Leading UK law firm Shoosmiths has today announced its move to a state-of-the-art office in the heart of the City of London.

The firm’s commitment to London expansion is client-led, and the new office - based at No. 1 Bow Churchyard, EC4M- will provide the fast-growing firm the permanent base required to significantly increase its presence, support the firm’s strategic growth ambitions and enhance its client experience. Shoosmiths’ expansion into London comes at a time when some firms have considered downsizing office space in London and north-shored operations.

At 40,000sq ft, the new office is split across seven floors – a basement, reception area, three working floors supporting our teams on an agile basis, and two floors of dedicated client space. The office will benefit from numerous meeting spaces and a conference facility.

The building itself has been designed with the firm’s sustainability efforts to the fore and will be rated ‘Very Good’ on the globally recognised BREEAM benchmark for sustainability.

Joseph Mazzucca, partner and head of the London office at Shoosmiths, said:

“Since 2014, the firm has been on a very exciting journey in the London market. We have thrived here and grown consistently, building strong and authentic relationships with our clients through our combination of practicality and personality.

“The new office will give us more new and exciting opportunities in this vibrant market, and further opportunities to be part of and contribute to London’s culturally diverse business community. It will also provide us with greater access to a rich talent pool to enhance the diverse range of specialisms and expertise for our clients. We greatly look forward to welcoming our clients, our people, and our business and community partners to our new London office.”

Simon Boss, CEO at Shoosmiths, said: “The move is a natural next step on Shoosmiths’ journey and one that supports our strategic growth ambitions. It follows office expansions and openings across the UK reflecting our ongoing and sustained commitment to client-focused work and infrastructure.

“The move to No. 1 Bow Churchyard will give our clients greater access to our legal expertise and provide our international clients with a hub in the heart of Europe’s leading financial district. It will also act as a fantastic collaborative space for colleagues to work together driving innovation and ideas, supporting our clients’ businesses.”

Claremont managed Shoosmiths’ fit out.

New lateral hires in London from 2020 onwards include Sam Tyfield and Laura Board, corporate partners from Vedder Price and Bird & Bird respectively; Prakesh Kerai, from DAC Beachcroft, Philip Tansley from Keystone Law and Johanne Cox, head of international arbitration, all of which are part of the firm’s business advisory division; and Ian Reid a real estate partner who joined from Trowers & Hamlins.

The news of the London office follows hot on the heels of the firm’s recent announcement it has signed a lease for a new office in Glasgow following the successful presence of a hub, the move of Shoosmiths’ Milton Keynes office to Avebury Boulevard, the move of its Leeds office to the Platform building and the Belfast office move to East Bridge Street.