Press Release

Leading UK law firm Shoosmiths has recruited highly experienced funds lawyer Barry Stimpson into its corporate team.

Barry’s experience as a funds specialist with City and international law firms extends to more than 30 years in advising clients on establishing real estate, venture capital and private equity funds and other investment structures, as well as on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and other corporate work.

His work includes advising fund managers, investors and professional services firms on limited liability partnerships and partnership agreements and mergers.

Barry joins Shoosmiths after five years as head of the funds practice at Womble Bond Dickinson and was previously an investment banker, where he gained experience in the real estate and listed funds sectors to bring an understanding of both the financial and legal drivers behind projects.

His remit will be to further develop the firm’s funds offering by working closely with the corporate, tax, real estate, regulatory and banking and finance teams across the UK at Shoosmiths. His arrival also complements the firm’s buoyant London corporate team, fresh from Shoosmiths’ recent relocation to One Bow Churchyard in the City.

Legal directory Chambers & Partners cites Barry as a notable practitioner with clients describing him as being "very responsive and highly knowledgeable of the sector", adding that he is "pragmatic and an excellent negotiator."

Ben Turner, corporate partner said: “Barry has built his practice with a similar ethos to Shoosmiths, focusing on providing high quality advice and delivering excellent client service and the strength of our existing corporate and real estate teams will complement Barry’s extensive credentials.” 

Barry Stimpson said: “I’m pleased to be joining Shoosmiths with its collaborative approach and collegiate culture and am excited by the opportunity to develop the firm’s funds practice.”

In H1 of 2021 the corporate team at Shoosmiths was ranked third for volume of UK deals advised on according to Experian MarketIQ and is ranked in the top ten for volume of European VC deals by Pitchbook. Shoosmiths is currently shortlisted for the M&A Team of the Year and Private Equity Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2021 and the Corporate Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2021.