Solent: Shoosmiths makes strategic hire with real estate partner

National law firm Shoosmiths has appointed real estate partner John Downs to its growing national real estate team.

With over 12 years’ experience in the law, Downs joins the Shoosmiths team from Field Fisher Waterhouse where he advised corporate clients on complex real estate projects, with a particular focus on the hotel and leisure sector.

Based in Shoosmiths’ Solent office, Downs will continue to advise clients on a wide range of commercial property work, including acquisitions and disposals of various types of commercial property from individual properties, to the acquisition or sale of property portfolios. He will also advise on the property elements of corporate transactions and will act for both landlords and tenants on a variety of landlord and tenant matters.

Stephen Porter, head of the Solent office, said: "John joins us at an exciting time for the Solent office, and Shoosmiths nationally. The real estate team is expanding to reflect demand for our legal expertise. John’s wealth of experience and market knowledge will be a real asset to the team and will help us to provide what we are renowned for – our expertise, and a first-class client experience."

Downs added: "Shoosmiths has established an excellent reputation for being a leading national firm and has an established real estate team which is growing, so it is an exciting place to be. I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with such an extensive client base while evolving and expanding the real estate offering to meet the individual requirements of our clients."

Shoosmiths' real estate group is one of the largest in the UK, made up of teams advising on real estate, construction, planning, property litigation, and environmental issues.

Shoosmiths' clients include commercial and residential developers, investors, retail and leisure operators, social housing bodies, major corporate occupiers, banks and other funders and a range of public sector bodies.