The team at CMS is well-versed in handling a broad array of matters, including high-value and complex real estate transactions. Thomas Page ‘has unparalleled experience in hotel transactions’ and heads up the practice alongside David Roberts. Page acts for some of the team’s best-known investor, operator and banking clients on major hotel portfolio transactions, while Roberts has expertise advising restaurant sector clients in particular. Ian McGarr is a name to note for his specialism in hotel financing, while James Miller is equipped to handle manage-back and lease-back transactions as part of his practice. ‘Exceptional’ private equity and corporate finance specialist Louise Wallace acts for well-known clients in significant and frequently cross-jurisdictional transactions, from handling M&A deals to negotiating hotel management and franchise agreements. Michelle Kirkland and Nick Crosbie are also noteworthy practitioners in the group.

The practice at Dentons is well-regarded by clients for its ‘standout client service and industry knowledge’; its workload includes assisting in the remit of complex and high-value transactions for household clients. Simon Masri specialises in assisting clients in a wide variety of hotel and leisure matters, in both domestic and overseas contexts. Masri oversees the practice alongside Matthew Tinger, who is experienced in advising well-known international hotel clientele on significant portfolio transactions, from purchases and sales, to reorganisations. The co-leads are supported by Phoenix-based practitioner Rick Ross. Laura Gowing‘s practice includes advising investors, lenders and developers in key transactions. Babette Märzheuser-Wood is a franchise agreement expert, while handling commercial real estate transactions and advising on related finance issues are Christopher Foxall‘s areas of specialism.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s team is well-placed to assist its varied client roster on the full range of high-stakes hotel and leisure transactions of significant value. Richard Bursby helms the group and advises private companies, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and entrepreneurs in the breadth of international corporate and commercial transactions. Key practitioners in the group include real estate specialist Mark Rajbenbach and Edward Story, who handles various global hospitality projects and advises on management and franchise agreements, joint ventures and co-investment projects as part of his practice. Victoria Butcher advises investor and operator clients on real estate-related work from acquisitions and disposals to investment sales and purchases. ‘The individuals are outstanding at every level,’ according to clients.

The offering at Addleshaw Goddard is experienced assisting such well-known clients on an array of complex matters, from development, branding and operations issues to large-scale multi-jurisdictional portfolio transactions. The Leeds-based Lucy Sturrock has hotel sector expertise that spans advising on management agreements, acquisitions and developments. Catherine Williams handles development and investment work in particular. Zoe Maurer advises lenders and borrowers on the finance aspects of transactions. Luke Baines leads the team and has a specialism in the range of hotels work, including advising clients on incorporating ESG principles into key documentation.

The practice at Baker McKenzie has a workload that incorporates the range of finance and transactional matters of substantial value. Justin Salkeld oversees the cohort and has a specialism in real estate cases. Sebastien Marcelin-Rice advises both sponsors and lenders in high-value real estate finance transactions in cross-jurisdictional European financing and refinancing matters. Ben Farnell is noteworthy for his planning and development capabilities, as well as his work in sustainability-related real estate matters.

The team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is formed of ‘genuine experts in the sector’ whose workload is formed of high-value, broad-ranging cases. ‘Great leader’ Laura Wild is a real estate expert who is experienced advising hotel clients on acquisitions and disposals, development, financing, and leasing matters, amongst others. The ‘absolutely incredible’ Hannah Westcott is also recommended for her real estate capabilities. From the Manchester office, Taslima Salam handles real estate finance matters, acting for clients from government institutions and clearing banks to corporate borrowers and developers. Charlotte Tullis handles the remit of commercial and residential property transactions, while Jeremy Bark is considered a ‘good licensing specialist’ by clients.

The group at Clifford Chance LLP has capabilities assisting its clientele with a broad range of hotel and leisure-related transactions, both domestic and cross-jurisdictional in scope. The team is able to handle real estate transactions, including the development of substantial tourist developments overseas, sales and acquisitions, as well as finance and investment aspects of significant deals. Alis Pay co-heads the offering alongside Sarah Thomas; Pay has expertise advising international investors on pan-European portfolio transactions, while Thomas is experienced, handling high-value corporate real estate transactions and advising on hotel management agreements. Cross-border transactions specialist Andrew Carnegie and European real estate finance expert Emma Matebalavu are other key names to note.

The team at Paul Hastings LLP is well-equipped to advise its portfolio of clients on the remit of real estate and related finance matters relating to the hotel and leisure sectors, including handling all aspects of joint ventures, M&A deals, fund investment work and operation and management matters.

The collective at Burges Salmon LLP is adept at assisting its clientele in various cross-border matters, including managing the sale, financing and refinancing aspects of portfolios of hotels. The trio at the helm includes Rupert Weston and Richard Read, who split their time between London and Bristol, and Robert Forman, who is based in Edinburgh. Weston is experienced advising international hotel clients on matters ranging from openings to sales and acquisitions; Read has expertise in real estate investment; and Forman assists on the remit of hospitality-related transactions. Also in Bristol is real estate finance specialist Katie Allen.

The group at Fieldfisher has a varied workload and is headed up by Paul Houston, who is well-regarded for his ‘excellent client service and industry-specific knowledge’. ‘Exceptional commercial lawyer’ David Wilkinson is noteworthy for his expertise in handling significant M&A transactions for well-known hotel clients. Ramatu Banga has extensive experience handling a range of cases for clients across sectors, including hotels, restaurants, wine bars, tennis and padel tennis centres, and retail stores. David Bond is equipped to advise on franchise structures in both domestic and international contexts, while Kate Lias handles investment and occupational portfolio management matters.

Fladgate LLP‘s team has capabilities advising clients on loan facilities, financing, refinancing, and sale and acquisition matters, amongst others. James Fry is a commercial real estate specialist with expertise in the hotel and leisure sectors. Stephen Lewis handles landlord and tenant matters, and acquisitions and disposals in both freehold and leasehold contexts for clients in the retail and leisure sectors in particular. Eddie Powell has expertise in hotel-related contractual cases, while debt finance specialist Gary Smith ‘goes that extra mile’ for clients. Fry and Lewis co-helm the team.

Goodwin‘s practice is able to assist its roster of clients, the list of which features well-known hotel clients, with the full array of high-value real estate transactional matters. Advising on the sale of a portfolio of hotels located in multiple jurisdictions, on complex purchase and leaseback agreements, and on joint ventures are all examples of cases that feature in the team’s workload. It also advises its clientele on the full array of documentation cases. Well-regarded for his ‘incredible, in-depth industry knowledge,’ Matthew Pohlman leads the group. Martin Smith is a name to note with experience in acquisitions, dispositions, management, and branding cases.

Katten‘s group is headed up by Gavin Vollans, who is well-regarded for his capabilities advising on the broad array of matters in relation to the hotel sector, in particular, including real estate investment, finance, asset management, development, landlord and tenant issues, and portfolio management. Management agreements, sales, and development cases also feature in the team’s workload. Finance and luxury retail are focus areas of Terry Green, while Rhodri Peece specialises in the breadth of commercial real estate matters. Peter Sugden departed in February 2024.

The practice at Macfarlanes LLP is well-regarded by clients for its ‘unwavering commitment to client service’. Its workload is formed of high-value and frequently cross-jurisdictional matters, including portfolio management, joint ventures, fund and property acquisitions, sales, and financing. The team is co-led by corporate and M&A practitioner Justin Hope and specialist in real estate Victoria Hills, who joined the team in October 2024. Noteworthy names include ‘standout’ practitioner Will Hedges, real estate finance specialist Laura Bretherton, and commercial real estate specialist Nick Barnes.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s offering is well-equipped to assist on matters of development, redevelopment, property management issues, and M&A matters. Wasim Khan leads the team and acts for developers, investors, financiers, and occupiers on a broad array of work. Financing-related hospitality and leisure matters are Dan Kennedy‘s specialist area, and Sarah Cullen has experience in financing, with debt financing, acquisition, investment, and development matters featuring in her workload. Emily Colville‘s workload includes advising on the development of a portfolio of luxury hotels.

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP is experienced in assisting its varied roster of clients on a broad array of real estate and financing transactions. Team lead Claire Hughes harnesses extensive experience handling complex development and investment matters. The Birmingham-based Danielle Clifford handles strategic commercial contracts for hotel and leisure clients, and Leo Parkington also handles such contract matters for hotel, football stadiums and catering clients, amongst others, and is based at the same office. Former team lead Nick Skea-Strachan departed the group in September 2024.

The group at Shoosmiths LLP harnesses expertise in advising owners, developers, funders and contractors on significant hotel developments; assisting on leisure schemes and related redevelopments; and advising restaurants and bars on various issues. Leeds-based practice head Richard Symonds has considerable hotel sector experience, which includes advising on commercial, employment and regulatory matters in particular. Real estate finance specialist James Salford joined the team in London in April 2025.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s offering is headed up by the ‘outstanding’ Felicity Jones, who has expertise across the range of corporate and M&A cases and harnesses particular expertise handling various matters relating to individual hotels and portfolios of hotels in the EMEA region. Barry Hembling is a name to note in the team for his abilities in advising hotel and leisure clients on significant construction and development projects. Matt Buxton is particularly active on M&A, joint venture and corporate deals relating to hotels, hospitality and infrastructure, and Thomas Newlyn is also recommended. Richard Hughes departed in January 2025.

The team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is equipped to advise food and beverage, hotel, and hospitality clients on a range of matters. The trio at the helm consists of Michael Powner, who handles matters for some of the team’s most well-known multi-national clients, commercial specialist Jason Saiban, who acts for key sports sector clients, and Lee Medlock, whose workload includes advising on sales, purchases, and development projects.

Clyde & Co‘s group is well-equipped to assist clients in the hospitality sector with matters such as management contract negotiations, construction and development investments, and purchases. The team is led by Simon Vere Nicoll, who has experience advising clients on reorganisations, M&A, investments and fund structuring in hospitality and leisure contexts. Described by clients as a ‘first port of call for hotels practitioners throughout the UK,’ Peter Sugden is another noteworthy member of the team.

Forsters LLP‘s practice is equipped to handle acquisitions, sales, asset and franchise agreements, and financing matters, amongst others, for hotel sector clients in particular. Ben Brayford oversees the offering and handles the array of such work. Naomi Trinh is a key practitioner whose work includes advising owners, operators, family offices and high-net-worth individuals on contractual arrangements, acquisitions and disposals and asset management.

The team at Freeths LLP‘s client roster features hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and breweries, amongst others. Overseeing the team are Christopher Ainsworth, who is particularly adept at handling acquisitions, disposals and complex development projects; Leo Skinner, who advises operators of various licensed premises with the remit of issues and is noted for his ‘huge experience of property transactions’; and hotel sector transactional expert Heather Davies. Skinner and Ainsworth are Milton Keynes-based, while Davies works from Nottingham.

Glovers Solicitors LLP‘s group is able to assist its clients, the portfolio of which includes cinemas, pubs, and bars, amongst others, on a range of real estate matters and transactions. Its workload includes acquisitions and property management work in particular. Philip Shotter heads up the team and has expertise handling the range of such cases; Shotter, John Barber and Paul Jagger are noted as ‘giants in their field’ by clients.

The group at Hamlins LLP, noted for its provision of ‘concise and expert advice’, is known for its capabilities assisting clients in the leisure, cinema and hospitality sectors in particular. Ben Kilshaw oversees the offering and is experienced advising on sales, acquisitions and lettings, and transactional construction matters. A key member of the group is Stephanie Brown, who handles the negotiation and documentation aspects of commercial property transactions.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP‘s team’s workload is formed of advising on a variety of property, financing and IP matters, and related disputes. Restaurant sector specialist Tim Parker co-leads the team alongside Sandi Simons, who has expertise handling contractual and tortious disputes.

Retail and leisure specialist Lydia Christie and Anthony Hunt, who specialises in hotel acquisition and disposal matters as well as asset management and franchising, co-head the team at Howard Kennedy LLP. Hunt is also equipped to handle significant international deals for restaurant clients. Employment, IP and immigration issues feature in the team’s workload, as well as those relating to real estate.

Lewis Silkin‘s team advises its roster of clients, well-known across leisure, retail and hospitality, on a range of matters relating to employment and IP. The team also advises on significant hotel ventures. The ‘brilliant’ Anna Sella heads up the team alongside Alan Hunt, who handles commercial contracts, IP and tech transactions. Former co-head Julia Poulter departed the practice in September 2024.

Quastels LLP‘s cohort is experienced assisting clients across the restaurant, theatre, hotel and pub sectors, amongst others. Sales, restructurings, commercial contracts, fund structuring and asset management-related matters all feature in the team’s workload. A ‘true leader who gives the airship overview of the sector,’ Adam Convisser co-leads the offering alongside global mobility specialist Jayesh Jethwa and commercial real estate practitioners Naomi Jones and Mark Cornelius.

The practice at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP is headed up by Simon Lawrence, who is experienced advising hotelier clients on various matters, and new co-head Deniz Oguzkanli, who clients ‘would recommend without hesitation’. Rebecca Roberts is noteworthy for her expertise advising clients in sale, acquisition and business portfolio planning matters in particular. Former co-lead John O’Callaghan departed the team in March 2025, as did Paul Cain.

‘Top-class performer’ Helen Wheddon helms the Guildford-based offering at Stevens & Bolton LLP, which is well-regarded for its abilities advising on portfolio strategy matters, insolvency-related issues and the range of hotel-related cases, in particular. Wheddon is a real estate disputes specialist, while Nicola Broadhurst is experienced advising on commercial expansions, with a client list that features well-known names in casual dining, amongst others.

The practice at Trowers & Hamlins LLP harnesses expertise advising on hotel sales and acquisitions, and on operational and technical service agreements. Overseeing the team are Ayda Habboush, who handles real estate M&A for hotel and hotel alternative clients, Julien Allen, who ‘delivers excellent outputs’, Yassar Jassani, who assists restaurateurs, hoteliers and developers on institutional investment matters, amongst others, and David Cordery, who is experienced advising both developers and operators in domestic and international contexts.