Qualified in 1992 and bringing 32 years’ experience, Stephen joins from Howard Kennedy. His career includes senior leadership roles at Child & Child and CMS, where he built a 12‑lawyer real estate disputes team. He was also part of the board and executive management committee at Narbarro prior to its merger with CMS.
Stephen advises investors, developers and asset managers across the industrial and logistics, retail, leisure, office and sports sectors on the full spectrum of commercial real estate disputes, from development and asset‑management issues to complex portfolio litigation.
Stephen, who will work nationally from Shakespeare Martineau’s London office, said: “I am delighted to join Shakespeare Martineau at this stage of my career. The firm’s culture, depth of expertise and impressive client base immediately stood out, as did its entrepreneurial approach.
“I’m eager to help raise the profile of our London office, support colleagues in other locations and add strategic, problem‑solving value for clients as they pursue transformative real estate projects.”
Stephen’s arrival strengthens Shakespeare Martineau’s national real estate disputes offering, enhancing its capability to advise on development, investment and asset‑management challenges for clients across the UK.
Vanessa Joll, who heads the real estates disputes team at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Stephen’s reputation in property litigation is outstanding. His track record in building successful teams and steering high‑stakes, commercially‑critical matters makes him a perfect fit for our fast‑growing practice. Clients will benefit from his strategic mindset, sector knowledge and genuine passion for supporting both people and projects.”