Shoosmiths expands property litigation team

Law firm Shoosmiths has made a senior addition to its property litigation team, with the recruitment of partner Richard Symonds in Manchester.

The national property litigation team at Shoosmiths now totals 23 lawyers; Symonds’ appointment makes Shoosmiths’ team one of the largest in Manchester, with six specialist lawyers.

Symonds has 20 years’ experience in all aspects of real estate litigation and joins following 12 years at Addleshaw Goddard.

Over the past 12 months, Kirsty Black was hired in to the team as senior associate, Ben Kelly joined as a newly qualified solicitor, Sarah Dunning joined as a paralegal and existing team member Sophie Tracey was promoted to associate.

Wayne Nash, partner and head of Shoosmiths’ real estate litigation team in Manchester, said: “The team has tripled its client base over the last three years, with notable additions including Renaker Build, FO Developments, Fortis and Student Castle, and the prospect of several more over the coming months.”

Symonds said: “The decision to join Shoosmiths was a clear one for me. The Manchester office in particular has a reputation as a market-leader in property law, regionally and nationally. The chance to work with clients such as Allied London and The Emerson Group, which are heavily involved in the continued growth and development of Manchester, is very exciting.”