The dedicated international hotels, hospitality and leisure team at Bird & Bird LLP comprises of experts in tech, data and brand protection, and utilises this expertise to assist clients across a range of commercial and media issues. Further strength lies within the team's contractual expertise, overseeing both franchise contracts and management contracts. Also known for their sound knowledge in hotel financing, the team often advises on cross-border transactions. Beyond hotel expertise, the practice is often sought for food and beverage advice. The team is led by Karen Friebe. She advises all hotels, whether budget or luxury, and specialises in acquisitions, development, disposal and negotiations of hotel management agreements. Further note is given to James Fowler for his sound knowledge in franchising law.

The hotels and leisure group at CMS is sought by a wide range of clients, including hotel operators, investors, banks, restaurant groups, hospitality management companies and chefs. Its clients can also seek additional expertise from the firm's casinos, gaming, sports and e-sports practice to remedy all leisure related matters. Hotel management agreement expert Thomas Page heads the practice. In addition to his handling of international clients' hotel portfolio transactions, he is well regarded for his publication, 'The Little Blue Book Guide to Hotel Management Agreements'. Another noteworthy individual includes Josie Hearnden. She has longstanding experience advising international and domestic funders on the full cycle of structured acquisitions and investment and development financings.

‘Their ability to collaborate‘ enables the team at Dentons to effectively advise beyond the domestic scope, with client relationships spanning France, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East and Africa. The team comprises sector experts who are well versed in the handling of day-to-day hotel operational issues, franchising matters, acquisitions and dispositions. Mark Daliere acts as the head of hotels for the UK and the Middle East, whilst  Rick Ross chairs the global hotels group. Both are located in Phoenix. Simon Masri, a London based partner, is well regarded for his expertise in hotel investment, finance and mixed-use development projects. He is trusted to advise by many clients including institutions and private and public companies, both UK based and overseas. Matthew Tinger is noted for his extensive corporate knowledge. Additional mention is given to recently promoted real estate partner Laura Gowing for her hotel financing and transactions expertise.

Taylor Wessing LLP are a go-to practice for both buy-side and sell-side advice on major single asset and portfolio M&A hotel deals within the UK and in Europe. The team also has sound knowledge of hotel development matters, hotel management agreements and franchise agreements. Their wide scope of expertise and outreach enables them to advise on global matters involving jurisdictions as varied as Switzerland, China, Israel and Germany. The team is headed by Richard Bursby. He is a key contact for private companies, entrepreneurs and high-net worth individuals seeking advice on international corporate and commercial transactions. Edward Story often advises clients on  investment aspects, M&A, corporate real estate issues and other day-to-day corporate-related matters.

Addleshaw Goddard has a sizeable hotels and leisure sector team with the ability to advise clients throughout the entire cycle of hotel ownership and operation, drawing on a breadth of experience and sector knowledge. Expertise includes management advise, franchise and concession arrangements, commercial contracts, data, IT, IP and healthy and safety compliance. The team is collectively led by Luke Baines, Zoe Maurer and Lucy Sturrock. Baines is well versed in redevelopment and financing matters, in addition to cladding and fire safety matters. Maurer’s practice focus lies within hotel financings where she acts for financial institutions, investors and lenders. Sturrock splits her time between Leeds and London; she is noted for her UK and international expertise on hotel management agreements.

Baker McKenzie's hotels, resorts and tourism practice comprises a sizeable and multi-disciplined team, which advises an array of clients operating in the industry such as investors, real estate developers and financers. The team's expertise is often sought for acquisitions and divestitures, construction and development and hotel management and franchise agreements. Real estate expert Justin Salkeld, is the practice's key contact for property matters relating to planning, structuring, leasing and joint ventures. He also heads the team. Sebastien Marcelin-Rice  is also highlighted for his vast experience in cross-border European financings.

The team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP is well equipped to advise clients across the full spectrum of hotel and leisure related matters. Particular emphasis is given to its hotel management, franchise agreement and hotel operational expertise. The multi-jurisdictional team is spread across the UK, Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia, and is led in London by Laura Wild. She has a focus on hotel acquisitions, developments, financing and leasing. Commercial property heavyweight Chris de Pury is noted for his expertise in structured investments and disposals and joint ventures.

Clifford Chance LLP regularly handles high-end, complex and multi-disciplinary work for a range of clients including investors, lenders, borrowers, operators and developers. Global real estate co-head Alis Pay and counsel Sarah Thomas lead the practice. Thomas is well regarded for her specialist knowledge across all aspects of both direct and indirect real estate equity investment. Pay's particular expertise lies within advising international investors on European portfolio transactions. Recent promotions include Laura Smallcombe who is now a partner, as of May 2022. Jane Cheong Tung Sing left the practice and now acts as general counsel at John Lewis.

DLA Piper has a growing team full of hotel and leisure sector experts; catering to clients across the full spectrum of related matters such as construction and development, financing, real estate, restructuring and investment. Leeds based Matthew Duncombe and London based Jo Owen co-lead the team. Duncombe’s practice is focused on transactional and commercial advice, while Owen’s expertise includes the handling of complex cross-border transactions. The practice has recently been boosted by the additions of real estate investment specialist Bonnie Calnan from Dentons and legal director Barry Noonan from Allen & Overy LLP.

Hogan Lovells International LLP acts for a wide variety of clients such as investors, developers, financers and operators, both within the UK and overseas. Its sector expertise includes management agreements, hotel portfolio sales, developments, financings and disputes concerning performance issues, rent reviews, terminations and hotel leases. The team is also well versed in advising on arrears and other hospitality challenges that arose from the implications of Covid-19. The team is co-headed by Jackie Newstead and Katie Gill. Newstead has over 30 years' worth of experience and is well versed in advising clients on varying asset classes such as office, retail, logistics, hotel and student housing. Gill is highly regarded for her financial expertise and often advises on international banking, corporate finance and real estate finance.

Norton Rose Fulbright utilises its global network of offices throughout Europe, the US, Canada, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East to provide its clients with advice across the full spectrum of hospitality and leisure matters. Areas of expertise include branding, construction, franchising, IP, operations, planning and sustainability. The team is also well equipped to deal with matters concerning various asset classes. The practice is led by Wasim Khan. Having worked in the Dubai and Bahrain offices, Khan has a sound understanding of investor clients from the Middle East. He has a strong track record of acting for development, investment, financing and occupier clients.

Pinsent Masons LLP's hotels & leisure team comprises of sector specialists who can advise clients on all relevant legal disciplines such as property, tax, restructuring, planning, licensing, regulatory and litigation. The team often advises both investors and developers on their arrangements with hotel operators and brands. Nick Skea-Strachan heads the practice. He advises on cross-border matters and has overseen client transactions across juridisdictions as wide-ranging as Spain, Greece, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Malta. Claire Hughes  is noted for her work in complex investment and development projects.

The cross-departmental hotels & leisure group at Burges Salmon LLP is experienced in advising clients across the full spectrum of matters, including investment and development, portfolio management, commercial arrangements and real estate litigation. The heads of team are Richard Read, Rupert Westonand Robert Forman. Read is the practice’s go-to partner for advice on major projects and investments within the sector. Weston is noted for his extensive client list which includes high-profile names such as Zetland Capital and YTL Hotels. Forman also heads the Scottish hospitality and leisure practice; he splits his time between Edinburgh and London.

Fieldfisher's cross-office approach to the hotels and leisure sector enables the firmm to effectively advise a vast array of clients across Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East. Clients include hotels, serviced apartment operators, cruise lines, holiday travel companies and casinos. Real estate focused Paul Houston heads the practice. He is well regarded for his expertise in acquisitions and disposals of investment portfolios, sales and pre-lettings of development sites and real estate matters in corporate transactions.

Aside from advising its key hotel clients, the team at Fladgate LLP is also well versed at advising clients throughout the leisure sector, including restaurants, museums, music venues and casinos. The practice is led by both James Fry and Stephen Lewis. Fry specialises in commercial real estate within the sector. Lewis is also well regarded for his commercial real estate expertise, with particular emphasis given to acquisitions and disposals. Partner Kirsty Corkum  joined the team from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Goodwin's team is well equipped to advise hospitality and leisure clients on the full gamut of issues that arise within the sector such as tax, privacy, employment, food and beverage and regulatory matters. The team advises clients on both the brand and operator side, as well as on both the debt and equity side of hotel and resort residential matters. The team is led by Matthew Pohlman. His focus lies within advising various industry stakeholders on the development, operation, management and financing of hotels, resorts and branded residential hospitality assets. Personal changes include the arrival of transactional real estate specialist Eric Lim from Baker McKenzie.

Howard Kennedy LLP‘s team acts for luxury brands, boutique operators and mid-sized chains as well as international operators. The practice is led by Adam Walford , Anthony Hunt  and Alex Watt. Walford focuses on asset management and acquisitions and disposals owned by leisure entities, particularly restaurants. Hunt is the key corporate real estate expert. Intellectual property specialist Watt joined the practice from Browne Jacobson LLP in May 2021.

The hospitality team in US firm Katten's London office primarily focuses on transactions, crisis management and operations. The team, which is well equipped to advise investors, hotel managers, lenders, developers and franchisees, is led by Peter Sugden, who advises clients on matters within the UK and throughout Europe. His particular expertise lies within real estate investment, finance, development, and joint ventures within the sector. Timothy Dodd  is another key member of the team - he works with international hotel operator companies, hotel owners, property companies and governmental bodies.

The team at Lewis Silkin offers a broad service to its clients; the practice’s expertise includes data and privacy, franchising, licensing, real estate and portfolio management, employment, immigration and brand management. Julia Poulter regularly acts for clients in the high-value central London office and retail market. She also co-founded The Collective, which brings together leading luxury, lifestyle and premium brand commentators ideas together. Managing associate Anna Sella is well regarded for her employment expertise in this space. They lead the practice together.

Paul Hastings LLP's team can draw on international expertise to expertly handle cross-border matters, with recent work touching on jurisdictions including France, Italy, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, as well as the wider firm's domestic US market. Areas of expertise include asset management, disposals, hotel development projects, acquisitions and sales. Michael James  heads the practice. He is the go-to contact for corporate real estate expertise and has experience in joint ventures, real estate finance, fund investments and hotel acquisitions and operations.

Shoosmiths LLP's hotel expertise enables the firm to effectively oversee construction, planning, development and operational matters. The team's leisure sector expertise supports the needs of bar, restaurant and late-night entertainment clients. Both Catherine Williams and Richard Symonds lead the practice. Williams' 'excellent, detailed knowledge' benefits clients seeking sound corporate occupier expertise. Symonds is best known for his property litigation and risk management experience. Mention is also given to Kirsty Chalkley for her support on real estate restructuring matters.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s broad expertise encompasses acquisitions, investments, franchise agreements and the development of hotel and leisure projects. Felicity Jones, an expert in corporate and commercial matters, heads the team. Richard Hughes  often advises on financing matters pertaining to hotels, luxury city centre resorts and budget chains. Rohan Inamdar has experience handling sales and acquisitions of individual and hotel portfolios within the UK and in Europe.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP advises hospitality and leisure clients on advertising, marketing, sponsorship, branding and brand protection. Michael Powner , Jason Saiban and Lee Medlock head the practice. Powner's focus concerns employment matters, particularly within restaurants. Saiban is the go-to contact for commercial advice and Medlock oversees real estate related matters.

The 'superb boutique practice' at Glovers Solicitors LLP offers clients specialist expertise in property law, litigation and licensing. Philip Shotter has over 22 years' experience in the sector and is focused on advising hospitality and leisure clients. Disputes partner Paul Dench joined the practice from Field Seymour Parkes LLP in September 2021.

Hamlins LLP is particularly skilled at rolling out high street brands through the acquisition of sites and negotiations of leases pertaining to restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. Known for his representation of leisure operators in rollouts, Ben Kilshaw also leads the practice.

Mayer Brown International LLP has a strong hospitality and leisure offering primarily due to its impressive capabilities in the real estate and real estate finance spheres. The key names are Andrew Hepner, who co-heads the London real estate finance team alongside Simon Price, who joined from Linklaters in 2020. The practice routinely handles major transactions and finance matters involving hotels in prime locations around the world.

The key figures in Mishcon de Reya LLP's hotels group are Lewis Cohen, a franchising specialist who heads up the commercial, technology, data and sport division within the firm's innovation department, and corporate partner Andrew Rimmington, whose specialism is M&A and private equity transactions in the hotel sector. The firm has a strong track record of work on major hotel deals, advising on leases, management arrangements, mergers, joint ventures and complex finance matters.

The team at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP is well equipped to advise a variety of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, corporate investors and financial institutions within the UK and worldwide. John O’Callaghan, Sarah Hung and Simon Lawrence head the practice. Ali Chouhdry was promoted to partner in July 2021.

The team at Guildford's Stevens & Bolton LLP have a wealth of knowledge in various sectors such as casual dining, pubs, bars, hotels, food and beverage and digital leisure. The team is headed by Helen Wheddon. She has a breadth of experience in commercial property disputes, contractual claims and development matters.

The team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is headed by both Ayda Habboush and Julien Allen. Habboush is well regarded for her advice to hotel owners, both international and domestic. Allen has specialist expertise in high-end leisure real estate matters. The practice has notable experience of drafting and negotiating hotel operator and franchise agreements.