The sizeable, multidisciplinary team at Addleshaw Goddard works with an impressive slew of longstanding clients, including some of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, on a series of high-value mandates, including major acquisitions.The group is headed up by Andrew Rosling  who is noted for his M&A acumen, particularly with respect to joint ventures. Practice co-chair Rona-Bar Isaac is recognised for her expertise concerning competition and disputes issues. Notable partner hires include Ross Nicol from Dentons, who bolsters the group’s IP-focused offering. Daniel Sweeney and Georgina Powling , based in Manchester and Leeds respectively, are also recommended.

Noted for the breadth of its practice, taking its clients from ‘factory floor to shop door’, the team at CMS provides an impressive full-service law offering in its consumer and retail sector practice group. ‘Very commercial and practical’, the team is a key port of call for a number of leading retailers and consumer goods corporates, who turn to them for their transactional, litigation, and competition acumen in high-profile mandates. The ‘exceptional’ team is led by Katie Nagy de Nagybaczon who is noted for her particular expertise advising clients in the fashion, retail and e-commerce sectors. Fellow co-chairs Tom Scourfield and Helen Johnson supplement the team with their extensive IP, and commercial knowledge that expands on the team’s footing in the industry.

Showcasing ‘excellent knowledge’, the full-service team at Dentons has a strong footing in the retail and consumer sector. Working with some of the largest household retailers in the domestic market, the group advises on a range of matters covering litigation, IP and real estate, with recent work highlights including successfully challenging the Secretary of State’s refusal to allow Marks & Spencer to redevelop its Marble Arch branch. The ‘balanced team’ is led by duo James Batham and Scott Singer, who are noted for their expertise in complex litigation proceedings and strategic matters, respectively. Anna Copeman is especially noted for her expertise in IP.

Working with a host of blue-chip multinationals, the team at DLA Piper boasts considerable strength in its retail and consumer offering, spanning IP, litigation and regulatory matters. Ruth Hoy is a highly experienced partner who is particularly noted for her expertise in IP matters. Consumer goods, food and retail group co-head Chloe Forster advises on technology issues, while Sophie Lessar - praised by clients for her 'in-depth knowledge' - is involved in the digital aspects of retail and financial services products. Noel Haywood co-chairs the food and beverage sub-sector group and provides support on acquisitions and disposals. Mark Dewar is noted for his expertise on all aspects of the supply chain for consumer goods while Nick Rock displays significant experience in ESG, health and safety and climate change issues.

Showcasing ‘deep sector expertise’, the team at RPC has a sizeable team with a strong client base that spans luxury fashion brands, high street restaurant chains, and multinational beverage conglomerates. The firm is noted for . Headed up by Jeremy Drew, the team advises on both contentious and transactional work, including IP infringement trials, shareholder buy-outs and strategic M&A, as well as commercial advice concerning campaigns. Karen Hendy co-heads the Retail and Consumer Group, advising widely on a host of corporate issues. Other key figures include Ciara Cullen, who is noted for her expertise in IP and technology issues and has been praised for being ‘consistently excellent’.

Often drawing on the expertise of the regulatory and real estate practices, the sizeable team at Baker McKenzie demonstrates strength in a diverse range of matters, including strategic M&A, supply chain innovation, and ESG issues. The team is spearheaded by trio David Scott , Helen Brown and Julia Hemmings. Scott shows significant expertise in corporate transactional matters, while Brown notably advises clients on technology issues ,particularly relating to data privacy for online and offline sales. Hemmings is recommended for her knowledge of e-commerce and privacy issues in the context of commercial transactions.

A key port of call for blue-chip clients seeking trade mark and IP portfolio management, the team at Bird & Bird LLP operates across three sub-sectors - namely, food and beverage, luxury, fashion and retail, and hotels, hospitality and leisure - advising clients on multijurisdictional acquisitions, expansions and joint-ventures, as well as contentious mandates. The team is led by multijurisdictional specialist Graeme Payne, who advises consumer and retail clients on their domestic and international expansion strategies. Other key figures include commercial specialist Robert Turner, and Victoria Hobbs, who focuses on disputes concerning licensing and franchising, among other matters.

Praised by one clients for its ‘very high level of legal expertise’, the retail, consumer and logistics group at Browne Jacobson LLP caters to a myriad of clients, spanning fashion houses, sportswear manufacturers and cycling product retailers. Co-led by real estate specialist Roland Gray , the offering at the firm has steadily grown in recent years, advising clients on a range of mandates including disputes, real estate and corporate financing matters. Fellow co-chair Emma Roake is noted for her expertise working with fashion brands, retailers, agents and distributors to negotiate commercial agreements and resolve commercial disputes.

Specialalising in acquisition and real estate work, the ‘unparalleled’ team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner‘s retail and consumer group nonetheless advises on a wide range of retail mandates. The team is especially noted for its client roster, comprising major supermarkets and large shopping centre companies, among others. London based practice chair Marie Johnson advises on a range of corporate finance transactions, including M&A, restructurings, and joint ventures, both domestic and cross-border in nature. The dual-qualified (UK and US) Carol Osborne is also a key name to note for complex cross-border corporate work. Richard Shaw is recommended for his work advising on strategic commercial and outsourcing contracts.

Praised by clients for its 'first class' advice, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP's multidisciplinary retail and wholesale team advises a strong set of domestic and multinational clients. The team displays a strong capability to deal with litigation, real estate and employment issues in the sector. The Leeds-based practice head Andrew Todd has deep experience with regards to real estate insolvencies as well as development disputes. The practice is co-chaired by the Paris-based Catherine Detalle who advises on various corporate aspects in the firm’s consumer sector work.

Comprising four specialist task forces to cater to clients’ desires across the production chain, the team at Gowling WLG advises a wide array of clients, ranging from car manufacturing companies, to banks and consumer goods companies. The team is led by John Coldham, who displays particular expertise in handling IP, strategy and litigation matters; he has also spearheaded the company’s AI tool ‘Saturn‘ to help brands identify counterfeit and copycat products. In addition to co-heading the team, Jocelyn Paulley leads the firm’s data centre practice, regularly advising on IT, digital infrastructure and data protection matters. Sarah Riding and Kate Swaine are also key names in the team, advising on trade mark enforcement and commercial contracts, respectively.

The team of ‘genuine problem solvers’ at Mishcon de Reya LLP advises on a range of work, from IP to litigation and regulatory issues. The firm is well placed to advise clients on across a broad spectrum of business models within the retail and consumer sector, advising a diverse line-up of clients, including privately-held enterprises, luxury fashion retailers, and supermarket chains, to name a few. Supported by a sizeable team in London, the firm displays breadth in its law offering. The retail practice group is steered by Sally Britton, who has a wealth of expertise in IP protection and enforcement, including on contentious matters. Fellow co-chair Lewis Cohen specialises in advising on commercial and IP arrangements.

The team at Pinsent Masons LLP has steadily grown in recent years, working with a host of well-known high street and luxury retailers. Tom Leman serves as head of the international retail and consumer group, brings to bear many years of experience in private equity. The ‘thoughtfully resourced’ team is well acquainted with IP, corporate funding and acquisition work, often advising on work which spans multiple jurisdictions. Other key figures include Samantha Livesey and Florian Traub, both of whom are noted for the breadth of their IP focus.

The ‘hands on’ team at Shoosmiths LLP has a strong hold on the British retail and consumer sector, working with a host of renowned corporate clients. Recent work highlights include working on a cross border deal between Reliance Brands and Superdry to establish an IP joint venture which encompassed work in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. The retail group is headed by Gary Assim who is noted for his expertise in fashion and retail IP disputes. Sherif Malak advises clients on digital and data aspects and the team is also supported by Hamish Corner who deals with data-privacy issues. Joseph Mazzucca provides support for real estate matters, and Angus Evers deals with environmental law issues.

Operating at the nexus of high-fashion, e-commerce and retail, Taylor Wessing 's offering spans commercial, IP, data and advisory work. Under the stewardship of practice head Edward Story, who displays expertise in corporate and commercial matters, the firm works with a sizeable client roster which includes some of the market's leading luxury houses and online retailers. Practice co-head Jason Rawkins advises on both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, while Ian Moore supports the firm with his expertise in cross-border M&A and strategy advising high-profile brands.

The retail, consumer brand and consumer tech group at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP offers strong and holistic support to its clients that runs the gamut of brand management and protection, marketing, e-commerce, litigation, and contract negotiation. Jason Saiban specialises in complex commercial contracting for clients in the sports, retail and technology sectors. Michael Powner's expertise is relied upon by clients in the food and beverage sector. Edward Craig provides support managing disputes, particularly with regards to supply chains, technical manufacturing, and contractual interpretation issues.

Noted for the strength of its fashion clientele, K&L Gates LLP advises its fashion-heavy client base on key regulatory matters, and also offers a sizeable amount of expertise with regards to direct to consumer structuring. The team is split into several subsections each headed up by its own partner. Arthur Artinian takes on the firm’s IP work, while Gabriela Da Costa offers her expertise in UK and EU competition. Catherine Adam advises retail clients as to their commercial agreements, and Jennifer Marsh provides support on commercial and competition matters for the firm’s retail-based clients.

Especially noted for its capabilities in IP and trademark work, the cross-disciplinary retail, hospitality and leisure team at Lewis Silkin offers a broad range of services to various high-profile clients, covering regulatory, franchising and employment matters, among other matters. The team is headed up by Julia Poulter, who manages all of the commercial property aspects, including landlord and tenant work, acquisitions and disposals, and property management issues. Poulter is supported by Anna Sella, who advises on employment matters.

Noted for its strength in acquisition and financing work in the sector, Linklaters LLP's 'amazing drive, content knowledge and real world experience' makes it a key choice for blue-chip clients seeking assistance on cross-border matters. Recent work highlights include acting for both buyer and seller on M&A, collective action litigation, and competition law litigation. The consumer sector group is headed by Michael Honan, who regularly advises clients on cross-border M&A. Co-head Michael Fanner works extensively on M&A and joint ventures, but is also noted for his experience in corporate governance and regulatory compliance.

The multidisciplinary team at TLT draws on its robust national presence, relying on contributions from offices in London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast, to advise on corporate and commercial matters for a host of major corporate clients, ranging from sportswear manufacturers to pet retailers. Recent standout engagements have seen the team working with high-profile fashion brands on CMA investigations. The team is headed up by Bristol-based Perran Jervis, who boasts expertise in outsourcing, distribution and supply agreements, as well as international franchising.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s sizeable retail team advises its clients on a range of matters, displaying particular strength for real estate and franchising work. The team is led by the ‘dynamic’ Leeds-based Claire Wilkinson, who leverages her expertise in real estate to advise a host of hotels, retailers and grocers. Recent highlights for the ‘highly experienced’ team include advising a leading UK wine retailer on its real estate portfolio.

Described by one client as ‘exceptional‘, the full-service team at Clyde & Co is capable across transactional, litigation and real estate work. Contentious real estate serves as a key offering for the firm but is also able to offer advice on data and cyber-related matters. Spearheaded by Annabelle Redman who advises retailers, investors, and developers. Redman is supported by Laura Oliver, who advises retail occupiers on managing their property portfolios including complex sales and structured leasebacks and leasehold liability transactions. Joni Traynor is noted for her retail property expertise.

The team at Fieldfisher frequently advises on multi-billion pound, multijurisdictional deals. The team works frequently on IP, regulatory and tech-related work, and is also well versed in employment, marketing and franchising work. Led by David Bond - noted for his expertise in advertising matters - the team's client roster includes major luxury goods companies, fashion houses, and sportswear conglomerates. Fellow co-chair Gordon Drakes handles commercial and transactional matters with a specialism in IP.

Hallmarks of Fox Williams LLP ‘s practice include its fashion law and travel expertise, working with a range of high street clothing brands as well as leading online travel and holiday retailers. The team is able to advise on distribution agreements, service agreements and supply agreements, while also handling trade mark work and contentious IP litigation. The team is co-headed by Stephen Sidkin, who leads the fashion law group, a partner with significant expertise in supply chain agreements. Fellow co-head Rhys Griffiths displays noteworthy knowledge of regulatory law with respect to the sale of travel services both in the UK and EU.

Regularly drawing on the expertise of its technology and sustainability practice, the team at Freeths LLP advises a broad range of clients, ranging from beverage manufacturers to luxury fashion retailers. Noted for its considerable IP-focused workload, the team is also noted for its capabilities in ESG and regulatory matters. Practice head Philippa Dempster regularly steers on commercial agreements, including complex outsourcing, international and domestic franchising, and supply chain agreements.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s retail group advises its clients on multidisciplinary issues across the fashion, cosmetics, retail, and food and beverage sectors. The team is able to advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters, with litigation and transactional work both making up regular workstreams for the practice. Practice co-head Sandi Simons provides support through her litigation expertise. Fellow co-head Melanie Benson works in the retail space, advising luxury brands, designers, retailers and model agencies on the full range of bricks and mortar property matters.