Other key figures include global retail and franchise group chair Babette Märzheuser-Wood, and Laura Gowing, who leverages her extensive experience advising on investment, finance and development transactions.

The hotels, hospitality and leisure team at Taylor Wessing LLP handles an array of work including acquisitions, hotel management agreements, refinancing and redevelopments, often covering multiple jurisdictions. The team’s impressive London offering is substantiated by its recent engagements, including advising blue-chip food and beverage conglomerates on the redevelopment and management of its luxury properties in its portfolio in excess of £1 billion. Practice head Richard Bursby is known for his expertise on hotel management and franchise agreements as well as his work with UHNW individuals and families. Mark Rajbenbach co-heads the international real estate group, overseeing a host of corporate and commercial mandates. Victoria Butcher is noted for her cross-border expertise, advising on large-scale acquisitions and disposals. Michael Helfgott assists the team advising a range of clients on high-value real estate investments and developments, notably including a number of tourist attractions.

Displaying a particular strength in the budget hotel sector, Addleshaw Goddard fields a large multidisciplinary team which caters to a roster of the large banks, real estate developers and hotel brands. The team coordinates its offering across its Leeds, London and Middle East offices to advise on refinancing, management agreements, complex leases, as well as acquisitions and disposals. The team is jointly led by Luke Baines, a member of the firm’s construction and engineering group, and Leeds-based Lucy Sturrock, who advises hotel owners on structures, management agreements, development deals, and acquisitions. Zoe Maurer heads the real estate finance practice, routinely advising both lenders and borrowers, including on complex loan facilities – both domestic and cross-border. Head of the living sector, Catherine Williams, brings to bear a wealth of expertise in development, investment and occupier work.

A key port of call for investors, real estate developers, hotel owners, operators, financiers and service providers, the hotels, resorts and tourism practice group at Baker McKenzie draws on the capabilities of various practices to advise on acquisitions, disposals, financing, construction, management and franchise agreements as well as tax. The team is chaired by Justin Salkeld, who advises on operational and investment real estate assets, including planning, acquisition and disposal, development, structuring, leasing and financing, and joint ventures. Sebastien Marcelin-Rice is noted for his expertise in real estate finance,  private equity, and distressed investing. Other key names to note include Susie Davies  and Ben Farnell , who focus on commercial property law, planning, development and real estate sustainability matters.

Praised for being ‘commercial and pragmatic’,  the hotel and hospitality team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner works with a host of clients across the UK, Europe and Middle East. The team leverages its global network to advise on the full lifecycle of large, multinational hotel projects projects, regularly demonstrating its capabilities in lease agreements, franchising, acquisitions and financing. The team is led by the ‘amazing’ Laura Wild, who advises on hotel acquisitions and disposals, developments, financings, and branding agreements. Real estate specialist Chris de Pury regularly handles structured investments and disposals, joint ventures and developments, while Nazir Dewji focuses on non-contentious construction work, including procurement strategy and implementation, including the drafting and negotiation of procurement contracts for construction, engineering and facilities management projects. Charlotte Tullis is also recommended.

A key port of call for various iconic hotels and market-leading pensions funds, Clifford Chance LLP leverages its vast experience across real estate, finance and restructuring to advise on complex projects in the leisure sector, regularly handling large refinancings, lease and development agreements, acquisitions, and disposals. Global real estate co-chair Alis Pay advises on commercial real estate transactions including direct and indirect acquisitions and disposals, development, forward fundings, solvent and insolvent restructurings and real estate financings. Sarah Thomas specialises in commercial and corporate real estate and hotel-related transactions including hotel operating agreements. Andrew Carnegie  is noted for his expertise in real estate finance, insolvency, structured finance and securitisations. Emma Matebalavu specialises in UK and European real estate financing, while Angela Kearns is noted for her focus on Japanese and inbound investment from the Asia Pacific Region. Other key figures include Barry O’Shea, a specialist real estate finance, and Ian Painter, who advises on all aspects of complex mixed use developments.

Buoyed by its strong international presence, the ‘exceptional‘ hospitality and leisure team at DLA Piper, advises a wide array of famous hotels, sports grounds, gyms, leisure facilities, and boutique luxury hospitality retailers. The team is jointly headed up by Jo Owen and Matt Duncombe. Leeds-based Duncombe is noted by clients for his sedulous transactional and commercial advice in the hospitality sector, covering supply chain arrangements, services and consultancy agreements. 'An inspirational leader with strong market knowledge’, Owen leverages her expertise to advise on capital-related transactions, from corporate acquisitions to individual commercial arrangements. Head of M&A and co-chair of the firm's private equity real estate group, Rob Salter advises clients on all areas of corporate law, with a particular focus on cross-border M&A, joint ventures and co-investments. Toby Barker is noted for his expertise in cross-border hotel financings.

Hogan Lovells International LLP coordinates knowledge of local tax, finance and real estate law to advise an international clientele, which ranges from heavyweight hotel brands to sports leisure companies. 'Standout adviser’ Katie Gill acts for owners, investors, lenders, operator and asset managers, with a focus on hotel acquisition finance, refinancing, capex and other corporate financing needs. Jackie Newstead regularly works with investors, developers, and occupiers on various acquisitions and disposals of investments. Other key figures include Janan Kanagaratnam , who is noted for his experience covering the full lifecycle of real estate transactions, including franchise and management agreements, and hotel financing.

The hospitality and leisure offering at Paul Hastings LLP draws on wider finance, banking and employment capabilities, with recent highlights including buy-side advice on lucrative acquisitions in the London hotel market. The team is chaired by Michael James, 'a trustworthy adviser' whose broad remit covers structured acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, real estate finance, fund investments, and hotel acquisitions and operations. The 'go-to' Stephen Nicolas is noted for his high calibre real estate work, while Edward Meadowcroft's focus spans structured acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, real estate finance, fund investments, hotel acquisitions and operations.

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP regularly advises sports clubs, hotels, museums and banks on management agreements, refinancing, redevelopments and strategic acquisitions. Spearheaded by Nick Skea-Strachan who regularly advises on hotel and resort management contracts, franchises and acquisitions and disposals of hotels. Standout recent engagements for the team includes advising on the launch of the Moco Museum in London, as well as Fulham Football Club’s redevelopment of its stadium into a luxurious hospitality and events venue. Claire Hughes is noted for her strength advising on large mixed use real estate matters within the hotels and leisure sector, as is the Birmingham-based Danielle Clifford, who advises on commercial contracts.

The team at Burges Salmon LLP routinely advises large luxury hotel portfolios, restaurants, nationwide retailers, banks and sovereign wealth funds. The team is spearheaded by Robert Forman, Rupert Weston  and Richard Read. Noted for his Scottish law expertise, Edinburgh-based Forman's practice covers acquisitions, disposals, leasing, development, and secured lending. Bristol-based Weston advises on corporate finance, focusing on M&A and joint ventures as well as company law, regulatory issues and corporate governance, while the 'outstanding' Read spearheads the firm's real estate investment offering. Other key figures include Katie Allen, who heads up the hotel finance practice.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's sizeable team works with an impressive roster of clients, spanning high-street food retailers, hotel groups, and luxury horse racecourses. Drawing on the expertise of multiple departments, the team handles an array of high-value litigation, contract negotiation, acquisitions and disposals, among other matters. The team is jointly chaired by London-based trio Michael Powner, Jason Saiban and Lee Medlock. Powner is noted for his expertise in corporate labour law; Medlock leads on the firm’s real estate offering, advising large pub chains, gym retailers, investors, occupiers and developers; while Saiban is an expert in commercial contracts, advising on franchising, concessions, supply and procurement. Manoj Vaghela is also noted for his international litigation expertise.

Praised for its ‘commerciality’ and ‘speed of response’, the ‘extremely switched on’ team at Fieldfisher regularly advises on complex leases, financing arrangements, acquisitions, and redevelopments. The team also draws on the expertise of its dedicated franchising team to advise its clients on global expansion. The hotels and leisure team is led by Paul Houston, who advises on acquisition and disposal of investment portfolios, sale and pre-letting of development sites as well as the real estate aspects of corporate transactions. David Wilkinson supports the team as an M&A specialist alongside David Bond, who heads the franchise and licensing group. Bond advises on the negotiation of franchise agreements, hotel management agreements and related commercial and advertising issues. Ramatu Banga and Alex Campbell are also recommended.

The hotels and leisure team at Fladgate LLP advises a slew of private members clubs, hotels, luxury restaurants and private clients on corporate and commercial matters, including franchising, agreement negotiations, financing, acquisitions and disposals. The team is led by London-based duo James Fry and Stephen Lewis. Fry heads up the hospitality team and handles all aspects of commercial real estate across the full lifecycle of a hotel, while Lewis, who heads the leisure and real estate team, advises on acquisitions and disposals, both for freehold and leasehold matters. Eddie Powell leverages his disputes experience to advise clients on IP, commercial contracts and technology issues.

Goodwin leverages its global network to advise an international roster of hotel development companies, hotels, and real estate asset managers on various corporate and commercial matters, including acquisitions, disposals, redevelopments, and franchising work. Noted for his expertise in real estate, practice head Matthew Pohlman is well regarded by various global hotel brands, owners, investors and private equity firms for the breadth of his practice. Martin Smith is also recommended for his wide-ranging hospitality and leisure focus.

The team at Katten Muchin Rosenman provides transactional, crisis management, and operational advice to a diverse client roster, including investors, hotel managers, developers, restaurant chains, and theme park owners. The team is chaired by real estate heavyweight Gavin Vollans  who is noted for his financing, development, investment and portfolio management work. Other key names include Peter Sugden, and Terry Green, who regularly support on real estate matters. Martyn Strong and Rhodri Peece are also recommended.

Working with a range of sports clubs, luxury and chain restaurants, and holiday companies, Lewis Silkin advises on an array of issues, including  data security, privacy, IP, brand management, franchising, licensing and employment within its hotel and leisure offering. The team is spearheaded by London duo Julia Poulter and Anna Sella. Poulter deals with commercial property mandates, including landlord and tenant work, acquisitions and disposals, property management work and development, while Sella is noted for her expertise in immigration and employment matters.

Working with major hotel groups, investors and lenders, the cross-practice team at Macfarlanes LLP draws on its corporate, finance, real estate, and commercial law offerings to advise its clients on acquisitions, developments, franchising agreements, and debt and equity financing matters as well as tax. Howard Corney advises on M&A to institutions and HNWIs, while Justin Hope advises on domestic and cross-border M&A. Will Hedges advises on commercial aspects, particularly commercial contracts, operational real estate, and intellectual property. Colin Morgan and Nick Barnes specialise in commercial and corporate real estate; Morgan, in particular, is noted for his real estate finance acumen.

The hospitality and leisure team at Mayer Brown International LLP  frequently acts for private equity firms, investment firms and hotel groups on cross-border transactions. Real estate specialist Simon Price advises investors and developers on global hotel and branded residences transactions, as well as operator and franchise agreements. Practice co-chair Andrew Hepner is a real estate finance authority, advising banks, private equity and opportunity funds, acquisitions, disposals and debt portfolios.

Operating in a cross-disciplinary fashion, the ‘very commercially focused’ hotels and leisure team at Mishcon de Reya LLP is well placed to advise a diverse roster of hotels, cinema retailers, and fitness retailers. The team is led by London-based trio Lewis Cohen , Andrew Rimmington and Larry Nathan. Cohen is a commercial specialist with a particular focus on the retail, hospitality and sports sectors, while Rimmington is the lead contact for corporate issues, with a particular focus on cross border M&A in the fintech, software, e-commerce and real estate industries. Nathan is noted for his expertise in M&A, joint ventures and private equity.

The hospitality and leisure group at Norton Rose Fulbright works with a deep roster of high-profile clients, including large foreign banks, football clubs and luxury hotel groups. The team is led by Wasim Khan, who acts for developers, investors, and funders on large-scale real estate and infrastructure projects, structured real estate products, and real estate joint ventures. Chris Randall  and Sarah Cullen  are noted for their expertise in financing, acting for borrowers, owners and operators. Chris Randall advises hotel groups and cruise operators on M&A, joint ventures and on listing rule compliance. Sarah Fitzpatrick heads the planning team, leveraging her experience in planning law, with a particular focus on London regeneration and redevelopment projects.

The cross-disciplinary hospitality and leisure offering at Shoosmiths LLP draws on the wider firm's sector and office footprint, incorporating real estate litigation, real estate, construction, banking, corporate, tax, data and regulatory capabilities. The interdisciplinary team's focus spans litigation, acquisitions, disposals, and redevelopments. The Leeds-based Richard Symonds co-heads the group alongside Manchester-based Kirsty Chalkley. The ‘experienced, knowledgeable and highly commercial’ Symonds is a key contact for real estate matters, encompassing construction, employment, commercial and regulatory issues. Chalkley is noted for her expertise in commercial development work, including forward funding transactions.

Capable of advising on cross-jurisdictional mandates, the hotels and hospitality team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP regularly advises a mix of hotel groups, restaurants, pension funds, and luxury brands on a host of matters. Spearheaded by the ‘hugely talented’ corporate and M&A specialist Felicity Jones, the team advises on construction law, contracts, franchise arrangements, acquisitions, and refinancing. Richard Hughes acts for lenders and investors on hotel financing, while Barry Hembling draws on his construction expertise to work with hotels on the full lifecycle of projects, from initial contract negotiation to dispute avoidance.

Sitting within the wider commercial real estate team, Forsters LLP‘s hospitality and leisure offering also draws on the expertise of the firm's corporate, disputes, and construction practice groups. The team has taken part in several high-profile deals, including the highly-awaited redevelopment of Whiteley’s shopping centre, and the luxury mixed-use redevelopment of One Crown Plaza. The cross-departmental practice is led by Ben Brayford, a commercial real estate expert advising on developments from initial acquisition through to planning, funding, development and disposal. Naomi Trinh is noted for her expertise in international acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations, joint ventures and both shareholder and partnership arrangements.

Noted for its capabilities as an adviser to pubs and breweries, Freeths LLP works with a host of restaurants, hotel groups, high street chains, and gyms, drawing on the wider expertise of its licencing, real estate, commercial dispute resolution, corporate, construction, planning and tax teams. The team is led by Leo Skinner and Heather Davies . Skinner advises operators of all forms of licensed premises, including hotels, pubs, clubs, late night venues, bars, restaurants. Davies advises clients on risk analysis, construction procurement, acquisition and development.

Praised by clients for its ‘impressively unique expertise’, Glovers Solicitors LLP‘s boutique property law works with a host of restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, gyms and leisure retailers, with a varied workload covering acquisitions and disposals, lease agreements, real estate, and property litigation. The team is headed up by the ‘outstanding‘ commercial property expert Philip Shotter. Paul Jagger is also a key name in the commercial property department, acting for both tenant and landlords.

Experienced in both domestic and cross-border mandates, Hamlins LLP‘s hospitality and leisure team regularly works with hotels, restaurants, leisure retailers, and cinema complexes on acquisitions, disposals, lease agreements, IP and trade marks. The team is led by Ben Kilshaw, who regularly advises on real estate transactions and non-contentious construction deals.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP is a key port of call for cinema retailers, fast-food chains and hotel groups seeking assistance on corporate and commercial transactions, employment matters, and litigation, as well as privacy and reputation management. The team is led by Tim Parker and Sandi Simons, noted for their expertise in transactions and litigation, respectively.

A key choice for various luxury hotels, restaurant chains, leisure retailers, the team at Howard Kennedy LLP advises clients on a host of matters, including acquisitions, disposals, labour issues and disputes. Practice co-head Lydia Christie advises on strategic HR issues including GDPR compliance as well as disciplinary, grievance and redundancy procedures. Fellow co-head Anthony Hunt regularly advises on M&A within the hotel sector.

The team at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP frequently advises large hotels, restaurant groups, asset managers and banks on cross-border transactions. The group is led by London-based duo John O’Callaghan and Simon Lawrence. Real estate department head O’Callaghan is an expert on property transactions, while Lawrence is a key port of call for international clients and corporate occupiers on commercial property matters. Other key figures include Deniz Oguzkanli, who is recommended for his investment and development work.

The Guildford-based firm Stevens & Bolton LLP is turned to by a host of hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, casual dining operators and leisure businesses, as well as suppliers and investors. Helen Wheddon leads the team and focuses on commercial property disputes and advice. Nicola Broadhurst  is noted for her ‘exceptional’ work advising both franchisors and franchisees on wide range of issues, including the setup of franchise networks and franchise agreements. Kerry Garcia boasts expertise in strategic HR issues, as well as contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Other key figures include David Steinberg, who advises on restructuring and insolvency.

The team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is noted for advising its clients - including hotel groups, local authorities, and fast food retailers - on its strategic M&A, contracts, lease agreements, litigation and construction. The team is chaired by Ayda Habboush and Julien Allen. Habboush advises hotel owners, international and domestic, on sales and acquisitions of hotels and hotel alternatives, while Allen is a real estate expert specialising in high end leisure and restaurants. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Yassar Jassani is a noted for his commercial property acumen. Other key figures include David Cordery, who advises on commercial construction law within the hotel and leisure sector.