Department profile
Shoosmiths LLP

Restructuring/Insolvency

UK Guide 2026 : Midlands

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Shoosmiths LLP

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About

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP

Shoosmiths' corporate restructuring and advisory team contains over 20 specialist restructuring lawyers dedicated to delivering an excellent client experience for major high street lenders, companies in financial difficulty, PE houses, boards of directors and insolvency practitioners throughout the UK.

The team has a broad range of experience of dealing with the full spectrum of business restructuring and insolvency related matters across all sectors, and is well known for its creative, innovative and commercial thinking.

The team consistently works on high profile, highly complex assignments, including disposals and acquisitions of businesses on behalf of insolvency practitioners and corporate clients respectively.

Having acted on more retail CVAs than any other law firm over the last five-six years, Shoosmiths is now widely known in the restructuring community as the go-to law firm for CVAs and Restructuring Plans, winning roles on a number of large, well-known businesses going through restructuring processes.

We recognise that in financially distressed scenarios our clients need urgent practical advice, which is why we pride ourselves on our fast response times. We offer constructive, commercial and clear advice in a straightforward manner to provide solutions tailored to our clients’ objectives.

The team also advises on litigious matters, acting for insolvency practitioners and creditors in recovering funds through the use of corporate and insolvency legislation.

Clients (4)

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Interpath Limited
  • Teneo Financial Advisory Limited
  • RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - Midlands

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Shoosmiths acts for banks and insolvency practitioners on the full range of restructuring matters. The team also advises investors on the acquisition of distressed businesses. It possesses deep experience advising on property-related insolvency work and related litigation. It has additional expertise in advisory work concerning the implementation of CVAs.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Shoosmiths acted for PwC in its role as administrator of Wilko, Wilko.com and Wilkinson Hardware Stores.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Shoosmiths are commercial and pragmatic. They explain the real-world consequences as well as the legal position.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

  • The Shoosmiths team provide flexibility, a pragmatic approach and great communication.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

  • The Shoosmiths team provide straightforward advice and ensure that we take on risks that we are aware of.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • James Keates
    James Keates

    James Keates

    James Keates is the national head of the corporate restructuring and advisory department based in Birmingham. He has notable experience advising on restructuring exercises in the retail sector and is also noted for his expertise with regard to CVAs.

    • James is unbelievably commercial. He comes up with solutions and concepts that other people have not considered.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

    • James is all-round excellent.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

    • Whenever we need to advise a business, James is my first port of call. He takes the time to think creatively about the problems and brings a world-class, can-do attitude.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK
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  • Russell Hill
    Russell Hill

    Russell Hill

    Russell Hill is a partner in the restructuring and insolvency group in Birmingham. He advises distressed businesses, banks and insolvency practitioners on contentious and non-contentious matters. He is frequently instructed with regard to restructuring exercises and asset sales.
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  • Charlotte Duce
    Charlotte Duce

    Charlotte Duce

    Charlotte Duce is a legal director in the restructuring and insolvency team in Birmingham. She often advises administrators on CVAs, pre-pack sales and disposals.

    • Charlotte is a really excellent and pragmatic lawyer. She is switched-on and smart. She's really good at what she does.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

    • Charlotte offers truly exceptional advice and delivery across a spectrum of restructuring matters. She enables clients to address complex challenges and offers innovative and tailored solutions.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK
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  • Tom Swain
    Tom Swain

    Tom Swain

    Tom Swain is a legal director in Shoosmiths' corporate restructuring and advisory team. Swain is a growing presence in advising an array of businesses on insolvency matters.

    • Tom has excellent technical skills, balanced against strong commercial acumen. He fosters a truly collaborative approach.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

    • Tom is a rising star.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK

    • Tom can lead and run entire transactions from start to finish, taking a commercial view and providing detailed, specific advice on complex points.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Shoosmiths LLP (4)

Midlands

Members

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP

Shoosmiths LLP has rankings in the following guides

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