Member Article

Corporate workload means expansion for Wake Smith

Wake Smith Solicitors’ company commercial team has expanded in response to the firm’s increasing levels of corporate transactional work.

The team, headed up by John Baddeley and Duncan Shepherd from Wake Smith’s No 1 Velocity headquarters in Sheffield city centre, has seen a flurry of activity over the last few months.

Deals totalling an aggregate value of £40m were completed in March and April, with another £20m worth of business due to be signed off in May.

New addition Sheffield-born Gavin Hesketh will focus on corporate transactional work advising buyers and sellers and offer instruction on company and partnership law.

He joins Wake Smith after spending seven months at Ironmonger Curtis LLP following his training contract at Hill Dickinson, both in Sheffield. Before his training, Gavin studied economics at the University of York after which he completed a law conversion course at the University of Sheffield.

Duncan Shepherd, director and head of company commercial, said: “Having a strong team is crucial for Wake Smith at this busy time as we win an increasing amount of corporate work. Our vast experience across a wide range of commercial law matters from terms and conditions of business and agency/distributorship agreements to complex multi-party documentation is paying dividends.

“We not only advise our business clients on legal issues throughout their life cycle, covering start up, growth, success and failure, but have a real appreciation of the underlying commercial objectives. Gavin’s economics background and legal experience brings additional depth to our team here at Wake Smith.”

Gavin, who attended King Edwards VII School in Sheffield, added: “These are exciting times for Wake Smith and I look forward to being part of the experienced and expanding commercial team.”

For further information on Wake Smith Solicitors visit www.wake-smith.co.uk or call 0114 266 6660.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Agent Public Relations .