Shoosmiths makes senior real estate hire

National law firm Shoosmiths has added to the real estate team in its Edinburgh office with the appointment of Gillian Wood as a senior associate. 

Ms Wood, a specialist in property development and telecommunications property law, joins the development team led by Janette Speed. Recruited from Shepherd & Wedderburn, she has extensive experience in residential development/investment, acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant, property management and strategic land. 

"Gillian is a highly respected lawyer with an impressive track record", commented Ms Speed, one of three partners in the team. We have recently secured a number of client wins and I’m certain Gillian will quickly make a positive contribution to the continued growth of our real estate team in Scotland."

She added: "Over the past 12 months, Shoosmiths' office in Edinburgh has experienced a further increase in activity across key practice areas, including in real estate and corporate. While the investment sector has experienced some challenges in 2017, at Shoosmiths we see more opportunities for growth in the year ahead. This includes in multi-faceted hotel and leisure and residential property development (including affordable housing) and investment work related to care homes and health as well as the energy, technology and scientific sectors.

"Consequently, as a progressive UK-wide business that in addition to attracting senior legal talent also offers newly qualified solicitors the benefit of unrivalled training and support, I anticipate that in early 2018 we will further increase the head count in our Edinburgh office."